Building Sun Protection Guide: How to Choose the Right Windproof Curtains for Your Project?

In modern architectural design and shading solutions, windproof curtains (Zip Screen) are highly favored for their excellent wind resistance and temperature control capabilities. However, to achieve the best shading and aesthetic results, the selection of the fabric is crucial.

When choosing the fabric for the windproof curtain, it is necessary to consider from two aspects: the usage scenario (indoor/ outdoor) and the light control (opening rate).

I. Key Parameters: What is the Fabric Openness Factor (Openness Factor)?

The openness factor determines the light transmittance and visual clarity of the fabric. The common openness factors of windproof curtain fabrics available on the market are mainly divided into: 0%, 1%, 5%, 10%, 20%, and 30%.

Ultra Full Block (0% opening rate):

Designed to achieve complete physical blockage and privacy protection. It should be noted that not all fabrics with 0% opening rate on the market can achieve 100% total opacity. Additionally, 100% polyester fabric materials are not water-resistant and prone to mold, and are only suitable for indoor environments. To achieve 0% full blockage outdoors, special process-treated outdoor-grade composite fabrics (such as double-sided PVC coating or fiberglass base material) must be used to ensure their weather resistance.

Translucent and visual balance (1% - 30% opening rate):

The classic components of this type of fabric are usually polyester fiber + PVC coating (or glass fiber + PVC). Thanks to the protective layer of high-quality PVC, the fabric has excellent properties such as not shrinking when exposed to water, not getting moldy, and being resistant to ultraviolet rays. It can be easily used both indoors and outdoors.

1% opening rate: Excellent in shading and privacy, suitable for areas that are sensitive to light.

5% - 30% opening ratio: As the opening ratio increases, it provides shading while maintaining good air circulation, and allows you to enjoy an expansive outdoor visual landscape.

II. Global Practical Case: High-end Residential Project in Madrid, Spain

Project Requirements:

The client's architectural window frames are of elegant pure white color. The wind screens are required to be installed on the outside of the windows. Due to the extremely long daylight hours and late sunset in Madrid during summer, the client has extremely high requirements for outdoor temperature control and night-time shading.

Our customized solution:

Taking into account the specific geographical climate and aesthetic requirements of this project, we have specially designed an outdoor-exclusive, 0% open-cell, pure white fully opaque fabric for it:

Visual harmony: The white fabric is perfectly integrated with the original building's white window frames, maintaining the minimalist beauty of the exterior facade.

Limiting light control test: This fabric has passed the test of being exposed to high-intensity strong light. It achieves a 100% completely opaque effect, effectively solving the problem of excessive daylight during the Madrid summer that causes light interference.

Outstanding outdoor weather resistance: Unlike ordinary indoor fabrics, this custom-made fabric features top-notch waterproof, mold-resistant and UV-protective properties. It can maintain its size stability, remain colorless and free from warping even under long-term exposure to sunlight and wind erosion.

We suggest: Due to the differences in building orientation, climatic conditions and functional requirements, the corresponding fabric solutions will be completely different. When choosing the fabric, please make sure to have in-depth communication with our professional team. We will provide you with the most scientific and customized shading solutions.