Garland Solar Screens For Windows

How much they block and what else they do. Mesh is the lightest and most common — it allows more air flow through the screen while still blocking most of the sun's heat and UV. Twill offers more protection with less air flow, and prevents more heat transfer, which helps on very hot summer days and chilly winter nights alike. Fine is similar to twill for heat and UV, but because it has fewer openings per inch it also blocks sound and keeps insects out — and it comes in colors and patterns.

Substantially, and it is the main argument for them on a Garland house. Replacing every window in a post-war home with energy-efficient units is a major upfront cost. Solar screens deliver a large share of the summer comfort benefit for a fraction of that, without touching the windows themselves. If you are planning to replace windows eventually, screens are a sensible interim step; if you are not, they may be the whole answer.

More than on almost any other house. Single-pane glass in a thin aluminum frame has essentially no solar control — the sun comes straight through and the frame conducts heat as well. That means an exterior screen is doing all the work rather than supplementing what the glass already does, so the difference you feel is far more dramatic than on a modern low-E window. This is why we recommend screens so often in Garland's older neighborhoods.

Yes, and in older homes this often matters most. Screens block up to 90% of the sun's harmful UV rays before they reach the interior. UV is what fades hardwood floors, rugs, artwork and upholstery, and the damage accumulates slowly until it is obvious and permanent. If you have original flooring or furniture you have had for years, protecting it is often reason enough on its own.

Most types, yes — single-hung, double-hung, casement windows that open outwards, awning windows that open outwards like a door, picture windows and bow or bay windows. The mounting method varies, particularly on casement and awning windows where the sash swings out, so we assess on site rather than quoting from a photo. Bow and bay windows need proper framing because of the span.

Dimmer, and it depends which weave you choose — which is why we specify per room. Mesh keeps more light and airflow. Twill and fine block more of both. You still see out clearly during daylight either way; the effect from inside is more like good sunglasses than a blackout. If a room's brightness matters to you, say so and we will specify mesh or leave the window unscreened.

Yes, particularly the twill weave, which prevents more heat transfer in both directions and is a good choice for chilly night-time winter temperatures as well as hot summers. Be realistic about the balance though — North Texas has a long cooling season and a short heating one, so summer is where you will notice the difference on your bill.

Quality screen fabric generally holds up for many years, though direct exposure is exactly what wears them and west-facing screens always age fastest. Frames typically outlast the fabric considerably, which is why rescreening — putting new fabric into your existing frames — is the usual repair rather than buying whole new screens. Hail is a more common cause of early failure in Garland than simple UV aging.