3. 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.
The most common two varieties of solar screens are 80% (which block approximately 80% of the sun's heat and UV rays) and 90% (which block approximately 90% of the sun's heat and UV rays). But solar screens can be anywhere from 40% to 95% effective at blocking heat and UV rays from the sun.
And they insulate well both during the summer and winter. But these aren't the only shades that are good for temperature control. Solar shades with lighter fabrics can also be excellent for keeping the sun's light and heat out while reducing glare.
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.
The quick answer – yes they do block both. But you'll want to keep reading because there are different types of solar shades that work better in various situations.
Solar Screen Shades Block the Sun, but Not the View!
Solar screen fabric is available in a wide variety of colors, styles, and openness factors to meet almost any criteria. These fabrics fall into three categories; dark fabrics, light fabrics, and high performance reflective fabrics, all of which provide: Glare Control.
Solar shades are designed to allow you to see out, but other's not see in, providing daytime privacy. The exact opposite is true at night! 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.
How do cellular shades block the heat? Cellular shades are generally considered to have the highest R-values of all window coverings and treatments. The air pockets in the honeycomb cross-sections act as insulators, increasing the R-value, thus, reducing the conduction of heat through the window.
Thermal blinds will help to keep heat in during the winter and help to keep your home cooler during the summer, but don't expect them to replace or be as good as air-con.
Window sun screens prevent internal heat from being lost through windows to the outside, stopping as much as 50% of radiant heat transfer. Because less heat is allowed indoors during the day, the temperature indoors remains comfortable all through the night.
Definitely! Anything you can do to block or reduce the amount of the sun's heat and UV rays coming into your home, the less your air conditioner has to work. When the air conditioner doesn't have to work as hard, it uses less electricity.
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. When the lights are on in your home at night, it makes the shades transparent.
Yes, solar screens are effective. Manufacturers say they keep your home 10-15 degrees colder by blocking solar energy from heating the inside of your home. Solar screens aren't a replacement for an air conditioner, rather they work with it to create a more efficient cooling system.
While solar screens are often touted for their summertime benefits, solar screens also bring benefits during the winter months. How so? Solar screens act as an extra insulator for your windows, providing an extra layer of protection against cold winter winds and from heat loss from your home.
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.
Light Filtering Shades
Colors closest to white provide the most heat reduction. Light filtering shades reduce the fade because they reduce the light and UV. The added bonus is, of course, the additional privacy during the day.
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.
Yes. Emergency management agencies specifically recommend using “aluminum foil-covered cardboard” between windows and drapes to reflect heat back outside.
Light filtering functionality makes solar shades an excellent treatment option for windows in homes exposed to the sun. Solar shades also protect us against harmful UV rays, help reduce glare, prevent furniture and carpets from fading from the sun.
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.
Yes. If you have a light on inside and near the shade, people outside may be able to see in through your solar shade. As much as you can see out during the day, you'll be able to see in at night. So if complete privacy is a big concern of yours, we recommend a light filtering or a blackout roller shade instead.
Solar screens have about an 80% to 90% light blocking rate. This essentially means you only have 10% to 20% visibility with solar screens. Window film blocks 99% of ultraviolet rays and allows 100% visibility – this actually enhances your view through reducing glare. 3.