Plan Early, Upgrade Smarter: A Guide toPlanning Facility Improvements

Facility upgrades are easier to manage when they are planned before something becomes an urgent problem. Whether it’s for a school, healthcare facility, office building, recreation centre or other commercial space, taking time to assess your facility early can help you identify what needs attention, establish priorities and develop a more realistic budget for the year ahead.

Window coverings, drapery and other specialty products may not always be at the top of a facility planning list, but they can have a significant impact on comfort, privacy, light control, functionality and the overall performance of a space.

The best place to start is your facility itself. Start With a Facility Assessment Walk through your building and take a closer look at the products already in place.

For window coverings, consider:

• Are any blinds or shades damaged or difficult to operate?

• Are fabrics faded, torn or outdated?

• Are some rooms experiencing excessive glare or heat?

• Are there areas where additional privacy is needed?

• Are existing products still appropriate for how the space is being used?

• Are there hard-to-reach windows where motorization could improve operation?

• Do different areas of the building have inconsistent products or appearances?

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The goal is not really to replace everything. A facility assessment helps determine what is

working, what is not and where improvements will have the greatest impact.

Identify the Problems You Want to Solve. Before selecting products, identify the problem behind the upgrade. A classroom may need better glare control for screens and

whiteboards. An office may experience excessive solar heat gain. A healthcare environment may require greater privacy. A large facility may be looking for easier operation through motorized systems. Starting with the problem makes it easier to select a solution that supports the way each space is actually used.

Quick Q&A: Planning Your Facility Upgrade

Q: How early should we start planning?

A: Ideally, begin assessing your facility before the next capital budget is finalized. This givesyou time to understand the scope, explore solutions and develop realistic costs.

Q: Do we need to replace all our window coverings at once?

A: Not necessarily. Larger facilities can prioritize the areas with the greatest need and

develop a phased replacement plan.

Q: What should we look for during an assessment?

A: Look for damaged or outdated products, operational issues, glare, excessive heat, privacy concerns and spaces where the existing solution no longer meets the needs of occupants.

Q: Can Vanguard help before we know exactly what products we need?

A: Yes. Starting with the facility and the problems you are trying to solve can help determine which products and approaches make the most sense for the project.

Before the Budget, Build the Plan.

Facility improvements do not have to begin with a product specification.

They can begin with three simple questions:

What needs replacing?

What problems need solving?

What should be included in next year’s budget?

By assessing your facility early, identifying priorities and exploring your options before

budgets are finalized, you can approach future upgrades with a clearer scope and a better plan.

Planning facility upgrades for the year ahead? Vanguard Specialty Products can help you assess your existing window coverings and specialty products, explore potential solutions and plan an approach that works for your facility, schedule and budget.

Vanguard Specialty Products will help you start planning your next facility upgrade.