Window Treatments 101- Solar Shades
Solar shades are one of the best inventions of the window covering industry. Why? The benefit of these shades over convention honeycomb or venetian blinds is you don’t block your view in order to get sun protection. The fabrics are tested to determine the so that we know how much UV and heat control each fabric provides. Plus, allergy sufferers who don’t want loads of dust-collecting fabric in their homes love these shades as they naturally repel dust with the action of lifting and lowering the shades.
Transparency Solar fabrics are produced in varying transparencies from 1% to 14% with the 1% being the least open and most protective. A more open fabric will allow you to see out better, but you will also be letting in some damaging UV light and heat which may fade your floors and furniture and fizzle your flowers! I always encourage people to go for the highest density fabric they can tolerate in order to get the most bang for their buck as you can see from the example below.
Glare Control A white 5% open fabric will reduce glare by 57% and a black fabric reduces glare by 90%. The darker color has a significant advantage in reducing glare over light colors because the darker color absorbs the light.
Fabric Color Decision If preserving your view is your priority, go for a darker color fabric, but realize you are sacrificing some heat control with this decision. Most fabrics are neutral colors, although we do offer some bold colors such as navy, red, green or yellow. Solar fabrics can also be custom printed with a design or photograph of your choice, so have some fun with them.
Heat Control Lighter colors reflect light and darker colors absorb light so if you have west or south facing rooms, select a light color to lower the heat inside the room.
Easy Maintenance Solar shades can be easily cleaned by using a few drops of dish soap mixed into a cup of water and cleaning the shade using a soft cloth.
Antimicrobial Properties & Fabric Content Many solar fabrics are infused with Microban® antimicrobial protection, which inhibits the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew so they are an excellent choice for bathrooms and other steamy locations. The majority of solar fabrics are made with a combination of Fiberglass, Polyester and PVC. If eco-friendly shades are a priority in your home, there is also a wide range of fabrics that are PVC-free, phthalate-free and 100% recyclable.
What about privacy?
Solar shades provide complete daytime privacy while allowing you to see through them from inside. From the outside at night you will see shadows of the interior when the lights are on and it’s dark outside.
Are solar shades available in colors and patterns? Single-color fabrics are not your only choice. There are many options that have interesting colors, textures and multi-color weaves to find the perfect fabric to blend with your décor.
Do solar shades look good in a traditional style home? We often pair solar shades with curtains or under roman shades in traditional homes. Solar shades keep the damaging sun at bay, and protect the curtain fabrics from fading and damage.
What do these shades cost? Solar shades are some of the most economical window treatments available today. If you select a roller shade without a valance or cornice at the top, the cost of a 36” wide x 54” tall window will be between $144 and $162, depending on your fabric selection.