Mesh vs. Blockout Barricade Covers: Which Should You Choose?
Almost every barricade-cover decision comes down to one fork: mesh or blockout. Choose wrong and you either fight the wind all day or end up with washed-out colour on camera. Choose right and the covers do exactly what the event needs.
Both are printed the same way — full-color dye-sublimation — so the difference is entirely about the fabric.
Mesh: built for wind
Knitted mesh has thousands of tiny openings that let air pass through. Outdoors, that’s everything: covers stay flat, ties don’t rip, and a gusty morning doesn’t turn your barricade line into a sail. The trade-off is slightly less colour density, since some light passes through the weave.
Blockout: built for color
Blockout fabric is opaque. Nothing shows through, so brand colours stay deep and saturated — ideal for a stage-front sponsor wall or a media step-and-repeat under lights. The trade-off is that it catches wind, so it’s less suited to exposed outdoor lines.
Quick comparison
| Factor | Mesh | Blockout |
|---|---|---|
| Wind performance | Excellent | Poor (catches wind) |
| Color saturation | Very good | Maximum |
| Best setting | Outdoor / exposed | Indoor / stage / shaded |
| Typical range | $35–$60 | $45–$80 |
You don’t have to choose site-unseen. Tell us the venue and we’ll recommend the fabric and show it on your artwork in a free mockup before you order.