Excited to share a batch of product improvements and updates.
New Lanai hem bar end caps
We built the Lanai hem bar to be the heaviest in the industry. Even a small fifteen-foot section weighs forty-five pounds, so it resists inward deflection on windy patios. In the field, we found that extreme wind could pull out the fabric-attachment screws that bind the corner reinforcement panel to the hem bar.
To fix it, we redesigned the Lanai end cap to use a keder and spline pocket that binds the reinforcement to the hem bar. That removes a weak point and makes an already strong system stronger. We also added stainless steel pins inside the PET track guides to reinforce another stress point. We have even prototyped these in carbon fiber, which pushes the strength to absurd levels. Once we lock in the supply chain for that material, we will offer it as an upgrade in the online configurator.
Improved motor cooling
No one likes a hot motor, and nothing kills momentum like waiting for one to cool during an install. So we added cooling vents that feed air to the motor tube, and you can shoot compressed air into them to speed up cooldown on site. This one started as a suggestion from our dealers, and we are excited to see how it performs. For now it is on Alpha Standard Tube crowns. If it works well, we will roll it out across the full crown lineup.
Somfy motor lock
We keep our motor tubes quiet by eliminating every screw in the roller tube. No squeaks. The tradeoff was relying on a snap fit between our Somfy drive and the stem on the Somfy Maestria 353 motors we use. A handful came disconnected due to tolerance stack-up, especially in hot climates where the materials expand at different rates. We added a locking part to the end of the motor assembly so the drive stays put even if the snap fit ever fails.
Housing lock fixture
On larger or high-access installs we always recommend a safety screw in the housing cover as a physical backup to the snap fit. The process is simple, but pre-drilling the square stud and the housing accurately can be a hassle. Now every unit ships with two stainless steel screws and a fixture that makes pre-drilling a snap.
Concealed center support
Last one. We built a fully concealed center support for Jumbo Housing installs over twenty-five feet. It attaches to the utility slots inside the Jumbo Housing and can be added to any existing installation. When the housing cover snaps shut it is completely hidden, with no brackets or bulges on the housing, and you can run more than one on a single unit to spread out fabric wear. Several installs are already using it. Reach out if you have a project in mind and want to help us test it.