SOS™ Glossary of Terms

2-4-1 System™
This system allows two motors to be wired to one switch. It is ideal in situation where there are a maximum of two motors per room.

As
see: Solar Absorptance

Blackout Shade
A shade which provides complete and total darkening to a room, includes side channels, head box or fascia and sill closure.

BOCR™
"Black Out Clutch Rollershade". A registered trademark of Inside Outfitters, Inc.

Deco Fascia
Continuous one-piece aluminum panel that snaps into brackets to provide a finished look. Available in a wide range of colors. Maximum recommended width is 84 inches.

Exposed Hembar
An extruded aluminum bar which is not sewn into the shade hem, and which provides compensation and stability for proper hanging of shade.

Fascia
Metal panel or cover which when placed across the head of a shade provides a clean and finished look.

Fenestration Data
An architectural/engineering term used in describing the data used in proportioning of windows and the factors that influence the admittance of energy through the glass and its effect on the building interior.

g-value or SHGC
Solar heat gain is normally quantified by the g-value, also known as the solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC). It is the fraction of solar radiation admitted through a window or skylight, both directly transmitted, and absorbed and subsequently released inward. It is expressed as a number without units between 0 and 1. A window with a lower Solar Heat Gain Coefficient transmits less solar heat, and provides better shading.

GC System
Group Control -- A System that is used when it is necessary to control all of the shades in an area as one group. i.e. complete building, by floor or by facade, etc via one switch.

Glaze
To glaze a window is to furnish it with glass or other material. The glass or other material may then be referred to as the glazing material. When drapes or other heat control devices are used in combination with the glass, the combination is referred to as the glazing system.

Head Box / Closure Flap
Extruded aluminum three-sided box with removable access panel which serves to hid the shade roll and provide dust cover protection. Available with all manual or motorized roller shades.

Hembar
An extruded aluminum bar sewn into the hem of a Manual, Clutch, or Motor shade that provides compensation and stability for proper hanging.

IGC System
Individual Group Control -- This system allows the user to operate shades as a group or individually. This allows the user to have individual window control, floor control and total building control. The system does not allow the user to redefine the groups without rewiring.

Inside Mount
A blind or shade installed (or mounted) within the window recess.

L-Angle Fascia
Extruded aluminum fascia that is in an “L” shape, and snaps on to the mounting brackets covering two sides of the shade roll (front and bottom). Standard colors are white, bronze, black, and brushed aluminum. Custom colors are available upon request.

Light Reflection Al
The ratio of visible light reflected by the shading on the aluminum side of the fabric. Verosol and SS-5 fabrics with metallisized backing only. See also: Solar Reflectance.

Light Transmission
The ration of visible light passing through the shading. see also: LT and Solar Transmission

LT
Light Transmittance. The percentage or fraction of visible light transmitted by a window (glazing with shading).

Manutrac™
SOS patented dual track shade system, which is operated manually via a cord drive, used for skylights and inclined windows.

MBOR™
"Motorized Black Out Rollershade" A registered trademark of Inside Outfitters, Inc.

Monotrac™
Cordless SOS patented dual-track shade system operated manually with a spring-loaded tube used for skylights, solariums, and inclined windows.

MOR™
"Motorized Opaque Rollershade" A registered trademark of Inside Outfitters, Inc.

Mototrac™
SOS patented dual track shade system that is operated by a motor whose drive shaft raises and lowers the shade used for skylights and inclined windows that are inaccessible to manual operation.

MTR™
"Motorized Translucent Rollershade" A registered trademark of Inside Outfitters, Inc.

OCR™
"Opaque Clutch Rollershade" A registered trademark of Inside Outfitters, Inc.

"Openness Factor" - (O.F.)
Refers to the ratio of open area to the total flat surface area of a drapery fabric or perforated material. This quantity relates well to the amount of solar heat admitted through a fabric or perforated material to the extent to which discomfort results to individuals near the glazing system. It also represents the light that is transmitted in a specular way (T specular) which also determines the ability to view through a product.

Outside Mount
A blind or shade installed (our mounted) outside of the window opening on the surface of wall or molding.

Plus+Graphic
SOS™ shade featuring a printed graphic, logo or symbol on the fabric. Can be used with any SOS™ shading system.

Ra
Color Rendering Index of the transmitted (day) light.
An index developed by CIE which describes changes in color. Ra may reach a maximum value of 100. Ra > 90 characterizes as very good and Ra > 80 characterizes as a good color rendering. Color affects the appearance of view (bronze will dull a blue sky, for example) and the appearance of interior finishes.

Roman Shade
Traditional style horizontal shade which folds up accordion style into a top stack or optional bottom up application. Motorization is an optional feature available. Roman shades can be used for oversized windows up to 30 feet wide.

Room Darkening Shade
A shade, which provides substantial darkening to a room, but does not provide total darkness. Manufactured with opaque fabric but no side channels or sill closure.

Shading Coefficient
The amount of total solar energy that is transmitted to the interior by a certain application. This takes into consideration the screen and the glass materials as well as the location of the screen.

Side Channel
Extruded aluminum channel through which each side of a shade slide. Used with blackout applications and for aesthetic reasons.

Simmple™ System
This system is deemed "simmple" because it utilizes a reduced number of wires as compared with other systems. It also allows the end user to forgo any switches in lieu of remote, unlike any other system. Choice of remote control or wall switch with the motorized system. Maximum of four groups via an unlimited number of motors.

Smmart™ System
This system allows total building automation through integration of lighting, heating/cooling, sun sensors, timers, etc. with the shade system via PC. This in an intelligent system that maximizes efficiencies with minimal human management necessary. Can be used to automate a single room or an entire building.

Solar - Optical Properties
Refers to the solar transmittance, solar reflectance, and solar absorptions of the screening material itself. This is not in relationship to the type of application of the screening material.

"Solar Absorptance" - (As )
The ratio of the amount of total solar energy which is absorbed by a glazing system to the amount of total solar energy falling on the glazing system (the portion of the solar energy which is reflected or transmitted).

"Solar Reflectance" - (Rs) (Al)
The ratio of the amount of total solar energy, which is, reflected outward by a glazing system to the amount of total solar energy falling on the glazing system. With SS-5 and Verosol fabrics its the ratio of solar energy reflected by the shading on the aluminum side.

"Solar Transmittance" - (Ts)
The ratio of solar energy passing through the shading. - or - The ratio of the amount of total solar energy allowed to pass through a glazing system to the amount of total solar energy falling on the glazing system.

SOS™
"Sun or Shade" A registered Trademark of Inside Outfitters, Inc.

Sunscreen Fabrics
SOS fabrics provide Ultra Violet (UV) light blockage between 70 and 99%. Available brands: Phifer, Verosol, 3GMermet, Hexcel

TCR
"Translucent Clutch-operated Rollershade." A registered trademark of Inside Outfitters, Inc.

Ts
see: Solar Transmittance

Tv
see: Visual Transmittance

U-value
The U-value (u-factor) is a measure of the rate of heat flow through a window system or assembly. It is expressed in units of Btu/hr-ft²-°F or W/m².°C. Window manufacturers and engineers commonly use the U-factor to describe the rate of non-solar heat loss or gain through a window or skylight. Lower window U-factors have greater resistance to heat flow and better insulating value.

"UV Transmittance" - (Tuv)
(UV Transmission)The ratio of the amount of UV radiation that passes through the shading. The value is used as a rating to determine the product/glazing effectiveness in guarding against UV degradation. Ultraviolet radiation is responsible for sunburn of people and plants, and contributes to fabric fading and damage to artwork and woodwork. This value is directly related to the openness factor of the solar protection material used.

Ventilation
g-values (SHGC) and U-values of glazing with shading are dependent on ventilation air flows in the cavity between the glazing and the shading, as described in ISO15009. Two examples: Without ventilation (compliant to EN410 / ISO9050) and with natural (not forced) air ventilation.

VCS™
"Value Clutch Shade." A registered trademark of Inside Outfitters, Inc.

"Visual Transmittance" - (Tv)
The ratio of the amount of total visible solar energy which is allowed to pass through a glazing system. It is related to the amount of glare a person receives through a glazing system.