Roller Blind Fabric Glossary

Essential terminology for B2B buyers specifying roller blind fabrics for hospitality, commercial and institutional projects. Use this glossary to compare supplier specifications and make informed purchasing decisions.

Light Control

Blackout

A fabric construction that blocks 100% of incoming light (0% openness). Achieved through multi-pass coating (acrylic or foam) applied to one or both sides of a woven base cloth. Standard specification for hotel guest rooms, media rooms and any space requiring total darkness. Typical weight: 200-350 GSM.

Dim-out

A fabric that filters 90-95% of incoming light (1-5% openness), creating a soft, diffused glow rather than complete darkness. Used in restaurants, lobbies, offices and other spaces where glare reduction is needed but some ambient light is desirable. Lighter and typically 15-25% less expensive than blackout.

Light Filtering

Semi-transparent fabric that allows 20-50% of light to pass through while providing daytime privacy. No coating applied — light control achieved through weave density and yarn color. Popular in residential applications, home offices and spaces where natural light is valued.

Openness Factor

The percentage of open space in a woven fabric, expressed as a number from 0% to 14%. Lower openness = less light passes through and better privacy. Common values: 0% (blackout), 1% (maximum UV block), 3% (office standard), 5% (balanced view/glare), 10% (maximum view). The single most important specification for sunscreen and screen fabrics.

Sunscreen Fabric

A PVC-coated fiberglass or polyester mesh fabric designed to filter sunlight while maintaining outward visibility. Also called solar screen, shade fabric or screen fabric. Specified primarily by openness factor. Ideal for commercial buildings, offices, and any glazing where glare control without view loss is required.

Construction & Materials

GSM (Grams per Square Meter)

The weight measurement for fabric, expressed in grams per square meter. Heavier fabrics (280-350 GSM) offer better drape, durability and light blocking — typical for premium hotel specifications. Lighter fabrics (150-220 GSM) are more cost-effective for budget projects. GSM directly affects the fabric’s hand feel, opacity and hardware requirements.

Coating (1-pass, 2-pass, 3-pass)

The number of coating layers applied to a fabric base to achieve light blocking. 1-pass: single foam or acrylic layer, basic blackout at lower cost, may show slight texture variation. 2-pass: two layers for better uniformity and light blocking. 3-pass: three layers (white-black-white) for premium quality, excellent drape and identical appearance on both sides. More passes = higher quality and higher cost.

Warp and Weft

The two sets of yarns interlaced to create woven fabric. Warp yarns run lengthwise (along the roll), weft yarns run crosswise. The warp density determines dimensional stability; weft density affects the fabric’s hand and appearance. Higher thread counts in both directions produce a more durable, stable fabric.

PVC-Free Fabric

Roller blind fabric manufactured without polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Uses alternative coatings (acrylic, polyester, or bio-based) to achieve light control. Specified for projects pursuing LEED, WELL, or Living Building Challenge certifications, healthcare facilities, children’s spaces, and markets with strict VOC regulations (EU, California). Typically 10-20% more expensive than PVC-coated equivalents.

rPET Recycled Fabric

Fabric woven from yarns made from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (post-consumer plastic bottles). Certified by GRS (Global Recycled Standard) or RCS (Recycled Claim Standard). Offers identical performance to virgin polyester while reducing environmental impact. Growing demand from sustainability-conscious hotel brands and LEED-certified projects.

Fire Safety

NFPA 701

The US National Fire Protection Association standard for flame propagation of textiles. Test Method 1 (for fabrics < 700 g/m²) exposes specimens to a 12-second flame and measures afterflame time (<2 sec), char length (<165 mm) and flaming residue. Required for curtains in US hotels, theaters, hospitals and commercial spaces.

BS 5867 Part 2

British Standard for flammability of curtains and drapes in contract/hospitality environments. Tests fabric before and after cleaning to ensure fire retardancy is durable. Type B (most common) requires the flame not to reach the edges of the specimen. Widely specified in the UK, Middle East and international hotel projects following British codes.

M1 Classification

French fire classification (NF P 92-503/504/505) rating materials M0 (non-combustible) through M4 (highly flammable). M1 means non-flammable — the fabric chars but does not sustain flame. Required in France, French-speaking Africa, parts of the Middle East, and by international hotel chains following French building codes.

DIN 4102 B1

German fire classification meaning flame-retardant (schwerentflammbar). The B scale: B1 (flame-retardant, self-extinguishing) through B3 (highly flammable). B1 fabric will not propagate flame after the ignition source is removed. Required in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Central Europe for commercial curtains.

Inherently FR vs Topically Treated

Inherently fire-retardant (IFR) fabrics have fire resistance built into the fiber chemistry — permanent through washing, cleaning and UV exposure. Topically treated FR fabrics have a fire-retardant chemical applied after weaving, which may diminish after 5+ professional cleanings. IFR costs 20-30% more but is preferred for long-term hotel installations.

Commercial & Trade Terms

MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity)

The smallest quantity a supplier will accept for an order. AWT’s MOQ is 1 roll (approximately 50 yards / 45 meters). Production MOQ for custom colors is typically 300 yards per colorway. Lower MOQs allow buyers to test SKUs before committing to larger volumes.

FOB (Free On Board)

An Incoterm indicating the seller delivers goods on board a vessel at the named port. FOB Ningbo means AWT’s pricing includes production, packaging, and transport to Ningbo port. The buyer assumes costs and risk from that point — ocean freight, insurance, import duties and destination delivery.

SKU (Stock Keeping Unit)

A unique identifier for each specific fabric variant (series + construction + color). AWT carries 168 ready-to-quote SKUs across 9 series. Each SKU has a specific price, GSM, width and colorway. SKUs enable precise quoting and inventory management.

Color Card / Color Book

A physical sample set containing fabric swatches from a supplier’s full range. AWT offers a free color book with samples from all 9 series (168 SKUs). Color cards let buyers evaluate color accuracy, texture and weight before ordering. Essential for project specification and client presentations.

Certifications

OEKO-TEX Standard 100

An independent testing and certification system for textiles, verifying the absence of harmful substances. Covers pH value, formaldehyde, pesticides, heavy metals, allergenic dyes and more. Increasingly required by European buyers, healthcare facilities, and projects targeting eco-certifications. For how each certificate is verified on a hotel or office project, see our guide to OEKO-TEX, GRS and GREENGUARD certifications for commercial use.

GREENGUARD Gold

UL certification for low chemical emissions from products used in indoor environments. Tests for over 360 VOCs and applies strict emission limits. Required for LEED credits, healthcare facilities, schools and any space where indoor air quality is a priority. Often specified by North American hotel brands.

GRS (Global Recycled Standard)

International certification verifying recycled content, chain of custody, social and environmental practices, and chemical restrictions. Applies to rPET and other recycled fabrics. Required by brands and projects making recycled content claims. AWT’s RP series is GRS-certified.