Questions: Solar screens
Solar screen questions
Solar screens are exterior shade fabrics that cut heat, glare and UV fading before sunlight reaches the glass, while still letting you see out. The answers below cover how they work, which fabric to pick and how they behave in the Reno-Sparks climate.
Heat, sun and fading
Do solar screens really lower cooling bills?
They can, because they stop part of the sun's heat before it passes through the glass, and the U.S. Department of Energy lists reduced solar heat gain as a main benefit. How much you save depends on which way the windows face, the glass you have, your air conditioner and how you run it. We do not promise a percentage, because no one can without looking at your house.
Which windows benefit most from solar screens?
West-facing windows usually benefit most, because they take strong, low sun in the hottest part of the afternoon. East windows get morning sun, and south windows get high midday sun in summer. North windows rarely need them. The Department of Energy makes the same point about east and west glass having the greatest potential for heat gain.
Do solar screens stop fading completely?
No product stops fading completely, but solar screens slow it a great deal by blocking a large share of the sunlight and UV that bleach carpet, drapery, furniture and wood floors. Keeping blinds partly closed on the sunniest windows helps too.
Does Reno's elevation make a difference?
It does. The EPA notes that UV rises about 2 percent for every 1,000 feet of elevation, and the Reno-Sparks valley floor sits around 4,400 feet. That means noticeably more UV at the window than in a sea-level city with the same sun.
How hot does it get in Reno-Sparks in summer?
NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for Reno-Tahoe International Airport show about 65 days a year at 90 degrees or hotter, with July highs averaging about 94 degrees. Most of those afternoons are clear, which is when west-facing glass heats a room the most.
Read more: Solar screens · Reno-Sparks sun data
Fabric, looks and privacy
What does 80 percent or 90 percent mean on solar screen fabric?
The percentage describes roughly how much of the sun the fabric is designed to block. A 90 percent fabric has a tighter weave than an 80 percent fabric, so it blocks more heat and glare but gives a darker, less clear view. Seeing both at your own window is the easiest way to choose.
What is the openness factor of a solar screen?
Openness is the share of the fabric that is open space between the strands. The Department of Energy explains that greater openness reduces protection against glare and heat gain but increases visibility and light. Low-openness fabrics block more sun; high-openness fabrics keep more view.
Will solar screens make my windows look dark from the street?
Yes, somewhat. From outside, screened windows look darker and more even, which some owners like because it hides blinds and clutter. Darker fabric colors give the strongest effect.
Can people see into my house through solar screens at night?
Yes, once your lights are on. Solar screens make it hard to see in during the day because it is brighter outside than inside. At night the light is reversed, so you will still want blinds or curtains for nighttime privacy.
Read more: 80% vs 90% · Colors and privacy
Winter, wind and bugs
Should solar screens come off in the winter?
It depends on the window. A solar screen blocks winter sun as well as summer sun, so on a south-facing window it also blocks some free winter warmth. Screens on west windows can stay up year-round for glare and fading control, while south-window screens are the ones some owners take down for winter. Our guide on solar screens in winter goes deeper.
What happens to solar screens in strong wind?
A well-fitted screen with the right clips or fasteners stays put in normal afternoon wind. Loose or undersized screens rattle, work their way out and bend. If a screen is damaged in a storm, it can often be rescreened or replaced on its own.
Do solar screens keep insects out?
Solar screen fabric is a woven mesh, so a screen that fits its opening snugly keeps insects out just like a regular screen. What matters is that the frame fits tight to the window with no gaps at the corners or edges.
Read more: Solar screens in winter · Wind and screens
Compared, and where they go
How are solar screens different from window tint?
A solar screen is a fabric in a frame mounted outside the window, while tint is a film stuck to the glass. The Department of Energy notes that tinted films that absorb heat can damage the seals of insulated glass and that many window makers void their warranties if film is put on that glass. Screens stop the heat outside and can be taken down; film is permanent until it is scraped off.
Can solar screens go on doors as well as windows?
Yes. Solar screens are used on doors as well as windows and can be made to fit openings of many sizes and shapes. A large west- or south-facing glass door is often one of the hottest spots in the house, so ask about it when we measure.
Read more: Screens vs tint · Ways to block sun
Sources: U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver: Energy Efficient Window Coverings (archived copy, January 2025) (opens in a new tab) · U.S. EPA, A Guide to the UV Index (EPA 430-F-04-020) (opens in a new tab) · NOAA NCEI, U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Reno-Tahoe International Airport) (opens in a new tab)
Since 1997 · Sparks, Nevada
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