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29.01.2024
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Drive - electric or manual?
When ordering awnings, Refleksol Systems or Venetian Blinds, we often have a choice between electric or manual drive. Undoubtedly, in both cases the system will work perfectly, but which type of drive do we as a manufacturer recommend?  To make the decision easier, we present the advantages and disadvantages of both types of drive.
1 Convenience of operation We have made sure that the crank operation is effortless, but there can only be one winner in this category - the electric drive. A single press of the switch or a button on the remote control opens or closes the system. This is particularly important with awnings - in the event of a sudden change in the weather, an electrically driven awning can be retracted much more quickly and efficiently (see point 3).
2. Costs In this category the manual drive wins, although given the overall cost of the system the price difference is not acute. However, the decision is up to the user.
3. Use of weather sensors Weather sensors provide comfort and even more functionality, but their use is only possible with an electric drive. Please read our articles on weather automation: https://www.selt.com/porady-en-5 , https://www.selt.com/porady-en-2
4 Energy supply interruptions   A frequently used argument in favour of a crank system is that the system can be opened/closed in the event of a power cut. However, with an electric drive it is possible to use a motor with emergency retraction. In the case of awnings, this is an additional crank, and for Venetian Blinds and Refleksol Systems the optional Emergency Exit Safe module (second escape route). The battery belonging to the module allows the system to be activated in the event of a power failure. If the module is connected to a fire alarm system, opening will occur automatically.
5 Thermal bridges In the case of external covers, where the manual control is relocated through a conduit to the inside of the room, thermal bridges responsible for heat loss form at these points.
Brief summary Our overview clearly shows that the electric drive is not only more comfortable to operate, but also more functional. Given the undoubted advantages of the electric drive, we recommend it in our systems.
11.01.2024
Paint colors for SELT systems - is anything possible?
We often receive questions relating to the colors of lacquering of blinds, Reflexolas, or pergolas. Customers ask whether they will be able to match the color of the system to the color of the windows or the facade of the building. Our first answer is that when it comes to matching the color of the construction of our systems, virtually anything is possible. We proved this by making, for example, a pink or gold pergola.

 However, it is worth recalling a few aspects of the varnishing of our products to dispel any doubts.
1 Having two state-of-the-art powder coating plants, we not only have tremendous possibilities to choose the color of the painting, but also to control the quality. SELT's painting means top quality materials and environmentally friendly technology. As you can see, painting a pergola gold is not a problem for us, although choosing non-standard colors involves an extra charge and extended production time.
2 When selecting a shade, such as the color of the windows, we must take into account the possible minimal differences in shades on different surfaces, depending on the material. In addition, shades may vary minimally depending on the manufacturer of the powder paint used.
3 When it comes to painting the blades of the blinds, colors outside the standard must be ordered from the supplier of the coils from which the blades are manufactured. Blinds, unlike structural components, are wet-varnished. The choice of a non-standard color of the feathers is combined with an extension of the production deadline by about 4-8 weeks and a surcharge. 4. plastic elements, such as plugs, remain in standard colors, as it is not possible to varnish them.

We leave the decision on the color of the system to our customers, on our side is the care that, regardless of the choice, the varnish coating is durable, and the whole system is not only functional, but also aesthetic. We invite you to familiarize yourself with our offer!
05.12.2023
Venetian Blinds or Refleksol Systems what to choose ?
Sunshades have become an essential part of our homes. They reduce the amount of sunlight entering the interiors, thereby limiting the heating of the rooms and increasing the comfort of the occupants. Due to their effectiveness, we particularly recommend external systems, both Venetian Blinds and Refleksol Systems. The choice of a particular system should be made by the user himself, taking into account several aspects such as: aesthetics, building conditions and the function that the shades should fulfil.
1. Aesthetics: Fortunately, it is not necessary to choose between appearance and functionality. Both Venetian Blinds and Refleksol Systems have their loyal fans - the aluminium structures harmonise perfectly with modern architecture and the wide choice of construction colours allows them to match any façade. The user therefore has to ask himself what suits his vision of the house better and check whether the chosen system can be used in this particular case.
2 Building conditions: If the choice of sun protection systems is not decided at the design stage of the house, the building conditions to which the system must be adapted must be taken into account. In the case of installation in a window recess, where space is limited, the height of the package and therefore the height of the shade or cassette will be decisive - in Refleksol Systems, the height of the cassette is much lower than in Venetian Blinds. Location is also important; in areas exposed to intensive wind e.g. on high floors of buildings, ZIIIP Refleksol Systems are the best choice; these are systems with the highest wind resistance class.
3. Functionality: Both Venetian Blinds and Refleksol Systems effectively fulfil the function of solar protection, but differ in the way they operate. In the case of Venetian Blinds, the user can change the position of the slats depending on the time of day and the position of the sun, thus controlling the amount of sunlight in the interior. However, he or she will not be able to avoid flashes of light entering the interior, and artificial lighting is likely to be required when the slats are fully closed. In the evening and at night, blinds provide privacy by completely shading the interior. Refleksol Systems are closed systems, the diffused light passes through the fabric without creating light reflections, so it is ideal for office spaces. Refleksol Systems allow the use of natural light while reducing the heat entering the interior.  The wide range of fabrics allows you to customise the functionality of the Roller Blind, there is, for example, the option to use the Black Out fabric, which blocks the sun's rays. During the day, Refleksole Systems provide privacy while not blocking the view of those inside the room. At night, however, Refleksole Systems have the opposite effect - interiors are visible from the outside.
4. Ecology: The ecological advantages are considerable in both cases. The reduction in carbon dioxide emissions through the use of sunshades exceeds the CO2 emissions associated with the entire life cycle of the product many times over - from the acquisition of the material to the disposal of the product. In the case of Venetian Blinds, the reduction in emissions is 22 times higher than the production of carbon dioxide, and in the case of Roller Blinds (Reflesol Systems) it is 28 times higher. By purchasing solar shading, not only do we reduce our energy bills and increase the comfort of our interiors, but we also have a positive impact on the environment.
5. Summary: It is not possible to unequivocally recommend just one type of sunshade. In terms of aesthetics, both Venetian Blinds and Refleksol Systems not only match the façade perfectly, but are a decorative element of it. Building conditions are a slight limitation, as there are both a range of models and many installation options. When making a decision, it is advisable to focus on our expectations with regard to the functionality of the blinds and, if necessary, seek professional advice, as only well-chosen blinds will meet your expectations and are a guarantee of a comfortable use.
15.05.2023
Does the use of sun shading contribute to environmental protection?
For a long time, sun shading have not only been considered as an element for improving comfort at work and leisure. Changing climatic conditions and rising energy prices make shading an important component of any building, not only reducing costs but also contributing to environmental protection.
Modern energy-efficient buildings are designed to maximise the use of the sun's rays as a natural source of heat, making it all the more necessary to offset the impact of the sun during the hot months of the year.  By using solar shading, the operation of air-conditioning units can be significantly reduced, thereby lowering electricity consumption. Users can take full advantage of the benefits of solar shading systems with control automation that reacts to changes in the weather.
The energy saved translates into the amount of toxic substances that would be produced in energy production and carbon dioxide emissions. Special programmes, which simulate the energy balance of a building, calculate accurate data assessing the effectiveness of solar shading.
15.05.2023
Sun sensor - is it worth investing in?
The use of a light intensity sensor (also known as a sun sensor), connected to the sunshade drive control, not only increases the comfort of the system, but also contributes to increased energy savings.
How does the sun sensor work?
If the light intensity exceeds a threshold value for 2 minutes, the opening/extension movement is triggered. When the light intensity is below the threshold value for 15 minutes, a closing/retracting movement is triggered. Time delays and hysteresis have been introduced so that the system does not react to short-term changes in weather conditions, so that the motor does not overheat (taking into account its continuous running time) and is always ready for emergency retraction.
What are the advantages of a system with solar automation?
By automatically reducing the penetration of thermal radiation, thermal comfort is increased. This is particularly effective when using external shading. The internal temperature in a room with solar shading is 5°-10° lower than in a room without such shading (if the sun's rays fall on the window). If air-conditioning is used, the energy that would have been used to cool the interior is saved, thus reducing costs. By automatically uncovering the shades at low light levels, the use of artificial light can be reduced. This can result in considerable savings in lighting systems that switch on and off automatically to provide constant illumination of workplaces. By supplementing the sun sensor with a temperature sensor, it is possible to additionally use the function of reheating the room if the indoor temperature is lower than set. Winter gardens are an example of such an application. The light sensor can also be used in some systems to detect dusk and roll down the sun shading to protect privacy.    
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