Solar blinds are one of the most advanced inventions that have helped us make the planet greener. Solar shades for windows are basically solar panels that are transformed into sunscreen blinds.
Solar shades for windows have the same advantages as installing solar panels.
Solar blinds can easily outperform solar panels, especially in urban areas. They can easily be installed on the windows instead of the roofs, and they can also reduce your electricity cost by as much as 30%.
If we’ve piqued your interest in getting Zipper track window shades for your home, keep reading. The following guide will fill you in about everything you need to know about solar shades for windows.
The Two Types of Solar Blinds
There are two types of solar blinds available on the market: regular solar blinds and solar-powered blinds.
Solar panels or solar-powered blinds are solar panels transformed into blinds. They are part of the photovoltaic (PV) systems that transform heat energy into electricity.
Regular solar blinds look like ordinary roller shades, which can reduce the sun’s glare, heat, and UV rays. Depending on the fabric you choose, regular blinds can offer different levels of heat and UV rays protection, along with a near see-through view. These characteristics form part of the openness factor of blinds.
What Is Their Purpose?
Given that solar shades can protect you from harmful UV rays and transform heat energy, they come with a list of benefits. You can also install a smart version of solar blinds and operate them through your mobile phone. Some blinds can also be interlinked with Alexa or Google Assistant, and most of them also have a special setting that rotates the blinds automatically based on the angle of the rays.
The benefits of solar blinds are mentioned here:
1. They block UV rays
Did you know, the sunlight that hits the surface consists of 50% infrared, 40% visible, and 10% ultraviolet light.
Solar-powered blinds are designed to transform half of the infrared, most of the visible, and a small part of ultraviolet light into energy.
2. Enduring different weather conditions
These blinds are designed to work under various weather conditions. So even if your location doesn’t receive sunshine throughout the year, Rollac window shades are a beneficial investment.
The blinds are suitable for regions with temperatures from -20 to 60 degrees Celsius with humidity of roughly 20%. They are also suitable for regions with temperatures from -10 to 40 degrees Celsius with 80% humidity.
3. Heat reduction
Solar blinds work just like regular blinds. When they are fully closed, they prevent the sun’s heat to enter your house, keeping it cool and comfortable. Estimates suggest that solar blinds can reduce your air conditioning cost by over 30%.
4. Privacy factor
Just like regular blinds, you can easily retract solar blinds whenever you want. They can stay rolled up when you want to enjoy the view, and you can roll them down if the sun is blazing hot outside. When they’re fully extended, they can also function as an anti-theft system. Smart solar blinders come with automatic and mobile app operations, which can keep the burglars away from your house.
How Do Solar Screens Work?
The solar screen can block the harmful rays of the sun from entering your house. They are available in a range of colors, materials, styles, and fabrics to meet almost any given criteria.
The fabrics used for making solar screens largely fall into three categories:
a. Light fabrics
Light-colored fabrics can effectively reflect heat as well as allow visible light to float into the house. If you want more visible light in your space, choose fabrics that block 80-90%. You can also install screens with light fabrics if you have small windows or you want to light up a common area where a brighter ambiance will look appealing. Light fabrics filter the light and offer a view that’s similar to sheer drapes.
Additionally, they have a higher RS (solar reflectance), which means lighter colors can reflect more heat. They offer higher VLT (Visible Light Transmission) to pass through more daylight.
b. Dark fabrics
Dark fabrics should be your preferred choice if you want to control glare and reduce the visible light that passes through the material. Get fabrics that block 94%-96% of the visible light to get glare control. Furthermore, the dark fabrics can also absorb some heat and contain it in the window until it begins to slowly diffuse into the room. If you want passive solar warming along within maximum glare control, then a dark-colored solar fabric screen is ideal.
Dark fabrics offer a higher AS (Solar Absorptance) meaning it absorbs more light and heat. Lower VLT (Visible Light Transmission) means less light can pass through them, which offers optimum glare control.
c. High-performance reflective fabrics
High-performance solar fabrics can outperform dark and light fabrics. They are specifically designed for projects that require complete heat and glare control, UV protection, and optimum view through applications. High-performance solar screens boast a reflective exterior irrespective of the room’s color. High-performance metalized fabrics offer low visible light transmittance (VLT) along with a low shading coefficient (SC).
So, if you want glare reduction and an optimum view-through be sure to select a dark-colored fabric for your solar screens.
Opt for light-colored fabrics if you’re looking for excellent heat management.
And if you want a view, reduce heat, and control glare select high-performance fabric.
All three fabrics provide the following benefits to homeowners:
· Glare Control
· Natural Light Management
· Heat Control
· View through connection to outside
· Manage Light
· UV Protection
Solar Shades are a great option for everyone. They are energy-efficient, aesthetically appealing, and save you money in the long run. They also give you a beautiful view and remove unwanted glare.