What Is Solar Screen Fabric?

In this article, we’ll answer the question of what is solar screen fabric and respond to frequently asked questions many of our readers have.

Let’s get started.

What is Solar Screen Fabric / Solar Shades?

Solar screen fabric is a distinct window screen mesh intended for sun control.

It makes the most effective way to control and protect from the sun’s harmful UV rays by blocking them before they enter through your window.

Apart from effective sun control, solar screen fabric also reduces glare, thus making reading or watching television easier in the daytime.

Moreover, solar shades are useful to shelter your furniture, floors, and other household objects from an important amount of harmful UV rays (50%).

As a bonus to all that, solar screen fabric sustains the lovely views of your garden, your street, or your city.

Advanced solar screen fabric is extremely resilient and pet-resistant.

Solar Shades are roller shades that are manufactured by material that is intended to diminish glare, lessen electromagnetic heat gain, offer a certain degree of daytime discretion, and preserve a view outside.

Lastly, solar screen fabric protects your pets as well!

Not only does solar screen fabric protect them from bugs and various illnesses that exposure can cause, but also keeps them inside your home.

Window solar screen fabric screens help your pets avoid accidents such as falling out of windows.

What are Solar Shades Made Of?

Solar screen fabric is made of vinyl-coated fiberglass yarns.

Combining vinyl-coated fiberglass and polyester yarns, Style 3000 is intertwined into a special ribbed weave for a unique look and chromatic combination.

Does Solar Screen Fabric Reduce Heat?

Leaving screens in windows during the summer or having installed solar screen fabric screens can block -more or less- over 45% of the heat that would in different circumstances enter through the windows.

As a result, the reduced heat load coming through the windows lowers your cooling bill.

Do Solar Shades Preserve the Heat on the Inside?

In the colder months, solar screen fabric on your window helps you save money by retaining warmth.

That happens because thanks to numerous cloistering window materials (e.g. honeycomb shades/curtains), an additional barrier of protection is produced.

Insulated solar screen fabric shades contain one or more air layers in a honeycomb cross-section.

The air pockets in the honeycomb cross-sections act as insulators, increasing the R-value and dropping the transmission of heat through the window.

Moreover, in cooling seasons, cellular shades can decrease unwelcome solar heat through windows by up to 80%, reducing the total solar gain to 15% or less when applied with a tight fit.

Solar shades, window blinds, and other similar solar screen fabrics can regulate the sunshine infiltration and considerably decrease heat loss or heat gain through the windows.

Is Solar Screen Fabric Worth It Financially?

The real benefit of solar screen fabric shades is that they’re one of the most inexpensive solutions available in the modern era.

If one goes through with the measuring procedures and installation by themselves, solar screens may cost less than $50 for an average 35 X 70-inch window.

Moreover, solar screens do indeed save cooling and heating money, since they both keep heat inside in the winter and barricade it in the summer.

How to Attach Solar Screens?

Solar screen fabric shades can be attached to either the window glass or window frame, depending on the client’s preference.

Each solar screen comes with a great amount of Easy-Attach Dual-Lock Pads that one can attach to the screen and the window glass/frame.

This allows for precise placement wherever the client desires.

Solar Screen Fabrics and Window Tinting: Which One To Choose?

Solar screens are fixed on the exterior of the building (somewhat elevated from the windows – akin to common insect screens), whilst window film or tint is applied straight to the window itself, on the inside of the glass.

When it comes to efficiency, sunscreens are better at stopping heat transmission than window tint.

How much does a solar screen cost in comparison to window tinting?

Solar screens in total should cost between $115 and $480 per window/per door.

The cost of this solar screen equates to –more or less- $7.50 per square foot.

On the other hand, the average cost for home window tinting is $5 to $8 per square foot with most homeowners spending between $300 and $750 for professional installation.

Then again, DIY tint kits, which typically cost under $100 (and less than professional tinting services), are available to buy online.

According to specialists, however, applying tints requires great accuracy and skill, hence it’s suggested that DIY methods are avoided.

“A lot of people lay film down properly on the glass and it looks good at first, but within a year it starts to come off the glass,” claims Michael Williamson about car-window tinting specifically, who is the owner of Alexander Automotive Detailing in Tucson, Arizona.

(Find more about them here: https://www.yelp.com/biz/alexander-automotive-detail-tucson-4)

“And secondly, trying to get ahold of the film [can be difficult].”

Moreover, when it comes to window tinting, there are several businesses on Angie’s List and various others sparsely scattered around that propose professional tinting services at reasonable prices.

Mohammad Aburumuh, owner of “Soundmaster Tint & Alarm” in San Antonio states (once again about cars) that he normally charges more or less $25 to $50 per window, but offers discounts for tinting entire cars, which usually lasts a couple of hours for a typical car and longer for bigger vehicles.

(Find more about them here: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sound-master-tint-and-alarm-san-antonio-2)

A basic tint for an average-sized car using regular film usually falls in the price of $100 for the whole of the vehicle.

Using tints of higher quality can cost from $200 to $400 for the entire vehicle, depending on various factors, Aburumuh says.

How Long Does Solar Screen Fabrics Last?

According to modern studies, sunscreens “pay for themselves” -on average- within two to four years.

Bearing in mind that they most typically last for over fifteen years, it’s widely believed to be an investment worth doing.

Does Window Film Cause Windows Crack?

According to specialists, glass breakage throughout window film application shouldn’t happen.

However, it has indeed been experienced before during extremely rare instances of glass cracking after window film installation, when the window glass is in bad condition or has been through an extensive amount of time wear.

Nevertheless, this kind of unpleasant instance can commonly be avoided by consulting the right experts.

Which One Is Better: Fiberglass or Aluminum Screen?

The aluminum screen is more inflexible than fiberglass so it’s a little harder to install, but it’s also more long-lasting.

However, the aluminum screen is prone to creasing during application and to denting at any time.

Also, in seaside regions, aluminum will most likely oxidize.

These kinds of screens are usually available in gray, black, and charcoal, with black usually offering the highest level of visibility.

Standard Fiberglass Window Screen is an elastic, economical, and easy-to-install screening.

A fiberglass screen, unlike an aluminum screen, does not crease, dent, or unravel.

What Is the Best Solar Screen Fabric?

According to online research, it’s Textilene® 90% Solar Screens.

They’re designed to fight up to 90% of the sun’s heat and make the highest-rated solar screens in terms of heat obstruction.

Does Solar Screen Material Offer Privacy?

By nature, solar screen shades offer only some privacy, depending on the time of day, since they’re explicitly designed for light and heat control.

That being said, during the day you can see out but, passers-by can’t see in (although it always depends on the material of the blind and its solar shade openness percentage).

That is one of the best solar screen benefits (apart from reducing solar heat gain at your home, of course, and protecting not only you and your pet’s from the sun’s harmful UV rays but also your interior décor).

However, the effect is reversed during nighttime; you aren’t able to see outside but, when the lights are on at your home, it makes the shades transparent.

Thus, people passing by will be able to see shadows and silhouettes of the house’s residents and make out even more if they come closer to your window.

What is Solar Shade Openness?

Openness indicates how big the gaps are in the woven fibers of the screen fabric.

It refers to the level that one can perceive through the shade.

Openness comes in diverse percentages ranging from 1% to 14% openness.

This variance in percentage also regulates the amount of light that is allowed inside the room.

In other words, solar shades have an openness factor that relates to the tightness of the weave and the consistent shade percentage it delivers (3%, 5%, and 10%).

Textiles with a higher “Openness Factor” will allow more light inside and offer a clearer view of the outside, but also provide less privacy.

Which Companies/Websites Provide (Solar) Shades?

Sunscreen Mermet

According to online research, Sunscreen Mermet is a company of French origins and a world leader in the design and production of external and internal screens, ductile constructions, signage, and acoustic space fittings.

The company adapts its expertise in solar shade fabric technology to meet the wide range of needs for solar protection in a proclaimed extensive diversity of environments and locations.

Sunscreen Mermet is in a wide-ranging possession of designs for both external and internal spaces, whilst their technology is said to be found in houses, hotels, health/sports centers, and railway stations around the world.

They promise to offer high-quality solar protection fabrics in various designs accessible to customize for and garnish one’s office, corporate space, residential building or exterior pathways, courtyards, and gardens.

Sunscreen Mermet’s representatives also claim that they repetitively produce comfortable and pleasurable atmospherics with textiles that blend flawlessly with internal-space design and enhance the unique character of every outdoor area.

The company is a self-proclaimed expert in the department of intelligent fabrics for blinds such as solar shade fabric, tensile structure fabric, transparent blind fabric, and more.

They use coated fiberglass yarn technology intending to create durable, vigorous, and prominent solar safety shades.

With a five-year warranty, their solar shade fabrics are specially made to endure difficult weather conditions, wear and tear and are proficient products for wellbeing, protection, and the environment.

From little to zero chemical emissions, waterproofing, and non-flammable properties, they claim to meet the broadly desired vision of providing the highest standard products obtainable in the present day.

Fiberglass solar shade fabrics allow Sunscreen Mermet to produce energy-saving, solar protection blinds that accomplish the delivery of natural and/or artificial light, warmness, and acoustic improvement.

Another objective of theirs is to offer their clients higher independence from air-conditioning and uncomfortable workspaces caused by glaring light, extensive heat, or poor air quality.

From 100% Transparency blinds to the Blackout 100% series, a creative palette of colors and signage choices, external solar blinds can be combined with signage and serve as an influential marketing device for one’s industry.

Insolroll®

Insolroll® Solar Screen Shades claim to allow the largest amount of natural sunlight possible into a closed space while simultaneously regulating heat and glare, and upholding the “user connection to the outside world”.

According to online exploration, Insolroll seems to offer a wide choice of solar screen material and hardware selections to efficaciously offer the picture-perfect solution for every office space, school, healthcare, retail, or restaurant application.

The company and their workers promise to offer with their solar shades increased comfort for employees and customers, lessening internal space heat-gain and cooling-load and delivering the reduction of fading and cracking from UV degradation.

Furthermore, they claim that their products can protect valuable commodities and effectively eliminate glare on cellphones, computers, televisions, and other devices/types of screens.

According to more of the company’s statements, daylighting raises the energy effectiveness of a commercial structure, as well as worker gratification.

Additionally, they emphasize that conserving the view and connection to the outside world makes spaces feel and seem larger.

“Wellness Architecture” underlines the connection to the outdoors, landscape, sky, and environments, giving the office staff, pupils, and patrons the opportunity to restfully rejuvenate and recharge themselves, whilst Insolroll Solar Shades are said to often be able to play an important part in this region of design.

The company says that when it comes to commercial aesthetics, if one seeks attractive and practical selections, solar screens can provide a sleek, clean-lined visual in eateries, retail stores, health care facilities, schools, hotels, and anywhere people will be gathered to work efficiently, be educated or pleasantly spend their pastime.

Many of Insolroll’s material choices are said to be easy to maintain clean, and all of them are said to be sufficiently durable to tolerate day-to-day usage in various community and workplace settings.

The Shade Store

“The Shade Store” provides –along with other shading products- solar shades that are handcrafted in the USA, whilst the company claims to offer shipment services that deliver their merchandise within a week.

Upon visiting their website (www.theshadestore.com), one gets to decide on a collection of their liking, by choosing the percentage of solids they wish for, the designer, the textures, the patterns, and more.

The user is given a variety of pictures so that they’re able to easily choose the kind of materials and colors they like most: beige, grey, tan, mushroom, pearl, chestnut, and charcoal are just a few of the colors and swatches directly provided to view on the website; the choice is, naturally, the user’s very own.

However, if one finds it difficult to select, they can check what is trending during that time by filtering the items by “most popular”.

Through the website, it’s also possible to schedule a free, professional measuring procedure, which can be arranged by filling out an online form with the interested person’s personal information.

If one needs help, they can contact the company via phone, email, or by visiting one of their 85+ showrooms nationwide.

One can also live–chat if they prefer it, with one of the company’s available online workers.

More information can be found on

Blinds.com

According to Blinds.com, the Solar Shades they produce are “perfect” for preserving their customers’ outside view, while also reducing glare and incoming heat, as well as shielding furnishings from UV rays.

Their solar–shading products are said to be suitable for windows that receive direct sunlight at specific times of the day.

Available in a varied assortment of materials and colors that include “sleek modern fabrics”, textured knits, and tailored wovens.

According to many online reviews, even when it comes to several windows with large, special-order sizes, users can find what they need with said-to-be sensible prices.

Ordering is labeled as “easy”, the shipment speedy, and the installation the personnel provide to be “a breeze”.

As a bonus feature, they offer various discounts (e.g. Black Friday 50% discount).

However, other reviews suggest that the employees’ work isn’t always what they hope for since in one case the metal used to cover the hem was installed crookedly, whilst in another case the blinds broke within 3 months of use.

Therefore, considering there is no warranty and that the shipment back to repair is described as “impractical”, there are a few clients who wouldn’t recommend the website’s services.

WindowShades.net

Another website with solar shading – services, although lesser-known, is a family-owned store that carries the online name of “WindowsShades.net”.

The motto of the company is “Custom Made Window Shades – Build Your Shades Online”, suggesting clearly to the user the goal of the online platform.

They claim to offer the “Finest Quality Since 1930”, while producing washable materials that are handmade in Chicago, USA; they also state that they can provide users with an “extensive trim selection”.

Their featured products (White Brocade, Coral Brocade, Heather Brocade, Red Kinna, and Navy Blue Kinna) are proudly labeled as “Old fashioned quality roller shades!” and their patterns make indeed every vintage – lover’s dream.

Each one of their provided blinds is said to be “custom made” since the shades they offer are designed for their customers’ precise specifications for every individual window.

The company even offers additional discounts for clients who are replacing existing shades: one can simply send their old rollers to be recycled or reused to make brand new shades, while saving materials, time and money and benefiting the environment.

Over the years, Windows Shades’ work has reached Bungalow, Victorian, and Craftsman (Arts and Crafts) homes.

They have also made period-appropriate blinds and window treatments for prominent historical buildings nationwide.

HunterDouglas.com

Lastly, Hunter Douglas is a website with a distinctive aesthetic that produces custom window blinds, shades, shutters, and drapery.

The company’s motto is that they aim to “transform the light in your home, elevating everyday living and defining the mood of your unique and beautiful space”.

Their “Design Studio family” includes approximately four styles: Side Panels, Drapery, and Roller and Roman Shades.

Promising an exceedingly curated, limited fabric collection, Design Studio products are said to be designed to harmonize and layer appropriately with all Hunter Douglas window treatments.

Their signature textiles array from silk blends and sheers, to velvets and jacquards.

The company recommends layering and mixing fabric designs and textures to create interesting combinations in their clients’ spaces.

In their opening series, industry-leading textile artists design fabric collections solely for the Design Studio set of products.

The designer that has become the “founder” of the company’s new motion is the New Yorker Rebecca Atwood, whose collection is proclaimed to feature a “fresh” color palette while showcasing the artist’s love for advanced watercolor methods.

The website offers along with other services various suggestions coming from designers to help their clients customize their space appropriately.

To help their users find their ideal blind, the site affords local experts who can answer given questions, by giving online consultation after the client completed an online form.

Other articles that might interest you:

10 Best Solar Uplights For Trees & Their Reviews [Updated 2022]

🏅 10 Best Solar Blinds & Their Reviews [Updated 2022]

🏅 20 Best Solar Table Lamp Lights & Their Reviews [Updated 2022]

Final Thoughts

While a solar screen fabric is great for sun control as it protects you from the sun’s harmful UV rays, it also reduces your cooling costs during the summer.

The fabric color doesn’t play a role in the openness factor but has a huge role in the performance of the shade.

For excellent view-through and glare reduction, select dark colors for your window shade as you’ll be sure that they are great for reducing solar heat gain in the warm summer months and reducing heat loss during winter.

Nonetheless, keep in mind that dark colors transfer more heat into a room, although dark colors and a tighter weave of the fabric protect your interior from UV damage much better.

Now that you know the advantages of having solar shades in your house and where to source them, make that decision now to make family life easier both for your pockets and your home.