The sunny days of summer will soon be here in full force. While everyone loves soaking up a few rays now and then, too much scorching sunlight can turn your lovely home into a sweltering hotbox. No one wants to melt in their own living room or crank the AC nonstop just to survive.
Luckily, you can banish oppressive heat this summer with the help of solar screens. These ultra-cool shades are about to become your new best friend. Just imagine relaxing in breezy, shaded bliss while the world outside bakes in the sun. Sounds pretty sweet, right?
In this guide, you’ll discover everything you need to know about how solar screens work their magic. We’ll explore the impressive benefits these shades provide, ideal window placements, comparisons to other options, and factors to consider for your home. Arm yourself with solar knowledge so you can stay chill and save money while Old Sol beats down from above. Let’s do this!
Solar Screens: Your New Summer Superhero
It’s a bird, it’s a plane…it’s Arrowhead Solar Screens to the rescue! When it comes to keeping your home blissfully cool this summer, solar screens are superhero-level saviors. These shades boast an arsenal of heat-blocking superpowers to vanquish scorching sunbeams.
Let’s break down the heroic abilities solar screens wield in their fight against extreme temperatures:
Blocking UV Rays with Shade Forcefields
Solar screens generate invisible force fields around your windows, deflecting up to 90% of the sun’s blistering UV rays. By keeping direct sunlight off the glass, they prevent heat buildup inside your home. It’s like installing magical shade-generators on every window!
Saving Energy Faster Than a Speeding Bullet
With solar screens reducing the heat, your AC can take a break from working nonstop overtime. You’ll be amazed how little you need to run it when solar screens are on the job. Lowering energy use means less money spent on gigantic electric bills too – it’s a superpower for your wallet!
Ventilation Vision
Unlike other shades that block your view, solar screens allow airflow even when closed. On cool nights you can let fresh breezes in while still keeping UV rays, hot air, and pests out. It’s the best of both worlds for comfort and security!
With all these heroic feats combined, solar screens are set to be the superstar of summer. Let them make your home their fortress against heat and sunlight overload. Just sit back and relax in cool comfort while they wag their epic battle against the sun!
How Solar Screens Work
Now that you know the main benefits solar screens provide, you may be wondering exactly how these handy devices are able to keep your house so cool. Here’s a look at the science behind solar screens and how they do their job:
Woven Fabric or Metal Mesh Material
Solar screens are made from a specialty woven fabric or perforated metal mesh. The material has an open structure that allows visibility and airflow while blocking and reflecting sunlight. The perforations are sized to permit breezes to flow through while keeping out most insects.
Mounted Externally to Reflect Sunlight
Unlike interior window treatments like curtains that absorb heat once it’s already passed through your windows, solar screens are mounted on the outside of your home.
By creating a barrier between the sun and your windows, solar screens are able to reflect and dissipate a large percentage of solar radiation before it can transfer through the glass. This is what prevents your home from heating up in the first place.
Customizable Light Blocking
Solar screens utilize different fabrics and perforation patterns to control how much sunlight and visibility is allowed through. Lighter, more open weaves block less light and maximize views, while tighter weaves offer more shading and privacy.
A solar screen’s light blocking ability ranges from 15% to 40% typically. This strikes the right balance between sunlight control and keeping your home bright and airy. The reduction in glare also makes it easier on the eyes compared to unfiltered bright sunlight.
Installation and Maintenance
In addition to effectively blocking heat, solar screens offer hassle-free installation and maintenance:
Affordable and Easy to Install
Solar screens are very competitively priced compared to other types of window treatments. Since they utilize simple aluminum frame components and fabric or mesh material, they cost much less than shutters, awnings, or window tinting.
Installing solar screens is also quite easy and can usually be completed in just a few hours by a single person. The frame pieces attach directly to your home’s exterior and the screen material secures into the frame. No special skills, tools, or supplies are required.
Low Maintenance
Once solar screens are mounted in place, they require very little ongoing care and maintenance. The durable fabrics are designed to withstand years of exposure to sun, wind, and rain.
To clean off dust and dirt, just use a mild soap and water solution. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasives that could damage the material. With their simple construction and rugged materials, solar screens will last for many years before needing to be replaced.
Ideal Applications
Solar screens can be installed on nearly any exterior window or door. Here are some of the most common and beneficial places to utilize them:
Windows
Solar screens are perfectly suited for any standard vertical windows around your home. They help control heat and sunlight exposure in living spaces like your family room, kitchen, bedrooms, and home office. Floor-length windows and large picture windows especially benefit from solar screens to reduce temperature buildup and glare.
Doors
Outdoor doors with glass panes or sidelights also allow heat into your home. Mounting solar screens over entry doors helps prevent that. Screen doors can be left open for ventilation while still providing sun protection. French doors, sliding doors, and other exterior doors all benefit from solar screens as well.
Patios
Extend your living space outdoors by installing solar screens around covered patios and outdoor sitting areas. Sitting in the shade helps keep you cooler on hot afternoons. Solar screens also provide UV protection if you want to leave the patio fully open and uncovered.
Porches
Front porches, back porches, and side porches are great places to relax outdoors in the evening once the sun goes down. Adding solar screens allows you to actually use your porch earlier in the day before sunset. The shade and airflow from screens make porches comfortable for an extended time each day.
Sunrooms
Sunrooms and solariums are designed to let in natural light through large wall areas of windows. But all that glass can turn a sunroom into a sauna on hot sunny days. Solar screens are perfect for controlling heat and sunlight in sunrooms while still allowing views of the outdoors.
Pool Enclosures
The humid, still air within indoor pool enclosures can feel sweltering during summer. Installing solar screens around the perimeter improves airflow from outside and prevents the enclosure glass from intensifying the heat. Solar screens also provide shade if the pool enclosure panels retract open.
Comparisons
If you’re wondering how solar screens stack up against other window treatments, here are some key comparisons to consider:
More Effective Than Curtains or Drapes
Interior window curtains do help insulate against cold in winter. But for blocking heat in summer, exterior solar screens are much more effective. Solar screens reflect sunlight before it passes through the window glass, while curtains absorb heat that has already entered a room. Curtains also trap dust and allergens and require frequent laundering.
More Affordable Than Window Tinting
Applying tinting film to window glass does help reduce heat transfer and glare. However window tinting can’t be removed or adjusted like solar screens. The upfront installation costs for tinting are also significantly higher compared to affordable DIY solar screen systems. If you rent your home, window tinting may not even be permitted.
Better Visibility Than Shutters or Shades
Exterior shutters and motorized roller shades can provide effective shading. But when closed, they block your view and prevent you from seeing outside. Solar screens still provide visible light transmission even at their darkest settings. Being able to maintain views while also controlling sunlight is a major benefit solar screens offer over solid exterior window treatments.
In Conclusion
With the days of summer coming up fast, you’re probably starting to dread the impending scorching temperatures and looking for ways to keep things cool without driving up your electricity bill. After reading this article, you now know that installing solar screens is one of the best investments you can make this season to literally stop the heat in its tracks.
These ultra-effective shades will be your first line of defense against the sun’s blistering rays. Don’t even give the UV light a chance to start heating up your home. Block it preemptively with solar screens before it can permeate your windows and turn your rooms into saunas.
Stay cool in style with these energy-saving window treatments. Transform your home into a soothing oasis of shade no matter how far the mercury climbs. Your windows will thank you, your sweaty brow will thank you, and your wallet will thank you when the AC doesn’t have to crank full blast 24/7.
This summer, solar screens are your ticket to keeping calm, carrying on, and staying chill while the world outside melts in the shimmering heat. Don’t endure another sweltering season – take control with the superpower of solar screens! You’ve got this.
