Solar screens ? how much light do they block

[Yellowstang]

Thinking of getting some solar screens on the windows facing west since they shine onto the TV when I watch in the evenings. Do solar screens block enough light to notice a difference?

[ELVIS]

yeah man they do, they usually will offer 2-3 different % of light transfer options.

god bless.

[Got Stripes?]

Get your windows tinted! It will block UV, which solar screen don't do, as well as block significantly more heat w/o blocking a ton of light. That way you can still enjoy your windows by looking out :) Most people can't even tell they are tinted untill I tell them.

I got a really good deal and had every window in my house tinted for $1400. paid for itself in the first year. I keep my house at 71 during these 100+ degree days and my A/C does'nt struggle at all.

EDIT: I forgot to mention that I had my living room tinted much darker to prevent glare on my TV. It worked great for me, but if your glare is REALLY bad it might not do the trick.....

[Chopped54]

They block a lot of light.
During the day if we have the blinds shut, you would have to turn on a light to read anything.
Have been keeping the house at about 78-80 and it is cooler then my brothers house on the same street and he has his at 76...

[Yellowstang]

We had our old house's windows tinted, and it did a real good job. These are pretty good storm windows, with that gas between the panes to help prevent stuff getting in, and they block the heat pretty well.

Eventually, the lot next door will have a house built, and that will block a lot of light, but right now the 3 lots next to use are empty.

I keep the AC on 75 during the day, no problems, and our elec. bill is less than half of our old house. I am not thinking I will see much difference in the bill, but just want to have a better picture on the TV from my chair. If I sit on the couch, the sun does not hit it and the picture is better, but I like my recliner!

Hmm, decisions... I did get a quote for the 7 windows on that side, it was liek $450 for solar screens

[Chopped54]

We had our old house's windows tinted, and it did a real good job. These are pretty good storm windows, with that gas between the panes to help prevent stuff getting in, and they block the heat pretty well.

Eventually, the lot next door will have a house built, and that will block a lot of light, but right now the 3 lots next to use are empty.

I keep the AC on 75 during the day, no problems, and our elec. bill is less than half of our old house. I am not thinking I will see much difference in the bill, but just want to have a better picture on the TV from my chair. If I sit on the couch, the sun does not hit it and the picture is better, but I like my recliner!

Hmm, decisions... I did get a quote for the 7 windows on that side, it was liek $450 for solar screens


I have heard on the double paned windows they have to tint the outside so it does not fuck up the window....

[Vertnut]

I have heard on the double paned windows they have to tint the outside so it does not fuck up the window....
Same here...My window companies told me they would void the warranty on new windows if they were not tinted correctly. It traps the heat between the dual panes, and causes the seals to go out.

[busted90]

I went with the 90% on 6 windows and it made a huge difference in the amount of light that comes in and the temp of the room, at $217 it’s a great investment.

[BlueThunder99TA]

who is the best solar screen company to go with?

[Barbie]

Same here...My window companies told me they would void the warranty on new windows if they were not tinted correctly. It traps the heat between the dual panes, and causes the seals to go out.

the solar screens block some of the heat from even getting to the glass

[Vertnut]

the solar screens block some of the heat from even getting to the glass
Would you want to tint AND use the screens?

[bcoop]

who is the best solar screen company to go with?



I've heard nothing but good about Lone Star Solar Screens.

[Nate]

Who's the dfwstangs guy that does them?

[bjtheman1]

I've heard nothing but good about Lone Star Solar Screens.

I've got them coming out tomorrow for an estimate.

[STRONGNUFF]

I will update with pic's and results when they install mine. They came out today to measure the windows. I will post up before and after pics. They are a bit costly, our's is right at $1200.00 but when you see the pics you will see why.

[bjtheman1]

I will update with pic's and results when they install mine. They came out today to measure the windows. I will post up before and after pics. They are a bit costly, our's is right at $1200.00 but when you see the pics you will see why.


How many windows are they covering?

[STRONGNUFF]

How many windows are they covering?

20 I believe. The higher cost is because I have some HUGE windows and also they are matching the white plastic window paynes (sp) with the original designs that are on the windows. Should look great.

I went with 80% on the lower windows, because they allow more airflow if we open the windows in late fall, early spring and 90% on all the others.

[Chopped54]

I've heard nothing but good about Lone Star Solar Screens.


They are who did mine..
I paid around $1200 with out grid work, and -3 windows.
Need to get them back out to do the other 3..

[bjtheman1]

I've got them coming out tomorrow for an estimate.

Damn, they called and came earlier than expected. My quote was less than $200 for everything(I'm only having 7 Large Windows done)! I'm definitely using them. hopefully within the next 12-16 days they should have everything complete

[03trubluGT]

Would you want to tint AND use the screens?


I did this and love it. I have the dark screens and I don't remember the tint, but I have three 28 square foot windows that face west without the help of any shade trees.

It's hotter that ($*#&*$~!! in the summer with the west sun beating down on that much glass.

But, like has been said, if you close the blinds in the middle of the day, it's fairly dark. This is good when you have a 50" plasma in that room.

I also tinted/solar screened my master bedroom which is on the same side of the house. That and wood blinds make it good to sleep in the day when I worked midnights.....

[Nate]

Had a guy come and measure mine today. Going to be about $600 13 windows. Excellent guy to work with.

[03trubluGT]

Ok, just took a quick pic to show the difference between a solar screen and tint+solar screen.

The window on the left is the tint+solar screen, the one on the right is just solar screen.

[03trubluGT]

Thanks to a storm last year with 90mph winds, it blew a section of fence into my house. That's why the 2 window on the right are not tinted. I'm planning on adding a patio awning this year and figure it'll shade the windows so I won't need the tint.

Then I'll just remove the tint from the far left window.....