The Material & Design
Solar shades are made from a knitted mesh of vinyl, polyester, or fiberglass that is coated with either PVC or HDPE. The coating of PVC or HDPE is what makes solar shades resilient against UV light.
Some solar shades are designed to let in more light, while some are designed to let in very little. How much light a solar shade lets in is determined by its openness factor.
What Is the Openness Factor of Solar Shades?
Openness factor describes how tightly a solar shade’s mesh material is woven. Functionally, it determines how much UV light comes in.
If the little spaces between the mesh are more open, the openness factor is higher. If the little spaces are smaller and tighter, the factor is lower. This tightness affects both light that comes in and how much visibility one has looking outside.
- For more UV protection, homeowners will often consider an openness factor under 5%.
- For more light and visibility, homeowners will probably choose an openness factor of 5%, 10%, or even 14%.
They Are Designed to Block UV Light
When people invest in solar shades, UV protection is often their biggest concern. UV rays can be harmful to health and can even do damage to furniture in the home over time. For someone that wants basically no UV light coming in, they would want to purchase a solar shade with a 1% openness factor. This is because it would only let in 1% of UV light.
They Are Designed to Block Glare
Another great benefit of solar shades is their ability to reflect visible light alongside ultraviolet light. This means that homeowners can enjoy spaces in their home that once experienced severe sun glare and the headaches that come with it in the late afternoon and evening.
They Are Designed to Block Heat
While insulation is not a primary purpose for solar blinds, they still help block outdoor heat by deflecting solar rays and the heat that comes with them.
