Interior Design for Residential Cinemas Part 3: Choosing Fabric
Stretched fabric panels are a feature in nearly all residential cinemas. Used to hide audio equipment and acoustic treatment they can appear as wall-to-wall finishes, large panels alternating with other features such as columns and as floating panels. Halo lit, stepped, finned, combinations of angles and shapes, there are many ways to design using fabric in a residential cinema. When choosing the fabric to achieve these designs there are some core principles to consider which will be set out in this guide.
Acoustic Transparency
The most important consideration when choosing a fabric for Residential Cinema panels will be how acoustically transparent it is.
The primary use of stretched fabric panels is to hide unsightly audio equipment and acoustic treatment from view; however, a great deal of work will have gone into specifying this technology to deliver optimum audio experience for the user. It is a priority to minimise disruption to these tech calculations.
Audio leaving speakers and subwoofers needs to freely pass through fabric into the room.
Audio also needs to pass back through fabric to meet acoustic treatment panels and be reflected, reverberated and/or resonated correctly to the acoustic plan.
The acoustic transparency of a fabric can be achieved via several variables.
- The density of the weave, where a looser weave will be more transparent.
- Thickness of the fabric, thinner fabrics will absorb less sound.
- The weight of the fabric, heavier fabrics are more acoustically absorbent.
- If a fabric I perforated or has a perforated backing, this will work to help address the above factors.
Some fabric manufacturers will state the acoustic transparency of their fabric ranges. It is good practice to select an appropriate, pre-specified range of fabric as a starting point as this is the most important consideration.
In scenarios where a pre-specified acoustically transparent fabric that matches the design scheme isn’t available or if a fabric has been approved before acoustics have been considered SRND can help. SRND has an acoustic fabric testing facility that can determine the transparency of a fabric and how that will impact the sound passing through it. Find out more here https://srnd.store/blogs/learning/testing-acoustic-fabric-performance
Fabric Stretch
Whether using the SRND Fabric Walls aluminium frame panels or traditional track systems fabric wall panels are based around the principle of stretching fabric across a large area and tucking the edges of the fabric around the perimeter. The goal is to create a taught, clean finish free of pinching, creases or sagging, leaving a result that looks like a solid surface.
Ideally fabrics used in stretch fabric systems can have a small amount of stretch to allow for cutting tolerances and avoid creasing while tucking, yet not so much a taught finish cannot be achieved.
The fabric should maintain its structural integrity when stretched, there should be no danger of tearing.
Be aware of how stretching the fabric opens the weave, too open a weave will give the fabric a visually transparent look revealing whatever is hidden behind the panel.
If the fabric weave has a distinct pattern pay attention how distorted that pattern becomes when stretched, the can become a particular issue at the corners of panels.
There is no easy, statistic or specification for testing how a fabric stretches and how that will apply to a stretch fabric panel, it is best to order samples or test lengths from suppliers and trial them.
Gloss and Reflectivity
It is best to avoid using glossy or highly reflective materials across large expanses within cinema rooms as the they will pick up light from the screen and/or projector and become distracting.
There are exceptions but as a rule of thumb manmade materials such as polyester, nylon and acrylic tend to be higher gloss than natural materials such as wool or cotton.
Printed Fabrics
It is possible for printed fabrics to be acoustically transparent and have the appropriate level of stretch. If printing custom graphics, it is recommended to work closely with a printer to understand what fabrics they have available for printing and the specifications required for the artwork.
Textured Fabrics
Textured fabrics can result in uneven acoustics, if the pattern is small this can even out, however larger pattern will provide patchy acoustics.
Textures can also create an uneven section making tucking less reliable.
Stick to flatter textures that avoid large sections of variation in depth.
Additional testing for stretch and acoustics is advised.
Patterned Fabrics
As mentioned, printed patterns can be suitable for residential cinema fabric panels depending on the fabric used.
Woven patterns can be workable with a flat weave, where the pattern adds depth or texture testing before ordering is highly advantageous. Textures and depth can cause problems with even acoustics, stretch and tucking.
Repeat patterns simialr to those found on wallpaper can be difficult to align when tucking fabric. The stretch can alter the end point of a pattern and tucking will take up several centimetres of fabric. It is best to isolate panels using repeating patterns, this can be achieved by using sections of wide trim, columns or even LED strips in between fabric panels.
Fabric Dimensions
Most suitable fabrics will be sold on rolls that provide lengths in excess of any fabric panel that would be specified for a residential cinema. However, fabric roll widths are limited and will dictate the maximum width of a fabric panel.
It is important to account for fabric for tucking when measuring for stretched fabric panels.
For Fabric Walls Panels 50mm per edge is required for silicon edge and tucking.
For example, a rectangular Fabric Walls Panel that measures 1000mm x 800mm would require 1100mm x 900mm of fabric.
Recommended Fabrics
SRND recommend several fabrics that are available for purchase on the SRND store as part of the Fabric Walls System or as a standalone order. These fabrics have been tested against the outlined criteria and specified for projects by SRND and SRND partners.
Camira Blazer Lite
Fabric Width: 1700mm
Material: 100% Virgin Wool
Blazer Lite is a lightweight, premium wool fabric crafted from 100% New Zealand lambswool — a refined evolution of Camira’s iconic Blazer wool felt. Designed for versatility and modern interiors, this high-quality textile offers exceptional softness, durability, and timeless style.
Key Features
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100% New Zealand Lambswool: Naturally soft, breathable, and high performing.
Lightweight Version of a Classic: A streamlined adaptation of the renowned Blazer fabric, ideal for a wide range of applications.
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Rich Colour Palette: Available in 42 stunning shades, from gentle pastels to bold, vibrant tones.
- Expertly Crafted in Yorkshire: Spun, woven, milled, and piece-dyed in Camira’s state-of-the-art UK facilities.
Blazer Lite brings premium wool craftsmanship and exceptional colour choice to any design project or interior space.
Camira Lucia CS
Fabric Width: 1700mm
Material: 100% Trevira CS® Flame Retardant Polyester
Lucia CS is a premium, inherently flame-retardant fabric crafted from 100% Trevira CS yarn — offering the trusted performance of the popular Lucia screen fabric with enhanced safety features. Designed by Camira, this collection features a refined colour palette inspired by their most beloved and best-selling shades.
Key Features
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Inherently Flame Retardant: Made entirely from Trevira CS yarn for long-lasting, built-in fire resistance.
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Proven Performance: A flame-retardant evolution of the widely used and highly trusted Lucia fabric.
- Sophisticated Colour Range: Curated by Camira, featuring their most popular and versatile colourways.
Lucia CS delivers safety, style, and durability — ideal for commercial spaces, acoustic panels, and modern interiors
Camira Synergy
Fabric Width: 1400mm
Material: 95% Virgin Wool, 5% Polyamide
Discover Synergy — an ultra-high-performance wool fabric that delivers exceptional softness, natural beauty, and an impressive palette of 75 colours. Perfect for premium interiors, acoustic treatments, and design projects that demand both comfort and durability.
Key Features
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Irresistibly Soft: Wool-rich and delicately felted, Synergy offers a smooth, inviting touch with a relaxed, elegant drape.
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Natural & Refined: Its understated aesthetic highlights the fabric’s unique fibre-dyed tones and rich piece-dyed solids.
- Ultra-High Performance: Designed to withstand everyday use while retaining its luxurious look and feel.
- 75 Colourways: Choose from an extensive palette—subtle neutrals, warm naturals, and bold contemporary hues—to complement any design scheme.
Bring timeless style and superior performance to your space with Synergy, the wool fabric crafted to elevate every interior.
Ultrasuede XL
Fabric Width: 1150mm
Material: Synthetic Suede
Enhance your interior designs with Ultrasuede XL — a premium acoustic fabric that brings elegance, comfort, and performance to any space. Perfect for cinema rooms, media rooms, feature walls, and acoustic treatments, this suede-like material delivers both beauty and function.
Key Features
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Luxurious Soft Touch: Enjoy a smooth, velvety texture that adds a premium feel to any design.
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Rich Colour Selection: Available in an extensive range of refined shades, from subtle neutrals to standout hues.
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Exceptional Colour Fastness: Durable microfibers ensure colours stay vibrant over time.
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Acoustic Transparency: Engineered to allow clear sound transmission, making it ideal for use in front of speakers or acoustic panels without compromising audio quality.
Upgrade your projects with a fabric that looks stunning, feels exceptional, and performs brilliantly. Ultrasuede XL brings professional-level sophistication to any room.
Ultrasuede LX
Fabric Width: 1300mm
Material: Synthetic Suede
Transform your home cinema or media room with Ultrasuede LX — the premium suede-like fabric designed for style, comfort, and exceptional acoustic performance. Perfect for wall panels, speaker covers, and décor accents, this high-end material elevates both the look and sound of your entertainment space.
Key Features
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Luxuriously Soft Feel: Enjoy an ultra-smooth, plush suede surface that adds sophistication to any room.
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Durable & Colourfast: Made from resilient microfibers that maintain their rich colour and texture over time.
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Easy Care: Naturally wrinkle-resistant and fully washable at home for effortless upkeep.
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Acoustic Transparency: Engineered to allow sound to pass through clearly, making it ideal for use in front of speakers without compromising audio quality.
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Wide Colour Selection: Choose from an extensive palette of neutrals and bold tones to perfectly match your décor.
Upgrade your space with a fabric that looks incredible, feels luxurious, and performs beautifully. Ultrasuede LX is the perfect finishing touch for any modern home theatre or media room.