Essence Flock Soft Flame Retardant Fabric 150cm or 300cm
Essence Flock Soft Flame Retardant Fabric 150cm or 300cm
Next Day Expected But Not Guaranteed. (Ex NI, SH, I)
UK Mainland Over £250
FREE
Essence Flame Retardant Blackout Curtain Fabric
Essence is a double-sided blackout fabric sold by the metre, designed for curtain-making and soft furnishings where you need full light control and a clean, matte finish on both sides. Offered in 23 colours and two widths (150 cm and 300 cm) to support standard windows and larger installations.
Fire Retardant
FR standards listed in specifications
Blackout
Full light control for privacy
23 Colours
Consistent, contract-friendly palette
Two Widths
150 cm or extra-wide 300 cm
Double-Sided
Matte finish on both sides
Washable
Care guidance in specifications
Expectation setting: Essence is specified as 100% blackout. This is not a sheer fabric and is intended for complete light block where required.
Why specify Essence FR blackout by the metre
Essence is a blackout fabric sold by the metre for curtain-making, blinds and other soft furnishing applications. The supplied description specifies a double-sided matte finish and 100% blackout, supporting consistent presentation from both room side and external-facing side.
Two widths are offered to suit different installation requirements: 150 cm for standard projects and 300 cm for wider spans where reducing seams is beneficial.
Flame retardant standards are listed below. Certificates, technical sheets and washing guidance should be referenced in the Specifications tab for specification-critical work.
Where this fits in our range
Essence sits as a double-sided FR blackout option when you need complete light block with a plain matte appearance, and when access to an extra-wide 300 cm width is advantageous on larger drops and wide window runs.
Best suited for
- Bedrooms, media rooms and spaces requiring full blackout
- Hotel and hospitality curtains where a plain, consistent finish is required
- Blinds, room dividers and large panels using the 300 cm width
Who uses Essence flame retardant blackout curtain fabric
Essence is specified for contract and commercial applications where blackout performance and documented FR standards are required. Typical use includes hospitality bedrooms and public accommodation, as well as other fit-outs where consistent appearance and privacy are key drivers.
Supplied by the metre for makers, workrooms and installers. If you require a finished product, made-to-measure curtains can be produced to order from suitable fabrics and linings (see product options on site).
Colour range (23 options)
Jet, Graphite, Zinc, Smoke, Midnight, Denim, Sky, Pumice, Teal, Ginger, Ash, Tobacco, Thyme, Kale, Tarragon, Hemp, Dust, Nougat, Clay, Biscuit, Ecru, Cloud, Chalk.
For large projects, confirm colour selection and batch requirements prior to cutting.
Technical specifications
| Blackout | 100% |
| FR Standards | B1, EN 13773, BS 5867 Part 2 B, IMO FTP Code 2010 Part 7, NFPA 701 1+2 |
| Width options | 150 cm (59") / 300 cm (118") |
| Weight | 330 gsm (9.7 oz/yd²) |
| Composition | 100% Polyester with Acrylic Coating |
| Pattern / finish | Plain matte finish |
| Average roll | 25 m (27 yds) |
| Colour fastness to light | 5 |
| Dimensional stability to washing | Ref. 510 |
| Care instructions | Machine wash at 30 °C; do not bleach; iron on low heat (use press cloth); do not dry clean or tumble dry |
| Typical end use | Curtains, blinds, room dividers, acoustic treatments |
For contract sign-off, reference certificates and the latest care guidance in the Specifications tab. Where performance is critical, confirm suitability against the project fire strategy, installation method and maintenance regime before committing to manufacture.
| Features | Flame Retardant, Blackout, Thermal |
|---|---|
| Washing / Cleaning Information Face Fabric | 30 Degrees (When Blackout Lined), Cool Iron, Non Bleach, Non Dry Clean, Non Tumble Dry |
| Flame Retardant | Yes |
| Delivery | Next Day Expected But Not Guaranteed. (Ex NI, SH, I) |
| Flame Retardant Certified Rating | BS5867 Part 2C |
| Fabric Style | Plains, Semi Plains |
| Fabric Width (cm) | 150 |
| Pattern Repeat Vertical (cm) | 1 |
| Composition | 100% Polyester with Acrylic Coating |
| Product Attachment |
Are my products certified for use in a public place?
What is a printed fabric base cloth?
What does FR or flame retardant mean?
Can I get fabric samples before ordering?
How to Measure for a Recess Fitted Blind
Do I get a certificate to show my products are flame retardant?
How do I calculate how much curtain fabric I need?
Customer Product Reviews
Top customer reviews
-
FR FabricWe ordered this flame-retardant blackout fabric for a hotel project, and it’s been fantastic. The quality is great and completely blocks out light, and meets all the fire safety standards we need. The team at Direct Fabrics were a pleasure to work with – professional, knowledgeable, and always happy to help. We’ll definitely be ordering again. Thank you0 people found this helpful
-
Highly recommend!High-quality blackout fabric and amazing customer support from Direct Fabrics. Highly recommend!0 people found this helpful
-
Double-sided FabricIt has a double-sided matte finish, meaning that both sides look good. You don't have to worry about the “back” side of the fabric showing and spoiling the look. Very pleased with the fabric0 people found this helpful
-
Essence fabricThe team are very responsive. I had some questions about the colour/shade before buying and they got back to me quickly and helpfully. This fabric is excellent value for what it does.0 people found this helpful
How to Measure For Curtains, Blinds and Tracks.
Make sure your curtain tracks and poles are fitted in the position you want.
Choose the type of curtains that you would like and how you want to hang your curtains. See our heading styles guide
We recommend fitting your hardware first before measuring, this avoids any issues with not getting the perfect fit.
Measure your window using our main guide. Quick summary below. Remember wave, pinch, and designer headings require slightly different measurement
Measure in 3 places and take the shortest drop – Floors and ceilings can run out.
Double / Triple check your measurements

Choosing your Curtain Track Width
The width of the curtain track should extend past your window this allows for the curtains to stack back away from your window and allow light in.
Measure your recess and then add on 15cm on either side. For acoustics , we recommend further to fully cover the window and the surrounding area. In our test we added an additional 30cm to the width and also made the curtain floor length.
Wave curtains, for every 100cm of track the curtains will stack circa *18cm
Eyelet curtains, they will stack back circa 10cm per *70cm of track width
Pencil Pleat will stack approx 25% of the track width. eg. 210cm track will stack 52.5%
* all dependent on thickness of fabric
Selecting your Curtain Drop
Where to Measure From for Different Type of Curtains
|
Type of Curtains |
Fitted On |
Where to Measure from - to desired length |
|
Pencil Pleat Curtains |
Curtain Track |
Top of the Track - If using a extra wide track or designer track like silent gliss metropole, then measure from the underside of the track. |
|
Pencil Pleat Curtains |
Curtain Pole |
Measure from small ring at the bottom of eye under the ring, this is where your curtain clips into. |
|
Eyelet Curtains |
Curtain Pole – Only |
Top of the pole *we add on the upstand to our curtains, |
|
Pinch Pleat Curtains |
Curtain Track |
The underside of the track |
|
Wave Curtains |
Curtain Track Designer Pole |
The glider underneath the track. The curtain will sit under the track. |
|
Acoustic Curtains |
See Heading Style of Choice above |
Same but make sure wider than normal ideally 30cm past either side and 30 above. Also to the floor. |
How to Measure for Blinds going Inside the Recess
- Measure the exact width of the recess in three places; at the top of the recess, in the centre of the recess and near the bottom - then take the smallest size.
- Measure the exact drop of the recess in three places on the left hand side of the recess, in the centre of the recess and on the right hand side of the recess - then take the smallest size.
- We will take one cm off the finished width size you have given us, to allow for the blind to pull up and down easily.
- Double check your measurements
- Cord Safety - Mounting Height - We ask for the mounting height of your blinds to allow for the cord to be 150cm off the ground. If mounting at 210cm This is what you enter in the Fitting height box. We make a deduction to ensure the cord is 150cm from the floor. Thus the cord loop will be 60cm
How to Measure Outside of the Recess
- Measure the recess in 3 places on the width and also 3 places on the drop. Take the widest measurement.
- Measure the width of the actual recess plus an additional amount – Usually from 7cm-15cm whatever you think looks appropriate. This is for overlap.
- Measure the exact drop of the recess. The blind would be fitted above the recess, so check the space above and add an amount on to the drop – usually from 7-15cm
- These sizes you have taken will be the size of the finished blind.
- Double check your measurements
- Cord Safety - Mounting Height - We ask for the mounting height of your blinds to allow for the cord to be 150cm off the ground. If mounting at 210cm This is what you enter in the fitting height box. We make a deduction to ensure the cord is 150cm from the floor. Thus the cord loop will be 60cm
Cubicle Tracks you have to measure with right angles from wall to wall where you want the track to go
Draw your room on a piece of paper with a sky view
Now measure from the wall to wall for straight tracks,
L Shape Tracks Measure to a point on the floor and mark with a piece of tape. Then for the other sides measure from the other wall to that point.
Always check for obstructions and fitting issues you may need to work around
SAVE TIME - Send your project requirements, large or small. Sample Lists etc

