Windowstory launches in Lagos, participates in ‘Made by Design’ exhibition
Windowstory, a franchise retail brand of Wintec Korea has launched in Lagos, participated in the recent ‘Made by Design’ exhibition for interior decorators and drew attention to the need to stick to standards as Nigerians purchase window coverings and blinds.
Windowstory deals in window covering products which include up to 20 diverse systems of blinds, curtains and their automation versions, including wooden shutters.
On health-safety concerns of window covering materials, research has shown that the presence of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and lead in fabric is toxic which is why Windowstory products are PVC and lead free in compliance with the Standard 100 by OEKO–TEX 100 certification.
The Standard 100 by OEKO–TEX Class IV has the responsibility to test for harmful substance in home decoration textile materials used to assemble and make curtains and blinds.
“We must therefore note that, the choice of window coverings should not only bother on aesthetics or affordability but on the health-safety of the products. Because, when harmful chemical substances are used in production of window coverings and installed on windows, exposure to heat, these chemical substances are emitted and discharged inside the living spaces, posing health hazards to occupants” Helen Uchechukwu, executive managing director, Windowstory Nigeria Ltd.
What this means is that window decorating materials should be subjected to standard 100 by oeko-tex test to ascertain the human, ecological, health and safety quality before they are certified for public consumption.
Across developed countries like America, United Kingdom, South Korea and all over Europe and Asia, this regulations are enforced to the letter. Textile manufacturing institutions subject their products to the test and are certified. Imported products are examined to ensure that they meet this standard before passing through their ports.
Nigeria should not be an exception by allowing sub-standard products to flood its markets. But it appears no one is checking standard 100 by oeko-tex regulation in Nigeria.
How habitable and comfortable a home becomes depends on the various components that constitute it such as its doors and windows. The primary objective of designing and constructing windows opening in buildings is for the ventilation and lighting of the interior spaces.
Elementary architecture emphasises ventilation, in fact cross ventilation in bedrooms is the purpose of window openings. Architects and approval authorities do their best to achieve this.
For windows to perform this most important function of ventilation, choosing functional window coverings that will meet required ventilation standards of durability and ease of operation must be considered.
With the advanced cutting-edge infrastructure set-up in Abuja, Windowstory has been offering quality, design, variety and competitive customer service in Nigeria and has received several awards and recognition such as the ‘best Window Blind company’ in Nigeria by building industry leaders and stake holders.
Windowstory ensures its products are easy to operate, durable and the content of its products meets international health-safety standards. Therefore the choice of window coverings should not only bother on aesthetics or affordability but on the health-safety of the products.
“We also call on the government to enforce OEKO –TEX under ISO regulations in Nigeria for imported materials while setting-up regulation for the emerging industry to ensure our home textile products will be successfully exported as we brace-up for manufacturing in the textile industry” said Uchechukwu.
Window Story products are tested and certified. Its products are exported and distributed across seventy (70) countries around the globe spanning across America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
STEPHEN ONYEKWELU