Skylight System
Trackstar shades are an ideal solution for treating curved windows, and are typically used in solariums and greenhouses.
The Trackstar shade design is a variation on the Sunstar folding shade style, with engineering modifications to allow smooth operation over curved windows. The sides of the shade are held in place by carriers that run along a fixed track.
A Trackstar shade is lifted from the bottom, creating the folded stack that is characteristic of a folding shade. Trackstar shades are used in situations where the slope of the glass is sufficient to use gravity in bringing it down. The path of the shade is guided by tracks, and special carriers attached to the shade travel along the tracks.
Most TrackstarTM shades are made up in solar-screen fabrics, but other fabrics can be used as well.
Both manual and motorized lifting systems are available.
Skystar Skylight System
For windows that are flat and rectangular but without a vertical slope, a Skystar skylight shade is usually the preferred solution. Castec's Solar Solutions line features the following Skystar skylight shade styles:
- Skystar 600, a motorized flat roll shade that is often made with blackout fabric.
The Skystar 600 is a complete roll shade and motorized lifting system. It can be manufactured with any fabric suitable for roll shades.
- Skystar 701A, a manually operated folding shade system. The consumer uses a wand to draw the shade open or closed.
- Skystar 701B, a motorized folding shade system with visible return cords.
- Skystar 701C, a motorized folding shade system with a HelireelT motor. The design of this motor forces the cords to wind around the tube evenly, ensuring that the shade remains even when it is raised or lowered. The return cords are routed through the side channels, so they are not visible when the shade is drawn.
The Skystar-701 series folding skylight shades are a variation of the Sunstar folding shade, with engineering modifications to allow easy operation in situations in which gravity is not sufficient to close the shade. They include return cords and pulleys for extending the shade.
Skystar-701 series folding skylight shades are better suited for larger applications than the Skystar 600.
Although the most common application of these systems is covering overhead glass, such as skylights, they are not limited to this use. In fact, Skystar skylight shades can be used on any flat, rectangular area, including one with a perfectly vertical slope.
Customers who want more complete room darkening should select the Skystar 600. The Skystar 701 series skylight shades, due to their folding shade design, do not provide the same high level of room darkening.