Solar window shades

Solar window shades offer a simple yet efficient way of protecting a home from any damaging effects of the sun.

Most solar window shades will block out around 90% of the harmful UV rays of the sun while still letting in valuable light. In other words, rolling these shades down will provide the same amount of protection as curtains do. However, while drawing curtains closed will block a window view, closing a solar shade will not. Those indoors can still see out, but others cannot see in. The exception to this would be when a home is lit from within at night.

Too much sunlight shining in a room can damage furniture, carpet, and wallpaper. An example of this is how upholsteries end up more lightly colored where the sun hits them during the day. Another example is how people can occasionally tell on walls where frames had been hung, even after the pictures have been taken down.

A benefit of solar window shades is that they stop this fading, but they still allow natural light into the room. It would be counterproductive to have to turn on electrical lights during the day because the shades are closed for better insulation. There is more than enough sunlight available outside to provide for indoor lighting needs; it simply needs to be let in to light up rooms.