What are low VOC fabrics?

As our customers become more aware of maintaining an environmentally friendly home for their families, we are often asked about solutions for window furnishings that are safe and non-toxic.

At Shadeco, we have always offered many natural products for blinds, curtains and shutters, however manufacturers today are more aware of the need to expand their offerings of environmentally friendly solutions for our customers.

Low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) fabrics are a healthier, more environmentally friendly option for your window furnishings. These fabrics are designed to emit minimal amounts of VOCs—chemicals that can evaporate into the air and contribute to indoor air pollution.

Shadeco offer a range of PVC Free and Lead Free fabrics are available from brands such as SHAW & Texstyle.

Why low VOC fabrics matter.

Healthier Indoor Air Quality: VOCs can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, and more serious health issues with prolonged exposure.

Eco-Friendly: Low VOC fabrics are often manufactured with fewer harmful chemicals and using cleaner processes.

Regulation Compliance: Many green building standards favour or require low VOC materials.

Materials commonly used to meet low VOC standards.

Polyester with Water-Based or Acrylic Coatings:

- Less off-gassing than PVC.

- Available in various opacities: light-filtering, sunscreen & blockout fabrics.

PVC-Free Vinyl Alternatives:

- Often made from polyolefin or polyester.

- Designed to mimic the performance of vinyl without the toxic emissions.

Recycled PET (rPET):

- Made from recycled plastic bottles, such as curtain fabrics from James Dunlop & Charles Parsons.

- Durable, sustainable, and low in VOCs.

Natural Fibers (Organic Cotton, Hemp, Linen): Biodegradable and free from synthetic chemicals.

Best if untreated or treated with low-emission finishes.

Many fabrics now carry certifications such as GREENGUARD or GREENGUARD Gold and OEKO-TEX® Standard 100.

Texstyle, Wilson Fabrics, SHAW are all stocked by Shadeco and carry a range of Greenguard certified, PVC free, Lead free fabrics with many manufactured here in Australia. We also sell Peter Meyer's range of Simply Natural woven blinds.