BUILDING Shutters Systems bets on both shutters vs. screens

"We sometimes like to compare the choice between shutters and screens to a soccer derby," states CEO Thibaut Suys of BUILDING Shutter Systems. "Often it is a fraught choice between two products that au fond have a lot in common, but where the advantage of one is often the disadvantage of the other." Soccer legend Johan Cruijff couldn't have put it better: "every disadvantage has its advantage. That shutters and screens are complementary within their market segment, they have well understood at BUILDING Shutter Systems. "We therefore draw the card of both products to be able to offer an answer to a variety of questions," Suys said.

There is uiter of course not an exact parable of a soccer derby, but choosing between cloth awnings and shutters can leave a consumer in two minds, Suys observes. "Especially nowadays, with the snow coming up to our ankles more often in winter, while in summer we are frequently weighed down by the heat. For comfort, wouldn't it be better to choose a roller shutter, which can keep the heat inside during the cold winter? Or still screens, to protect the home from overheating in the summer months?"

This is a burning hot topic, with young people playing hooky on a weekly basis to rally by the thousands for marches for a better climate. "It is an optimistic observation that BUILDING Shutter Systems is doing a small part for the better, with sustainable and energy-efficient solutions that put up a strong defense against the changing climate," Suys said.

'First-tier in shutters, leading 'in screens'

"Screens are chosen above all because of their sleek design and wide range of execution options," Thibaut Suys believes. "Under the brand name Lockscreen^®, we offer a complete range of outdoor awnings. The finish of the screen fabric is particularly remarkable. The bottom bar is aesthetically and tightly attached to the fabric, with no visible weld seam."

CEO Thibaut Suys of BUILDING Shutter Systems.

BUILDING Shutter Systems sees its new solar-powered front screen as a great addition to the company's range. "It is an innovation that can be installed without any cutting and breaking," Suys said. "This Lockscreen^® FRONT Solar is not only unique in design, but equally unique in terms of achievable dimensions. Controlled with the 10 Nm Somfy motor, it achieves an area of up to 12 m², with a maximum width of 4.5 m."

BUILDING Shutter Systems has been playing in first class as a manufacturer of shutters for decades, Suys notes with satisfaction. "Over the years, the design of the shutter has become increasingly bellhas become more important. However, what proves decisive in terms of design is the color range. As the only manufacturer in Belgium, we also powder-coat the roller shutter blade in all RAL colors. This offers the end customer the possibility to choose a uniform color for armor, guides, casing and bottom rail that perfectly matches the style of the shutter. his home."

Paint work is done in-house, in the fully automated and 100% green paint shop, which Z&R reported extensively on when it went into operation in the fall of 2015. This allows BUILDING Shutter Systems to anticipate incoming orders quickly and flexibly.

Shutters or screens

BUILDING Shutter Systems lists several points of interest in the comparison between shutters and screens that can help determine the choice of either system:

- Solar screens put energy draindaring air-conditioning systems out of play and provide a pleasant indoor climate. But Also, shutters offer thermal insulation, they not only repel the bright sun, but in the cold seasons contribute greatly to retaining heat in the home or building.

- The market is increasingly moving toward new, sustainable solutions. Consider, for example, the drive  of shutters and screens by means of solar energy. On this basis, BUILDING Shutter Systems dares to state that both products score in terms of energy performance.

- Ook in terms of living comfort both systems score advantages. They are both easy to use and operate, provide privacy and ensure above all for a pleasant and comforindoor climate table.

- When it comes to the feeling of safety roller shutters at an advantage. The fixed closure of windows and doors deters unwanted visitors. External fabric blinds can score few points in that area.

- Maintaining transparency is a major advantage of screens, preserving the view outside.

- Screens are also often chosen for the sake of of their sleek design and the wide range of execution options. Incidentally, roller shutters are also offering more and more possibilities in this respect, for example by the possibility of powder-coating the case, guides, armor and bottom bar in the same or a color of your choice or by having the bottom bar disappear into the case.

"This opsummation makes it clear that for every disadvantage one product has over another, there is also an advantage," concludes Thibaut Suys. "With that, we have scored our point: 'every disadvantage has its advantage,' or vice versa, of course. The choice between roller shutters or screens is not infrequently subjective or nurtured with one's childhood. Just as you are a fan of a soccer team because your father is one, there may be a preference for roller shutters because they used to be there at home! And for those who really can't choose, a compromise is still possible: blackout shutters for bedrooms and solar screens that don't obstruct the view outside for living areas. So we blow the whistle on a draw!"