Do Solar Shades Block Heat, Or Just the Sunlight?

This number refers to the tightness of the weave of your solar shades. The higher the openness factor, the easier it is to see out of your solar shades. But the tradeoff is you let more heat and UV light in. For example, if you buy shades with an openness factor of 1%, then 99% of UV light is blocked. It's harder to see out of them, but they help you conserve more energy. Deluxe blackout solar shades, for example, block out the light completely.

So you're going to have to make a choice right away there. What's more important to you – privacy or heat/UV light reduction? Remember, we offer free samples of all our solar shades. You can order fabrics in several different openness factors. Tape them to your windows, stand back and choose the openness factor that works for you.

Another choice you'll have to make is whether to use dark or light-colored fabrics. Pros and cons of dark fabrics:

• Pro: They control glare well because the fabric absorbs more light
• Pro: You also can see out better because of the glare reduction during daylight hours
• Con: They do reduce cooling costs, but absorb more heat and light than light fabrics, so your costs don't reduce as much as they could with light fabrics
• Con: The trade-off of being able to see out better is that darker colors also give you less privacy at night because you can see in better when the lights are on in the house.

Pros and cons of light fabrics:

• Pro: They reflect heat better than dark fabrics, reducing your cooling costs slightly more
• Pro: They provide more privacy at night than dark fabrics because they do not absorb as much of the light and, therefore, reduce the visibility when looking inside when the lights are on in your house.
• Con: They reduce your ability to see outside during daylight hours
• Con: They reduce the glare slightly less than darker fabrics.

In case you're wondering why you might want to block out UV light (besides keeping it off your skin), it also helps keep your furniture and carpet from fading over time. All solar fabrics reduce glare so you can see your television and other electronic screens better. They also save on cooling and heating costs by reducing the heat transfer (both ways).

In summary, solar shades make good sense for your home. And now that you know the benefits and drawbacks of each, you can make a good decision for your own needs. Get started by browsing our selection of interior solar shades and exterior solar shades.

Do solar shades provide privacy at night?

No, standard solar shades do not provide full privacy at night when interior lights are on, since the same weave that lets light in during the day becomes see-through in reverse after dark. Darker, tighter-weave fabrics with a low openness factor reduce this effect but rarely eliminate it. For full nighttime privacy, pair solar shades with a room-darkening liner or a second interior shade.

Are solar shades worth it?

Solar shades are worth it for households prioritizing glare reduction, UV protection, and lower cooling costs, since they cut heat transfer while preserving an outside view. They are less worthwhile if full nighttime privacy or complete blackout is the main goal, as sheer and semi-sheer fabrics remain somewhat see-through after dark. Choosing a lower openness factor improves both privacy and heat performance.

What are solar shades made of?

Solar shades are woven primarily from PVC-coated polyester or fiberglass yarns, which resist fading, moisture, and stretching better than natural fabrics. The weave density, known as the openness factor, determines how much light and heat pass through versus how much the fabric blocks. Tighter weaves use more material and block more heat and glare.

How do outdoor roller shades protect against sun and heat?

Exterior solar shades block heat more effectively than interior solar shades because they intercept sunlight before it reaches the glass, stopping heat from entering the room at all rather than absorbing it after the fact. Interior solar shades still reduce glare and some heat, but exterior mounting is the better option for households focused on cooling costs.

How much do solar shades reduce heat?

Solar shades typically reduce indoor heat gain by a meaningful margin, with the exact amount depending on the fabric openness factor and color rather than a single fixed number. Tighter-weave, darker fabrics block more heat than loose, light-colored weaves. Exterior-mounted solar shades reduce heat more than interior shades since they intercept sunlight before it hits the glass.