Understanding Fabric Colour and Blinds Performance
Hi there,
As we’re heading deeper into Spring, renewal, vibrancy and colours, our theme this month focuses on how different blind colours perform in your home.
When selecting blinds for your home, it's essential to understand how colour impacts both the aesthetics and the performance of your window treatments. It’s not just about how they look, but how they work to control heat, glare, and natural light.
Light vs. Dark Colours
Light Colours like white or beige are excellent at reflecting heat, making your home feel cooler by reducing solar heat gain. These lighter shades are ideal for rooms where temperature control is a priority, especially in warmer months. However, light-coloured fabrics can also increase glare, which may not be ideal for areas where you need to reduce light intensity, such as living rooms or home offices.
Dark Colours like charcoal or chestnut, on the other hand, absorb more heat, making them “hotter” to the touch. While they may not reflect as much heat, they excel in minimising glare, making them perfect for spaces where you want a clear view without eye strain - such as TV rooms or study areas with computer screens.
Performance Fabrics for the Best of Both Worlds
Specialist performance fabrics are designed to balance the benefits of both light and dark colours. These fabrics are woven using a twill weave, creating a two-sided effect. The white side on the back maximises heat reflectance, while the darker side on the front effectively controls glare, giving you optimal comfort.
An excellent example of such fabric is SheerWeave 4901, a 1% open fabric that’s densely woven to block excessive glare and direct sunlight. This fabric is ideal for fully exposed facades or areas that receive harsh sunlight, offering a perfect balance between privacy, glare control, and outward visibility. SheerWeave 4901 comes in seven colours and is also suitable for external applications. Get in touch with us to order your colour sample or to discuss your unique needs.
For residential spaces, choosing the right colour for blinds can greatly enhance the look and functionality of each room. Here are practical applications of different coloured fabrics in various domestic spaces, along with their benefits:
Living Room: Light Neutrals
Benefits:
Maximises natural light while maintaining privacy, creating an open and airy atmosphere.
Neutral tones blend seamlessly with most décor styles, giving the room a timeless and sophisticated look.
Reflects sunlight, helping to keep the room cooler in warmer months.
Application:
Ideal for homes with open-plan living spaces that need both natural light and privacy without sacrificing aesthetics.
Bedroom: Dark Colours
Benefits:
Dark fabrics or blackout blinds block out maximum light, perfect for ensuring a restful night’s sleep.
Adds a sense of warmth and cosiness, which is particularly suited for bedrooms.
Helps with temperature control, keeping rooms warmer in winter by retaining heat.
Application:
Perfect for light sleepers or anyone who needs a darker environment, especially for east-facing bedrooms that get strong morning light.
Kitchen: Light Colours
Benefits:
Light colours create a bright and cheerful atmosphere, ideal for a room where natural light is important.
Light-coloured, moisture-resistant fabrics are easy to clean and maintain, keeping the kitchen fresh and practical.
Reflective light fabrics can make small kitchens appear larger.
Application:
Light shades with moisture-resistant or wipeable finishes are perfect for kitchens prone to humidity and grease.
Bathroom:
Benefits:
Light, fresh colours like white and blue reflect natural light, making small or windowless bathrooms feel more spacious.
Water-resistant materials like PVC or moisture-proof fabrics in light colours are ideal for bathrooms prone to condensation.
Provides privacy without darkening the room, important for smaller or enclosed bathrooms.
Application:
White or pastel blue blinds work well in contemporary or minimalist bathrooms and promote a calming, spa-like feel.
Home Office:
Benefits:
Mid-tone colours reduce eye strain while working by balancing the light entering the room.
Muted greens and greys create a calming, focused environment that enhances productivity.
Provides privacy without completely darkening the room, ensuring a professional ambiance for video calls.
Application:
Suitable for creating a neutral, non-distracting space conducive to focused work.
Children’s Room: Bright Colours:
Benefits:
Bright colours add energy and playfulness, making the room fun and vibrant for kids.
Can be paired with blackout lining to ensure children’s naps aren’t disturbed by light.
Durable, easy-to-clean fabrics are ideal for high-traffic, high-energy spaces.
Application:
Choose playful patterns and colours that match the room's theme while offering functional light control.
Dining Room: Warm Earth Tones:
Benefits:
Warm colours create an inviting atmosphere, perfect for entertaining or family meals.
Earth tones can add richness and depth to a dining room, creating a cosy and intimate space.
Helps control glare from bright windows during midday meals.
Application:
Earth-toned blinds can complement natural wooden furniture and other warm décor elements.
Spotlight on SheerWeave 4901: Your Ultimate Solution for Glare Control
Our SheerWeave collection goes beyond aesthetics. Offering a variety of colour options and openness factors, these fabrics are designed to optimise light management in commercial buildings. Whether you need maximum heat reduction with lighter tones or enhanced glare control with darker shades, SheerWeave has you covered.
For spaces exposed to intense sunlight, SheerWeave 4901 is the ideal solution. This 1% open fabric is densely woven to control glare and offer an obscured view, making it perfect for fully exposed facades. Available in multiple colours, SheerWeave 4901 is also suitable for external applications.
Discover how SheerWeave 4901 can provide versatile comfort and efficiency in your residential setting here.
Aside from colour, the openness of a fabric—meaning the tightness of its weave—determines how much light and heat can pass through. A more open weave, like a 5% openness factor, allows more light to filter in, maintaining your view while offering some heat reduction. Tighter weaves, such as SheerWeave 4901’s 1% openness, provide better privacy and enhanced glare control, especially in rooms exposed to direct sunlight.
Selecting the right blinds for your home isn’t just about décor. It’s about achieving the perfect balance between heat management, glare reduction, and outward visibility. With the right colour and fabric openness, you can create comfortable living spaces that match your lifestyle and environment.
Explore our range of performance fabrics and find the perfect blinds that suit your home’s needs.
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