Read openness alongside colour and performance
Openness describes the proportion of open area in the weave; it is not the same thing as visible light transmission, UV transmission or a heat-reduction percentage. Those measures depend on the specific fabric and should come from its technical information.
Fabric colour also affects the experience of the view. Darker screens often provide a clearer visual contrast through the weave, while lighter room-facing surfaces can appear brighter. Compare actual samples at the window rather than assuming the palest cloth is always the best response to sun.
Specify around the task in the room
| Window use | What to test |
|---|---|
| Home-office glazing | Glare on the monitor at the troublesome time of day, not only the pleasant morning view. |
| Living room with an outlook | The acceptable balance between screening and a clear garden, street or water view. |
| Overlooked apartment | Sightlines from neighbouring buildings and the need for a separate privacy layer after dark. |
- Window use
- Home-office glazing
- What to test
- Glare on the monitor at the troublesome time of day, not only the pleasant morning view.
- Window use
- Living room with an outlook
- What to test
- The acceptable balance between screening and a clear garden, street or water view.
- Window use
- Overlooked apartment
- What to test
- Sightlines from neighbouring buildings and the need for a separate privacy layer after dark.
Plan the evening setting
A screen does not reliably preserve privacy when the interior is brighter than outside. A blockout roller on a second bracket or an independent curtain may be needed. Check bracket depth, controls and door clearance before committing to two layers. Interior screens manage incoming light; broader overheating problems may also require a glazing or external-shading assessment.
Before you decide
Questions & answers
Is a tighter weave always better?
It may restrict more of the view and daylight than the room needs. Compare the selected fabric’s performance and a full-sized sample against the actual glare and privacy brief.
Does sunscreen mean guaranteed UV protection?
The name alone is not a performance specification. Request the chosen fabric’s verified technical information rather than assuming a protection percentage.