Are you ready to purchase solar shades? To explore your options, contact American Window Company today for more information.
Solar Shades
Although many homeowners want their houses to be flooded with natural light, it’s certainly possible to have too much of a good thing. If excessive sunlight shines through your window, solar shades might be the perfect solution. In addition to blocking light, they can reduce glare and heat, protect the room from harmful UV rays, and prevent the sun’s rays from fading interior surfaces and decor. So, if your sunny disposition is being threatened by a bit too much sun, explore the solar shades at American Window Company.
Shield the Sunlight
Composed of a coated material that has been tightly woven, solar shades are designed to block out both light and heat. Although vinyl is commonly used for solar shades, other materials are available.
As you review your options, you may notice that each solar shade window treatment has an “openness factor,” or a percentage that describes how much UV light is filtered. The lower the percentage, the greater the opacity. So, for example, if you want a significant amount of protection from the sunlight and heat, consider choosing a solar shade with one- to three-percent openness. If you’re aiming to let in a bit more light, you might prefer a product with up to ten-percent openness. The experts at American Window Company can help you decide which product best suits your needs.
Keep in mind that the color of fabric you choose will also influence your day-to-day experience with your solar shades. Light fabrics reflect sunlight, preserve natural levels of light, improve insulation, and can reduce cooling costs. Darker fabrics, on the other hand, offer excellent glare control, have better transparency during daylight, and tend to show less dirt. Both options have pros and cons, so you’ll need to determine which best suits your home.
Boost Privacy
Although solar shades are primarily designed to block out sunlight, as an added bonus, they can also enhance the privacy of your home. If you want to ensure neighbors, passersby, and burglars can’t see into your home, consider purchasing solar shades with a low openness factor. Just as one-percent shades will block out more of the sun’s rays and solar heat, they will also provide the most privacy due to their tight weave. For added privacy, consider layering drapery over your solar shades.