Materials · Fabrication · OEM sourcingCovers & All Outdoor Clear Tarp Curtains: What to Compare
Comparing a Covers & All outdoor clear tarp curtain with a custom supply option? Look beyond the product name. The useful comparison is the clear opening, PVC thickness, reinforced perimeter, fixing layout and way the curtain opens. This guide helps patio enclosure suppliers, importers and fabricators prepare a comparable specification, then discuss clear PVC roll material or custom panels with DERFLEX.
Independent buying guide. DERFLEX and Covers & All are separate brands; this page describes DERFLEX sourcing options, not the sale or servicing of Covers & All products.
Buying one curtain or developing a repeatable curtain range?
A made-to-measure retail curtain and an OEM clear curtain program can solve different purchasing tasks. A single opening may need a finished panel with a defined mounting arrangement. A distributor may need the same drawing, material reference and packaging to remain consistent across repeat orders. A fabricator may need only clear film rolls for its own cutting and welding.
It is a flexible transparent barrier, usually made from clear PVC vinyl, finished to hang across an opening while preserving light and a view. The panel may be all clear or combine a clear window with opaque reinforced sections. Weather performance depends on the film, seams, perimeter and installation together.
| Decision | A retail custom curtain | A DERFLEX OEM inquiry |
|---|---|---|
| What you are buying | A finished item selected from that seller’s current options | Roll material, cut panels or a fabricated curtain scope agreed in the quotation |
| How to specify it | Follow the seller’s measurement and finishing rules | Supply a dimensioned drawing, material needs and acceptance criteria |
| What needs comparing | Actual finished size, clear window and included fittings | The same drawing revision, material grade, quantity and packing across suppliers |
| Commercial terms | Check current checkout, shipping and product warranty terms | Request confirmed MOQ, production timing, freight scope and written terms |
Covers & All markets both clear vinyl curtains and curtains with a clear vinyl panel. Check the exact current configuration before comparing it with another quote. A transparent center with coated fabric above and below should not be treated as identical to a fully transparent panel.
For the broader material and finished-tarp category, see DERFLEX clear tarps for custom enclosures. This guide focuses on translating a curtain purchase into a specification that another supplier can evaluate.
The clear window and the border have different jobs
All-clear PVC curtain
Choose this direction when the view is the priority. Identify where reinforcement, seams and fixings will interrupt that view. A clear sheet can look smooth in a product photo yet show ripples when hung; approve a sample in the intended orientation and lighting.
Clear center with opaque sections
An opaque header or lower panel changes the viewing area and the material around fittings. Specify the clear opening separately from the overall size. Do not assume every colored strip is structural reinforcement; the drawing should identify its construction and connection to the clear film.
DERFLEX’s clear vinyl film range is relevant to converters sourcing rolls. For optical appearance and outdoor formulation discussions, review PVC super clear film options. Request a sample of the proposed grade rather than selecting from a category image alone.
Compare clear film thickness in mil and millimeters
Mil is a thickness unit: one mil equals 0.0254 mm. Ounces per square yard and GSM describe mass per area. They are useful purchasing fields, but cannot establish the clear film thickness without knowing the material construction. Keep a border fabric’s weight separate from the clear window’s thickness.
| If a quote states | Equivalent thickness | How to use the figure |
|---|---|---|
| 20 mil | 0.508 mm | Compare with the measured clear film, including its agreed tolerance |
| 30 mil | 0.762 mm | Evaluate added weight and handling alongside the panel design |
| 40 mil | 1.016 mm | Check whether the intended opening and storage method suit the material |
Exact unit conversions only. These are comparison examples, not DERFLEX stock grades, recommended wind ratings or a promise of availability.
A thicker film generally adds material weight and can change handling, but it does not by itself establish tear strength, cold flexibility or weathering life. Ask how the proposed grade behaves when rolled at the lowest operating temperature, and what evidence supports the answer. Outdoor UV stability and the amount of UV blocked through a film are also different properties.
Separate opening size, finished panel size and fixing centers
Send an elevation sketch with a clear datum. State whether each dimension refers to the opening, the outside edge of the finished curtain or the centers of its fixings. Copying a competitor’s automatic size allowance can create a fit error when the new supplier uses a different hanging arrangement.
Record the frame
Measure opening width at the top, middle and bottom, and height on both sides. Mark posts, sloping floors, obstructions and any difference between the two diagonals. Include a photograph with the sketch.
Locate the hanging line
Show the proposed fixing centers or suspension line. Identify the mounting face and available clearance. Do not let the factory infer panel height from the floor-to-beam distance alone.
Draw the operating details
Mark left and right, opening direction, neighboring panels, access splits and overlap. For a clear center, specify the top and bottom opaque sections and the unobstructed viewing height.
Approve finished dimensions
Agree any side overlap, ground clearance and hardware offsets in writing. The approved drawing should distinguish finished dimensions from cutting allowances used during fabrication.
A measurement example
Assume the agreed suspension datum is 2,400 mm above the floor and the desired bottom clearance is 30 mm. The distance from that datum to the curtain bottom is 2,370 mm. This is not automatically the overall fabric height: hardware offsets, a top extension and the chosen fixing method still have to be resolved on the drawing.
Illustrative arithmetic for one opening. It excludes material allowances, frame design and installation tolerances.
If the panel will roll upward, the roll-up patio curtain guide explains why the bottom bar, roll clearance and mounting arrangement belong in the same discussion.
Put the details that change performance on the drawing
| Detail | What to state | What to resolve before production |
|---|---|---|
| Clear film | Material reference, nominal thickness, tolerance and approved appearance sample | Clarity, handling, outdoor exposure and processing compatibility |
| Viewing area | Clear opening width and height, plus permitted seam positions | Whether a joint or opaque band crosses the intended sightline |
| Edges and corners | Hem or border construction, reinforcement position and finished corner shape | How the attachment load reaches the reinforced perimeter |
| Grommets or other interfaces | Material, opening size, spacing and center locations on each edge | Compatibility with buyer-supplied fittings and the mounting face |
| Opening and retention | Fixed, removable, sliding or roll-up use; locations of access splits and straps | Which components are supplied and which are installed separately |
| Environment | Sun exposure, operating temperature, handling frequency and cleaning routine | Grade-specific evidence needed for the intended conditions |
| Packing | Roll or fold method, panel identification and label requirements | Package size, surface protection and receiving inspection |
For a restaurant terrace, the key issues often include the viewing band, entrance access and frequent opening. A seasonal porch panel places more emphasis on removal and storage. A loading-area divider needs an operating layout that suits traffic and its actual exposure. These are different design briefs even when all three use clear vinyl.
For workshop separation, compare the relevant industrial curtain materials and layouts. For tent-window converting, see clear PVC tarpaulin for windows and curtains; a tent-window material listing is not a completed patio system specification.
Verify the sample, the supply scope and the installed conditions
Approve a representative sample
- View the proposed film against a contrasting background and under the lighting that matters to the buyer.
- Check a finished corner and an edge with its actual reinforcement and fixing.
- Review the intended seam or access closure, including the location of any visible joint.
- Agree the inspection method and acceptable variation before using the sample as the production reference.
Define what the quote includes
DERFLEX discusses clear PVC materials and custom fabricated panels for B2B sourcing. The written quotation should identify whether it covers rolls, cut pieces, welded panels or finished curtains, and list the agreed finishing and packaging.
Rails, rollers, frames, motors, site installation and structural design need their own confirmed scope. A curtain panel photograph does not establish that those items are included.
Plan for rain, wind and access
Waterproof PVC does not make every joint, zipper or wall connection watertight. Decide how runoff passes the top edge and where water can drain at the bottom. The waterproof boundary discussion in the waterproof clear tarp guide helps separate material performance from finished enclosure performance.
Film thickness is not an installed wind rating. Fixing loads, frame condition and panel area require project-specific assessment. Establish an operating procedure for releasing or removing panels when conditions exceed the installation’s approved use.
Keep the enclosure usable
Closing a formerly open space changes ventilation and condensation. Keep required exits accessible, and coordinate heaters and other equipment with their installation requirements. If a fire performance document is needed, request evidence tied to the proposed material and applicable test; do not assume every clear PVC grade carries the same classification.
Rinse away grit before wiping, use a compatible mild cleaner and avoid abrasive pads. Dry panels before storage and follow the selected grade’s handling instructions. Repeated tight folds, trapped dirt and contact with sharp fittings can affect appearance and serviceability.
Start with a drawing, a quantity and the operating conditions
A useful first inquiry can be simple: one opening photograph, a sketch with dimensions and the number of panels. Add the destination, target delivery date and whether you need material rolls or finished panels. If you already have a comparable product, share the details you need to match without assuming its brand description defines an equivalent material.
For fabricators and converters
Include usable roll width, required thickness, intended cutting or welding process, roll length preference and packing needs. Identify whether the film will be processed with an existing border material so compatibility can be assessed.
For distributors and OEM brands
Include the size range, drawing revision, panel identification, carton labeling and any required documents. Ask for a representative finished sample and agreed acceptance criteria before expanding to repeat orders.
Compare total scope rather than area price alone. Roll-width utilization, the number of joints, reinforcement, closures, packing and freight can all change a quotation. Ask the supplier to separate any proposed alternative from the original specification so the difference remains visible.
Discuss your outdoor clear curtain requirement
Send DERFLEX your opening sketch, material or performance needs, quantity and destination. Request a quotation that identifies the proposed material, fabrication and included components.
Outdoor clear tarp curtain FAQ
Does DERFLEX sell Covers & All outdoor clear tarp curtains?
No. This is an independent buying guide. DERFLEX and Covers & All are separate brands. Contact Covers & All for its own products, orders and warranty service; contact DERFLEX to discuss DERFLEX clear PVC materials or custom panel sourcing.
Is an outdoor clear tarp curtain the same as a clear vinyl curtain?
The names often describe the same general type of flexible transparent barrier. They do not establish identical construction. Compare the clear film, opaque sections, reinforcement, finished dimensions and mounting details in the actual specification.
Is 20 mil or 30 mil better for a patio curtain?
Neither is universally better. These thicknesses equal 0.508 mm and 0.762 mm respectively. Select the proposed grade with the panel size, handling method, operating temperature and fixing design in mind. Ask for a representative sample and an agreed thickness tolerance.
Can clear PVC curtains remain outside all year?
That depends on the selected outdoor grade, local exposure, installation and operating procedure. Confirm UV weathering and cold handling requirements for the proposed material. An indoor clear film or an unverified thickness figure does not establish year-round suitability.
Should I add extra width or height when measuring?
Record the opening and fixing datums first. Agree side overlap, bottom clearance and hardware offsets with the supplier on the finished drawing. Do not automatically copy another seller’s leeway or cutting allowance.
Can DERFLEX quote rolls instead of completed curtains?
DERFLEX can discuss clear PVC roll material as well as a custom panel requirement. State which supply form you need, the dimensions, quantity and converting or finishing details. The quotation should confirm the material, fabrication and components included.
Prepared for importers, enclosure fabricators and OEM buyers · Updated November 11, 2026
Related reading: clear tarp supply options · roll-up curtain planning · clear PVC tarp fabrication