The breathability is it’s chief benefit, true. The ATS place I use sells better quality burlap that doesn’t smell; the fabric shop I bought mine from only had one choice and boy did it STINK!
You got me thinking about one thing, BriHar: maybe the low-ball $300 suggestion is bad advice. I found that once I started down the road of effective room treatment, I really needed to follow it to the end, to where I had achieved consistent and even results. In may case, I spent quite a bit more than $500, and I still have some work to do. However, some think it’s superfluous altogether, so what do I know 