THE BENEFITS OF SOLAR SHADES
Sun shades have you covered with many benefits.
1. Light Control
Solar shades are an ideal window covering for rooms where you want to reduce light, heat and harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, but still enjoy the view to the outside. Our solar blinds provide you with many benefits, and are available in a wide selection of colours and openness options.
2. Block Harmful UV Rays
Sun shades block up to 99% of harmful UV rays, which is healthy for the whole family while also preventing fading and damage from direct sunlight to your furniture, carpets, and flooring.
3. Increase Energy Efficiency and Lower Energy Costs
Solar shades improve energy efficiency in your home by providing extra insulation for your windows. This helps keep your home cooler in the summer, while also saving you on energy costs.
4. Eliminate Glare
Sun shades are ideal for home theatre rooms and offices, as these window coverings eliminate glare on televisions, computer screens, tablets and phones.
5. Enjoy Your View of the Outside
Depending on the openness percentage you choose for your solar shades, you can preserve your view to the outside while still reducing glare, blocking UV rays, and lowering your energy costs.
What is Openness?
The openness percentage refers to how tight the weave is on the solar shade. The higher the percentage, the more light will filter through into the room and the greater the view to the outside (but the less it will block UV rays). The lower the percentage, the less light will filter through into the room and the less of a view to the outside (but the more the shade will block UV rays). For example, solar blinds with a 10% openness will block 90% of UV rays, while solar shades with 1% openness will block 99% of UV rays. Click here to see the various openness percentage options.
Why Choose Solar Shades?
Solar shades are ideal for home offices and media rooms. They allow you to maximize light, reduce glare, and minimize incoming heat. You can upgrade your solar shades with a valance to get a sleek, more streamlined finish for your windows. You can also upgrade to a motorized lift system or smart blinds technology for the ultimate convenience.
Sun shades are available in a wide range of neutral colours to seamlessly work themselves into any home décor style or colour scheme. These highly customizable window treatments are practical, stylish, and effortlessly chic. You can even layer them with customizable drapes for added flair.
We Can Help
Not sure where to begin? We’re here to help. We highly recommend starting off by ordering free samples of your favourite materials and colours so you can get the feel of the product and see how it blends in with your room before making a final decision. You can also contact us if you have any questions about placing an order. One of our in-house window treatment experts will gladly guide you along and help you make the right decision.
And of course, all of our products are covered by our Perfect Fit Guarantee. In the unlikely event your window treatments don’t fit, we’ll replace them for free.
SOLAR SHADES FAQ
What are solar shades?
Solar shades are window coverings made from a woven fabric designed to reduce glare, block harmful UV rays, and maintain a view to the outside. These shades are often made from materials like vinyl-coated polyester or similar durable fabrics.
Is there any difference between solar shades and sun screens?
Solar shades and sun screens are the same window treatment. Solar shades are known by several different names, including sun screens, sun shades, UV blocking shades, roller solar shades and mesh shades.
What is the difference between solar shades and roller shades?
Solar shades and roller shades may look alike, but they serve distinct purposes when it comes to light control, privacy, and UV protection.
Solar Shades are made from UV-resistant, woven screen fabric, specifically designed to reduce glare and heat while preserving your view of the outside. They come in different openness factors between 1% and 14%. Lower percentages block more light, glare, and UV rays, while higher percentages offer greater visibility to the outside. These shades are ideal for sunrooms, offices, family rooms and spaces where you want to minimize glare and UV rays while still maintaining a view to the outside.
Roller Shades are crafted from light-filtering or blackout fabrics, offering various levels of privacy and light control. They can be fully opaque for to block out incoming light and maximize privacy., or light filtering to softly diffuse natural light into the room. Versatile and stylish, roller shades are suitable for any room in the house, including bedrooms, living rooms, and media rooms.
How do solar shades work?
Solar shades filter sunlight through a specialized fabric that reduces glare and heat while allowing natural light to pass through. These shades can block up to 99% of UV rays, protecting furniture and flooring from fading and sun damage.
What does “openness factor” mean in solar shades?
The openness percentage of a solar shade indicates how tightly the fabric is woven. A higher percentage means the weave is looser, allowing more light to enter the room, which provides a clearer view outside but blocks fewer UV rays. A lower percentage means a tighter weave, reducing incoming light and visibility to the outside, while offering greater UV protection. For example, solar shades with a 3% openness (the most popular option) blocks 97% of UV rays, while those with a 10% openness block 90% of UV rays. Click here to explore the available openness percentage options.
Are solar shades good for glare reduction on screens and TVs?
Yes, solar shades are great for reducing glare on computer screens and TVs while still allowing natural light into the room, making them popular in home offices, living rooms, family rooms and dens.
Do solar shades provide privacy at night?
No. Solar shades are designed to provide some daytime privacy by reducing glare and allowing outward visibility. At night, when lights are on inside and it’s dark outside, it is possible that the inside of the home may be viewed through the shade from the outside.
Are solar shades energy-efficient?
Yes, solar shades help reduce cooling costs by blocking solar heat gain, especially lighter-fabric solar shades in rooms with direct sunlight. They also protect against UV damage and reduce glare.
Can solar shades be motorized?
Yes, all of our solar shades can be motorized. The motorized option allows you to control the blinds remotely, making them an excellent choice for hard-to-reach windows, or for adding modern automation to your home. Add a Smart Hub for wi-fi operation (including the setting of timers/schedules) through a smartphone or by voice control via Alexa or Google.
What are dual/double solar/roller shades?
Double solar/roller shades feature two shades in one! A double solar/roller shade with a solar shade in the front and a blackout roller shade in the back offers the perfect combination of light control and privacy. Enjoy filtered natural light during the day while blocking glare and UV rays with the front solar shade, and switch to darkness and privacy at night by lowering the back blackout shade. This versatile window treatment maximizes comfort and energy efficiency in any room.
Can solar shades be layered with other window treatments?
Yes, solar shades can be layered with drapes or curtains for added privacy and blackout purposes.
How much do sun shades cost?
At Select Blinds Canada, all window treatments are custom-made to your precise measurements and specifications. The cost of solar shades varies based on factors such as the width and height of the window covering, the fabric type, and any optional features like motorization, valances, liners, or a no-drill installation headrail. Solar shade prices typically start at under $89.99.
How do I measure my windows for solar shades?
For an inside mount, measure the exact width of the inside of the window frame at the top, middle, and bottom, and use the narrowest measurement. For the height, measure the inside frame at the left, center, and right, and use the longest measurement. For outside mount, measure the desired width and height of the area you wish to cover, adding up to an extra 4” to ensure proper coverage.
Are solar shades easy to install?
Solar shades are designed for easy installation whether you’re an experienced DIY home renovator or a beginner. They come with all required hardware and instructions, and we offer additional installation videos on the site. All you need is a tape measure, power drill/screwdriver, level and pencil. Our Customer Satisfaction team is also here to answer any questions you may have.
You can make it even easier with the No-Drill Installation Headrail upgrade. This exclusive feature allows you to put up your new solar shades in just a few minutes. Simply snap the headrail into place and insert your shade. No tools, no holes, no hassle!
How long will it take to ship my solar shades?
Many of our custom solar shades are Quick Ship and ship 1-3 business days from date of order. Others ship in 3-7 business days. You can check the specific up-to-date delivery timing of each roller shade on the product page.
How do I clean solar shades?
Cleaning solar shades is simple. Dusting with a soft cloth or vacuuming with a brush attachment is recommended. For deeper cleaning, spot-clean with a mild soap solution and a damp cloth.
