FAQ
Privacy Curtain FAQ
1. What do we do with the curtains for storms and hurricanes?
Unlike many other pool privacy screen products, the Privacy On Demand outdoor curtain systems are designed with storm prep in mind. The curtains can quickly and easily be removed from the aluminum track system and stowed away for safe keeping. Simply remove the stopper in either end of each section of track and pull each curtain panel to the end of the track allowing the nylon slider part of the hook assembly to slide out of the end of the track. There is no need to remove the hooks from the grommets.
The second option is to leave the curtains hanging and, depending on the anticipated wind speeds, they can either be tied back and left in place or drawn together to form larger bundles of curtains and tied together.
In either case, never leave your curtains zipped together and buckled down when storms or high winds are expected. Doing so may cause damage to the curtains, track system, or both.
2. How do we clean the curtains?
We recommend you follow the manufacturers cleaning instructions for your curtain fabric type. Here you’ll find the cleaning instructions for Sunbrella Marine Canvas (https://www.sunbrella.com/clean-sunbrella-marine-canvas).
3. What kind of warranty comes with the curtains?
Privacy On Demand curtains come with a 2-year manufacture warranty. This warranty covers defects in the general construction of the curtains to include stitching and curtain functionality. The warranty does not cover wind damage so adherence to storm recommendations is necessary.
The manufacturer of the Sunbrella fabric gives a 10-year fade-free warranty that covers color loss due to sun exposure. This warranty does not cover chalking from abrasion. Therefore, you should take care to prevent the curtains from actively rubbing against hard surfaces.
4. What are the color options?
Sunbrella marine canvas is available in over 100 colors and three different texture patters: solids, textures, and stripes.
5. How do the curtains stay down in the wind?
Privacy On Demand curtains are designed to mitigate movement from winds as much as possible. For curtains installed onto screen enclosures or pool cages for privacy, marine-grade webbing straps are sewn approximately every 48 inches along the bottom of the curtains on the back side and side-release buckles on the straps are used to secure the curtains to the bottom of the pool cage. Curtains installed under patios headers where there is no aluminum screen structure, steel chain is sewn into the bottom hem to provide weight that limits curtain movement in light breezes.
6. What features of the curtains provide the privacy?
First, we let the customer choose the height. The curtains should be tall enough that people outside of the space cannot see over them. Our goal is to block as many of the outside vantage points of view into your enclosure as possible.
Second, the straps are buckled down at the bottom to prevent the curtains from blowing up and allowing people to see under the curtains.
Lastly, we have a couple of options for securing the sides of the curtains to the wall of the house which closes any side gaps. We do what it takes to help you achieve the level of privacy you want.
7. How tall can the curtains be?
The curtains can be up to 12 feet tall. However, we recommend curtains be no taller than 9 feet and between 7 and 8 feet is the general rule and is usually sufficient to achieve full privacy. There is additional cost associated with curtains over 9 feet tall as well as the added inconvenience of trying to maneuver large pieces of fabrics and completely close the zipper connections.
8. How wide are the curtains?
Curtain width is determined by the structure of the pool cage and by the look you’re wanting to achieve when the curtains are open and tied back. If you’re concern is simply privacy and ease of function, then limit the number of curtains panels as much as possible. If your goal is to create an elegant cabana-style look then maybe you want a few more curtain panels. Discuss both options with your Distributor representative.
9. What is used to tie the curtains in bundles?
Each curtain panel has a Sunbrella fabric tie-back sewn onto it. However, we recommend waiting until the fabric has time to soften before using them as they may cause chalking marks on the curtains. If used, the tie-back should be tied snugly to prevent movement but not tight enough to crush the new curtain fabric.
10. How do you open and close the curtains?
The curtains operate on a manual track system and are simply pulled by hand to either open or close them.
11. What kind of track system is used for the curtains?
Privacy On Demand uses it’s own patented track system made from the same aluminum as your typical screen enclosures. The track system comes in bronze or white and is built on-site at the curtain installation to ensure a perfect fit for your screened porch, patio, or lanai.
12. What kind of maintenance does the track system require?
The track system is virtually maintenance-free. Over time, dirt and debris may accumulate in the track and need to be sprayed clear with a hose or pressure washer. As the powder-coating wears from years of sliding the curtains opened and closed, the track may need some occasional lubricating. You can purchase Alumi-wax from the Privacy On Demand online store. A small amount of Alumi-wax is all it takes to get your curtains sliding like the day they were installed.
13. How is the valance attached?
The valance is attached to the face of the track system with high-temp adhesive hook and loop fastener (otherwise known as Velcro). The Velcro is pressed onto the track system and screwed down at regular intervals to prevent the Velcro from detaching if the adhesive were to fail.
14. Can I wash the curtains in my washing machine?
We have had customers take their curtains to a coin laundry and wash them in high capacity washing machines. This is not necessary or recommended but can be done. The best way to wash the curtains is to pressure-wash them while they hang from the track system or over a fence or lay them out on your lawn or driveway. A great product called Wet & Forget, available at your local home improvement store works great for removing green pollen.
15. How will the track system affect my screen enclosure?
Privacy On Demand’s track system actually add structural reinforcement to your pool cage and will not affect your cage if you adhere to the prescribed wind damage mitigation procedures recommended in your curtain warranty and care instructions.
16. How much wind will the curtains block?
These curtains are great for blocking those light, cold winter breezes and help keep your patio or pool area warmer. However, we recommend the curtains not be used to block winds greater than 20 miles per hour.
17. How long do the curtains last?
Because these curtains are made with high-quality Sunbrella marine canvas and marine hardware, we expect your curtains to last 10 plus years. We’ve personally seen these curtains still looking great at 12 or more years when properly maintained.
18. What forms of payment do you take?
We accept cash, check, Zelle, and credit card payments through Square.
19. Do you offer a payment plan?
We are currently exploring long-term financing options but that is not yet available. As of now, we required 66% down and the final 34% due when the track and curtains are installed. However, we can accept a 3-installment payment term (33% installments) where you choose when to make the next installment and begin the next phase of the installation. With the first installment, we place your order to hold your place in the Privacy On Demand order queue. The second installment is due when the track is installed. The final payment will be due when the curtains are installed.
20 . How long does it take to install the curtains?
The curtains typically arrive approximately 4 to 6 weeks from the time your order is submitted to Privacy On Demand. Installation can take from 1 to 6 hours depending on the size of your order.
21. How do I replace broken hooks?
Broken hooks are common with outdoor curtains that are subject to the wind and the elements. Replacing broken hooks is the one maintenance task that homeowners will need to perform on their curtains. Simply remove the stopper in either end of each section of track and pull each curtain panel to the end of the track allowing the nylon slider part of the hook assembly to slide out of the end of the track until the broken hook is reached. Use a pair of pliers to open up the stainless steel hook and remove it from the grommet. Insert a new hook into the grommet and use the pliers to pinch it closed. Feed the hooks back into the track system and replace the stopper.
Shade Sail FAQ
1. Do the shade sails need to be removed for bad weather?
Privacy On Demand shade sails are made with Florida weather in mind. The sails are deliberately made small so they catch less wind and allow maximum airflow between and through the sails. These shade sails have shown extreme resiliance even in the most severe storms up to a CAT 4 hurricane with minimal to no damage. It is always a best practice to take down any shade structures if extreme weather events are likely to occur in your area. However, most of our customers simply leave the sails in place through sever weather and the sails and structures have been just fine.
2. How are the sails attached?
We install ¼” stainless steel eye bolts into your cage to provide the anchor points for the corners of the shade sails. Where two sail corners meet, we use an eye bolt with an eye nut to prevent having to add another piece of hardware. We also attach multiple sail corners to the same eye bolts when possible. We like our installations to use as little hardware as possible and the make the least amount of modifications to your aluminum pool cage.
Once the anchor points are installed, the sails use stainless steel spring clips to attach the sail corners to the eye bolts. All of the hardware is stainless steel so you won’t have to deal with rust or corrosion. We also use steel washers coated with neoprene rubber to minimize contact between the steel hardware and your aluminum screen enclosure.
3. What fabric are the sails made from?
Privacy On Demand shade sails are made from SolaMesh sail fabric which is made by the same manufacturer as the Sunbrella fabric lines. SolaMesh is a remarkable outdoor fabric utilizing polymer technology, ideal for medium-sized shade sails, custom awnings, and other sun protection structures. This lightweight material holds up well in direct sunlight areas such as parks, playgrounds, and patios. It has been tested in the planet’s most severe surroundings and is composed of certified HDPE monofilament cloth and tape. The fabric stands strong against UV light while remaining effortless to clean. People can expect topmost strength, worthiness, and durability when using this canopy material. For optimal performance, pair with SolaMesh hardware.
With a warranty of 10 years, SolaMesh is available exclusively from Trivantage in 19 popular colors.
4. How can I take down the sails myself?
As long as you are able to reach the shade sails, you can easily unclip them from the eye bolts. You’ll want to make sure to use some sort of numbering or marking system so you’ll know how the shade sails need to go back up when you’re ready to have your shade back.
5. Will the shade sails fade?
All outdor fabrics will experience some fading over time, especially when constantly exposed to the Florida sun. However, SolaMesh fabric comes with a 10-year degradation free warranty. Although the sails may eventually see some color loss, they will continue to provide excellent shade for years when properly used and maintained.
6. How many colors are available?
SolaMesh is available in 19 vibrant colors. You’re sure to find a color that will match the look you want to create and provide the level of shade you’re looking for.
7. Does the shade differ from color to color?
Yes. Each color of SolaMesh fabric provides a different level of shade and UV blockage. Typically, the darker the color the darker the shade. All of the fabrics block 86% to 96% of the sun’s UV rays. Ask your distributor which colors are right for the shade and UV protection you’re looking for.
8. Do the shade sails hold rain water?
Being made from a mesh fabric, the shade sails do not hold water and, therefore, will not sag under the weight of retained water. Some of the rain water will come through the mesh fabric but most of the time the shade sails are installed with a slope to match the screen enclosure so much of the rain water will run off the sail. It is important to consider rain run-off when considering where and how to install your shade sails. Consult with your distributor on this aspect of the shade sail installation. We cannot guarantee or control the exact direction of water run-off from the shade sails.
9. Why are there large gaps between the shade sails?
The gaps between the sails are there for two reasons. First, all shade sails are made with arcs in the sides to prevent the fabric from curling up and to provide clean edges so the sails look nice. Second, the gaps allow increased airflow between the sails which minimizes wind restriction.
10. Why don’t you make larger shade sails?
Large shade sails require bulkier hardware which screen enclosures are not designed to handle. Privacy On Demand sails are small so they can use smaller hardware that requires very little modification to your enclosure and does not put excessive stress on the pool cage.