Most people, especially in residential environments, will choose blinds based on colour, with the aim to match an existing aesthetic in the room. Such decisions are made without giving consideration, or having access, to full information on the performance of blind fabrics. The choice of fabric may dramatically affect the environmental comfort and energy efficiency of an indoor space.
SP Blinds’ fabric expert, Nurit Zubrey says the most common material used for blinds is PVC-coated sunscreen fabrics, which are perforated fabrics that you can see-through. They filter light and either reflect or absorb heat. “The amount of light or heat absorbed or reflected is determined by many factors in the makeup of the fabric, but the most crucial factor is its colour,” Zubrey says. “When the sun hits a light-coloured sunscreen, it reflects the heat but lets in a lot of glare. Dark colours swallow the light but they absorb a lot of heat, which is then transferred into the room.”
Depending on the purpose of the blinds, and other various conditions, colour choice is vital. If they are for an office environment, dark colours help to eliminate glare and allow people to use screens effectively. However, because dark blinds absorb a lot of heat, they significantly warm the room, which means a higher level of air conditioning is required to ensure the room remains at an ambient temperature.