Sun Screens (also called “Solar Screens”, “Solar Shades”, “Window Screens”, etc) are screens of fabric mesh installed on the exterior of your home’s windows. They are similar in aesthetics and function to insect screens, with the huge additional benefit of blocking the majority of the sun’s heat before it enters your window.

Sun Screens block as much as 90% of the sun’s radiation before it hits the glass window. Since windows account for nearly half of the heat that enters our home, Sun Screens can have a huge impact on keeping homes cool. Many families can save as much as 25-33% on their summer electric bill after sun screen installation, lowering inside temperatures as much as 10 to 15 degrees. 

Interior options to block light, such as curtains, shutters, blinds, and window films, are only moderately effective at blocking the sun’s heat. They do nothing to stop the sun from hitting the window and super heating the glass and covering behind it. 

Exterior options are as much as 7 times more effective at keeping our homes cool. Roller shades, exterior shutters, and awnings are all effective at blocking the sun’s rays, but they are much more expensive and can add a lot of bulk to the outside of our homes. Externally mounted sun screens are the most cost effective way to conserve energy in the summer. 

No, because of the way the sun moves, sun screens are most effective on East and West facing windows. They also are helpful on South-facing windows, but do not need to be installed on the North side of a house. 

Solar screens can be a wise financial investment (especially in a hot climate like Phoenix Arizona) because they save us money in 3 main ways:

• Lower electric bill (as much as 33% lower in the Summer)
• Less wear & tear on Air Conditioning Units, extending their life
• Less damage to our home and furniture from harsh UV rays

Simply put, no! Sun screens block up to 90% of incoming heat, but only 15-25% of incoming light. In fact, most people find their homes actually brighter after installing sunscreens, because they no longer have to keep all the curtains and blinds closed to keep the house cool. 

No! We custom fit all of our shades to your exact windows, available in both black and brown colors. Your new sun screens can even be designed to match the decorative grid on your existing window, ensuring they’ll perfectly match the design and aesthetics of your home.