Technical Specs
Openness Factor - What 1%, 3% and 5% Solar Screen Mean
October 31, 2026 · By Rolli Shades
5 min read
5 min read
Openness factor explained: the share of a solar screen weave that is open air, how 1%, 3%, 5% and 10% compare for view, glare and privacy, and why color changes light transmission as much as openness.
Glossary · Fabric terms
Openness factor, explained.
Openness factor is the percentage of a solar screen fabric that is open space between the yarns. A 1% fabric is 99% yarn and 1% air; a 10% fabric is 90% yarn. Lower openness means more glare and heat control and more daytime privacy; higher openness means a clearer view out and more daylight.
1%Tightest Kleenscreen
5%Clearest Kleenscreen
16 ptsTv spread by color at 1%
0%Night privacy, any openness
3 pmWhen to test a sample
How to read it
Openness by number
| Openness | View out (daytime) | Glare control | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1% | Good in dark colors, soft in light colors | Highest | West and south windows, TV rooms, bathrooms |
| 3% | Clear | High | Living rooms, kitchens, most offices |
| 5% | Very clear | Moderate | North windows, view-first rooms |
| 10% | Nearly transparent | Low | Patios and porches |
What this means for your home
Pick openness by what the window faces and what you do in the room. A screen you watch TV near wants 1% to 3%. A window with a view you paid for wants 5%.
Color changes the result as much as openness. Dark fabrics see out better and cut glare; light fabrics reflect heat but glow in direct sun.
Openness is not privacy at night. Nothing with an open weave hides a lit room from a dark yard.
Openness is not light transmission
Two different numbers
Openness is a geometric measurement of the weave. Visible transmittance (Tv) measures the light that gets through, including light passing through the yarn itself, which depends on color. The same 1% Kleenscreen weave spans a 16-point Tv range across its 8 colors.
| Kleenscreen openness | Weight | Tv, Pure White | Tv, Black |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1% | 14.25 oz/yd² | 16% | 1% |
| 3% | 14.01 oz/yd² | 19% | 6% |
| 5% | 13.12 oz/yd² | 21% | 6% |
Source: Texstyle Kleenscreen cut sheet. Other solar screen lines differ; check each fabric’s reference page.
Fabrics by openness at Rolli
Three weaves, eight colors each
Questions
Openness, answered
Is 1% or 5% openness better?
1% blocks more glare and heat and keeps more daytime privacy; 5% gives a clearer view and more daylight. West and south windows with screens in the room usually call for 1% to 3%; a north window with a view calls for 5%.
Does openness equal light blocked?
No. Openness is the share of the weave that is open. Light transmitted also depends on color: a Pure White 1% Kleenscreen passes 16% of visible light, a Black 1% passes 1%.
Does a solar screen give privacy at night?
No. Any openness above 0% shows silhouettes when it is brighter inside than outside. Use a blackout or light-filtering shade, or a dual roller, for night privacy.
What openness do architects specify for glare control?
Commercial specs commonly call for 1% to 3% on east, south and west glazing and 5% on north, with Tv under 5% where screens are in use. Confirm against the project’s daylight study.
Sources
- Texstyle Kleenscreen cut sheet (US) — openness, weight and optical values used in the tables
Specifications restated from the manufacturer's published documents. Kleenscreen®, Texstyle® and Sanitized® are marks of their owners. Rolli is an independent fabricator and installer.
Measured, made and installed by Rolli
See the fabric in your light.
Free samples ship from Austin. A designer confirms opacity, color and motor at the free consultation. Shades ship in 3 to 10 days.
