Z&R POTYA 2019: Small but fine!

Number of entries limited, but of good level

The number of entries for the Z&R Product of the Year Award shows more or less a fixed pattern. In a year with an R+T - and possibly a Polyclose - it is high, in intermediate years usually lower. The year 2019 is such an intermediate year, so... However, the quality of entries in 2019 was good and the products submitted seem to offer good prospects for the sun protection specialists. So, a small but fine selection. 

In the year of the R+T 2015, the number of entries for the Z&R Product of the Year Award was "overwhelming" at 37. In 2016, with 21, it was also quite decent. But in 2017, the number of entries lagged markedly behind with 13. In 2018, the effect of Polyclose and especially the R+T 2018 was again noticeable: 25 entries. In 2019, a year without fairs, 11 products were nominated. Not many, but fortunately the quality satisfactory. 

So the effect of the R+T - and to a lesser extent Polyclose - is clear. On the other hand, another trend is also continuing: less appealing news. This was already evident at R+T 2018, where the truly spectacular novelties could be counted on the fingers of one hand. 

What is striking about this year's entries is their diverse nature. In the past, it was often possible to divide the entries into a number of groups: patio covers, awnings... This time, however, that is hardly possible.  

ALUKON - Raff-E
Exterior blinds are not only a functional form of sun protection, they can also be a distinct design element on a facade. But installation is often no easy task! The jury therefore greatly appreciated ALUKON's efforts to increase the ease of installation and service of exterior blinds with its Raff-E. As a result, measuring and mounting the pre-assembled product is as simple as with a roller shutter. Other "nuisances" of the outdoor blind have also been addressed, with an outdoor blind 2.0 as the ultimate result.   

Aluprof - SKB STYROTERM
It is still difficult in the Netherlands because of the way we build, but built-in roller shutters - insulated, possibly airtight - are gaining in popularity. Of course, this has a lot to do with energy issues. Every little bit to save energy can help, including a well-insulated roller shutter. Aluprof has therefore included the SKB STYROTERM in its product range. This built-in roller shutter was positively appreciated by the jury. 

Corradi - Brio
Brio is Corradi's new fabric cover for patio covers, to provide protection from light and weather. Corradi's full range of fabrics can be used for this screen. To keep the fabric under optimal tension, Brio is equipped with a telescopic locking system. According to good Italian practice, the system is linear and sleekly designed, the jury noted. Moreover, thanks to a click system, it is screwless and without seals. In the Cristal version, without side strips in a different fabric type, Brio goes up to 500 cm wide and 320 cm high, in the Glasrope version up to 600 cm wide and 270 cm high. 

Rainbowsol Q-series
Once upon a time, Rainbowsol won the Z&R Product of the Year with its Limited Edition concept. That was back in 2010. Rainbowsol proved to be a deserved winner, as Limited Edition exists to this day and has done the Leerdam-based company no favors. Ten years later, Rainbowsol more or less repeats itself. Once again a concept is launched: the Q-series. Less spectacular than Limited Edition, according to the jury - after all, that was the first time - but certainly promising in the market, precisely because Rainbowsol had already dealt with this before. 

Renson Fixscreen Solar
Not everywhere where sunshine needs to be kept out, electricity is readily available. That is why Renson has added the solar-powered Fixscreen Solar to its range. Not new, but handy, according to the jury and a useful addition to Renson's product range. That an exterior sunshade can be installed without cutting or breaking can of course be very convenient, especially when renovating. 

Renson - Algarve Canvas
The jury does not expect the Algarve Canvas to become an instant "rider," but it is an interesting product. This canopy has a steel roof with an anti-condensation layer, under which a kind of stretch ceiling has been made by means of a Fixscreen. The textile ceiling - available in eight colors - gives the fixed roof a completely different appearance. An interesting option is to combine the fixed roof with a slatted roof in the same roof. This creates a playful whole with various functionalities. Of course, Renson also offers various options for closing off - partially - the roofing: stylish sliding panels, fixed horizontal aluminum slats, sliding glass walls to maintain all-round visibility or Fixscreen awnings. LED lighting is also an option. 

ROMA - FALL PROTECTION
ROMA has developed a security solution for French balconies, which can be integrated into exterior blinds and roller shutters for inward and outward installation. French balconies are usually secured with a trellis, but ROMA uses a thick glass sheet for this purpose. To secure this glass pane, an additional, very thick-walled aluminum guide is placed behind the product guide. An attractive and functional solution, according to the jury. 

Unilux - SOFTFIT
If a screen has to be installed in a contemporary window frame, they know that problems often arise. So they have developed SOFTFIT: one screen for all types of wooden, plastic, steel and aluminum window frames. The screen - whose aluminum profile can be supplied in the color of the window frame - is clamped into the window frame with plastic clips. The SOFTFIT is surrounded by a thin, flexible, hinged flange that seals tightly and does not cause damage when inserted or removed. Not a particularly sexy product, the jury thought, but a smart, affordable solution that solves a practical problem. 

Valo - DesignRoll
Not for outdoors, but for indoors: the electric DesignRoll roller blind. Its special feature is the new and patented technology, which means that the thermally protected motor and fixings are invisibly incorporated into the cloth tube and supports. This creates a minimalist, clean and stylish design and a gap of only one and a half centimeters between curtain edge and wall. The linked DuoDesignRoll goes up to as much as 10 m wide with only 2 cm between the cloths. With the DesignRoll, Valo is responding to rapidly changing modern architecture with ever larger windows and ever slimmer window profiles. What the jury also appreciated was Valo's commitment to quality and durability to guarantee a longer life of the roller blind. 

Weinor - Kubata
With two entries, weinor once again had a strong presence in this year's Z&R Product of the Year Award competition. Incidentally, the company had emphatically looked at the previous year. Weinor submitted the Kubata awning. In its cubist design - what's in a name... - it matches the Terrazza Pure, this year's other entry. In addition to a cubist design, it has a screwless design. Technical details, such as two-piece side covers, two-piece rainwater drain and Opti-Flow-System^® - a support profile that supports the fabric roll across the entire width - complete the picture. Weinor quality judged the judges, and it showed in the ratings....

Weinor – Terrazza Pure
With the Terrazza Pure, Weinor has a canopy in its range with almost exclusively horizontal and vertical lines. The roof is therefore visually horizontal, but the glass roof panels are on a slope so that rainwater simply runs off. Naturally, everything is solid and perfectly finished, as the weinor awning world has come to expect. 

ALUKON
Raff-E 
Outdoor blind

Aluprof
SKB STYROTERM
Recessed roller shutter (option: exterior shutter)

Corradi
Brio
Fabric barrier for patio covers

Rainbowsol
Q-series
Product range in modern design

Renson
Fixscreen Solar
Zipper screen with solar drive

Renson
Algarve Canvas
Canopy with fixed roof and suspended ceiling

ROMA
Parapet protection for French balconies 
Fall Protection

Unilux
SOFTFIT
Clamping horn with flexible flange

Valo
DesignRoll
Roller blind with motor built into the cloth tube

weinor
Kubata
Cubistically designed articulated awning

weinor
Terrazza Pure
Glass patio roof

Review
All entries for the 2019 Z&R Product of the Year Award were evaluated by each juror individually on four criteria: is the product in question innovative, is it original, how is the design and what are the market opportunities. If a criterion does not apply to a product, a weighting was applied. 

As a result of the first round of judging, the jury has identified three nominees for the 2019 Z&R Product of the Year Award, from which a winner will be chosen in a second round of voting. These are (in alphabetical order): Rainbowsol with the Q-series product line, Unilux with the clamp-in screen with flexible flange SOFTFIT and weinor with the cubist patio screen Kubata. These three companies present the product(s) they nominated for the 2019 Z&R Product of the Year Award once again on the following pages. 

Thanks!

But first, a heartfelt thank you to all the companies who took the trouble to submit one or more products for the 2019 Z&R Product of the Year Award. As always, the exceptionally enthusiastic input from everyone again greatly appreciated. 

Jury Z&R Product of the Year Award
The Z&R Product of the Year Award jury this year consisted of Ton Reijnders as external expert, magazine manager Ronald Klein and commercial manager Thorold Wevers on behalf of Louwers Uitgeversorganisatie and editor Thijs Pubben on behalf of the Z&R editorial staff.