Solution
Transparent curtains for commercial buildings
Daylight with a lighter form of screening — without closing the room.
What transparent curtains solve
Transparent textiles filter daylight, soften harsh light and create a calmer transition between inside and outside, while largely retaining the view.
The degree of view-in and view-out depends on weave, thread thickness, colour and density — and in practice also on the direction of light and the time of day. A sheer curtain therefore provides visual calm during the day, but only limited privacy in the evening when the lights are on inside.
Transparent solutions are often combined with blackout or screens on a multi-track system, so the room can be adjusted to the situation.
Typical applications
Transparent curtains are used widely in professional environments:
- Office facades needing daylight filtering with retained views
- Receptions, lobbies and circulation zones with visual calm
- Restaurants and hospitality with soft, inviting light
- Showrooms and studios where daylight character is part of the expression
- Room division and zoning without fixed walls
What we assess when choosing
- Weave, colour and density against the desired light behaviour
- View-in and view-out at different times of day
- Drape, fullness and panel distribution for the width and height of the bay
- Combination with blackout or screens on a multi-track system
- Fire requirements and documentation for the specific use
- Cleaning, take-down and shrinkage behaviour of the chosen quality
Technical coordination
The track position relative to glass, window sills, handles and building services determines how the textile drapes and operates. Combination solutions need space for several tracks, and for tall bays motorisation should be considered early.
Assess the textile in the room
We always recommend testing the textile in the actual light. A sheer fabric can look very different in front of a dark facade, in direct sun, or in the evening under artificial light. Large samples in the actual room give the most reliable basis for the decision.
The CIS Nordic role and next step
CIS Nordic advises on qualities and light behaviour, measures on site, delivers made-to-measure curtains and installs them on the right system. The next step is typically a short review of the project's window bays, where relevant samples can be assessed in the room.
Frequently asked questions
Do sheer curtains provide privacy at night?
Only to a limited extent. After dark the light balance reverses and visibility from outside increases. If the room needs privacy at night, combine the sheer layer with an opaque or blackout curtain, or a suitable blind chosen for the privacy requirement.
Can sheer curtains be combined with blackout?
Yes. A layered solution on a multi-track system is a common and flexible arrangement: the sheer layer is used during the day and the opaque or blackout layer when greater privacy or light control is needed.
How much daylight does a sheer curtain take away?
It depends on weave, colour and density. No single figure covers all fabrics — which is why light behaviour is best assessed with a large sample in the room's own light.
Can sheer curtains be cleaned?
Yes, but the method depends on the selected fabric. The manufacturer's instructions for that specific fabric are followed, and requirements for washing, cleaning and shrinkage are documented at handover.
Do you have a project for us to look at?
Talk to us about the project, or upload the material for a preliminary estimate.