To stay cool in the summer while saving on energy costs and avoiding the annoyance of glaring light, finding window treatments that keep you comfortable and add visual appeal to your home while saving you money is ideal.
There are a variety of shades to choose from that will enhance your outdoor experiences, such as awnings, canopies and patio covers. However, solar shades are energy-efficient and protect from the sun’s harmful rays. Solar shades are unique window treatments that can help save energy costs, cool your home and increase curb appeal.
Keep reading to discover the benefits of solar shades and how they compare to similar alternatives.
What Are Solar Shades?
Solar shades are window treatments that you can place on the exterior of your home or over a window in a room to block sunlight. These shades will protect you and your furniture from harmful UV rays and reduce any glare you experience throughout the day from sunlight. Solar shades are a great way to save costs on energy and feel more comfortable in your home during the day.
Solar shade benefits include:
- Keeping you cool: Solar shades can help keep your room cool and even affect adjacent rooms during those blistering hot summer days.
- Reducing glares: Glares from digital screens or water can create uncomfortable blind spots, but solar shades reduce this reflection.
- Blocking UV rays: Exterior shades reduce your exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays, reducing the risk of skin cancer or premature aging.
- Securing privacy: These shades will add an additional layer of privacy from anyone who may be passing by.
- Reducing furniture damage: Any furniture that receives frequent exposure to the sun can experience fading or other damage, but solar shades minimize this exposure, keeping your furniture safe.
- Admiring the outdoors: Although many window treatments prevent you from seeing outside, solar shades allow you to look at the gorgeous scenery outside your home.
- Protecting you from insects: Exterior solar shades give you a layer of protection against bugs and other pests.
- Lasting lifetime: Exterior shades last for years, even with constant exposure to the weather elements and sunlight.
Interior vs. Exterior Solar Shades
Interior solar shades add visual appeal to your home by adding creative patterns. You can also easily control them to retract or lower as the day passes. However, you may have limited design options, which may clash with your current decor. Furthermore, they are not as effective at keeping heat outside your home.
Exterior solar shades prevent the sun’s heat from entering your home and help keep you cool on hot days. Additionally, you can use exterior shades to create other comfortable environments. For example, you can place them over your patio or hang them from your deck to make a cool outdoors sitting area.
Solar Shades vs. Roller Shades
Roller shades are basic window treatments. You place them inside your home and above your windows to pull down when you need them. Roller shades are one piece of material, so there are no slits in them and when you pull them down, they become a flat sheet over your window.
Solar shades are usually more expensive than roller shades because they’re made with materials that perform better and hold up against harsh weather conditions. While solar shades block UV rays, roller shades will only reduce the light that filters into your home. Additionally, you can peer through solar shades to look outside, but you will not be able to see clearly out of roller shades.
Pros and Cons of Roller Shades
If you’re considering opting for a cheaper light filtration source, you should look to roller shades. Before making a final decision, you should weigh the pros and cons.
Pros of roller shades include:
- Versatility in color and material variety
- Ease of cleaning
- Ability to filter light and reduce glares
- Customization options, like motorized, smart pull and cordless operation
Cons of roller shades include:
- Needing to maintain the motor and clean the shades frequently
- Not being stylistically suitable for all house types
- Limiting privacy since passersby can still see the inside of your home
When to Choose Roller Shades
You may want to opt for roller shades if your primary concern is light entering your windows. Because these shades are less expensive than solar shades, they can be an affordable option for performing basic blackout functions.
Additionally, these are a good option for homeowners looking to increase their curb appeal. By having roller shades in every window of your home, you can make your house look like a cohesive entity from the street. If you would like to personalize each room’s interior, you can easily place additional treatments over them. They won’t add much to your roller’s function, but they can be lovely decorative pieces in unique rooms.
Solar Shades vs. Cellular Shades
Cellular shades are more elaborate window treatments because they consist of two distinct materials, one you have to face towards the outside and the other for your interior. The exterior side will reflect light, while the interior will add a visual appeal to your home and provide some insulation.
Although cellular and solar shades both offer light control, they do it in different ways. You can adjust cellular shades to allow the perfect amount of light into your home, while you must choose the openness of solar shades. The openness refers to how clear it appears when you look outside and you cannot adjust this once you purchase the shade.
Pros and Cons of Cellular Shades
Cellular shades might be great for you if you’re looking for insulation. However, although they are excellent at performing some jobs, they are not always the most suitable option. Evaluating their pros and cons will help you determine whether you should opt for these shades or an alternative.
Pros of cellular shades include:
- Being highly customizable
- Allowing for easy light control
- Enhancing privacy with blackout options
- Providing insulation through design
Cons of cellular shades include:
- Cleaning can be challenging with some fabrics
- Losing style with their design
- Constantly adjusting them throughout the day
- Being an expensive option
When to Choose Cellular Shades
Cellular shades are great if you’re looking for insulation. While solar shades will save you energy costs, the design of cellular shades allows them to be great insulators. If your primary concern is insulation, these could be the right choice for you.
However, you should keep in mind that individual cellular shades can vary in configuration, and they may be challenging to install if you’re putting them on every window. Additionally, you will have to pull your shades up and down as the day passes to adjust how much light you want to filter inside. Cellular shades are also more expensive than solar shades, which may sway your final decision.
Solar Shade Installation From Garrety Glass
Garrety Glass is a locally owned and operated business that began as a small operation with three employees dedicated to delivering high-quality service. Since then, our team has grown to over 50 hard-working team members who strive to provide quality solutions.
We value a strong work ethic and integrity, and we’re proud of our work. The team at Garrety Glass is always ready to assist in projects that enhance your home. We are customer-focused and safety-minded, so you can always count on reliable service from our trusted professionals.
Contact Garrety Glass to request a quote or schedule an installation service for your solar shades. We’re prepared to enhance your home and give you light-control solutions that keep you cool and comfortable.