Solar Screen FAQ's

A: Yes, they only need an occasional cleaning with mild soap and water. They are also mildew and fade resistant.

A: Yes, Phifer offers a 10 year warranty on Exterior Sun Control Products.

A: Exterior sun control products still allow good airflow.

A: These products protect against insects and can replace regular insect screening on windows, doors.

A: Sun Control Screening is available in a wider range of colors than regular insect screening. From the outside, sun control screening offers a uniform look to windows and doors, providing a more aesthetically pleasing overall look to home and building exteriors than regular insect screening. Outward visibility remains good through exterior sun control.

A: Solar screens can provide daytime privacy. Visibility through Sun Control Screens depends on light location. Lighted interiors allow inward visibility at night, while sunlight during the daytime diminishes inward visibility, offering more privacy.

A: No. Most houseplants require filtered light. Shading reduces yellowing and water loss. In most cases, plants do better with shading than without but will require some amounts of direct sunlight.

A: Yes. All shapes and sizes of windows can be shaded with sun control products including rakes, octagons, circles, etc.

A: Many Sun Control Screen payback period estimates fall between two and three cooling seasons. Studies have shown that shaded windows can save up to 25% of the cost of air conditioning when compared to unshaded windows.

A: Glass tinting filters the light along with the UV rays. Sun Control Screens reduce the volume of light without filtering. As the glass filters sunlight through the tint, it will maintain heat, which dissipates into the house, making sun control screens more effective than glass tinting for energy savings.

A: Yes, along with the heat that is absorbed by the drapes/blinds, they are also subject to UV damage. The combination of light-colored interior shades and dark exterior screens will provide optimum results.

A: To protect carpets, drapes and furniture from damaging UV rays, the Sun Control Screens should remain in place even during cooler months. However, if passive solar heat gain is desired in the winter months the screens can be removed and stored until springtime.

A: Yes, although windows and doors are kept cleaner with the Sun Control Screens installed, they are removable just like insect screening for ease in washing screens and window glass.

A: While UV blockage is 65% to 90%, the Visual Transmittance is 14% to 40% depending on the screening fabric selected. Light through the Sun Control Screen is not tinted, but it is reduced in volume, allowing good light with reduced glare.

A: All colors provide significant heat reduction when installed on the exterior but dark colors are better at reducing glare and improving outward visibility.

A: UV blockage depends on the fabric's weave and openness. In general, the UV blockage percentage will be the reciprocal of the openness factor.