Commercial window treatments play an important role in protecting a building’s interior by helping to regulate temperature, block UV rays, provide privacy and security, and reduce noise levels. But choosing the right window shade fabric can be challenging due to the wide range of factors to consider. 

Here are the three tips you need to keep in mind when choosing what fabric is right for your commercial window treatment project:

1. Openness Factor (OF)

Openness refers to the weave density of a shade fabric and determines the amount of light and heat that enter a room.  Tighter weaves (lower openness) block more heat and light and provide better privacy, while more open weaves (higher openness) allow more light and heat into a room, and maintain better outward visibility.  For example, a shade fabric with a 5% Openness Factor is 95% yarn and 5% “holes.”

Shade fabrics are offered in a variety of openness factors to allow optimal light in commercial buildings or even to provide more privacy in settings such as healthcare.  When determining what percentage of openness is best suited for a project or space, consider the sun exposure and natural lighting there may be in the room. At the same time, it’s also imperative to consider the sensitivity of the room’s occupants as well as privacy needs.

2. Visual Light Transmission (VLT)

Visual Light Transmission (VLT) is a measure of glare represented by a number. The number is a ratio of the amount of total visible solar energy which passes through glass and screen combined.  As a general rule, darker colored fabrics offer better glare reduction than lighter colors, and also offer better view-through. 

Let’s say a shade has a VLT of 11; it means that shade reduces glare by 89%. Versus a shade with a VLT of 1, the aforementioned reduces glare by 99%. Considering the activities being performed in the area is imperative. 

If this is in a corporate office setting, consider glare from computer screens and other examples where glare reduction would benefit the occupants of a space. 

3. Shading Coefficient (SC)

A shading coefficient is a percentage that measures the solar heat gain through a combination of glass and screen. As a general rule, lighter colored fabrics provide a lower heat gain and better thermal performance than darker colors. If a shade fabric has a SC of 0.79, then it has a 79% solar heat gain, providing a 21% reduction. Compare that to a lower shading coefficient of .36 (36% solar heat gain), offering 64% reduction. 

When choosing a fabric that’s right for you, working with an expert in commercial window treatments can be the difference between a successful project and an unsuccessful one. An expert in commercial window treatments can help guide the selection process based on the specific needs of the building.

WT Shade, the commercial window treatment division of Inpro, has a range of material options and experts that can help you pick the best treatment for your specific project. 

Some of our commercial window treatment operating systems include: 

• Cordless Manual Shades
• Clutch Shades
• Motorized + Automated Shades!

WT Shade, the commercial window treatment division of Inpro, has a range of material options and experts that can help you pick the best treatment for your specific project. 

Download our catalog featuring Inpro’s commercial window treatment selections or contact a rep today.