Precision Engineering and Versatility with Draper

At Contract Shade, our mission is to transform windows from static openings into intelligent, high-performing components of a building’s design. To achieve this, we partner with world-class manufacturers who share our commitment to engineering excellence. This month, we are highlighting an industry leader in custom solar control solutions: Draper.

A Legacy of Innovation

Founded in 1902 and manufacturing out of Spiceland, Indiana, Draper has spent over a century perfecting the science of commercial daylighting. By keeping production domestic, they offer meticulous quality control—assembling and testing every single shade before it leaves the factory—and reliable lead times for commercial projects.

Solutions We Provide

While Draper produces an extensive architectural catalog, Contract Shade specifically utilizes their high-performance systems to solve complex layout, aesthetic, and energy challenges for our clients:

• Versatile Architectural Shading – Draper offers a vast array of shading systems designed to fit virtually any window footprint. From standard layouts to complex geometries like horizontal or inclined skylights, their advanced tension structures and operable metal louvers ensure a flawless fit.
• The FlexStyle® System – For modern commercial spaces that refuse to sacrifice aesthetics for heavy-duty performance, we install the sleek, minimalist FlexStyle system. It supports manual bead chain clutch operations or switches seamlessly to motorized control, offering a clean, architectural finish.
• Automated Daylighting & Integration – Through sophisticated IntelliFlex® control and automation, Draper motorized shades can be paired with sun-tracking software and daylight sensors that automatically adjust shade positions based on the real-time angle of the sun. This seamless optimization maximizes natural daylight, significantly reducing a building's reliance on artificial overhead lighting.
• HVAC Efficiency & Certification – This automated control actively improves HVAC efficiency by mitigating solar heat gain during peak summer afternoons to lower cooling loads, while dropping the shades on cloudy winter days to act as a thermal barrier that retains indoor heat. This year-round optimization slashes energy consumption while maintaining strict commercial compliance, as Draper's 120V motorized models are fully UL Listed to meet the safety and electrical standards required in demanding institutional spaces like schools, government facilities, and healthcare buildings.

The Contract Shade Standard

Every Draper system we install is backed by the reliability of heavy-duty hardware that architects and facility managers trust. By combining Draper’s manufacturing precision with our local installation expertise and accountability, we ensure that your window treatments perform as beautifully as the rest of your building’s envelope.

Consider products from Draper for your next window covering project and trust Contract Shade for quality installation. Contact Us today!