How does earthshade surpass other similar looking shades?
With nearly 20 combined years of experience in the elaborate window fashions industry, Earthshade founder C. W. Swanson has gained a valuable understanding of well-meaning industry “followers.” Industry innovations have remained subtle over the last twenty or so years, while competition and replication consistently reduce quality—ultimately concentrating large profits among an ever decreasing supply chain. Overall the window fashions industry, along with its profit-motivated representatives, dealers, designers, and architects simply don’t “know the difference.” Yet others are simply jumping on the bandwagon, over-emphasizing the slightest “eco-conscious” attributes their products may or may not actually embody.
In short: Earthshade Natural Window Fashions acknowledges the universal picture as a whole—realizing that window fashions can indeed play a vital role in many life-cycles of Mother Nature with minimal impact, deep aesthetic beauty, and lasting integrity.
Raw Material
Earthshade materials are gathered primarily from Central and South America, utilizing “Fair Trade Practices” as often as possible. They are sun or air-dried and crafted by hand. Naturally occurring hydrogen peroxide is used to cleanse and lighten the fibers where desired and allowed to evaporate leaving absolutely NO residue behind. Darker coloration for select patterns is obtained through primitive oven baking.
Most other shade manufacturers obtain raw materials from China or southeast Asia with little regard for labor, environment, or truthful business practice. Their natural materials are often kiln-dried and usually treated with herbicide, fungicide, or other chemicals. Their other product lines are often entirely fabricated from petroleum and or chemicals.
Fabric
Hand-woven in our Mexico City facility by three generations of family for over 50 years. Cotton-based threading is used. Weaves are generally 2 to 3 times tighter than most others. Finishing agents, including lacquer, stains, fungicides, ultraviolet protectants or other chemicals are NOT necessary—therefore not utilized. The only exception is the use of a water-based, low-toxicity stain applied to Red Sanctuary, Turkish Twig (reeds only), and Turkish Timber (reeds only) and/or the optional application of a water and mineral based, low-toxicity fire retardant for commercial spaces where required by code.
Most other shade manufacturers have fabric produced in China or southeast Asia—often with petroleum-based threading and as little material as possible. Chemical-based finishing agents are applied almost universally. Again, labor and environment are of little regard—often referred to as “meeting standards and practices of the region.”
Shade Fabrication
Earthshade window shades are mainly fabricated by hand in our Texas, U.S.A. facility—again by the same three generations of family for over 50 years, utilizing the absolute highest-quality recycled content, hardware, cording, and reclaimed lumber when possible. Fabric scrap is often used for packing material.
Most other shade manufacturers have fabrication done in the U.S.A., in a union-free, repetitive, fast-paced, bland factory environment. Air quality, light quality, and wages are of low priority. A large percentage of hardware is out-sourced from the far east, as well.
Reputation
Earthshade uses an old-fashioned “mom and pop” business model, now passionately called “Doing business the old fashioned way,™” where customers receive answers and the care they seek directly from the company founder, every step of the way.
Price
Earthshade window shades are proudly priced competitively compared to most industry standards of similar “apparent” quality and/or appearance—at an average of 12% less!
Example of Earthshade vs. typical industry-standard |
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Earthshade double-strand weave using heavy cotton-based thread with 1 1/2" spacing. |
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Typical industry-standard single-strand weave using light weight petroleum-blended thread with 2 1/2" spacing. |
