Published on May 26th, 2020.
Solar Shades For Windows, or sun shades, as they are sometimes referred to, offer a great solution for the modern home. The most popular feature is the ability to block ultraviolet rays from damaging your furniture or flooring, usually while maintaining your view. In addition they do a fantastic job of reducing heat.
There are tons of options available, from interior to exterior Solar Shades For Windows, multiple brands of material, manual vs. motorized shades – and much more. They have become a mainstream window covering, from commercial shades to upscale, and even more modest homes. Most window covering companies carry a line of similar offerings, but I would really recommend looking for a company that specializes in Solar Shades For Windows – like the one I work for in San Diego. As you will see from this article, there are lots of things to consider when choosing the style of shade you want, much more than your typical budget blind man really understands.
The first thing to consider is whether you want your shades on the inside or outside. There are several advantages to exterior shades, for example:
1. They afford better HEAT protection – usually in the 80% range, while interior shades fall anywhere from 30-70%
2. They are, quite obviously, invisible from that inside, meaning they do not change the decor of your home
When done correctly, exterior shades are the ultimate in shading. The consumer does have to be careful, however. A lot of “shading” companies use interior materials, or home-made systems on the outside, and they will not hold up. When
considering an exterior solar shade make sure to evaluate an engineered unit designed specifically for the outside- like the CLEARVIEW MOTION SCREEN or the world screen to name 2 of the more popular. In addition- make sure to go with a motorized shade if you’re mounting outside. It can be very frustrating otherwise- and heavy!
Interior shades, on the other hand, are typically less than half the cost of exterior shades. While they are similar in function, they share no components in common. Whether you select manual or motorized interior Solar Shades For Windows still offer an elegant solution to glare and heat, while preserving your view.
As mentioned above, exterior shades do a better job. Once the heat penetrates the glass, however, interior shades can still combat heat. Again, color plays a factor. Lighter color cloths provide much better heat protection than darker cloths. Each and every solar shade material has a lab rating for heat block- its called the shading coefficient. If the “expert” your talking to doesn’t know this- find another.
Besides the UV protection, most people think of blocking glare when it comes to sun shades. Can’t see your flatscreen TV or computer? Solar Shades For Windows can eliminate the glare. It is important to note that color plays a crucial role here.
White shades- or lighter color shades- reflect light, and so they do not cut the glare nearly as well as darker, or blacker shade materials. A lot of designers and window covering “experts” don’t understand this- so make sure you see a large sample in your window before you decide on color of material.
There are lots of applications for Solar Shades For Windows- commercial to residential. Sun shades offer a great alternative to traditional window shades. Make sure to pick a company that specializes in your application- ask questions, and you’ll be sure to get a product that is as functional as it is beautiful.
Whichever system or type of shade you select, it will be as fantastic looking as it will be functional and energy efficient. There are countless applications!
Solar Shades For Windows, or sun shades, as they are sometimes referred to, offer a great solution for the modern home. The most popular feature is the ability to block ultraviolet rays from damaging your furniture or flooring, usually while maintaining your view. In addition they do a fantastic job of reducing heat.
There are tons of options available, from interior to exterior Solar Shades For Windows, multiple brands of material, manual vs. motorized shades – and much more. They have become a mainstream window covering, from commercial shades to upscale, and even more modest homes. Most window covering companies carry a line of similar offerings, but I would really recommend looking for a company that specializes in Solar Shades For Windows – like the one I work for in San Diego. As you will see from this article, there are lots of things to consider when choosing the style of shade you want, much more than your typical budget blind man really understands.
The first thing to consider is whether you want your shades on the inside or outside. There are several advantages to exterior shades, for example:
1. They afford better HEAT protection – usually in the 80% range, while interior shades fall anywhere from 30-70%
2. They are, quite obviously, invisible from that inside, meaning they do not change the decor of your home
When done correctly, exterior shades are the ultimate in shading. The consumer does have to be careful, however. A lot of “shading” companies use interior materials, or home-made systems on the outside, and they will not hold up. When
considering an exterior solar shade make sure to evaluate an engineered unit designed specifically for the outside- like the CLEARVIEW MOTION SCREEN or the world screen to name 2 of the more popular. In addition- make sure to go with a motorized shade if you’re mounting outside. It can be very frustrating otherwise- and heavy!
Interior shades, on the other hand, are typically less than half the cost of exterior shades. While they are similar in function, they share no components in common. Whether you select manual or motorized interior Solar Shades For Windows still offer an elegant solution to glare and heat, while preserving your view.
As mentioned above, exterior shades do a better job. Once the heat penetrates the glass, however, interior shades can still combat heat. Again, color plays a factor. Lighter color cloths provide much better heat protection than darker cloths. Each and every solar shade material has a lab rating for heat block- its called the shading coefficient. If the “expert” your talking to doesn’t know this- find another.
Besides the UV protection, most people think of blocking glare when it comes to sun shades. Can’t see your flatscreen TV or computer? Solar Shades For Windows can eliminate the glare. It is important to note that color plays a crucial role here.
White shades- or lighter color shades- reflect light, and so they do not cut the glare nearly as well as darker, or blacker shade materials. A lot of designers and window covering “experts” don’t understand this- so make sure you see a large sample in your window before you decide on color of material.
There are lots of applications for Solar Shades For Windows- commercial to residential. Sun shades offer a great alternative to traditional window shades. Make sure to pick a company that specializes in your application- ask questions, and you’ll be sure to get a product that is as functional as it is beautiful.
Whichever system or type of shade you select, it will be as fantastic looking as it will be functional and energy efficient. There are countless applications!
Filled under Uncategorized. 17 Comments. .
Published on May 26th, 2020.
A window shade is simply a material that is draped over a window glass to reduce the amount of light and heat entering a room. Some shades are tinted (black generally but many other tints are also available) so as prevent sun burn. However, normal window shades do not prevent the sunlight from hitting the glass completely. Thus, they do not really protect from incoming heat. Moreover, normal shades do not prevent any ultra-violet radiation either. Solar window shades on the other hand are excellent at preventing heat, light and UV radiation from touching the glass pane. They have a few other important advantages that make their use very beneficial.
- Heat protection: Solar window shades stop upto 90% of the heat before it touches the window glass. You would be surprised to know that they can significantly reduce room temperature (almost upto 10 degrees Celsius). Thus they can really make living in your home and traveling in your car all the more comfortable. Since room temperature falls, so does the usage of air conditioning, thus brining significant energy savings. With the constantly rising prices of fuels and electricity, solar shades can prove to be a true blessing.
- Privacy: Solar windows keep your privacy totally intact. They are one way vision by default. Which means that people outside your home cannot look in through the windows, where as people inside can see outside clearly. Even highly tinted shades cannot give such privacy benefits.
- Protection from fading: Solar shades block most of the UV radiation as well as reduce the intensity of light seeping in through the window. Thus you can safely keep wooden furniture close to the windows because their color will not fade.
- Heat conservation: During winter you need to conserve heat inside your rooms. Solar shades while blocking heat from entering the room from the outside also prevent heat from escaping the home from the inside. They help keep you warm and help to reduce heating costs in winter.
Aforementioned were some of the ways solar shades can become a blessing for everyone. They are easy on the pockets too and provide some other benefits like ventilation, multiple colors (or tints) and reduce glare caused on TV sets during the day. In short, they are a must have for almost everyone.
Filled under Uncategorized. 1 Comment. .
Published on July 3rd, 2010.
Hey i live in USA, and according to Yahoo! we’re going to have a total solar eclipse, I am a very curious pregnant women so i was wondering who all believe in those myths and rumors that a pregnant woment shouldnt step outside her house when the eclipse is happening and close all her windows and shades? And who are the brave souls who are going to watch it??
This is the site where the eclipse was mentioned. http://news.yahoo.com/s/space/20080731/sc_space/solareclipsefridaytofascinatemillions
Filled under Uncategorized. 6 Comments. Tags: brave souls, myths, news yahoo, pregnant women, shades, total solar eclipse, yahoo. .
Published on June 29th, 2010.
I want to try and my my own roller blinds and the reason Im making them is because they want 0 to 0 to buy ready made. The window I want to make them for is 109 inches wide by 54 inches long. I am looking for the perforated material.
Does anyone know of a site that sells this?
Thanks!
Filled under Uncategorized. 1 Comment. Tags: perforated material, roller blinds. .
Published on June 15th, 2010.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90042092
"Narrow streets and shaded walks would reduce the need for air conditioning. The city would be oriented northeast to minimize the amount of direct sunlight on buildings’ sides and windows. Solar panels and solar collectors …"
And a ban on cars.
Your thoughts?
Little Robber Girl, thanks for the link! I didn’t have that one, and it was an interesting read.
Filled under Uncategorized. 8 Comments. Tags: air conditioning, cars, little robber, narrow streets, npr, solar collectors, solar panels, sunlight, walks. .
Published on June 14th, 2010.
We only have one parking lot in shades which my Mom use. My car is always parked in streets and every time I go inside it is like cooking me inside. I saw this one gadget on TV long time ago it is cliped in the window and powered by solar energy which keeps the heat from inside of the car out. I don’t remember what is it called if you know can you please tell me. If you have any other ideas how to low the temperature inside my car that will be so much helpful. Thank you very much ^_^
Filled under Uncategorized. 4 Comments. Tags: gadget, long time, mom, parking lot, shades, solar energy. .
Published on June 8th, 2010.
Okay, I have a 1500 sq foot two story home. It has double pane windows throughout except for a picture window and a couple small windows. They have secondary glass inserts right now. I am having the window company build in triple pane inserts next spring because the windows are gorgeous and stationary. My house faces N, the side on the west is horribly damaged (we bought it that way) the siding and paint are rotting and such. It is some kind of pressed board and the owners did not keep up on maintenance. I plan on installing a new furnace 94-96 percent, a 14 seer air as we barely used the current one last year, removing siding, shirring the studs 2" and re-insulating, adding three heating ducts upstairs as there are not enough, doing a sheet of insulation board, house wrap (the furnace will have a de-humidifier on it and there is a return air vent) new cement board siding in a board and batten, two coats of primer, two coats of paint possibly oil based depending on what holds up best. Re-caulk everywhere outside, add low e on windows everywhere, new shingles in a white or pale gray, thermostat that I can set, new water heater with blanket r-22, foundation insulation and adding more to attic. Attic ventilation fan, cfls in lights, motion sensor light switches, the appliances we purchased are already energy saver mostly or close to the range.
So, any other ideas?
Also, on west wall, I am considering putting in triple pane windows with low e, any opinions on that? Or would another wall benefit more? ALso, do dark driveways cause excessive heat gain in summer, do they melt better in winter? I will have it shaded, we are considering putting in a cobblestone type drive or a brick one, it is cheaper than the concrete if I do it myself and I know how.
Thank you everyone! I have a tree on NE and sw corners shading in summer.
Filled under Uncategorized. 6 Comments. Tags: air vent, attic ventilation fan, board and batten, cement board siding, cfls, double pane windows, energy saver, excessive heat gain, foundation insulation, glass inserts, heating ducts, insulation board, motion sensor light, motion sensor light switches, new shingles, picture window, secondary glass, sq foot, triple pane windows, two coats. .
Published on June 7th, 2010.
I am building a small cabin in the woods, which will be off grid, and I was considering not air conditioning it at all, because I am building it entirely in the shade of a forest, and it has large overhanging eaves, high ceilings, and I will have ceiling fans in the upstairs loft, to vent the hot air out the high clerestory windows, and to suck air in from the cool north side of the house downstairs.
But it gets very muggy here, and very hot in August, and I was thinking I might want to run an air conditioner for an hour or so each day during that month. Also, air conditioners dehumidify the air, so I was thinking it might be nice to open the windows at night and then seal them in the morning and then run the air conditioner in late afternoon a bit, and then open the windows again at night. Just to make it less miserable.
It gets up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit in August, usually several times, but in the shaded wooded area where I am putting the cabin, it will only get up to maybe 90 in the shaded woods, and 80 in the house midday, if I keep the windows closed starting in the morning. I can deal with 80 degrees inside, but I know it will creep towards 90 later in the day, and I was thinking an air conditioner would help.
The solar panels are going to be set up in a clearing in the woods, where they will get sunlight almost the whole day, from 8 am until probably 4pm in the summer. I only need 6 100 watt solar panels to run everything else in the cabin (all the l.e.d. lights, the Sundanzer fridge and freezer, the fans, the stereo, etc.), because I am buying all very efficient appliances, or running them on propane (stove, backup water heater) or wood.
I don’t want to spend ,000 on solar panels to run a small a/c, so I am just wondering if there are any small a/c units that will at least sort of cool my house, getting it down to 80 degrees or so in the afternoons. The house is 17 feet by 29 feet, with a second floor loft that is 17 feet by 12 feet. It’s basically all one room, aside from the bathroom.
I am having a hard time finding out how many watts these small air conditioners use. The spec sheets usually just list their "cooling watts," but I don’t know what that means. I am hoping I can buy a couple more 100 watt solar panels, and have that cover it, but is that possible?
The only solar ready a/c units I could find were either thousands of dollars or only worked in dry climates.
Filled under Uncategorized. 3 Comments. Tags: afternoons, air conditioner, air conditioners, cabin in the woods, ceiling fans, ceilings, clearing in the woods, clerestory windows, floor loft, freezer, fridge, hot air, late afternoon, midday, propane stove, solar panels, sundanzer, upstairs loft, water heater, wooded area. .
Published on June 6th, 2010.
* how much would solar panels for a house cost? what is the range?
* how much are energy efficient globes?
* how much does ceiling/ wall insulation cost?
* how much does solar hot water cost?
* how much does external blinds/ window shading cost?
* how much does a small wind turbine cost?
Filled under Uncategorized. 1 Comment. Tags: blinds, globes, small wind turbine, solar hot water, solar panels, wall insulation, window shading. .
Published on June 5th, 2010.
This may be the best climate change post I have ever read.
Source: http://en.cop15.dk/blogs/view+blog?blogid=1909#
"Problem 1: There exists no subset of man that is smarter than the whole of mankind to decide how to allocate the resource we make of the earth and our ingenuity. That includes you, international panels, the IPCC, the United Nations Security Council, the U.S. Congress, and every other group that imagines that central control will do better than the rational decisions of 6.5+ billion people who are FREE people. Fix the FREEDOM issue, and we — mankind — will fix the other issues. No socialist adventure creates wealth, because the controls exercised by a relative few mandarins always are less efficient and far more destructive than the composite decisions made by millions of free people. Since your "climate justice" concept is socialist by design, it is not to be trusted, because it violates basic human liberty.
Problem 2: All taxes tax the poor. It’s not who writes the check, it’s who pays the price. Every time some well-intentioned person insists that legally-obtained wealth should be confiscated and re-distributed, I can only shake my head in disbelief, for that person ignores the best and most equitable redistribution method ever devised: that wealth is used to invest (that means jobs created and wages paid) and to consume (that means jobs created and wages paid). The person who spends million on a house now has an elegantly organized pile of rocks and metal and wood and whatnot, and the people who built it — or mined the ore, or harvested the logs, or built the machines to help those processes — now have the money. Tax that million away from the one who had it, and you not only reduce the incentive to build wealth in everyone who is subject to those same rules, but you also pump a large portion of it into the hands of bureaucrats who do nothing productive, and who do not believe in the incentive process of the market. Initially, everybody loses except the bureaucrats, but the poor, whose lives are the most economically vulnerable, are the first to suffer. In the end, all mankind suffers from the reduction of wealth-creation incentive.
Problem 3: The current "crisis", climate change, is a manufactured imagination, a perfect storm for grant-seeking scientists and control-seeking politicians. My education through college was in Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science. When I read the fantasies of the modelers, describing impending doom, it takes my breath away, because I know it is simply a lie. Not only are the models not empirically sound, leaving out major components of the climate system — like precipitation, cloud albedo, convective heat transport, solar magnetic and particle influence — and distorting others — like the presumed positive feedbacks for water vapor, when earth’s history has amply demonstrated a tendency to correct imbalance, not swing wildly into any sort of unrecoverable extreme, even when CO2 was more than 10 times what it is today. CO2 and water vapor act like window shades on the atmosphere: passing some IR radiation, absorbing some, and reflecting some. Water vapor is 50 times more of the atmosphere than CO2, so in a sense CO2 is the 51st window shade applied to the window of the earth. We all have felt the effect of a window shade. Now imagine a second shade applied to the same window: what the first one passed through, the second one gets to act upon. The effect of the second is logarithmically less than the first. By the time you get to the 51st window shade, CO2, the effect of each additional unit of so-called greenhouse gasses is reduced to almost nothing. And so it would be for the 52nd, and 53rd, etc. CO2 is NOT the driver of climate, and no amount of modeling will ever make it so. And that’s before we get to the positive, absolutely necessary function of CO2 in the maintenance of life on the earth.
Problem 4: So-called "green" energy technology advocates are simply lying when they talk about all the enterprise created by energy mandates: they ignore the "broken window" axiom of economics, which demonstrates that destroying something for the sake of replacing it with something else has a negative outcome on overall prosperity. Witness the need by those advocates (1) to subsidize such technologies, (2) to deceive people in how well they work and (3) how much they cost, (4) to marginalize competing technologies — such as hydroelectric dams, nuclear power, and biofuel power production using renewable timber waste and the like — (5) to downplay the huge grid reconstruction costs associated with widely dispersed and non-constant energy production, and (6) to ignore the storage issues that make for such technologies impossible to use for baseload power, when baseload power is always the backbone of, and cheapest part of, any energy delivery system.
If some sort of international consensus for establishing control of the energy res
Ooops, last paragraph got cut off:
"If some sort of international consensus for establishing control of the energy resources of the planet is built in Copenhagen this year, the poorest of the planet should weep, because that consensus will be their death warrant, written by those in rooms illuminated and air-conditioned by inexpensive power, but read and lived out in huts with no more possibility of the prosperity that continuing access to inexpensive power could bring, all under the guise of "protecting" the earth from a trace gas that does no harm and is the fertilizer of everything green and growing."
I thought that would bring out the political stripes. You guys on the far left are hard and fixed and closed minded and I would never give you control of anything in my life. You can’t even hold a decent discussion without ending up at the point where you are "correct".
************************
By the way, I’m Liberal (slightly left of centre). You guys are Marxist/Communist/Socialist and you scare the crap out of me.
You’re telling me how I’m wrong, how you’re right, what needs to be done, why it’s the only way to do it and step aside if you’re not on board.
I’m with the Conservatives on this one. They may fly to my right but at least I can see them. You’re so far left, you’re in a fog bank.
**************************
And you don’t know the first thing about economics, although, that doesn’t seem like a stumbling block.
Filled under Uncategorized. 10 Comments. Tags: bureaucrats, climate change, climate justice, disbelief, free people, freedom issue, human liberty, ingenuity, large portion, mandarins, mankind, money tax, nations security council, quot, rational decisions, redistribution, united nations security, united nations security council, wages, whatnot. .