What openness actually means

Fabric openness is the percentage of the weave that is left open. A 0% fabric is solid and blocks everything. A 6% fabric carries small, evenly spaced gaps you can see through from the inside. We offer fabric openness options ranging from 0 to 6% to cater for the different amounts of privacy, natural light and heat reduction our clients require.

The numbers are small. The difference between them is not.

How to choose

0 to 1% is for closing a space down completely. No view out, no view in, maximum heat block. It suits a western wall that cooks from three o'clock, or a screen that doubles as a wall between you and a neighbour's window.

3 to 5% is the middle ground most people land on. You keep a soft view out, the space stays bright, and glare comes down noticeably. Air still moves through the weave, which matters if the area gets used while someone is cooking.

5 to 6% keeps the outlook. You see the yard, the breeze comes through, and the screen reads as a shade rather than a wall. It is the choice for anyone who bought the house for the view.

What our latest client chose

6% fabric openness, which is suitable to enclose their outdoor area while providing air circulation and outdoor visibility. They sit high with an outlook they did not want to give up, and they wanted the space usable rather than sealed.

Darker fabrics hold the view better than light ones at the same openness, because the weave does not scatter light back at you. That surprises people at the sample stage almost every time.

The warranty

These customers have also received a 5 year warranty, which comes with all of our outdoor blinds.

Seeing it in person

Openness is one of those things a swatch explains in five seconds and a website cannot explain at all. We bring the samples to you and hold them up against your own view, at the time of day you actually use the space.

If you'd like to see how we can transform your house, get in touch for a free quote.