Welcome to the we love exterior blinds blog, a blog by me, Stuart Dantzic, part of the team at the largest UK manufacturer purely for exterior blinds and awnings in the UK (and supported by other leading industry experts). I genuinely have a passion for exterior blinds (hence the website address) and the benefits they bring including energy saving, comfort and lifestyle.
The UK market for exterior blinds and awnings compared to Europe is still in its infancy. It comprises of a dozen or so trade manufacturers, some UK based, some European based and then around 2500-3000 retailers. There are very few, in fact probably literally only a handful or two of retailers who specialise in exterior blinds. Exterior blinds for the majority of companies are just an add on to their core business, usually of internal blinds although over the past few years garage door, window, shopfitting and sign making companies have jumped onto the wagon, funnily enough around the time the smoking ban came into force – I wonder why that could have been… a chance for them to make some quick money, if only it were that simple!
Of the retailers in the industry, the bulk of them are made up of traditional ‘old school’ blind companies which unfortunately have not moved with the times and do not embrace new technologies, innovations or ideas and subsequently do not have the ability to deal correctly with the external blind requirements of today. And then there are the internet and mail order companies who have taken on board cheap, inferior exterior blinds, primarily patio awnings, imported from the far East and are selling them mainly to residential end users, who are unaware of what to look for due to the lack of knowledge and information on exterior blinds and their correct selection in the marketplace.
All in all this has meant we have an industry filled primarily with companies who lack the knowledge, expertise, competence, drive and most importantly passion to provide exterior blinds that are right for the application and requirements, surveyed, installed, commissioned and maintained correctly. Many companies will tell you that their exterior blinds can do everything and anything you want because they don’t really know themselves, or just want to get the sale or both!
I’m known in the industry for being straight talking and direct to the point, telling it how it is, as you can probably tell from the first few paragraphs, however, in an industry where the majority of companies offer super exterior blinds that can do everything and anything (a bit like the glass companies glazing and if only it were true!), I feel it is important to be blunt, straight and most importantly honest. This as you can imagine wins me as many enemies as friends. Diplomatic I am not, I guess that means politics is out the question for the future (but I’m good at fiddling expenses)!
I am passionate about exterior blinds, living, eating and breathing them (sad I know) and I truly believe they deliver genuine benefits for every sector; commercial, education, residential, healthcare, etc…
The aim of this blog website is to become a complete ever expanding resource for exterior blinds, a library which answers every type of question a professional, specifier, end user, trade etc may have and to promote a healthy debate and move the industry forward, shaping it for the future.
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A brief bit about Stuart Dantzic....
Stuart Dantzic has grown up around the industry, working for the family firm from a young age during Summer breaks, where he helped in the production facilities doing everything from sweeping the floors, to assisting with the manufacture of exterior blinds along with carrying out duties in the office such as general filing, faxing (back in them days!) and clerical work.
He started full time in industry in the year 2000. Beginning in the production facilities, Stuart manufactured virtually every type of exterior blind there is (and still continues to assist from time to time), including folding arm awnings, tensioned exterior roof blinds, exterior roller blinds, window canopies to name just a few. Manufacturing included as well as the assembly of the products, the cutting of the aluminium extrusions, confectioning of the materials and commissioning of the blind automation systems.
Following this Stuart moved to the trade sales department, working with the network of dealers to support them in the survey, sale, installation and maintenance of exterior blinds, along with informing them of product developments and educating them via seminars and on site support.
As the industry progressed and awareness of exterior blinds increased along with their eco credentials, Stuart began (and continues to) working with professional specifiers including architects and engineers, helping them to select and incorporate the correct exterior blinds (and understand their solar and optical properties - 'green' credentials) for both new build and refurbishment projects of all sizes that will create cool, comfortable and most importantly sustainable environments.
Stuart has carried out hundreds of Continual Professional Development (CPD) seminars accredited by the Royal Institue of British Architects (RIBA) to the specifier community, talked to members of the British Blind and Shutter Association (BBSA) at regional seminars about the importance of exterior blinds in Passivhaus buildings amongst other items and has been involved in the launch of a campaign by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) to help with the correct selection of 'green' building improvement products.
He was also involved in what is believed to be the largest installation of exterior blinds in the UK, the specification of exterior blinds featured on the first certified Passivhaus in England (a building which is 90% more energy efficient than typical building stock using passive cooling and heating to keep it at the right ambient level) and the incorporation of exterior blinds on Grand Designs Home of the Year 2011, plus many government initiatives to improve both outdoor and indoor environments including the Space for Personalised Learning scheme which involved exterior blinds to help with creating the next generation of learning spaces along with prestigious and high profile installations.
Along with all this Stuart has been involved in exterior blind product development in conjuction with leading European companies, sat on the managing committee of the British Blind and Shutter Association (BBSA), playing a vital role in the development of the association/industry and installed hundreds of exterior blinds, primarily specialist installations requiring bespoke solutions and critical detail.
And to finish off he has produced informative and concise information on exterior blinds which has found its way onto most literature within the industry in some format or context.
And that's a brief, very brief summary...but if you want to find out more simply email stuart@cbsolarshading.co.uk
