2023 Archive : Grangers Blinds

Project Details

Fabric 1

Ultra Clear PVC
Producer/Manufacturer: Contender NZ Ltd.
Primary Use: Main Fabric

Please describe the project specifications

The customer wanted to increase their outdoor seating capacity in inclement weather at the busy restaurant. The brief was to provide spring loaded blinds or similar surrounding 5 umbrellas to provide wind and rain protection. We had to allow for drainage from the umbrellas between the umbrellas to go outside of the curtain installation yet not impede the opening and closing of the umbrellas.

What is unique or complex about the project?

We were asked to design, manufacture and install a self supporting structure, mounted to a small retaining wall/balustrade, which would hold the blinds in a very exposed location. They had to be able to be rolled up and allow for the water run off from the gutter flap between the umbrellas. As this was a busy restaurant, we had very limited time onsite and had to be offsite before they opened for lunch, so the project was completed over a few days. We initially installed the support posts and hardware, then measured for the blinds and infills. Then we installed the blinds and infills a couple of days later.
The project was designed with the posts on either side of the gutter, and we installed a fixed infill between these posts a little shorter than the blinds would be, and this is where the water from the gutter exited. The posts had to come out from the retaining wall at a certain angle, which took a couple of visits to get right, so that it angled out from the wall but finished just outside the edge of the umbrella. The posts were cut and welded with additional support around the weld, as we were very conscious of the high wind loading they would be taking.
We then mounted angle across the top of the posts to secure them together and protect the fabric on the roller. The blinds were spring loaded, so once we had the posts in place we could install the hardware and complete an accurate measure for the fabric.
The end blinds were hand rolled and directly mounted to the umbrella framing with D shackles. These had to be angled back from the top down the floor so they were not impeding the walkway that ran through the seating area.
Were challenged during the installation by the herb gardens and shrubbery in the way. On the upside we all smelt like lavender and rosemary when leaving site.
The end result was the customer had more utilized seating in inclement weather and we have garnered further work from the passers-by admiring the installation.

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