Screening cloths are effective as passive cooling

'A bright future for solar shading'

For 65 years, Copaco Screenweavers has been providing customized sun and insect protection solutions. "Something for everyone," says sales director Jonas Lefebvre. The company once began as a weaver of insect screens, in which they are still the largest in Europe. But the popularity of sun protection systems, especially screens, has grown considerably in recent years. Jonas explains how that's possible and what kind of future lies ahead for the industry. 

Copaco Screenweavers still makes the insect screens the company grew up with. In recent years, however, Copaco has grown a lot as a weaver of screen fabrics. These awning fabrics are made of glass fiber, coated with PVC. 

Increasing popularity

"Our products are becoming increasingly popular with the general public, thanks in part to the growth of outdoor living. We notice it particularly with patio covers," Jonas says. This is an important development for Copaco, as vertical screens are often a fitting addition to a patio canopy. "Currently, we offer screen fabrics in 49 different colors. With the arrival of a selection of RAL colors, we are really responding to the growth of the canopy sector. This way, we have a color screen for every type of patio enclosure that can be used as a vertical awning." 

"Architects are also increasingly including shading in the design phase," Jonas observes, as screens are becoming a "must" in both residential and commercial designs. "In the modern way of building, there are also more and more and larger window sections. Here, too, screen fabrics are an ideal application. This is because they are easy to install, both on the inside and the outside of the window." 

Environmentally conscious application

Jonas looks positively to the future. "Screen cloths can be a positive development in the future. When we talk about environmentally conscious living, screen cloths are very effective. It is a form of passive cooling. Screens keep the house cool, but also still let in enough sunlight, unlike shutters." People who aren't convinced now will soon be, Jonas is convinced. "I therefore see a very bright future for Copaco and the entire sun protection industry!"