Solar Shades: How Do They Work?
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%.
Example of 1%, 5%, and 10% Openness Factor 
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.
Blackout blinds provide the most privacy. These window treatments black out all light and can come in various materials and colors, including aluminum and faux wood options. Vertical blinds are another cost-effective, privacy solution for covering large windows like sliding glass windows.
Due to their vertical hanging slats, vertical blinds are least likely to gather dust when compared to other custom blinds. If vertical blinds aren’t your style, faux wood blinds are a stylish, easy-to-clean option. Click here to learn more about how to clean faux wood blinds.
Cordless and motorized blinds are the safest option if your home has children. We suggest removing all corded window treatments from your child’s play area and nursery. If you cannot install new window treatments, check out our blog for tips on how to child proof your living space’s window treatments.
Yes! We offer offer a selection of honeycomb blinds (also known as cellular shades). These multiple layered coverings are a popular choice for their ability to trap drafts of air and add insulation to windows. They offer a lot of options for customization as well.
Blind installation services make the process of getting new window treatments much simpler. Our professionals will precisely measure your windows and ensure your blinds are made to the appropriate width and height. Our blind installers will supply their own tools such as a steel tape measure, screwdrivers, an electric drill, and a ladder, so you won’t need to buy any of these for a one-off home improvement project.
Style
Shutters can change the look of your entire home. The aesthetic value that shutters bring can not only increase the value of the home but also adding curb appeal since shutters frame the windows.
PrivacyHome shutters can provide a desired level of privacy as they allow you to adjust the horizontal slats with a simple tilt. By closing the shutters, you can darken a room for movies or having your nosey neighbor peeking in.
InsulationShutters can be a huge help and add a layer of protection when it comes to insulting your home. From cooling your home during the summer to retaining the warmth during the winter shutters can help regulate the internal temperature allowing for unwanted heat waves and blocking out cold drafts.
Light ControlMorning sun rays can be a rude awakening especially in the bedroom when it hits you right in the face. Shutters can provide better and longer sleep allowing you to wake up refreshed and charged for the day. Shutters are known to block out more sunlight than any other window treatment on the market.
View Blinds Image Gallery
-
-
Free Consultation
Work with our experts to find the best product solutions for your specific needs.
Learn More -
Final Walkthrough
Schedule the time and date for our team to come in and install your new products!
Learn More -
Ready to Install
Our installation team comes to your home to install your chosen products.
Learn More
Request A Free
In-Home Estimate Today
Your first step to getting the blinds, shades, or shutters you’re looking for is to call us and ask for a free estimate! When you call your local Bloomin’ Blinds, a member of our team will meet with you at your home, to show you the both digital and physical samples for your windows. During your free consultation, you can tell us more about what you’re looking for, from materials to functionality options. Using our cloud-based software, we’ll measure your windows and provide a pricing estimate on the spot while still at your home.
Schedule A Free Estimate
Window treatments installed based on the solutions that fit your needs
