No more drapery pins (curtain hooks) for tracking orders prior to Feb 2009 Sounds like an easy enough problem to fix but it was a more complicated and expensive proposition than you might imagine. We have developed a new carrier that fits in the same tracking rails called a snap carrier that now snaps to corresponding snap studs that we machine press onto the tracking valance. The net result is a smoother glide, cleaner more uniform bunching when gathered, and the top tracking valance doesn't lean at a funny tilt any more. Curtains need to be configured differently since we need to punch snaps into the top tracking valance. These new carriers are now standard for all future orders. What about retrofitting curtains with the new carriers? Curtains will need to be sent back to us to retrofit to the new snap carriers for a charge of $1/ft + shipping. This is our cost to retrofit and is not a profit source for us. Any retrofitting to the new carriers MUST be received prior to Feb 1st, since our spring season will be starting and we will not be able to do this for you at this price.

New Neodymium magnets We have struggled with this one, too. We now have block-shaped magnets that actually insert into the side bindings of the curtain instead of stitching ring-shaped magnets stitched to the exterior of the binding. The procedure is simpler, faster and much cleaner. See video. The new block shaped magnets can be ordered directly online here.

Solution dyed Black Curtains This innovation is a big deal and will make our black netting the most fade resistant material possible. We transitioned to solution dyed blacks in May of 2008. Here is my best explanation. Prior to spinning yarn, polyester is mixed in a soup. The natural color of polyester is a creamy color. Normal dying colors the thread after it has been spun, while solution dying colors the soup prior to spinning the yarn. When surface dye degrades, the natural creamy color of the polyester bleeds through the degraded dye. Solution dyed yarn is black to its core so there is little if any fading.

Polypropylene Webbing As of 2009, we no longer will use polyester webbing. Instead we use polypropylene webbing for our bindings that is stronger and more dirt resistant.

Recycled Materials We are working diligently to have all of our netting made from recycled plastics by 2011. We have been investigating this technology for 2 years now and the hurdle has been to find a solution dyed black recycled yarn. We have finally found a U.S. company that offers solution dyed, 100% recycled yarn that we are currently testing for strength, elasticity and durability. From all the studies to date, the recycled netting will be identical. What many people don't know is that recycled plastics = 100% polyester.

Double Thread Weight Mosquito Mesh In late 2008, we began offering an incredibly durable double thread weight mosquito netting mesh. None of us are strong enough to rip even a raw edge of this netting making it perfect for rough conditions like masonry, pets, and wild cowboy children. Since we began offering this fabric, 80% of clients are taking advantage of this new mesh.

Clear Vinyl Plastic Panels We are currently offering 14mil & 20mil polished clear vinyl plastic panels for a variety of applications. You may have seen this product on boats or in restaurants winterizing patios by blocking the cold wind in combination with space heaters. In addition, we have made a few roof panels for pergolas to waterproof and bug proof the pergola roofs. We can only do these from Sep - Feb since they are so bulky to work with.

Clear Vinyl Curtains

Clear vinyl Curtains with White Mosquito Curtains

There are some advantages and disadvantages to our clear vinyl roof panels. The disadvantage is that you don't want these in Arizona unless you enjoy frying yourself under a magnifying glass. Also, it does not drain perfectly since there no gutters or downspouts. The big advantage though is price. Compare our pergola clear vinyl roof panels for hundreds of dollars to a rainproof roof with perfect drainage for thousands of dollars.

Video Clips We have added some well-produced video clips on the website that are worth taking a peek at. As a family business, the kids still like to participate in some of our home-made video clips. Check out the new updated website. See Video page.

We've moved During our first three years of business, we made curtains in a 400 sq. ft. room above our 2 car garage where we had to pull 12ft rolls of netting weighing up to 200lbs up through the second story window. If you can picture my wife and kids steadying a roll while I hoist a rope at 10pm on a Sunday night, then you will understand what a new family business is all about. In January of 2008, we moved to an industrial park where we have already outgrown our new 2,500sq. ft. space.

After 5 full years, we've filled over 9,000 orders all around the world. We have been invited to provide some very unique and high profile solutions for the likes of Rosewood Hotels, David Copperfield, the US Navy S.E.A.L.s, and the World Health Organization. Since the financial crisis of September 2008, we have managed to grow 20% in this difficult economic environment, but with the looming economic uncertainty, we can really use your support to spread the word. Our most interesting project to date has been an underwater target that the Navy uses for torpedo practice.

Resellers Over the past few years, we noticed multiple orders from the same customers. We knew that these folks didn't have 20 porches so we asked. We learned that several people were buying our curtains and reselling by charging for their services to introduce the product, plan, measure, and install. We thought it was a terrific idea, so we supported their efforts by setting up a special website at www.OutdoorCurtain.com that has only our photo gallery and none of our pricing or contact information to protect the privacy of the reseller relationships. The beauty of the program is that it is simple and anyone can do it without territories, franchise fees or agreements. When resellers complete 4 projects, we offer them a modest 10% discount and give them the opportunity to buy some of the attachment items at a bulk discount. We don't know exactly what they are charging but hear of numbers like 50 to 100% above the purchase price.

Continued Commitment We are a family business committed to the old fashioned idea that you treat people right and make them happy. As a family business, we have the opportunity to teach our children that work is good and that happiness comes from achievement and not from destroying the latest video-game monster. We listen to you and continually seek improvements so we welcome your remarkably ingenious feedback. Our customers have been very supportive of us and are helping us by spreading the word. We've worked mighty hard but the grounded friendships we've made along the way has made this adventure extraordinarily fulfilling.

Kind regards,

Kurt Jordan
Owner
770-645-4745 (direct)