Sunscreen fabrics are suitable for areas effected by direct sunlight. The function of a sunscreen fabric is to control the amount of heat and light entering a room whilst maintaining outside views.
Sunscreen fabrics are typically made from a fibre glass or polyester core with a PVC or vinyl coating.
The amount of visibility is referred to as 'openness'. A 3% openness is a tight weave, views will be somewhat restricted, a 12% openness will allow for clearer views to the outside. The sunscreen fabric pictured here is Screen Opulence and features an openness of 12%.
Sunscreen fabrics are often rated according to their 'solar optical properties'; Rs (% solar reflection), As (% solar absorption), Ts (% solar transmission), Tuv (% ultra violet transmittance) and shading coefficient. Typically darker colours will absorb more solar energy and as a result be less effective in reflecting heat compared with lighter coloured sunscreen fabrics.
In an area where it is necessary only to control light, blockout and translucent fabrics will be sufficient.
