How to choose the best mesh color and type for my screen | Sunair Awnings

Openness factor, color, and fabric construction are all important when choosing a fabric for your screen.    The recommended brand will depend on the product type and its application; interior or exterior.  Exterior products require an exterior-rated fabric. Your Sunair® dealer can help you choose the right one when they do a site survey.    Regardless of color or openness factor,  it is important that you make sure the fabric is stable enough to perform for the product, and application you are using it for.   Some fabrics are more suitable for interior solar control while others are ideal in windy locations or on larger zipper-type exterior screens because the fabric is more stable.  

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• Interior vs exterior?
• Besides solar shade control, is your view through the fabric just as important?
• Is privacy important when shade is rolled down?
• Will your screen be installed on a Western exposed wall where the sun  is more intense?
• Are you only looking for bug control on your porch?
• Will the screen be installed on a glass window, or on an open porch?

With the above in mind it is also important to consider the following:

Darker vs. lighter mesh colors:

The most popular colors are Bronze and Charcoal. These darker colors absorb more light and will allow better visibility through the closed fabric screen to the outside.  This is important if you desire to have a nice view of the exterior through the screen fabric when it is extended.  Darker colors also offer better solar protection than lighter colors because they absorb the light ( For more information please review the energy savings studies).   

Lighter colors are more neutral on the house, but will offer less solar protection and reflect more light.  Lighter colors are therefore harder to see through when the screen is lowered.  A lighter color fabric mesh is used for diffusing the light.  In other words, it is mostly used if you desire a more constant level of lighting throughout the room like in an office or conference room.  In such applications you may be interested in a lighter color that evens out the light in the space.

Black out fabrics or room darkening fabrics are also commonly used on interior screens. These fabrics are often used in media rooms and if you want to block the light completely.  The  Duo interior screen provides two rollers.  One with mesh fabric and the other with either black out or room darkening fabric. 

Open Porch applications:

If you are using a mesh on an “open porch” application or zipper screen, it is better to use a polyester scrim type of mesh like FERRARI Soltis 86 or Recasens P ( Other brands are ok to use as well). 

Roller shades mounted in front of a screened in porch:

You may be looking for a roll down screen with a solid vinyl fabric with windows to create a three season room enclosure.  If you are adding another roll down screen for solar protection because the bug screen mesh you have is not enough, you should consider a fabric that is a "cross -weave"  or "Non-basketweave". This weave pattern will help eliminate a "Moiré effect” which will be difficult to see through as it becomes fuzzy.   This effect can be seen when looking through ordinary window screens at another screen or background. In such cases, we recommend to use Satine fabric by Mermet, or Recscreen P.  These are tighter weave fabrics constructed in a different weaving method to minimize this effect.

At Sailrite®, we offer a wide selection of high-quality shade fabrics designed for various applications. In this guide, we’ll compare our top-selling mesh shade fabric brands — Phifertex®, Textilene®, Polytex™, Parasol™, Soltis® 86 and Top Gun® Vision — to help you choose the best option for your needs.

What Is Sun Shade Fabric?

Sun shade fabric is a specially designed textile that helps block harmful UV radiation and reduce heat exposure, making outdoor and indoor spaces more comfortable. These fabrics come in a variety of weaves and materials, each with different levels of UV blockage, breathability and durability.

When selecting a sun shade fabric, consider the specific application to ensure you get the best performance. Here are some common uses for our mesh shade fabrics:

• Parasol & Polytex: Ideal for shade sails, tension structures and marine awnings. Both come with a 10-year limited warranty.
• Soltis 86: Great for roller shades, shade sails, snap-in panels for marine and RV windows, pergola canopies, and glass roof blinds (5-year warranty).
• Phifertex Standard, Plus & Stripes: Perfect for roller shades, shade sails, marine awnings and snap-in cover panels (3-year warranty).
• Textilene Open Mesh, Sunsure & Decorative/Stripes: Well-suited for roller shades, shade sails, marine awnings and pergola canopies (3-year warranty).
• Top Gun Vision: Works for roller shades, shade sails, marine awnings and snap-in panels (5-year warranty).

Key Factors to Consider

1. Shade Factor, UV Blockage & Openness Factor

The shade factor of a sun shade fabric refers to how much visible and ultraviolet light it blocks. This is expressed as a percentage, with higher numbers indicating greater sun protection. Some fabrics allow more natural light while still filtering out harmful UV rays.

For areas with intense sun exposure, such as patios and pools, opt for fabrics with a higher shade factor and strong UV protection. Here’s how our top fabrics compare:

• Parasol: 70.4-95.4%
• Polytex: 72-96%
• Soltis 86: 86%
• Phifertex: 70% (Standard), 92.5% (Plus & Stripes)
• Textilene: 46.8% (Open Mesh), 91% (Sunsure), 79.3-97.5% (Decorative/Stripes)
• Top Gun Vision: 91.4%

The openness factor refers to the percentage of open space in the fabric weave. A lower openness factor offers greater privacy and shade, while a higher openness factor lets in more light and air circulation.

2. Fabric Construction & Durability

The way a shade fabric is constructed impacts its durability and resistance to wear:

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Knitted Shade Fabric: Parasol and Polytex use a lockstitch raschel knit, ensuring they won’t fray when cut. This design also enhances wind resistance and stability.

Woven Mesh Shade Fabric: Soltis 86, Phifertex, and Textilene are made from vinyl-coated polyester, offering dimensional stability and durability for roller shades and snap-in panels.

Perforated Fabric: Top Gun Vision is a perforated acrylic-coated polyester, providing excellent visibility while reducing glare and heat.

A fabric's construction affects its dimensional stability and resistance to stretching and sagging over time. Knitted shade fabrics like Parasol and Polytex have great dimensional stability in tension structures like shade sails but don’t have the same features that are needed for roller shades and snap-in panels for boat and RV windshields. Phifertex, Textilene and Soltis 86 products have a stiffer hand and greater dimensional stability for these types of projects, allowing them to better keep their shape and require fewer snaps to hold them in place.

3. Fabric Width & Installation Ease

Selecting the right fabric width minimizes seams and material waste. Larger widths are great for shade sails and require fewer seams. Narrower widths are better for pergola canopies and reduce material waste. Here’s how our shade fabrics measure up:

• Polyex: 150"
• Parasol: 118"
• Soltis 86: 69"
• Phifertex: 54"
• Textilene: 54"
• Top Gun Vision: 62" & 79"

All fabrics can be cut with scissors or a hotknife for custom applications.

4. Fabric Content & Price Point

• Polytex & Parasol: Made from 100% high-density polyethylene (HDPE), naturally resistant to mold and mildew.
• Phifertex & Textilene: Composed of vinyl-coated polyester, known for strength, UV resistance, and abrasion resistance.
• Soltis 86: A vinyl-coated high-tenacity polyester with enhanced dimensional stability.
• Top Gun Vision: Acrylic-coated polyester, offering excellent UV and mildew resistance.

Choosing the Right Color for Your Sun Shade Project

Color selection impacts heat absorption, light filtration and visibility. Here are some things to keep in mind when selecting a color for your mesh shade application:

• Lighter Colors: Reflect sunlight, staying cooler and allowing more light through.
• Darker Colors: Absorb heat but provide better glare reduction and visibility.

All of our shade fabrics offer excellent fade resistance, ensuring long-lasting color vibrancy.

Flammability, Health & Safety Ratings

Many shade fabrics meet industry safety standards:

Flame Retardancy: Some fabrics are treated for fire resistance, which is important for commercial applications.

GREENGUARD® Certification: Phifertex, Textilene and Soltis 86 meet EPA standards for low chemical emissions, making them safe for homes, schools and healthcare facilities.

Antimicrobial Protection: Phifertex fabrics include Microban® for mold and mildew resistance. Parasol and Polytex naturally resist bacteria due to their HDPE composition.

Conclusion: Find the Best Sun Shade Fabric for Your Needs

Now that you understand the benefits and differences between our premium mesh sun shade materials, you can confidently choose the best fabric for your next project. Whether you need a durable shade sail fabric, a breathable mesh shade fabric, or a UV-resistant roller shade material, Sailrite has the right option for you.

Want to feel the fabrics before making a decision? Order fabric samples today! And when you’re ready to get started, explore our how-to blogs for expert guidance. We’d love to see photos of your finished projects in the comments below!