How do solar shades work

A mid-range openness factor for a solar shade is 7 percent. The smaller the openness factor, the less heat transfer the shade allows. Solar Shades are roller shades that are manufactured using fabric that is designed to reduce glare, reduce infrared heat gain, provide a degree of daytime privacy and maintain a view outside.

Can people see through your blinds? If the window is on the ground floor, the blind should be closed slats up. Otherwise, people can see in from the floors above. If, however, you are on an upper floor and the slats are up, anyone can see in from the ground floor. Do 1 solar shades provide privacy?

Solar shades do provide some privacy, but not complete privacy. Which blinds are best for privacy? Which Blinds are Best for Privacy? Blackout blinds. Venetian blinds. Venetian blinds usually have small holes in the slats for the cords to run through. Roman blinds. Plantation shutters. Should blinds be turned up or down for privacy?

The direction -- up or down -- to close blind slats is a matter of personal preference, but if you want more privacy, tilt them up, with the rounded side facing out.

With the blinds tilted up, passers-by can't see in: The convex side faces the window, creating less space through which to view.

Can you see through cellular shades at night? Most exterior shutter systems include a mechanical crank, rod, or motor to allow operation from indoors. This can help encourage daily use of the shutters, and may be required by local fire codes. Learn more about exterior shutters and shades from the Efficient Window Coverings Collaborative.

Awnings can also shade outdoor living spaces. Awnings can be fixed or retractable. You can use an awning to shade one window or have an awning custom-made to shade the entire side of your house. In the past, most awnings were made of metal or canvas, which need to be re-covered every five to seven years. Today, awnings are made from synthetic fabrics such as acrylic and polyvinyl laminates that are water-repellent and treated to resist mildew and fading.

Whatever the fabric, you should choose one that is opaque and tightly woven. A light-colored awning will reflect more sunlight. Awnings require ventilation to keep hot air from becoming trapped around the window. Grommets eyelets or other openings along the tops and sides of an awning can provide ventilation.

The awning may also open to the sides or top to vent hot air. While awnings can save energy during the cooling seasons, they can increase energy used for heating, so keep this in mind when deciding whether awnings are right for you.

You can also adjust your use depending on the season: keep awnings installed or closed in the summer and remove or open awnings in the winter.

Fixed awnings can sometimes be installed to allow the lower-angle winter sunlight to reach windows. You can roll up adjustable or retractable awnings in the winter to let the sun warm the house. New hardware, such as lateral arms, makes the rolling up process quite easy. Some awnings can also be motorized for easy operation.

Solar screens can reduce solar heat gain, UV damage, and glare. They can be installed on the interior or exterior as roller shades or fixed panels, and they typically allow for a view out the window and light transmission. They look similar to regular insect screens but provide more efficiency benefits. The openness factor on solar screens varies and affects the efficiency benefits; greater openness reduces the protection against glare and solar heat gain but increases visibility and light transmission.

Read more about solar screens from the Efficient Window Coverings Collaborative. Operable Window Coverings. Operable window shades help control daylighting. Operation of Window Coverings. Interior Window Covernings. Insulated Cellular Shades. Window Quilts. Roller and Roman Shades. Louvered Blinds. Curtains and Drapes. Window Films. The effectiveness of these reflective films depends on: Size of window glazing area Window orientation Climate Building orientation Whether the window has interior insulation.

Exterior Window Treatments. Exterior Shutters and Shades. Exterior Solar Window Screens. DIY Projects: Windows. The more open the fabric, the more solar radiation passes through open space rather than fabric, affecting the overall performance and amount of glare protection, heat protection, and view through.

Fabric color itself does not affect openness across a fabric product line. Visible light transmittance VLT : The percentage of the available visible light allowed to pass through the solar screen shade and window combined. VLT is impacted by the openness factor, fabric color, and the amount of light that transmits through the fabric. Solar Heat Gain Coefficient SHGC : Indicates the amount of solar radiation that enters an interior space through both the window and the shade in the form of heat, compared to the total amount of solar radiation.

The lower the SHGC, the more effective a solar screen fabric is at stopping the heat from entering the room. Learn more about SHGC and how solar shades block unwanted heat. SHGC does not reference single pane, double strength glass, and can be used to calculate energy performance for all times of day and year because it takes the angles of the sun and window treatment into account.

Less open fabrics reflect away more heat, as do lighter colors, and high performance fabrics block heat equally well regardless of color.

Like looking through sunglasses- glare is reduced and colors are more vibrant and true. View media, work or relax in comfort Stay connected to the outside world.