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Antimicrobial
Antimicrobial is a general term that, in this case, refers to a fabric treatment that has either antibacterial or antifungal properties or both, inhibiting the growth of odor and stain causing microorganisms that may inhibit the performance of the fabric.
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Antibacterial
Antibacterial is a term that, in this case, refers to a fabric treatment that prevents the growth of bacteria which may cause odors, stains or which may inhibit the performance of the fabric.
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Antifungal
Antifungal is a term that, in this case, refers to a fabric treatment that prevents the growth of fungus which may cause odors, stains or which may inhibit the performance of the fabric.
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Basket weave
A weave made from multiple horizontal strands (weft) woven over multiple vertical strands (warp).
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Blackout
An opaque fabric that completely stops light from passing through it.
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Coated Fabrics
Fabrics that have been coated with a lacquer, varnish, rubber, or other substance to make them longer lasting or impervious to light.
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Colorfastness
The ability of a fabric to maintain its color and resist fading when exposed to sun, light, atmosphere, or other environmental conditions.
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Composition
Describes the raw materials used to create a finished fabric.
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Core Yarn
A yarn in which one type of fiber is wrapped around another fiber that serves as a core, or in which a yarn is dipped in a coating material and provides stability to the center of the thread. Core yarns in solar fabrics are often polyester or fiberglass.
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Eco
Eco comes from the ancient Greek word "oikos" (house). It is typically used as a prefix for words that refer to places or objects relating to where things live, and so has been appropriated to words that refer to conservation of the environment. For example: ecology, eco-friendly, ecosystem. Within the textile industry, "eco" refers to fabrics that are sustainable or have been created in a way that is friendly to the environment.
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Eco-friendly
A term used to describe services or goods that cause very little, if any, harm to the environment.
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Fiber
A natural or manufactured substance that is twisted into thread and then used in the production of a fabric.
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Finishing
All processes through which a fabric passes after manufacturing in preparation for the market. These include bleaching, dyeing, printing, heat setting, etc.
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Flame Resistant
Fabrics that inherently do not catch fire, and require no extra treatment to make them inflammable.
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Fire Retardant
A chemical applied to a fabric, or incorporated into the fiber at the time of production, which significantly reduces a fabric's flammability.
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Hand
The way the fabric feels when it is touched. Terms like softness, crispness, dryness, and silkiness are all terms that describe the hand of the fabric. A good hand refers to shape retention without stiffness.
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Heat Seal
A process that uses heat to bond two materials together.
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Height
Indicates the measurement typically taken on the vertical plane (top to bottom).
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Insulation
With respect to a fabric, a material that protects from the loss of warmth or the penetration of cold.
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Laminated Fabric
A term used to describe fabrics that have been joined together utilizing some methods such as adhesives, heat, or chemical bonding agents.
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Mylar
A polyester film used to cover a metallic yarn.
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Natural Light
Light that the sun produces naturally.
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Non-Woven
A fabric or material that is not created by threads being woven together, but by other methods like laminating, coating, or other finishing methods.
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Opaque
A fabric with a very dense weave, or special coating, that does not allow any light to pass through it. Ideal for blackout or total privacy applications.
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Openness Factor
Indicates the amount of light allowed to pass through a fabric. Represented by the percentage of light allowed through. Example: 1% open fabrics will block 99% of UV light.
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Polyester
A manufactured fiber introduced in the early 1950s, Polyester is the most common fabric fiber in the world. Polyester has high strength and resists shrinking, stretching and wrinkles.
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Privacy
A fabric that is made using thicker thread and/or high density of knit which results in less transparency and more light filtration (1% openness).
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Railroad
A term used to describe fabric used sideways from how it comes off the roll, reversing the fabric’s warp and weft direction.
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Reflective
Having the ability to throw back light or heat, without absorbing it.
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Roller Shade
A window treatment that operates by rolling a fabric around a tube. The primary function is sun protection. Receives its name from the aluminum Roller Tube that is used at the center of the shade.
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Seam
The junction where two pieces of fabric are joined together.
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Sheer
A fabric which is made using thin thread and/or low density of knit which results in a semi-transparent cloth. Light filtration of fabrics in this type are anywhere from 3% to 15%
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Solar
Of or having to do with the sun.
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Solar Shade
See Roller Shade.
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Sustainable
A fabric that is created using materials and processes which help to conserves an ecological balance by avoiding depletion of natural resources.
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Twill
A fabric woven so as to have a surface pattern of diagonal parallel ridges. A wavelength of light emitted from the sun which can be harmful to people and animals, if exposed in excess.
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UV (Ultraviolet)
A wavelength of light emitted from the sun which can be harmful to people and animals, if exposed in excess.
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Width
Indicates the measurement typically taken on the horizontal plane (Left and right).
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Woven
A fabric formed by interlacing long threads passing in one direction with others at a right angle to them.
