Roller Shade fabrics
Roller shade fabrics are materials used specifically for the manufacture of roller shades. These fabrics can provide a stylish & functional solution for managing heat, glare, UV, natural light and privacy. Of course these fabrics are available in a wide variety of textures, patterns, colors, and opacities to suit every situation.
GiCor has one of the largest collection of roller shading fabrics of ANY dealer – ANYwhere! It’s a bold statement to make however given that we are a multi-line dealer, we have access to EVERY mill worldwide & therefore bring the world to you! As variety is the spice of life, we make it our mission to offer every texture, pattern & color tone imaginable. AND if we dont have it, we will print it! Yes we can actually print on shading fabrics meaning that we can create almost any pattern & color that you can envision.
Although most fabrics are suited for both residential or commercial use, some fabrics are also suitable for outdoor shading systems. Of course each project is different & every treatment can be unique. Based on that, we have thousands of stock programs available, a mountain of specialty weaves & a full custom program to finish off our fabric library.
Our library
Screen Fabrics
- Purpose: Offers privacy while allowing light to pass through and preventing glare.
- Features: Made from a woven polyester or fiberglass base coated with PVC, it resists fading and is typically durable.
- Best For: Areas with lots of sunlight exposure (like sunrooms) or outdoor spaces.
Blackout Fabrics
- Purpose: Completely blocks out light, providing near total darkness in a room.
- Features: Often backed with a foam or acrylic coating for maximum light blocking. Ideal for bedrooms or media rooms.
- Best For: Bedrooms, home theaters, and any area where light control is crucial
Light Filtering Fabrics
- Purpose: Softens incoming light, reducing glare without completely darkening the room.
- Features: Provides privacy during the day while still allowing light in. Often used for a softer, more diffused light effect.
- Best For: Living rooms, kitchens, or dining areas where light control is desired without blocking all daylight.
Translucent Fabrics
- Purpose: Allows light to filter through but offers a certain level of privacy.
- Features: A mix between blackout and light-filtering fabrics. It diffuses light and still provides privacy.
- Best For: Offices, bathrooms, or spaces where you want privacy without losing natural light.
Solar Backed Fabrics
- Purpose: Silver backed fabrics that provide an additional level of shading & UV protection while still allowing you to see outside.
- Features: The reflective backing provides exceptional shading properties due to its reflective backing. As with standard screen fabrics, reflective backed weaves are available starting at 1% openness up to 5% opacity in most instances.
- Best For: Living rooms, Sunrooms & bedrooms with inefficient (older) glass types or areas where exposure to direct sunlight is constant throughout the day.
Woven Fabrics
- Purpose: Gives a more luxurious or textured appearance to your roller shades.
- Features: Often available in natural fibers like cotton or polyester blends, woven fabrics can offer different levels of opacity.
- Best For: Living rooms, bedrooms, or areas where aesthetic and texture matter.
PVC or Vinyl Fabrics
- Purpose: Inexpensive & easy to clean, these fabrics are durable and long-lasting.
- Features: Often used for commercial spaces, these fabrics are resistant to moisture & mildew, making them ideal for housekeeping requirements.
- Best For: Bathrooms, kitchens, or commercial areas where durability & low maintenance is essential.
Printable Fabrics
- Purpose: Provides the ultimate in design and esthetics when standatd fabric collections won’t do.
- Features: Allow clients to create their own unique patterns & custom colored shades. Florals, abstracts, plaids & geometric designs make up just a small portion of these options.
- Best For: Commercial projects, custom logos, custom branding & residential clients that are looking for that extra special element within their home.
considerations
- Openness Factor: The amount of light the fabric lets through. A lower openness percentage (e.g., 1%) provides more privacy and light blocking, while a higher percentage (e.g., 10%) allows more natural light in.
- Colour: Lighter colored fabrics amplify the light creating more glare while reducing heat gain & increasing privacy from the outside world. Darker fabrics tend to draw more heat however they are exceptional for reducing glare and enhancing views to the exterior. That said, darker fabric tones provide less privacy than lighter fabrics.
- Durability: Some fabrics are more durable than others, especially those made from polyester, vinyl, or blended materials. Woven & textured fabrics tende to be more difficult to clean & therefore room susage should play a factor in determining the most suitable fabrics.
- Aesthetic: The color and texture of the fabric can influence the overall look of your space, so choose one that complements your décor while providing the best heat & glare protection while maintaining privacy & maximizing your view to the outside.
The average opacity used for residential projects is between 1% & 3% where 3% to 10% are used more for residential applications.
Darker fabrics: Draw more heat * Reduce glare * Reduce privacy * enhance views
Lighter fabrics: Reduce heat * Increase glare * Increase privacy * decrease views (especially in direct sunlight)
Its always best to evaluate roller shade fabrics on a clear day during daylight hours. That way you can determine the visual properties, privacy & most importantly, if the direct sunlight changes the colour tones of the fabric (especialty with mingled & multi-coloured weaves)
opacities & Colours
Although its not rocket science, determining the right fabric opacity is paramount to ensure that you get it right the first time! Things like the age of the window & the efficiency of the glazing must be condiered. Window orientation to north as well as natural (outodoor / seasonal) shading is available. Also is there a busy street or a nosey neighbor that you want to block out?
GiCor is always happy to provide larger fabric samples for clients to take back with them. That way there are no surprises & the best fabric is always selected! Call us today at 1-866-664-4267 OR email at info@gicor.com
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