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EXTERIOR RETRACTABLE SOLAR SCREENS


solar screensIf you have a room that is too hot in the summer ... if your carpeting and furniture is fading and drying in the heat of the sun ... if you want to minimize any change in the exterior looks of your home ... if you want to see through your windows with minimal obstruction ... retractable solar screens are the perfect answer!

Mounting a rolling solar screen on the exterior of your home provides excellent protection from solar heat gain. They will reduce solar glare significantly thereby easing strain on the eyes and enabling better viewing of TV and computer screens.

rollscreenDuring the daytime, solar screens offer privacy from persons on the outside of a building (see right) while ensuring that occupants have a clear view from the inside out. An exterior rolling solar screen uses the same components as a rollshutter. The only difference is that screen material replaces the aluminum rollshutter curtain. (See page on Rollshutters for more information on rollshutters.)

Rolling solar screens are mounted on the exterior of your home and most often are operated from the inside with either a hand-operated crank or by motor. (Screens are also available with exterior crank control.) The screens are made from a durable fibreglass material in 2 different densities of weave and several colours. The denser the weave - the more UV blockage. The looser the weave - the better the view to outside. The darker the colour - the clearest view to outside. Light colours tend to make the view appear 'foggy'. When not needed, the screens roll away into a panel box above the window and will be out of sight.


Retractable (or rolling) Solar Screen Effectiveness
Interior vs Exterior and other Considerations

There are many factors which affect the efficiency of screens. rollscreens interiorOne factor is whether the screen is mounted on the exterior or interior. Exterior applications are dramatically more effective than interior ones. It makes sense since stopping heat on the outside is preferable to trapping it inside a room.
Dark colours always outperform light colours on exterior applications. This is because darker colours absorb more heat - so less energy is transmitted through the screen to the glass. (Dark colours will also allow you to see through to the outside the best - see photo on the left.)
Light colours always outperform dark colours on interior applications. This is because lighter colours reflect more heat back to the outside than darker colours.
The smaller the openness factor, the better the performance of the screen (that is - the ratio of open area versus total area of the fabric). In other words, the tighter the weave - the better the heat and glare control.
In conclusion, if you want to control heat and glare, yet retain the maximum amount of view to the outside - a retractable solar screen is the perfect solution!

Operators

The operation of a retractable solar screen is with a removeable crank handle either on the outside or the inside of your house making them as easy to operate as curtains or blinds. You can also choose motorization and operate the screens with the flick of a switch!

INTERIOR ROLLING SCREENS

int screenA rolling solar screen mounted on the inside of your window is an excellent way to control light and glare. They are mounted and operated exactly like blinds, (unlike the exterior screens, they do not have a panel box or rails) and will allow a clear view to the outside yet allow you to work on a computer screen or watch TV on a sunny day without blocking off a view or darkening the room completely.
Our interior screens are available in a wide range of colours, styles, mounting systems and controls. In the same line is our blackout blinds - excellent for use in home theatres, or to help shift workers sleep during the day!
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