August 7, 2024
Discovering the many benefits of solar shades, and the differences between solar shades and screens and roller shades.
You may ask, what is a Solar Shade and why is it so different than a regular roller shade? The answer is very simple, a Solar Shade is designed to allow only a certain amount of sunlight and UV rays through it, depending on the percentage of the shade. Solar shades and screens are very similar to roller shades, the only difference is the type of material they are made from. Solar shades are made with a PVC or HDPE mesh while roller shades are typically vinyl or fabric. The perforations or holes allow you to see through a solar shade while also blocking some light or sun.
Yes, solar shades can be see-through. The amount you can see through them will vary depending on the fabric’s openness percentage. The smaller the percentage, the less you can see through them and the less light they allow in.
Can you see through solar shades at night too? 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 blackout roller shade instead.
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. This heat reduction can help you save money on energy costs during the hot summer months.
UV rays can cause fabrics to bleach over time as it breaks down the chemical bonds in the dyes. They can also cause textiles to become brittle and break. Solar shades can help protect your furniture from fading by reducing the UV rays coming through your window.
To fully learn what are Solar Shades, it’s important to understand their transparency percentages. Solar Shades come with four main transparency or openness levels, each with more or less of a clear view outdoors. But what do these percentages mean?
These percentage options are the most common, but others exist as well, up to 25% transparency. Choosing the right percentage for your room will mostly depend on your preferences for transparency in your own modern day automated smart home.
Solar shades not only offer great sun control and insulation, but also provide the great benefit of being able to maintain your view of the outdoors, so long as you choose the right fabric. If “maintaining the view” is a priority for you, keep the following points in mind when choosing your shades. Lighter fabrics reflect heat better, but also brighten the room they’re in and blur the view. Darker fabrics will absorb heat and glare, providing a much more comfortable feel to the eye, allowing you to see and enjoy the crisp views outside without squinting.
Yes! Solar shades are an affordable and easy way to update your home’s exterior look and feel. So, solar shades are a great choice whether you’re looking to save on your energy bills or want to add a touch of luxury to your home! The sun shining onto your patio during the summer months can cause great compromise to the enjoyment you get from spending time outside. A great option to minimize this risk is to build a screen enclosure for your patio. The best screens available, solar screens, can nearly guarantee the sun will not cause you frustration while in your outdoor space.
When it comes to installing Solar Shades or any kind of premium smart home roller shade fabric in your Palo Alto or Los Altos Hills home, there’s a lot to consider. Finding a premium Solar Shade installer such as Regent5 is always the best place to start. We can provide insight into the best type of shades for each window in your home, sizing, and alternative fabrics if they’re needed. Contact us to find out the best Solar Shade for your home.