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Sunlight-controlled curtains that roll down or go up on their own are not the stuff of sci-fi books. Shop right now for intelligent blinds and shades
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WINDOW TO THE FUTURE Remote-control your blinds and curtains and indulge in some convenience
Curtains, holds, sheers, scallops, blinds and tiebacks in a host of materials have already flooded the market. But now it's the age of some mind-boggling futuristic technology-driven "intelligent" window dressing!
If your purse allows for some more breezy additional comforts and a contemporary touch of technology, then you need to check out Somfy's interior solar protection that offers motorisation and remote controls for curtains and blinds.
Imagine you are snugly sitting on a sofa, relaxing with a book or cosily knotted up in bed. You don't want to get up, but you do want the curtains drawn up or wrung down? The mission can be accomplished with just the click of a button on your remote.
Drawing the curtains manually to let in light and air or shutting out the bright afternoon sun could soon be passé for Somfy's clientele. No more unsightly cords and ropes. Somfy has brought in mechanisms that provide complete control of the blinds and curtains at your fingertips.
Somfy International, a French multinational, brings intelligent movement to windows and access points of buildings. Motorisation and automatic controls for closures and openings and solar protection in buildings are the company's forte.
"We are located at Switzerland's doorstep, with industrial roots in the clock and watch-making trades, at the foot of Mont Blanc in France. Customisation is the key mantra for Somfy motorisation," says Emmanuel Cantegrel, General Manager, Somfy India Pvt. Ltd. "You can programme your blinds to open and close everyday at a time chosen by you. So, even when you are away, your room will get natural daylight and your home or office will be protected at night," he says.
What happens when the whole house is on a holiday? "You don't need to `dark shut' your house. Let your home breathe even as you vacation. Install a Somfy chronis RTS light sensor or timer control. Leave your blinds to fully extend or retract automatically according to the position of the sun or the time of the day," gushes Cantegrel.
Actually the motorisation, controls and the sensors are intriguing to watch in action. Just as you sit watching the sun shimmer for more than 20 minutes on your plants or computer in your drawing room, you see the blinds dropping automatically!
Somfy offers motorisation for a wide variety of blinds to suit each décor and style — elegant Venetian blinds, sophisticated Roman blinds, pleated blinds for privacy or roller blinds that act as sunscreens for large architectural spaces.
The motors, controls and accessories are user-friendly. Complete with fractional horsepower (FHP), they are provided to the manufacturers and installers of rolling shutters, awnings and window blinds. These are, in turn, integrated in their end-curtains. The motors are maintenance-free, thermally protected and lubricated for life.
Automatic controls for garage doors and gates for residential and commercial buildings are also part of their product range.
Going techie is all fine, but what happens when the remote is misplaced? "Just use the wall control unit — they can be operated either way," he Cantegrel.
These energy-efficient automated blinds are already the cynosure at Hyatt Regency, The Taj, Oberoi, Infosys, Microsoft, IBM, Wipro and many high-end villas across the country. Of course, they cost a whopping Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 30,000 for each window area depending on the size and fabric of the blinds chosen.
But Cantegrel is quick to add that it is advise, installation, commissioning and after-sales service that make the difference.
Their website www.somfy.co.in will give you an idea of the range. Orders can be booked at somfy@spectra-smart.com
RANJANI GOVIND
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