Sefar Architecture Vision is an open weave fabric finely woven from black PET (polyester) fibres and coated on one side with a thin layer of metal measuring 140 micrometers. Possible metal coatings include aluminium, titanium or gold, while the reverse side is a neutral black in colour. The metalised fabric side can optionally have a copper, gold or special design printed on it.
With aperatures ranging from 25-70%, Vision is frequently used in exterior glass curtainwall applications as part of an effective daylighting strategy. If only the exterior surface is coated, the view in from outside is reduced and the fabric is also given outstanding energy-transmission reduction values. The reverse surface (the side facing inwards) of the fabric is black and therefore neutral in color. From inside and from further away than 3 m, the fabric cannot be seen. Furthermore, for indoor applications vision can also be laminated in plastics materials or used to create textile surfaces with a unique look.
The range of six fabrics and metallic coatings including the different combinations featuring double-sided coating produces a diversity of variations. Fabric surfaces coated in metal can be further individualised by means of digital printing with UV resistant inks. The options range from simple wording to extensive motifs. Neither the printed surfaces nor the metallic coating itself is visible from the reverse side. Double-sided coating fabrics can be printed separately on the front and reverse sides, while these markings too are only visible on the printed side of the fabric.
Multiple fabric layers produce unique effects. Each element is truly a one-off since the fabric will never overlay in exactly the same way twice. Different fabric types, fabrics with various metallic coating or the combination of coated and uncoated fabrics leave plenty of room for creativity. What all Vision fabrics have in common is their unique interaction with natural or artificial light. Depending on the angle of light source on the fabric surface, its appearance is seen to change and provide a constant interplay with the surroundings. It makes no difference whether the fabric is used in combination with glass, plastics or employed as a fabric surface.
