Curtain fabric is typically 40–60% of the total cost of a made-to-measure curtain — so understanding per-metre pricing is important for budgeting a full home installation. This guide covers fabric prices for every common type available in Dubai, explains what drives the per-metre rate, and shows you how to convert a per-metre price into a realistic per-window total.
How Per-Metre Pricing Works
Curtain fabric is sold by the linear metre. Most curtain fabrics come in a standard width of 137–150cm — so one metre of fabric is approximately 1m long × 137–150cm wide. Some wider fabrics are available at 280cm wide (sometimes called "double width" or "140" fabrics), which reduce the number of widths needed per window.
The per-metre price you see at a fabric supplier is for this piece. The total fabric cost for a curtain depends on:
- How many metres of length — the drop of the window plus hem allowance
- How many fabric widths — determined by the window width and the fullness ratio required by the heading style
This means "AED X per metre" on its own tells you very little about what a complete window will cost. The conversion in the Per Window section below is what you need.
How Much Fabric You Need — The Key Variables
For a standard Dubai apartment window (roughly 2m wide, 2.8m drop):
| Heading Style | Fullness Ratio | Widths Needed (2m window) | Total Metres Needed (2.8m drop) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eyelet | 1.5x – 1.8x | 2 widths | ~6 – 7 metres |
| Wave / S-fold | 2x | 3 widths | ~9 metres |
| Pencil Pleat | 2.5x | 3 widths | ~9 – 10 metres |
| Pinch Pleat | 2x – 2.5x | 3 widths | ~9 – 10 metres |
Note: figures assume 140cm fabric width, with additional allowance for pattern repeat (0–60cm depending on fabric) and hem allowances (typically 30cm total). Large or patterned fabrics require more.
Curtain Fabric Prices Per Metre — Dubai 2026
| Fabric Type | Price Range (per linear metre) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Voile / Sheer — basic polyester | AED 8 – AED 18/m | Plain white or ivory; widths 280–300cm common |
| Sheer — embroidered or patterned | AED 18 – AED 45/m | Pattern repeat adds material cost |
| Linen sheer | AED 25 – AED 55/m | More UV filtering than voile; natural look |
| Faux linen (polyester-look) | AED 18 – AED 35/m | Washable; consistent colour; lower cost |
| Linen-polyester blend | AED 30 – AED 65/m | Most popular; good balance of natural and durable |
| Pure linen (100%) | AED 55 – AED 120/m | Premium natural fabric; dry clean recommended |
| Blackout fabric — standard lining | AED 12 – AED 25/m | Lining only; bonded to face fabric separately |
| Blackout fabric — face + bonded lining | AED 35 – AED 80/m | Combined fabric; one piece; no separate lining |
| Velvet — light (200–280 gsm) | AED 45 – AED 80/m | Contemporary cut pile; suitable for wave heading |
| Velvet — mid-weight (300–380 gsm) | AED 75 – AED 130/m | Best for pleat headings; rich drape |
| Velvet — heavy (400 gsm+) | AED 120 – AED 220/m | Formal rooms; maximum acoustic absorption |
| Outdoor fabric — solution-dyed acrylic | AED 40 – AED 90/m | UV-stable; water resistant; pergola/balcony use |
What Affects the Per-Metre Rate
The same category of fabric (e.g., "linen") spans a wide price range. The variables that move the per-metre price within a category:
- Fibre content: Pure natural fibres (linen, cotton, wool) cost more per metre than synthetic or blended equivalents. The price premium buys real performance differences — better UV filtering, breathability, and drape quality.
- Fabric weight (gsm): Heavier fabrics use more raw material and more complex weave structures. A 400gsm velvet costs significantly more per metre than a 200gsm equivalent.
- Fabric width: Wider fabrics (280–300cm) often appear more expensive per metre but require fewer widths per window — the effective cost per window may be lower. Always compare per-window cost, not per-metre cost in isolation.
- Pattern repeat: Patterned fabrics require additional material to match repeats at seams. A 30cm pattern repeat adds approximately one repeat's worth of fabric per width — for a 9-metre window this adds 2–3 metres of wasted fabric.
- Colourway and treatment: UV-inhibiting treatments, flame-retardant finishing (FR certification), or antimicrobial treatments all add to the per-metre cost.
- Minimum order quantities: Many fabric ranges have minimum order quantities (typically 5–10 metres per colourway). Single-window orders in unusual colourways may attract a surcharge.
From Per Metre to Per Window — The Calculation
To convert a per-metre price to an estimated per-window fabric cost:
Fabric Cost Calculator (Standard 2m × 2.8m Window)
Step 1: Calculate widths needed = (window width × fullness ratio) ÷ fabric width
Step 2: Round up to nearest whole width
Step 3: Total metres = (drop + hem allowance 0.3m + pattern repeat) × number of widths
Step 4: Fabric cost = total metres × per-metre price
Example: Wave heading, linen-polyester blend at AED 45/m. 2m window × 2x fullness = 4m ÷ 1.4m fabric width = 2.86, rounds to 3 widths. Drop 2.8m + 0.3m allowance = 3.1m × 3 widths = 9.3 metres. 9.3 × AED 45 = AED 419 fabric cost (plus track, lining, and fitting).
This is why per-window pricing (all-in, fitted) is far more useful for budgeting than per-metre pricing. The calculation above doesn't include lining, track, or labour — which typically double the fabric cost to reach the all-in window price.
Where to Buy Curtain Fabric in Dubai
If you're specifying your own fabric for supply-only (and hiring a separate fitter), the main sources in Dubai are:
- Fabric souks (Satwa, Bur Dubai): Lowest prices, widest selection of imported fabrics. Quality varies significantly — examine fabric weight, weave quality, and UV treatment before buying. Good for standard voile and basic polyester.
- Retail fabric shops (Karama, Al Quoz): Mid-market. Better quality control than souks. Many stock recognisable brand fabric ranges. Good for linen and blackout fabrics.
- Interior design suppliers (Al Quoz, Dubai Design District): Trade-focused. Premium fabrics with UV and FR certification. Minimum order quantities apply. Best for high-end linen, velvet, and specialist fabrics.
- Curtain specialists (supply + fit): The supplier sources the fabric for you as part of the fitting package. Easier to guarantee correct quantity, consistent dye lot, and appropriate fabric weight for the chosen heading and track. Made-to-measure curtains purchased this way eliminate the risk of mis-calculation.
The Simpler Approach
The per-metre calculation is useful if you're buying fabric yourself. But the easiest way to budget a curtain installation is to book a free home visit — we bring samples, measure every window, and give you a written per-window all-in price that includes fabric, lining, track, and fitting. No spreadsheets needed. Book a free visit →