Plan neat garden shades with accurate stackback estimates. Fine-tune fullness, panels, and clearances. See results instantly and download them anytime easily.
| Opening | Panels | Fullness | Header | Weight | Lining | Direction | Per-side stackback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 240 cm | 2 | 2.0× | Grommet | Medium | None | Both | ~52 cm |
| 180 cm | 2 | 2.2× | Ripplefold | Sheer | None | Both | ~40 cm |
| 300 cm | 3 | 2.5× | Pinch pleat | Heavy | Blackout | One | ~125 cm |
Examples are estimates to illustrate trends. Real stackback depends on fabric thickness, pleat training, and hardware geometry.
Use a custom compression factor if you have real measured stackback from a sample panel in your garden setup.
Stackback width is the space your gathered panels occupy when fully opened. In pergolas, greenhouse doors, and patio bays, lost clearance can block airflow, snag vines, or hide fixtures. Planning stackback helps you keep usable opening width and maintain access paths for watering, pruning, and carts. It also improves visibility to monitor plants and pests along the opening during checks.
The calculator combines opening width, panel count, and fullness to estimate total flat fabric width. Returns add wrap to posts or end walls, while overlap closes center gaps. Typical shade fullness ranges from 1.8× for light screening to 2.5× for privacy. Header type and fabric weight influence compression; heavier outdoor cloth stacks wider than sheer mesh. Lining, insect net backing, or double layers further reduce compression and can increase stackback by 10–20%.
Compression is the ratio between flat fabric width and gathered width. For example, a 3.0× factor means 300 cm of fabric compresses to about 100 cm when stacked. Ripplefold and grommets often compress tighter than rod pockets because folds are guided and rings slide evenly. Thick hems, lead weights, and stiff coatings lower compression. If you test a sample panel, enter a custom factor and average several measurements.
Garden installations usually need extra clearance beyond fabric stack. Brackets, end stops, rings, and tie-backs occupy space near posts, and corner joins can protrude. Safety margin is practical slack for leaf expansion, trellis wires, and seasonal planters. Adding these allowances prevents pinched fabric and keeps your opening tidy. Wet fabric also stacks bulkier, so leave room after rain.
Use the per-side value to reserve stacking space on each side, or a single larger space for one-side stacking. The rounded recommendation supports easy marking and cutting, especially in inches with common tape increments. Combine the total fabric width with your fabric roll width to estimate yardage, seams, and panelization before purchase. If stackback exceeds available space, reduce fullness, choose a tighter header, or split into more panels.
Stackback width is the gathered space occupied by your panels when fully opened. The calculator estimates it from fabric width, compression, and added allowances.
Choose both sides when you can reserve space on each end for balanced appearance. Choose one side when a gate, trellis, or wall prevents stacking on one end.
Use 1.8× for light shade and airflow, 2.0–2.3× for standard screening, and 2.4–2.5× for higher privacy. More fullness increases stackback and fabric cost.
Use it when you can measure a real sample panel on your hardware. Stack the panel fully open, measure the gathered width, then divide flat fabric width by gathered width.
Yes. Lining and double layers reduce compression, increasing stackback. After rain, damp fabric can stack bulkier, so keep a slightly larger safety margin in outdoor settings.
CSV and PDF exports mirror your last calculation inputs and outputs. They are planning documents, so confirm final clearances after installing brackets and training folds.
Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.