All solar fabrics reduce glare so you can see your television and other electronic screens better. They also save on cooling and heating costs by reducing the heat transfer (both ways). So anyway, solar shades make good sense for your home.
Solar shades are slightly more expensive than roller shades, not because of additional bells and whistles on the shade itself, but the material used for the shade. Woven, screen-like material is the base of solar shades. The loose woven nature of the material allows for the screen to be somewhat transparent.
Solar screens are less expensive, do not contribute to dust in your home, are easy to clean and maintain, block the sun's rays from the outside rather than the inside for greater energy savings, and still allow sun into your home. Prepare yourself for summer by insulating your home with solar screens.
Some manufacturers even have solar screen material that is as low as 65% and as high as 95% or even 99%. The higher % products contain more material (the openings are much smaller) so they will be more expensive than the lower % materials.
Solar screens are a great way to vastly improve your home's energy efficiency, keep your home comfortable all year long, increase your home's value and protect things like your furniture and drapery.
When solar screens are properly installed, you can expect them to last 10 years or more.
Do Solar Shades Keep Heat and Cold Out? Solar shades can help reduce heat in a window, but they will not block cold. They reduce heat by blocking the amount of sunlight coming into a space, and making the windows more energy efficient.
When the solar screens of your windows get damaged, for any reason, they lose their efficiency. This means, they can no longer effectively block out the sunlight and harmful UV rays. Call a reliable window sunscreen company, like Arizona Screen Techs.
Solar screens are composed of dark, tightly-weaved screen mesh that can be installed on the outside of your window, be screwed into the window frame, or be installed on the inside of the window. It is reported that they can block as much as 90% of heat before it transfers into your home through your windows.
Roller shades are made from a range of textiles, often woven light filtering fabric or vinyl, to control a room's light. Solar shades are made from a mesh material screen designed to combat the sun and block UV rays without entirely blocking the view.
Sunscreens can vary in price, ranging from around $5 to around $40.
Both interior and exterior solar shades can be installed as roller shades or as panels, but if you go with outdoor shades, make sure they're manufactured to withstand the wear and tear of the outdoor weather elements (direct sunlight, rain, wind, etc.).
Cellular Shades. Cellular shades, or honeycomb shades, are one of the most energy efficient window coverings you can buy. They use a series of honeycomb-like cell pockets to trap air around your windows, keeping your rooms warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
When a light is on in the room, people outside will be able to see directly into your home. While a solar shade provides privacy during the day, it will provide no privacy at night. So, in reality the answer is no, solar shades are not “magic” shades that provide privacy during both daytime and at night.
The Best Way to Clean Solar Shades
Wipe your solar shades with a microfiber cloth and warm, soapy water for general cleaning. Leave the shade lowered to dry. If you have exterior shades that need deep cleaning, you can remove your solar shades and scrub with a soft brush and soapy water.
A: Yes! Solar screens save so much in energy costs that they normally pay for themselves within a short period of time. They also extend the longevity of air-conditioning units and furnaces by reducing their workload. Appliances are more efficient when they only have to endure a 10-20% heat gain.
Drapes, curtains and blinds enable you to control the amount of sunlight that enters the room. If you keep them closed completely, you can block the light and heat coming from the sun. You might want to consider window treatments with a light-colored or reflective backing as they are known to work best.
A solar shade with medium openness factor (7%-10%) will preserve the view and provide protection against UV rays that could otherwise cause damage to you interior finishes and furnishings. A high openness factor (14%) of a solar screen results in the best visibility and significant glare reduction.
The openness factor is expressed using a percentage, with lower numbers representing a higher level of opacity. For example, a window shade with a 1% openness factor will provide more shade than one with a 5% openness factor.
Window manufactures may void their warranty
If a film, sun screen, or tenting has been applied to a window by other than the manufacture, then the manufacturer may void their warranty.
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.
Outdoor solar shades make a perfect addition to any alfresco occasion and will help keep you shielded against anything from wind and rain to the blazing hot sun.
Dampen a microfiber cloth with water and a mild soap. Wash both surfaces of the solar screen with the dampened cloth. Gently scrub any baked-on dirt with a soft-bristled vegetable or cleaning brush. Rinse the screen by pouring clean water over the surface to remove any soap residue.
Solar screens are dark screen panels that are placed on your window. They deflect the brightness of the sunlight so that no sun glare enters your home. The good part is that unless you're close to the window, you can't really tell that a solar screen is installed.