Dan Moir from James Dunlop Textiles knows what really makes a good curtain. With over a century of family experience behind the brand, he’s seen the difference that smart fabric choices can make. Whether you’re renovating, building new or just replacing tired window coverings, here’s what to look for.

UV exposure: the silent destroyer

New Zealand suffers from a thin ozone layer, leading to extreme levels of UV exposure “that just hammers our interiors,” Dan says. Curtains take the front line, absorbing both light and heat day after day.

To combat this, James Dunlop fabrics are engineered for durability on both sides. The face of the fabric needs to hold its colour, while the reverse must withstand direct UV contact. High-performance dye stuffs and construction techniques help reduce fading and fibre breakdown over time.

To measure this resilience, every fabric is tested using the international blue scale, which ranks UV performance from 1 to 8. “Eight being exceptional UV resilience,” says Dan, “and very few textiles ever achieve that.” James Dunlop won’t release anything below a 4, with most products rated between 5 and 7 depending on how they’ll be used.

It’s what’s on the inside that counts

While most of us notice the face of the fabric, it’s actually the fibre engineering that makes the biggest difference over time. Their advanced yarn technology is built to slow down the rate of deterioration. It keeps fabric from fading, thinning or becoming brittle under daily sun exposure.

The same science applies to other performance factors too. FibreGuard, one of the key technologies they use, adds stain resistance at a molecular level. “It’s inherent and will last the lifetime of that piece,” Dan explains. “Tested to 50 commercial washes, which will never be experienced within a home.” That makes a huge difference for upholstery, furniture and high-use homes. Especially if you’ve got pets or kids in the mix.

Your fabric choice and fire safety

Not all fabrics behave the same when exposed to heat or flame. While many natural fibres offer beauty and breathability, their fire performance varies widely. Wool, for example, is naturally flame-resistent. It chars rather than ignites, making it a smart and safe choice for curtains, upholstery and rugs in higher-risk areas like open-plan kitchens or rooms with fireplaces. Other natural fibres like linen and cotton bring strong aesthetic appeal, but don’t offer the same fire resilience as wool or purpose-built synthetic options.

No fabric is completely flame-proof. When a fabric claims to be fire-resistant or flame-retardant, “what you are certifying is it won’t fuel a flame,” says Dan. Some synthetics are engineered to starve the flame of oxygen by carbonising at high temperatures, preventing the fire from spreading. “It’ll shrivel up into a ball of synthetic, it will not drip and carry that flame to another surface.”

A fabric that earns its keep

For Dan and the team, longevity is core to their whole philosophy. “Without repeat customers there’s no future,” he says. And when the cost of replacing curtains can run into the thousands, it pays to choose wisely from the start.

Want to dig deeper into what fabric performance really means? Or know what to ask before your next curtain quote? Start by checking the blue scale rating, ask about FibreGuard certification, and don’t be afraid to bring up UV, stain and fire performance. It’s not just about picking a fabric that looks good. It’s about picking one that lasts.

Disclaimer: This article is based on a podcast featuring insights from experienced professionals and is intended for general information and inspiration only. While we aim to share valuable guidance, please seek personalised advice from qualified professionals before making decisions about your property, finances, or renovation plans.