Solar Shades: How They Can Enhance Your Home’s Style and Comfort
July 4, 2024
Investing in the right solar shades can be a game changer when you want to beat the heat plus protect your home. During the summer months, sunlight streaming in can increase the temperature indoors, create glare, and cause drapery, furniture, and flooring to fade. This is where solar shades are an appropriate window covering to consider.
Solar shades help to ensure that your living space remains cool throughout the summer season and reduce energy costs. They also minimize the amount of UV radiation entering your home.
With so many styles, materials, and designs of solar shades available, how do you choose the right one for your space?
Finding the Right Solar Shade
1. The Openness Factor
The “openness factor” plays an important role in determining how much natural light enters your home. This also determines how much UV rays that will pass through. The opacity levels that you can choose from range from 1% to 14% with 1% being the most light-block with a solar shade and 14% being the least light-block. By understanding the openness factor, you increase your chances of choosing the most suitable shade for your home.
2. The Fabric Color
The color of the fabric plays an integral role in establishing the level of solar heat gain, outdoor visibility, and energy efficiency. It can significantly impact the performance and functionality of your shades.
Lighter colors, such as neutral tones and whites, are suitable for reducing solar heat gain and providing enhanced energy efficiency. This is because they reflect a large portion of the sun’s rays to help your interior remain cooler, thus reducing the need to use air conditioning. However, solars made with darker-colored fabrics, provide better glare control.
3. The Direction of the Window
Just as important as the previous points, is the direction that your window is facing. The amount of light exposure and resulting heat gain or glare can vary significantly based on where your windows are located. By choosing the right solar shade, you enhance the performance and functionality, ensure optimal energy efficiency and comfort.
For windows that are south facing, where the sun is the most intense throughout the day, darker window shade fabric is recommended. This ensures that window coverings prevent glare effectively and reduces the chances of your room overheating. Windows that face east or west which receive direct sunlight only in the morning and evening require lighter fabric shades. These window treatments can reduce the adverse effects of the lower-angled sun while allowing natural light to filter in.
By tailoring your solar shades, you can transform your home into a comfortable, energy-efficient, and stylish sanctuary. Considering openness, fabric color, window direction, and privacy concerns—these elements provide you with the knowledge to choose the best possible solution. Contact our design expert to learn first-hand about enhancing your home with solar shades!