Frequently Asked Questions
With preliminary engineering included in every proposal, Parasoleil panel systems are the cost-effective option when project lead-times and knowing design pressures are project requirements. The biggest driver of price is material thickness and material waste. Customization has upfront costs but does not change the general product pricing. Estimates will receive general sqft pricing until the project is ready to go under contract for design, engineering, and production.
Yes, in order to support projects with our full design, engineering, and production resources we do limit taking on designing projects under $25,000.
It all depends on what you’re comparing it to. When you buy Parasoleil, you’re getting WAY more than just panels. Consider the following inclusions in that price:
- Project design guidance and coordination with all project players from inception through installation
- Soup to Nuts – design, engineering, manufacturing, finishing, crating, delivery
- Complete set of Shop Drawings and installation instruction
- Panel layout
- Panel deflection and stress engineering values for your unique configuration
- Industry Leading Product Warranty
- Access to our pattern and design experts – Team ALFA
- Vast expertise in this very specific product category
- 3rd party certified manufacturing process – IAPMO UES Certification
Nope! All our standard patterns are priced exactly the same, so you don’t have to give up on your favorite pattern because it’s more expensive. Let your design intent and desire to incorporate impactful art drive your decision.
Lead times should be confirmed at the time of contract, but Parasoleil is 98% on time. Typical orders take 2-4 weeks for shop drawings and 8-12 weeks for production.
We can expedite some panel-only orders through production and shave off one to two weeks. It costs extra, but if you’re game, we can make it happen.
Our panels can be in any shape or size that can be cut out of a 5’x10’ rectangle. We typically make panels in 1/8”, 3/16”, and 1/4” thick aluminum. Most commonly we encourage designers to work with 48” wide panels (nominal size) as it is readily available in both 96” and 120” lengths. Using these sizes will also minimize waste and provide the most cost-effective solutions. Start your project with a 4’x8’ panel module and see how far that can get you.
Custom is what Parasoleil does best. We start with a standard baseline of product systems and patterns, but we often customize those systems to meet site conditions and project requirements. We do custom patterns, custom finishes, custom shaped panels, custom structure, custom fastening, custom hardware, custom bends and panel rolls, even custom screw head colors. Keep in mind, every bit of customization adds lead time and cost, but if it’s what your project needs, then we’ll work with you to figure it out, or introduce you to one of our trusted partners who can help.
It depends on a lot of things, but the primary variables that drive this decision are the following.
- What kind of wind loads and/or snow loads need to be considered?
- How much visual deflection are you comfortable with seeing?
- Do you have any flexibility to change your support spacing?
Armed with the answers to these questions, we can tell you exactly what thickness your project will require! As a rule of thumb, our 3/16” aluminum is our real “work horse” thickness for screens that works well for a lot of different types of projects. 1/8” is our most economical but may require site-specific engineering to confirm the correct structural support and spans. 1/4” thickness does the real heavy lifting when supports are spaced further apart, or significant weather/loading conditions are at play.
Yes, specifying full, turn-key product systems from Parasoleil ensure all the parts fit together and arrive on-time with a warranty!
All products are rated for performance to give you a working load (ASD) design pressure. If more engineering coordination or detailed customization is required, Parasoleil will add a design-engineering fee to the proposal that includes engineering analysis (FEA) for the project’s engineering team. Furthermore, Parasoleil will offer a PE Stamp (engineered shop drawings) for our turn-key systems for commercial exteriors and public spaces.
Sure can. We have finish chips to represent our one-of-a-kind Patina Powder Coat finishes, we have 8”x8” material samples to showcase the laser cut edge quality and demonstrate the thickness of the aluminum, and we also have 14”x24” paper posters of croppings from every single pattern so you can get a sense of the real scale of each pattern. If your project requires a custom sample, such as a submittal for owner approval, we can discuss price and lead time depending on where you are located, how large of a sample you need, and when you need it. Contact us if you'd like to request samples.
Sometimes. Our Patina Powder Coat finishing process does not translate from large flat surfaces (panels) to 3-dimensional objects (posts or brackets). However, we have hand-selected three frame and hardware finishes, Cast Iron, Dark Ash, and Graftone, to compliment every single powder coat that we have developed. These finishes have been intentionally selected to coordinate with the panel finish and highlight its unique palette and texture. Anodized finishes are also available for aluminum panels, brackets, and structural support systems.
Adequately supporting your panels is critical. To give you the most options, start with 24” on-center spacing. If you want to space them farther, you can go with 30” or even 48”, but the wider you space them, the thicker the panel you’ll need to meet code requirements and keep the panels from bowing.
“Patina Powder Coats” are proprietary to Parasoleil and come with an important warranty. They are only available for specification on our panels.
We do! Head on over to our work page and zoom in on your city. You can see what’s nearby that is publicly accessible to go check out in-person! We have installations in almost every single state and many of the Caribbean islands too.