Monthly Archives: November 2022

Travis Palmer is an estimator at OEC. He didn’t intend to become the roller shade specialist, but when there was a need, Travis stepped up. Read below to learn his tips about choosing the right commercial window coverings for your business.

What kind of shades can I choose from?

Manual Shades

Let’s start with the basics. There is a wide range of shades and blinds with unique functions and price ranges. Your most cost-effective choice will be manual roller shades. These are a go-to choice for general contractors because they are cost effective. They require manual operation typically using a chain and if they are large shades, the weight of the shade can make the turning gear hard to operate.

Motorized Shades

The next step up in price and convenience is motorized shades. This shade is operated by a motor rather than a chain loop and is activated using a switch from somewhere in the room. Motorized shades are much easier for the user to operate, especially if the large window shades are fifteen to twenty feet high.

Automated Shades

A step up from motorized shades is automated shades. Different manufacturers will set up these shades differently, but the easiest way is to use a solar sensor that adheres to the glass on the interior face of the window. When that sensor detects sunlight, it will roll down the shades to account for the light shining in. Then when the sunlight is gone the shades will roll back up. These shades are often used in large high rise buildings where the shades are run by the building management team. The shades save these large buildings a significant sum on heating and cooling costs.

Solar Link

A top tier solar shade that OEC’s partner Mecho Shades carries, is their Solar Link option. This is the most energy efficient operating system that takes a 3d map of the building so it can tell if a building is blocked by the sun in any direction. It understands where shades need to be rolled down and where they done. It will even look at the weather forecast and other data to proactively move shades to control the heat inside the building.

Do you have shades that look residential?

If you are interested in a more residential looking shade, OEC’s partner, Graber specializes in faux wood blinds. They also carry roman shades, sliding panels, commercial blinds, and other roller shades including honeycomb shades. OEC can procure and install any of these products in your commercial space if that is the look you want.

How transparent should my commercial window coverings be?

The transparency of your blinds should be determined by your space. If your office has an open floor plan, you will want shades with more transparency because it brightens the space. In contrast, if you have mainly heads-down office spaces where people work for a sustained period of time, you want to block more of that solar value to keep the heat off your employees.

How do I clean my shades?

Once your commercial shades are installed you have a few cleaning options. They can be vacuumed periodically by the building’s cleaning team to remove dust and dander that gathers in them. Alternatively, the OEC Team can also expertly clean the shades on a regular basis.

What do I do if my shades break?

When commercial shades are in high-use areas it is common for them to get jammed. Mecho shades have a great warranty on both their mechanisms and their shade cloth. If your shades get jammed or torn, give the OEC team a call. They are knowledgeable, have a lot of experience, and are great at on the job problem solving. They can get your shades fixed and working smoothly again in no time.

Why should I choose to get my commercial window coverings from OEC?

OEC can do just about everything with window coverings. That includes quoting, ordering, installing, and servicing shades. As partners with Mecho, it is easy to get specialty shades for options like pitch windows, trapezoids, and skylights. OEC also had a great relationship with WT Shades for all standard sizes with hard-to-beat prices.

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Moving is a complicated process. Whether you are moving from your home or planning an office relocation, there are so many things to keep track of along the way. When you want to have a successful business move, it is vital to hire experts. Speaking of experts, OEC’s project manager, Riley Weber shares the questions you should be asking your office moving company to ensure you have the best moving experience possible.

When should I use a commercial moving company?

When moving an office from one location to a new one, it is best to enlist office moving services from a professional. Not only does a commercial mover know how to guarantee safe handling and transportation of your office, but they can also do it quickly and keep things organized. Keeping things organized is essential when working with a moving company. That is why OEC pays close attention to detail during any office relocation.

How does OEC organize an office move?

The first step in any move is finding out how much product a client needs to move and where. If the old office furniture does not fit in the new space, it is best to know ahead of time so the furniture can be replaced or reconfigured to fit.

For this reason, OEC involves a designer in the moving process early on. The designer can help space plan the new layout and keep track of all the furniture to be moved. Once the designer makes the plan, the OEC moving team will start packing up the old office for the move.

What should I use to move my office items?

One of the best things OEC offers their moving clients is large blue totes and proper labeling. Each employee gets one blue tote to pack all their personal belongings. Along with these totes are specific moving labels with building and room number blanks for the employees to write precisely where their tote needs to go. For the employee’s computers and other technology, OEC provides computer racks to transport all the technology, again using labels.

Will there be a point person on my business relocation?

OEC’s moving team works together to ensure everyone is on the same page. There will always be a lead installer on the project coordinating with the client’s onsite contact and working off the designer’s installation plans. The lead will share the game plan with the rest of his team before any items are moved. Before moving day, the team will review the furniture that needs to be disassembled, packed, and relocated before being rebuilt, unpacked, and reconfigured in its new space.

What if I am moving from multiple locations?

OEC has helped multiple organizations move from multiple buildings into one. For example, when Idaho Fish & Game built its new headquarters in downtown Boise, OEC moved employees from Boise, Nampa, and Caldwell into the new space. While multiple locations and long-distance moves make the relocation more complicated, OEC has the knowledge and expertise to handle the move professionally and timely.

What can go wrong if you don’t use a professional?

The move can go south quickly if you hire an inexperienced commercial relocation company. First off, they may damage the existing furniture or not know how to disassemble it. Because OEC’s moving team has extensive knowledge of commercial furniture, they know how to protect, handle, and build the furniture correctly.

Secondly, a mover may not know how to organize these large projects. Unlike moving houses, where one family does all the unpacking, an office sometimes has hundreds of employees who need their items moved. If any detail is off, you could disrupt that employee’s productivity for days to weeks.

Finally, movers without a team behind them will struggle to succeed. At OEC, the furniture team members have worked together for years and strictly follows the designer’s installation plans. They provide a full service, stress free, and organized move by communicate with clients well. When you hire OEC for office relocation services, you can breathe easy knowing they will make your complex move simple.

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