Choosing Roller Shade Fabric

There are a wide variety of fabrics available for roller shades. Some are basketweave, while others are blackout. The difference in openness of the fabric can be significant in terms of how much light passes through it. It can also affect shading and glare filtering properties. To choose the best fabric for your roller shade, consider your location.

Choosing the right fabric is important to ensure the longevity and quality of your roller shade. You should pay attention to the total solar absorbance, which is the percentage of solar energy absorbed by the shade fabric. Total solar transmittance, on the other hand, is the percentage of solar energy transmitted through the fabric. This value should be a hundred percent, or higher.

Before you start sewing the roller shade fabric, it is essential to carefully measure the fabric and then measure the width and height of the window. You should have a measurement of about 2 feet by 4 feet. This measurement will ensure that your fabric will be long enough to cover the entire window. When sewing, remember to keep the seams about 1/2 inch apart. You can use Heat n Bond to adhere side seams to the fabric. You can also use your sewing machine to stitch the edges of the blackout fabric.

Roller shade fabric is available in many colors and patterns. Light colors reflect more light and are energy efficient. Dark colors absorb solar energy and are not as energy efficient. Choosing the right color for your roller shade will also affect the lighting quality of your room.