Outdoor fabrics – how to choose?

What should you use to curtain a gazebo? Something that lets air through but still looks beautiful? This topic is dedicated to the lucky owners of gazebos at their summer cottage or in their own backyard. Some people don't hang any curtains at all, settling for planting wild grapes around the perimeter. On one hand, it's a great solution. But on the other hand, you can't just push the grapes aside... And you might want to sit in the gazebo during overcast or even rainy weather. With thick foliage, it turns into a bunker.

Fabric curtains can always be opened. Furthermore, if you choose the right material, they will protect against UV rays, wind, dust, insects, and more.

What properties should fabric for outdoor curtains have:

• provide shade;
• protect against rain and wind, therefore possessing waterproof and water-repellent properties;
• be easy to wash and quick to dry;
• not fade in the sun;
• be resistant to temperature fluctuations;
• have sufficient wear resistance;
• drape easily – though this is a conditional requirement, depending on the desired curtain design.

Here is a short list of suitable fabrics; I hope it will be useful to someone:

• pleated fabric – there is a special finely pleated fabric with a special coating that protects it from fading in the sun; such curtains will look very unusual and beautiful;
• acrylic fabrics – durable and fade-resistant; acrylic fabrics with water-repellent properties, often used for umbrellas, are particularly attractive;
• tulle – this is an old classic, more of a tribute to beauty than functionality; although such curtains do provide some protection;
• blackout – this is my personal favorite; this material not only protects against the sun or wind but also has some thermal insulation properties, plus it partially absorbs noise; blackout is easy to machine wash;
• polyvinyl chloride (PVC) fabrics – eternal curtains: they don't fade, are waterproof, and don't oxidize; but, alas, they don't let air through; they are good only for sudden rain – "batten down the hatches" and you're sitting in the gazebo like in a submarine. Although, for roller blinds, this material is a good choice.