Frequently Asked Questions

1. What can I do to prevent the sun from heating up my home?

Well you can try doing it yourself, but we don't recommend it.

2. Why should I get Shade Shield Window Solar Screens?

2. Why should I get Shade Shield Window Solar Screens?

Most people do not realize that windows are the largest heat gain source on their home. Windows make up almost 50% of the heat gain that enters the home. As a matter of fact, lot of people think the heat gain comes from their ceilings, but as you can see from the graph, heat gain from a ceiling is only 6%.

You see, there is something called R-Value in the insulation industry. If something is an R-100, then it means it is 100% insulated. Well most homes' ceilings are about an R-40 and walls are about an R-20. Believe it or not, a majority of double pane windows are only an R-1.8. That's right, an R-1.8. Single pane windows are even worse. A single pane of glass offers no thermal protection whatsoever. It's like having giant holes in the walls of your house. Basically, windows help keep the weather and critters from getting in and they allow you to look outside.

Window Solar Screens act like as insulator for your windows. They provide protection from sunrise to sunset.

3. How do window solar screens work?

3. How do window solar screens work?

The majority of sunlight striking an unprotected glass windows passes through into the home, and a small percentage is reflected. Window Solar Screens dramatically reduce the amount of sunlight striking the window. It's like putting on a nice pair of sunglasses when you go outside. Most of the sun's heat is absorbed or reflected by the Window Solar Screen and is carried away by convective air currents created by the warm screen.

This diagram shows a window with a Window Solar Screen installed. In midsummer as much as 230 BTUs can fall on an unprotected square foot of glass. Shade Shield uses only quality solar screen fabrics from Twitchell (TTP) and Phifer to protect against up to 80% to 90% of the sun's heat, glare, and UV Light by reflecting, absorbing and dissipating it prior to it even reaching the window in the first place.

4. What colors should I choose and why?

You can choose from any of the many colors we offer. You see, it is the weave of the screen that provides the protection for your window. There are two protection levels to choose from, 80% and 90%. We recommend you may choose a screen color that matches your house color scheme. It is always nice to have a bit of contrast with the windows against the home. In other words, a darker screen color rather that a color that matches the paint on the house. Ask one of our Comfort Consultants during your Free Consultation which color might work best for your home. Frame colors are usually matched to the windows' frames. There are various options and a Shade Shield Comfort Consultant can supply you many samples and great advice.

5. Will Solar Screens block my view looking out my windows?

No. Shade Shield's Window Solar Screens are made from screen fabric that weaves its strands with uniformed spacing. This prevents the screen from distorting or blocking your view. From a distance of about ten feet it is difficult to tell if you have solar screens on your windows. Window Solar Screens give you great day time privacy while maintaining excellent outward visibility. So, go ahead and open those blinds and curtains to allow a softer natural light to come into your home without the worry of people being able to see inside. However, at night time the light source reverses, this will then allow people to see in. So, we recommend closing your blinds or curtains during the evening hours.

6. How dark will Window Solar Screens make my house?

6. How dark will Window Solar Screens make my house?

Window Solar Screens will still allow light to come in, just not the blinding glare. The light that passes through is much softer on the eyes and does an excellent job of reducing that annoying glare on your television and computer screens. A lot of plants also thrive on this "softer" light.

7. WHY ARE WINDOW SOLAR SCREENS A BETTER CHOICE THAN WINDOW FILMS OR TINTS?

Well, Window Solar Screens are a better choice because they block the heat, glare, and UV light from getting to the window in the first place. Window film/tint are interior applications and are not designed for your double pane windows. They are great at blocking glare and UV light, but not thermal energy. There are some film/tint products that help block thermal energy, but they are expensive. Film/tints were designed for single pane windows such as car windows or commercial windows.

Be careful, applying window film/tint to your home's double pane windows because they may void any window warranties you may have. As a matter of fact, adding film/tint may cause damage to a double pane window. You see, film/tint is applied to the inside pane of a double paned window. So, as the sun's energy travels through the outside pane of glass, the film/tint on the inside pane reflects the sun's energy; trapping it in-between the two panes of glass. The trapped thermal energy can damage the seal between the two panes of glass causing the window to loss the inert gas that gives the double pane window it thermal protection. This will then allow condensation to develop in between the two panes of glass causing ugly streaks you cannot remove. We have even seen the pane of glass with the film/tint get so hot that it actually shatters. This brings up another flaw with film/tint. If a window breaks it is almost impossible to match the same color of film/tint with the existing windows. If you have that problem, we can help. Get Shade Shield Window Solar Screens.

8. HOW MUCH WILL SOLAR SCREENS SAVE ON MY ELECTRIC BILL?

There is no way for anyone to give you a specific accurate figure; there are too many variables involved. Therefore, we are not the kind of company who will make up a statistic. However, solar screens will dramatically reduce the cooling cost portion of your electric bill considering factual statistics on how much heat they block. Some statistic shown up to a 20% savings. We have seen savings of $50-$60 savings a month after Shade Shield Window Solar Screens had been installed. With the decrease in use of your AC Unit, you will even see that the window solar screens will pay for themselves within a short period. Plus, they will help your air conditioner last longer and need fewer repairs due to the reduction of its normal workload.

9. WHY SHOULD WE USE SHADE SHIELD?

We are a family owned small business since 2009. We offer FREE window washing with screen installation. We use metal corners that last longer than plastic corners. We also use color matching aluminum screws/hardware, one-inch wide frame for durability, and larger spline to roll mesh for a tighter screen. We dispose/recycle your old screens for you. We give personalized attention to each and every customer, apply unsurpassed reliability and professionalism and offer excellent install and product warranties to attain a long-term relationship with our valued customers.

10. SHOULD I TAKE MY SOLAR SCREENS OFF IN WINTER?

No, some people think they will get more benefits from passive solar heating with the solar screen off in the wintertime. However, there are fewer daytime hours in the winter season, it is also usually more overcast, limiting your chances of passive solar heating. Solar screens also create somewhat of a barrier, keeping the cold winter winds off your glass, similar to a storm window, therefore, keeping the temperature of the glass warmer.

11. WILL SOLAR SCREENS REDUCE FADING?

Absolutely, Window Solar Screens will drastically reduce the chances of fading due to UV light damaging your curtains, blinds, wood floors, carpets, furniture and pictures.

12. SHOULD I USE THE 80% OR THE 90% SCREEN PROTECTION?

Well, that is going to depend. If you want more light, better airflow and visibility, you should go with 80%. If you want more heat, glare, and UV light reduction and energy efficiency you should go with the 90%. You can also mix and match your protection levels. Put 90% protection on the real problem areas and 80% on less problem areas. There are really four times we recommend 90%. First would be if the homeowner has single pane windows. Second would be if the homeowner gets more than 4 hours of "direct sunlight" on a window. Third would be if the homeowner has windows that do not have any interior sun control such as blinds or curtains. Fourth would be if the homeowner was getting a lot of glare on a computer screen or TV screen. Other than that, 80% works just fine.

13. I HAVE DOUBLE PANE WINDOWS. DO I REALLY NEED WINDOW SOLAR SCREENS?

Great question. The answer is, Yes. You see, there are two types of heat, Direct and Radiating. Direct Heat is when the sun's energy is directed at a surface or window. Windows with the sun's direct energy can reach 120+ degrees. This usually occurs on the south and west facing elevations on a home. Radiating Heat is based on the ambient air temperature that is touching a surface or window. Double pane windows only really block about 20% of the sun's thermal energy.

So, a typical San Antonio summer is around 100 degrees. That means if it is 100 degrees outside, then the amount of the sun's thermal energy coming through a double pane window is about 80 degrees on the windows "NOT" getting "Direct Heat". Windows getting "Direct Heat" will be in the high 90's. All that heat radiates into the rooms of your home making them uncomfortable and driving your electricity bills higher.

Now, if you have you A/C Unit set for anything less than 80 degrees, that means you're A/C Unit is fighting the heat. So, what happens is you're A/C turns on and cools the house down, but the sun heats the house back up. The A/C turns back on, cooling the home back down again. The home heats back up. A/C turns back on. This constant cycling of your A/C Unit is why your cooling makes up 75% of your electric bill in the hotter months. It also put a lot of wear and tear on the unit itself. That equals high repair bills.

14. WILL SOLAR SCREENS HURT MY PLANTS?

Not normally, solar screens help reduce the damaging ultraviolet rays, however the 80% screening is usually suggested for plants that require more light.

15. ARE SOLAR SCREENS PET RESISTANT?

Yes, Window Solar Screens are incredibly "pet resistant" being that they are vinyl-coated polyester. However, nothing is "pet proof".

16. WHAT WINDOWS OR DOORS ON MY HOUSE SHOULD I PUT SOLAR SCREENS ON?

Window Solar Screens are designed to keep Direct Heat and Radiating Heat from entering you home. If some of your windows don't get direct sunlight (due to trees or patio covers), heat may still transfer through the glass due to Radiating Heat. For maximum energy efficiency, Window Solar Screens should be added to all glass surfaces and windows. However, we do understand if you only want to start off with the windows that get the direct heat first and add other screens later.

17. WHAT IS THE REFERRAL REWARD CLUB?

By simply referring your family, friends and neighbors; you will receive Visa Gift Card(s) when they order.