Whether you have a mountain view, lake view, or just want to gaze at the flowers in your yard, you don’t want to miss out on that because it’s too bright. Blinds and interior shutters can completely obstruct your view even though they keep the hard light out.
What if you want to block those harsh UV rays, reduce the heat from the sun, but still be able to see the view? That’s when solar shades will be your best fit.
What Are Solar Shades?
Solar shades are very similar to roller shades; roller shades just completely block the light that comes in. Solar shades block out any UV rays that are penetrating through the window but don’t completely obstruct your view. While window blinds and shutters may obscure your view entirely, solar shades don’t.
Openness Percentages
When deciding which window solar shades to get, you may notice that there are different openness percentages. Each level determines the amount of light that is being let in. The lower the percentage, the higher the solar shade opacity. The openness is determined by the weaving of the fabric. The looser the fabric is weaved, the more sunlight that is let in.
In fact, if you are looking for a fabric that reduces the glare and absorbs most of the heat, it will be best to choose a fabric that blocks 94%-96% of the light. A solar shade with a 1% openness means it has been tightly woven, blocks more UV rays, and has less visibility. A solar shade with 10% openness has been loosely woven, blocks fewer UV rays, and has more visibility. The openness percentages range from 0% all the way to 14%.
Determining Color
Believe it or not, but color plays a larger role than you may think. Not only do you want to pick a color that goes with your aesthetic, but the color also determines the amount of heat let in.
Light Colors
Lighter colors will reflect heat better, therefore keep your room cooler. They also help with lighting up the room. For a smaller room, consider lighter shades to make it seem more open. The downside to lighter shades is that the view through it may be hazier.
Dark Colors
Darker colors do a much better job at reducing any glare and allow for more visibility. Dark colors will keep a room a little warmer than light colors so take it into consideration when deciding.
When it comes to choosing the color of the solar shades, there is no right or wrong choice. It’s entirely up to you based on the level of visibility, aesthetics, and temperature.
How Much Privacy Do They Offer?
Privacy of your solar shades is largely determined by the openness percentage you choose. If you want more privacy, then 1% openness is going to be your best bet. During the daytime is when you will have the most privacy – you can see outside but others cannot see in. But at night, this is the complete opposite and you will have zero privacy.
Since solar shades can only give you so much privacy, it may be best to avoid rooms where privacy is crucial such as the bathroom and bedroom. The kitchen, living room, and dining room are excellent places for solar shades because of the limited privacy at night.
Material of Solar Shades
When you are picking out your solar shades, you are not just limited to one type of material. Vinyl is the most popular option but there are a variety of materials to choose from. Luckily, this decision can be completely up to you and your preference of material.
Keep Your Home Like New
Solar shades are perfect for reducing the amount of light in your home and keeping the hard UV rays out. Not only can UV rays harm your skin, but they can also harm your carpet and furniture. When your carpet and furniture are constantly getting hit with UV rays, it causes the chemical bonds to break down and causes your furniture to bleach – leading to the lighter and discolored fabric. The solar shades will act as a protection between the sun and your furniture.
Solar shades have the opportunity to completely transform your space by blocking out harsh light but still being able to enjoy the view. If you’re ready to find the perfect solar shades for your kitchen, living room, or dining room, contact The Blind Guyz right away!