Exterior Solar Window Screens
Solar screens can reduce solar heat gain, UV damage, and glare. They can be installed on the interior or exterior as roller shades or fixed panels, and they typically allow for a view out the window and light transmission. They look similar to regular insect screens but provide more efficiency benefits.
The openness factor on solar screens varies and affects the efficiency benefits greater openness reduces the protection against glare and solar heat gain but increases visibility and light transmission.
Read more about solar screens from the Efficient Window Coverings Collaborative.
The Quickie Guide To The Answers
80% Solar Screens cool the home as much as needed in most climates, lets in natural light and has great outward visibility. It is recommended in most cases. Those in desert climates may want more heat blockage.90% Solar Screens are the ultimate heat blockage, but may make the home noticeably darker and slightly restrict visibility, especially if looking out the window at an angle. Textilene® 90 solar screens are very useful for blocking more of that annoying glare on your TV, and for providing more daytime privacy.As for the Color Choice, there is only a small fractional scientific difference in the heat blocking, although the color can significantly affect the outward visibility and daytime privacy. The best outward visibility is through the darker color solar screens: either black, brown or dark bronze. I know that sounds backwards, but think of sunglasses and how their lenses are always a very dark color. The dark lenses cut the glare and the eyes see right through it. It is much the same with solar screens. With the lighter color solar screens, Grey or Stucco, the eyes tend to want to focus on the screen fabric before seeing the view on the other side of the screen.Additional benefits of installing solar screens on your windows provides UV Protection for your Drapes, Furniture, Floors Paintings and other valuables to Reduce or Eliminate Fading and discoloration. Another added benefit is Daytime Privacy.
Twitchell Textilene® Solar Screens are Available in 6 Colors
Do Roller Shades Provide Privacy
4.3/5Do Solar Shades Provide PrivacySolar shades do provideprivacyprivacy
Consequently, can you see through roller shades?
Solar shades have an open weave fabric that allows light and air to pass through. During the day you can see out but, passers-by can‘t see in. However, at night the effect is reversed.
Likewise, do room darkening shades provide privacy? A light-filtering shade allows light to penetrate through the shade material, but does not provide enough blockage to ensure privacy. Bathrooms and bedrooms require room–darkening shades or window coverings providing appropriate privacy. Some window shades provide decorative interest, but don’t provide privacy.
Thereof, do solar shades provide privacy?
A: By nature solar screen shades do not offer complete privacy because they are designed specifically for light control. Solar shades use a screen fabric that filters light while still allowing some light in the room. During the daytime the shades will provide some privacy.
Can you see through cellular shades at night?
A: Translucent cell shades will allow light to filter through but will also still provide privacy. At night time depending on your lighting situation you may be able to see shadows when standing next to the honeycomb shades but you can not see through the window shades.
Which Blinds are Best for Privacy?
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What Are The Benefits
Solar screens are designed to offer many benefits. The key benefit is that they will prevent the UV light from entering inside your home. Regular exposure to sunlight might affect the durability and appearance of your furniture and carpet. Solar screens will protect all your appliances, furniture, and carpets from harsh sun rays and will prevent fading as well. Once solar screens are installed, you can enjoy your television and other electronics more in the absence of the glaring. They will save your money on cooling with the reduction of the heat transfer.
Choosing Privacy Screening For Your Style And Needs
Made entirely in the USA, our range of privacy screening products feature different levels of openness. When youre shopping for privacy screening, remember that a tighter, less open weave equals more privacy.
Solar screens, such as our , offer excellent daytime privacy, block 95 percent of UV rays and have a 5 percent openness factor — our tightest weave yet and great for maximum privacy. During the day, sunlight diminishes inward visibility, allowing more privacy in the home and making it harder for outsiders to look in.
For those looking for a more open weave with comparable sun protection and privacy, our , , and range from a 20 to 35 percent openness and each offer their own unique benefits, including blocking heat and reduced fading on your home furnishings. For homes that dont want to sacrifice airflow for privacy, look for a slightly more open weave for improved airflow while still maintaining privacy.
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Comparison Of Installed 80% Solar Screens Next To 90% Solar Screens
These are some great photos that show what it looks like to have 80% 90% solar screens next to each other.
For both of these pictures, you have two density of solar screens.
When homeowners do not have blinds on their windows, they sometimes want to use 90%. Then when they have blinds on their windows they want to use the 80%. Thats the case with both of these pictures.
Both of these pictures have 90% solar screens for the non-opening windows. And 80% solar screens for the opening windows.
Opening Windows will always have blinds on the windows.
Personally, I think it looks best to have just 90% on all of them. Or 80% on all of them. But there are those homeowners that are okay with this look.
Where To Get The Best Window Screens In Phoenix
Replacing your old window screens is a crucial home improvement task that adds value to your home. If you notice signs that your window screen needs a replacement, consult a professional.
Stellar Sunscreens is your trusted partner for quality and affordable window screens. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Solar shades have turned out to be one of the best options in the control of light and energy in homes. With sunscreens, it is possible to control the amount of light entering the house and consequently the heat levels.
What is impressive about sunscreen shades is that they can do more than just block light. They trap UV light, which might be harmful to the skin and even to the furniture at home. Due to the diverse uses of custom solar screens, they have become a popular option in residential homes. They can be installed on doors and windows among other areas.
For those considering putting up the shades on their houses, keep on reading as we answer some of the most common questions in this area.
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Visit A Showroom To Find The Best Window Treatments For Your Tall Windows
Whether you need inspiration or some high window curtain ideas, or you want to get some professional input on measurement and installation, The Shade Store is here to help. If youre ready to get started with selecting and installing window treatments for your tall windows, find a showroom near you to meet with a design consultant. They can help you find the best window coverings for the tall windows in your home.
By Jenna George
Are you looking for new window shades for your home? There are many different types of window shades to choose from, so the question is: how do you choose the window shade style that will work best for you?
In this guide, well introduce the features and styles of different kinds of window shades, including roller shades, Roman shades, woven wood shades, cellular shades, and pleated shades. Each of these types of shades has it own set of benefits, uses, and features. Well help you understand the difference so you can find the perfect solution for any room in your home.
What Are Solar Shades
To transform your homes into sun-protected sanctuaries you can opt for Solar Shades. These shades function as sun protectors and protect your interiors from the harmful UV rays and strong glares of the sun. UV rays or Ultra-Violet rays are emitted by the sun and prolonged exposure to these rays not affect your health but also damage the furniture, furnishings and floorings of the house. The suns glares are too strong and if unfiltered can cause irritation to your eye and interfere with your sleep. Solar Shades are manufactured to block out these rays allow sunlight to stream through at 3%, 5%, 10% and 15% levels. Thus 10% transparency means that 90% UV rays and sunlight will be blocked and only 10% will stream through your windows. Lower openness will block maximum light seepage while higher openness will provide minimum privacy and maximum diffused light. Solar Shades give you complete control over light filtration, UV blockage, outside view and privacy. Available in a range of colors, Solar Shades are an excellent choice for putting brakes on your soaring electricity bills during summer months.
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Motorized Shades For Tall Windows
One of the inherent issues with installing shades on tall windows is that they may be hard to reach and manipulate. This is where motorized shades come in handy. Motorized shades are a popular choice for window coverings for high windows, or extra tall windows. Motorized window treatments are a great choice for tall windows, as the automatic control makes it easy to lower and raise the shades with the click of a button.
Curtains And Drapes For Tall Windows
If youre looking for tall curtain ideas, consider using drapery for your large windows. You can customize the length of drapery and curtains to accentuate the height of the window. Long drapery panels make great tall window curtains because they help to draw the eye up to see the full height of a window, which creates a bold statement that highlights large windows, and can make your room look bigger, as well.
When choosing drapes for tall windows, its important to get the correct measurements and choose sturdy, eye-catching drapery hardware that will support the weight of the drapery fabric. As youd expect, tall window curtains carry some extra weight with them , so you need to make sure your curtain rods are up to the challenge of supporting them.
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The Benefits Of Solar Screens To Reduce Heat
Solar shades are vital window units that can be attached to the exterior or interior parts of the window. Apart from reducing heat, there are so many benefits that homeowners stand to gain by installing these accessories.
These include:
- Solar screens reduce the solar radiation entering the home by almost 90%, and thus cut heat gain by more than 10 degrees Celsius.
- The cooling effect of solar screens eases the burden of the air conditioner and cuts the cooling costs.
- The exterior solar screens also block the outdoor view while giving the home excellent privacy and ambient lighting indoors.
- The solar screens for patio areas reduce glares on most display screens including laptops, TVs, and smartphones.
- They protect carpets, furniture, and floors from harmful UV radiation that degrades them.
- Exterior solar screens are pest-resistant and can filter out dust and debris.
- Solar screens for the patio also allow ambient filtered light that is sufficient for indoor pot plants.
- Apart from reducing solar radiation, the solar screens also block UV rays from getting into your indoors.
- Well-designed exterior solar screens can also add to the beauty and aesthetic appeal of a home.
Solar Shades: Openness Explained
Openness refers to how tightly the fabric is woven. The lower the openness level and the tighter the fabric weave, the better it blocks the sunbut the less you can see through the shades. The higher the openness level, the looser the weave and the less it blocks the lighthowever, you have better visibility. Designer Screen Shades come in openness levels ranging from 0% to 14%, so you have options for filtering light.
From selecting materials and colors to expert measurement and installation, our window treatment specialists can help you create the perfect window treatments for your home. Find a specialist near you to get started today.
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Solar Screen: How To Choose An Openness Factor And Color
When selecting a solar screen fabric, there is more to consider than just aesthetics.
Sun Control: Sun control is the main reason people seek out shades. Blocking out harmful UV rays can help protect the flooring, furniture, and art in your home/office. Additionally, shades can help control the light, reducing glare or letting more light into a darker space.
Insulation: Choosing the right shade fabric can help to control heating and cooling costs.
Privacy: The level of privacy in a solar screen can vary greatly, so it is important to consider the use of the space and what it requires.
View: If you have a beautiful view, you may not want to hide it, but you do not want to forgo a shade all together.
What Does The Percentage Mean On Solar Shades
Each solar shade fabric has its own unique openness percentage. These percentages range from 1% to 14%. They tell you the percentage of UV rays that are allowed through the fabric. Fabrics with lower percentages feature a tighter weave, while fabrics with higher percentages have a more open weave.
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Every Bit Of Window Insulation Helps
Windows are basically open passages for heat transfer. Hot summer temperatures can heat up your house through unprotected windows, and heated winter air can just as easily seep out. Adding features like double-pained windows, solar screens, and shutters help insulate the window and prevent easy heat transfer.
Want To Increase Homes Value Or Aesthetics
When looking to update your homes exterior while increasing its value, adding sun screens is a great cost-effective option. They provide a sleek look and help market your house as more energy efficient.
There are several options for your exterior windows or even pool areas when utilizing solar screens. Whether it is pull down shades or the normal window frame screens. Either way, you are putting more into your investment.
Picking a color that is aesthetically pleasing and compliments your exterior paint and design will be beneficial in giving a more pleasant and appealing look to your home.
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Uv Protection And Energy Efficiency
Besides protecting your furnishings from damaging UV rays, Designer Screen Shades provide excellent energy efficiency, reducing the amount of heat that escapes in the winter and enters in the summer, so you stay comfortable all year long. And for more light control, you can combine two Designer Screen fabrics of varying opacities on the same shade.
Are Solar Shades See
Perhaps you’re considering purchasing solar shades, which filter natural light, for your home or perhaps the idea hadn’t crossed your mind until right now. Regardless, you might be wondering if people will be able to see into your home at night when the shades are down.
Solar fabrics are meant to provide protection from the sun, control glare, and reduce solar heat gain. While you can purchase solar shades with varying degrees of openness, which range from 1% to 17%, when lights are on indoors, people will be able to see into your home.
However, at night you will not be able to see out of your home through the shades. Interestingly enough, this effect is exactly opposite during the day with natural lighting, as you will be able to see out, but people won’t be able to see in from the outdoors. Lower openness fabrics do prevent less natural light from coming in the home, block a greater degree of UV rays, and offer more privacy. Higher openness fabrics permit a greater degree of natural light in, allowing a higher degree of visibility. Darker colors transmit less light, which can allow a see-through view from indoors to outdoors. They also absorb more solar radiation. On the other hand, lighter colors allow more light through and absorb less solar radiation.
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Energy Efficient Window Coverings
Window coverings are items added to existing windows to improve energy efficiency, reduce glare or natural lighting, provide privacy, or enhance the appearance or comfort of a home. Window coverings include:
- Interior shades and drapes
- Plastic films applied directly to glass
- Exterior shades
- Storm Windows
About 30% of a home’s heating energy is lost through windows. In cooling seasons, about 76% of sunlight that falls on standard double-pane windows enters to become heat. Window coverings can help with this energy loss and lowering energy bills. The exact savings will depend on the type of attachment, the season, the climate, and how the attachment is used. In addition to the window coverings, storm windows with low-e coatings and/or multi-layer glazing are effective at improving thermal performance of windows and reducing solar heat gain.
What Are Solar Shades Made Of
Solar shades are made with a coated material that is finely and tightly woven to provide light and heat coverage. Typically this material is made from vinyl, but there are many options to choose from. If you want to compare different types of solar shade materials, you can order free solar shade swatches to find the best match for your home before making a decision.
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