The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Blockout Fabrics for Your Project

Specifying the correct blockout fabrics is a critical decision for architects, interior designers, and window covering manufacturers. It impacts not just aesthetics, but also energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and long-term durability. With terms like dimout fabrics, light filter fabrics, and opacity fabrics often used interchangeably, making an informed choice can be challenging. This how-to guide breaks down the key factors, technical specifications, and industry trends to help you specify the perfect fabric solution for any sunshading blinds or roller fabrics application.

Step 1: Define the Core Functional Requirement – Opacity Level

Not all "blackout" fabrics are created equal. The first step is to precisely define the required level of light exclusion.

• Full Blockout (100% Opacity): Essential for home theaters, bedrooms, or shift-work environments. Look for fabrics described as full-blockout without pinhole. Elitex's pasted & foam coated blackout fabrics are engineered for zero light penetration, ensuring complete darkness. Their coating adhesion technology prevents delamination, a common failure point.
• Dimout Fabrics: These allow a soft, diffused glow to enter while eliminating harsh glare and providing significant privacy. Ideal for living rooms and offices.
• Light Filter / Translucent Fabrics: Designed to soften sunlight, reduce glare, and preserve outside views. They are key components in sunshading fabrics solutions for commercial atriums and residential sunrooms.

Step 2: Select the Appropriate Coating and Construction Technology

The fabric's performance is dictated by its base cloth and coating. Understanding these technologies is crucial.

For projects demanding eco-conscious materials, specify 100% Polyester with acrylic coating fabrics in Pvc free or fabrics with blockout fabrics with metallic backing for enhanced thermal reflectivity.

Step 3: Verify Compliance with Safety and Environmental Standards

This is non-negotiable, especially for commercial and public spaces. Your specification sheet must include required certifications.

Always specify fabrics that are Compliant with GREENGUARD GOLD Certified, GREENGUARD Certified, Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Certified. For fire safety, common standards include: FR German B1, California U.S. Title 19 (Small Scale), NFPA 701-2015 Method 1, EN 13773:2003 Class 1. Elitex provides options in both Non FR and FR treatments to meet local building codes worldwide. Their ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 certifications further assure consistent quality and responsible manufacturing.

Step 4: Assess Durability and Performance Specifications

Long-term performance protects your project's reputation. Request and review technical data sheets for:

• Color Fastness: Elitex fabrics achieve Grade 6-7 (ISO 105-B02-2014 Xenon Arc Lamp), meaning colors resist fading exceptionally well even under prolonged sun exposure.
• Dimensional Stability & Strength: Look for guarantees on good flatness and dimension stability. Elitex uses top-quality yarn and a world-class coating line to ensure high strength with good Sunshading and Heat insulation properties.
• Specialty Finishes: For upholstery or outdoor-adjacent applications, consider Water and Soil repellent Upholstery dobby fabrics.
• Warranty: A strong warranty is a sign of manufacturer confidence. Elitex offers a comprehensive 5-year warranty on its fabrics.

Step 5: Partner with a Manufacturer that Offers Customized Solutions

Off-the-shelf solutions rarely meet all project needs. The ability to customize is key.

Elitex (Dezhou) Co., Ltd. exemplifies this capability. As an international company specializing in fabrics for the blind and awning industry since 2003, they don't just sell fabric; they provide customized solutions for sunshading fabrics. Whether you need a specific width, a unique color match for your decorative fabrics line, a proprietary opacity level, or a custom Jacquard design for Roman blinds fabrics, their in-house R&D and production teams can collaborate with you.

Their core advantages in both blockout fabrics (good flatness, opacity property) and sunscreen fabrics (durability, weather resistance) make them a single-source supplier for complex projects. They serve a global customer base, including renowned partners like Hunter Douglas, Springs Window Fashions, and Coulisse.

By following this structured guide, specifiers can move beyond basic color selection and make technically sound decisions that ensure performance, compliance, and client satisfaction for years to come. The right fabric partner is instrumental in bringing these specifications to life.