Designer Screen Shades use specialized solar fabrics that block glare and UV while preserving your view to the outside. Unlike standard fabrics that obstruct vision when lowered, screen materials maintain transparency—reducing harsh sunlight without sacrificing your connection to the outdoors. Perfect for Ottawa's sunny days when you want comfort without cave-like darkness.
Solar screen fabrics are engineered for transparency. Woven from fine yarns with controlled openness, they allow your eyes to see through while significantly reducing the light and heat that passes through. During daytime, you can see your yard, street, or city view—even with the shades fully lowered.
The technology works through openness factor—the percentage of the fabric that's open weave versus solid material. Lower openness (1-3%) provides more glare reduction with less view-through. Higher openness (5-10%) preserves more view with less solar blocking. Choose based on your priorities and sun exposure.
Openness factor determines the balance between view and solar protection. A 1% openness fabric blocks 99% of light and heat—excellent protection but reduced view-through. A 10% openness fabric lets more view through but provides less solar blocking. Most residential applications use 3-5% for good balance.
Consider your window orientation. South and west-facing windows with intense afternoon sun benefit from lower openness (1-3%) for maximum heat and glare reduction. North and east-facing windows can use higher openness (5-10%) for better view since solar load is less intense.
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Glare reduction is the primary benefit—eliminating harsh reflections on TV and computer screens, reducing eye strain, and creating comfortable spaces. Screen shades make sunny rooms usable without resorting to darkness. Work on your computer, watch TV, or simply relax without squinting.
UV blocking protects your investment in furniture, flooring, and artwork. Sun damage fades fabrics, bleaches wood, and deteriorates materials over time. Screen shades block up to 99% of UV rays even while maintaining view. Heat reduction also lowers cooling costs during Ottawa's warm summers.
Home offices are prime candidates for screen shades. If you work at a computer, glare makes screens difficult to read. Screen shades eliminate this problem while keeping your workspace bright and connected to the outdoors. Media rooms also benefit when you want ambient light without reflections.
Living rooms with large windows and southern exposure often become uncomfortable on sunny days. Screen shades restore usability without blocking your view. Commercial applications—offices, conference rooms, retail with display windows—use screen shades extensively for the same reasons.
See through even when lowered. Stay connected to outdoors.
Direct sun creates uncomfortable glare. Hunter
Hunter Douglas shades block up to 99% of UV rays, protecting your furniture, flooring, and artwork from fading---while still allowing natural light.
Lower solar heat gain. Reduce cooling costs in summer.
Choose your balance of view and protection. 1% to 10% available.
Clean lines for contemporary interiors.
Visit our Ottawa showrooms to see screen shades with different openness factors. Compare view-through and solar blocking to find your ideal balance.
Call (613) 714-4906