What are the Solar Screens?
Solar screens are usually the dark panels that are installed or placed on the windows. The purpose of a solar screen is to deflect the sunlight to prevent the sun glare from entering the house. It combats the sun’s heat without losing the view. A solar screen can prevent almost 90% of the sunlight from touching the windows.
Besides providing houses with less sun glare, there are other advantages of solar screens. By placing the screen on the windows, people can significantly reduce the sun’s fading effect that has on carpets, curtains and wood furniture. Therefore, it will increase the durability of these indoor furniture while keeping the homes comfortable.
When considering whether solar screens are right for your home there are several things to consider. The area in which you live and how your house is positioned in comparison with the sun are just a few. Some people are unsure if they will benefit from solar screen installation or are hesitant to make the investment. Here are a few considerations to help you decide if solar screens will work for you.
High energy bills
When you notice that your energy bill seems high or they increase substantially during the summer months you could be overworking your AC unit. This could be due to the amount of sunlight that is entering your home bringing more heat with it. Approximately 65% of the heat that enters your home will enter through your windows.
There are several other reasons for this such as poor insulation, the need for updated windows, etc. However, if this is not the case for your situation, installing solar screens can help decrease the amount of heat that enters your home meaning cooler interior and less work for the AC unit.
Adding sun screens to your home could help you save, on average, 30% or more on your homes energy bill.
East or West facing windows
Windows that face a rising or setting sun are bombarded with sunlight. Many people use blinds or curtains but these don’t allow you to take in your outdoor scenery. If the window faces something you want to be able to see solar screens are a great option. They will reduce the glare, UV rays, and heat from the sun. You are able to see out of the window while protecting your home and eyes.
With the direct sunlight on east and west facing windows comes an increase in heat entering those windows alone. Adding sunscreens to windows that just face east or west will help to decrease the amount of heat entering your home giving you great energy savings.
Want to increase home’s 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.
Need for privacy
If you notice you have some nosey neighbors or you just enjoy a little more privacy during the day, then solar screens are a great option. The color and solar blockage percentage will have some effect on the privacy your screen will provide.
Solar blockage percentage is the openness of the screen, with most quality solar screens blocking 90% of solar rays. The higher the percentage the smaller the openness of the screen. With smaller screen openness comes less visibility inward and outward. Knowing what your preference is is important. If you enjoy still being able to view your amazing landscape then you may want to go with styles that have lower blockage percentages.
While there are several options for colors with solar screens, darker screens are better for outward visibility when inside your home and more privacy during the daytime. They also reduce more glare than the lighter colored screens.
It is important to note that during the day solar screens provide great privacy, however during the night if you have lights on in your house, the solar screen may provide little privacy as it will be easier to see inside your home.
Interior damage
The suns rays wreak havoc an anything that it touches. It can ruin anything it comes in contact with through discoloration and fading. If you have furniture, paintings, carpet, flooring, or any other household items you want to protect from the harshness of UV rays then solar screens are the way to go.
Most installed solar screens block up to 90% of the suns light leaving your belongings more protected. This equals more savings for you as you won’t have to replace furniture as often as well as less rotating of furniture to equal out the fading spots!
The sun’s glare is affecting interior comfort
When the sun is glaring through your windows while you are enjoying your favorite book or that long-awaited tv show, it makes it extremely difficult to actually enjoy or even see what you are doing. You have to position and keep repositioning yourself to keep the glare out or away from where the action is taking place. Solar screens are great to reduce glare and keep you free to see or read any time you please without distraction or squinting.
Those who suffer from migraines that are brought on by light could also benefit from this as solar screens will reduce the amount of sunlight that enters your home. Providing you a darker environment to escape the oppression and pain caused by the sunlight.
Using solar screens can also be beneficial to your eyes. UV rays can cause eye damage with extended exposure. This is why doctors suggest people wear sunglasses, to help protect against the UV damage. Essentially adding sunglasses to your windows can be beneficial for your eye health.
Adding solar screens offers several benefits to you and your home. When considering whether to purchase solar screens for your home consider what your goals are how solar screens will help to achieve these. If you want to save money, add value to your home, protect your interior, and increase privacy then solar screens will be a cost-effective way to accomplish this. Many statistics suggest that after just 2 years the amount of savings you get from installing solar screens will have been enough to pay for themselves!