Coulisse: window coverings with an EPD opportunity
Coulisse builds a broad, design‑forward window coverings portfolio for residential and commercial projects, from roller and pleated shades to smart motors under the Motionblinds label. The product story is strong. The environmental paperwork story has room to grow. Here is where their range shines, how many categories they likely cover, and where Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) could unlock more specs when projects require third‑party verified data.
What Coulisse makes
Coulisse is a pure play in window coverings. The range spans roller and double roller shades, pleated and honeycomb textiles, venetian, vertical and panel systems, curtains, insect screens, and smart motors branded as Motionblinds for home and building automation (Coulisse Contract). They sell both fabrics and hardware systems, plus smart control options for commercial and high‑end residential projects.
Portfolio depth and likely scale
Across collections and system options, Coulisse appears to serve many product categories rather than a single niche. Expect dozens of distinct product families and hundreds of individual SKUs when variations by fabric, openness, width, finish, cassette and motor type are counted. That breadth makes them a go‑to consolidator for fabricators and dealers who want a one‑stop shading kit.
EPD coverage today
We did not find published, product‑specific EPDs for Coulisse fabrics, roller shade systems or Motionblinds motors in major public libraries or on their site as of December 18, 2025. If internal work is underway, it is not visible to specifiers yet. For teams targeting LEED v5‑oriented clients, that visibility gap matters when submittals ask for third‑party verified impacts rather than marketing claims.
Why this matters in bids and specs
On many projects, choosing a product without a product‑specific EPD triggers conservative carbon assumptions. That can tilt preference toward competitors who already provide verified numbers, so the short list narrows before price is even discussed. An EPD does not win a job on its own, but it removes a preventable obstacle in qualification and keeps the conversation on performance, aesthetics and delivery.
A likely bestseller without an EPD, and ready‑made alternatives
Roller shades are a flagship category for Coulisse. If a spec calls for an EPD, several rivals already cover core elements of a roller shade package:
- Shade cloths: Mecho publishes EPDs for PVC and non‑PVC shade cloths, valid to July 31, 2028 (EPD International, 2023) (EPD International, 2023).
- Manual systems: SWFcontract lists an EN 15804+A2 EPD for manual shade systems, valid to January 26, 2029 (EPD International, 2024) (EPD International, 2024).
- Additional fabric options: Mermet has an EN 15804+A2 EPD covering several interior sunscreen fabrics, valid to July 27, 2028 (EPD International, 2023) (EPD International, 2023).
These examples show the PCR route competitors are using for comparable assemblies and materials, which makes it easier for a specifier to tick the compliance box quickly.
Competitors Coulisse meets most often
On commercial shading, expect Mecho for systems and cloth, SWFcontract for systems, and Mermet for technical fabrics. For motorization, Somfy and Lutron are frequent control alternatives, especially where integration with building management or whole‑home platforms is required. Regional specialists like Vertilux, Bandalux, and fabric brands from larger groups also show up in healthcare, offices, hospitality and education.
Where to start an EPD program that actually ships
If Coulisse decides to close the gap, a staged plan keeps effort focused and ROI clear:
- Prioritize the highest volume roller SKUs and one or two marquee textile lines from the commercial catalog. Anchor the first wave around the system most often specified with those fabrics.
- Use the same EN 15804+A2 framework and PCR choices competitors already follow for shade cloths and manual systems. That keeps comparability tight and submittals simple.
- Decide whether motors sit under a building products PCR or an electrical and electronics scheme used by motor suppliers. Where a separate operator covers electrotechnical products, publish those declarations alongside the fabric and hardware set so a complete package is visible in libraries.
- Make data collection painless. Pick an LCA partner that handles utility pulls, bills of materials, supplier requests and plant interviews so engineers are not logging weeks in spreadsheets. Speed here determines whether the EPDs land in time for this year’s bid season.
Sustainability story to build on
Coulisse already markets recycled PET textiles and PVC‑free options within its collections and highlights functional performance for commercial use. Their Contract pages present an energy‑comfort narrative that can pair nicely with verified impacts once EPDs are live (Coulisse Textiles). Publishing EPDs would let those claims speak in numbers instead of adjectives.
Bottom line
Coulisse has the range and the smart controls that specifiers want. The missing piece is third‑party verified impact data at the product level. An initial set covering top roller fabrics and the matching manual system would remove a common spec hurdle and keep more opportunities in play. The cost of standing up those first declarations is often recouped with a single mid‑sized project win, and it definately prevents avoidable substitutions when carbon accounting is in the brief.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Coulisse publish product‑specific EPDs for its roller fabrics, systems, or Motionblinds motors?
As of December 18, 2025 we did not find published, product‑specific EPDs for Coulisse in major public libraries or on their website.
Which PCR paths do competitors use for roller shades and fabrics?
Competitors commonly publish under EN 15804+A2 using the International EPD System. See Mecho manual systems and cloths and SWFcontract manual systems for recent examples (EPD International, 2023–2024).
What is a pragmatic first EPD scope for window coverings?
Start with the highest‑volume roller shade SKUs: one or two commercial shade cloth lines plus the paired manual system. Expand to blackout and specialty fabrics, then address motorized systems under the appropriate PCR.
About the Author
With a passion for sustainability and a love for complex data, Toby helps manufacturers efficiently collect data from across their organization and get their EPDs done right. He’s especially interested in how AI can support human expertise, helping R&D and factory teams work faster, smarter, and with less friction.
