Screens Unlimited^® Frequently Asked Questions About Energy Saving Solar Screens

Q: Do Sun Control Screens block airflow?
A: Exterior sun control products still allow good airflow.

Q: How are Sun Control Screens at insect protection?
A: These products protect against insects and can replace regular insect screening on windows, doors and porches.

Q: Does Sun Control Screening look like standard insect screening?
A: Sun Control Screening is available in a wider range of colors than regular insect screening. From the outside, sun control screening offers a uniform look to windows and doors, providing a more aesthetically pleasing overall look to home and building exteriors than regular insect screening. Outward visibility remains good through exterior sun control.

Q: Are there electric utility incentives or rebates for installing solar screens? 
A: Currently a minimum number of Electric Utility Companies in the state of Arizona offer any form of incentive for installing solar screens on your home or office. 

Q: Do Sun Control Screens provide privacy?
A: Visibility through Sun Control Screens depends on light location. Lighted interiors allow inward visibility at night, while sunlight during the daytime diminishes inward visibility, offering more privacy.

Q: What type of feedback does Screens Unlimited hear most often from their clients?
A: A good portion of our business is referral based and with that we often get to hear what past clients have to say. The thing that we here the most is that they are not contained to the cooler parts of the home any more, even during the hottest months of the year. Being able to utilize certain rooms that in the past have been unbearable in the heat of the day is an unexpected but rewarding change. 

Q: Which products provide extra strength?
A: SunTex: Heavy-duty mesh is tear and puncture resistant.

Q: Will Sun Control Screens affect houseplants? 
A: No. Most houseplants require filtered light. Shading reduces yellowing and water loss. In most cases, plants do better with shading than without but will require some amounts of direct sunlight.

Q: Can you install sliding screen doors if we don’t currently have the screen doors?
A: Yes we can. We custom fabricate and install the best sliding screen doors in the industry with sun screen material. We can most often use your existing tracks, but also can add our own if it is not available on a particular door. 

Q: Can Sun Control Screens be installed over different shapes of windows: 
A: Yes. All shapes and sizes of windows can be shaded with sun control products including rakes, octagons, circles, etc.

Q: If I have storm windows or windows containing insulated glass, is Sun Control Screen still effective? 
A: Storm windows and insulated glass are effective ways to increase thermal efficiency of any window.

Q: What should be the payback period from utility savings after installing Sun Control Screens? 
A: Many Sun Control Screen payback period estimates fall between two and three cooling seasons. A University of Texas study predicts a 32% savings for an average home.

Q: How do Sun Control Screens compare to glass tinting? 
A: Glass tinting filters the light along with the UV rays. Sun Control Screens reduce the volume of light without filtering. As the glass filters sunlight through the tint, it will maintain heat, which dissipates into the house, making sun control screens more effective than glass tinting for energy savings.

Q: What are window sun screens or solar screens? 
A: Sun screens and solar screens are virtually one in the same. Solar screens are an energy saving device which blocks 90% of the suns heat before it is able to hit your glass. They are useful on doors and windows to keep the heat from entering your home or business. Window sun screens are metal framed panels of solar screen mesh that are mounted to the exterior of your windows protecting from and dissipating the intense heat of the sun. Solar screens also have many door applications that serve an equally important role in keeping the heat from entering your living spaces. 

Q: If I have reflective light-colored drapes or blinds, are Sun Control Screens still beneficial? 
A: Yes, along with the heat that is absorbed by the drapes/blinds, they are also subject to UV damage. The combination of light-colored interior shades and dark exterior screens will provide optimum results.

Q: Should Sun Control Screens be removed in the winter? 
A: To protect carpets, drapes and furniture from damaging UV rays, the Sun Control Screens should remain in place even during cooler months. They also provide approximately 15% increase in the thermal performance of the window.

Q: Can Sun Control Screens be removed to clean the windows? 
A: Yes, Sun Control Screens are removable just like insect screening for ease in washing screens and window glass.

Q: Are solar screens considered energy efficient and a green product?
A: A great number of studies and lots of research has been conducted on the effects of solar screens versus the other forms of shading products. The studies have been conducted by Arizona State University, University of Florida, and University of Arizona, U.S. Dept. of Energy, and the Florida Solar Energy Center/ University of Central Florida. Solar screens are with out a doubt the #1 solution to block the sun from entering your windows and doors. Solar screens block a large majority of the sun’s rays from hitting your glass and stopping heat gain. The more heat gain you reduce in your home or business, the less your A/C will have to run, the more your A/C is not working, therefore saving the atmosphere from the fluorocarbons produced from the A/C. It is an essential step to saving energy and stopping the depreciation of your mechanical equipment. 

Q: How much will Sun Control Screens darken the interior? 
A: While UV blockage is 65% to 90%, actual visibility is diminished by only 15% to 40% depending on the screening fabric selected. Light through the Sun Control Screen is not tinted, but it is reduced in volume, allowing good light with reduced glare.

Q: What color Sun Control Screen is more effective for heat reduction? 
A: Dark colors are more effective than light colors on exterior screens.

Q: How much ultraviolet light do Sun Control Screens block? 
A: UV blockage depends on the fabric’s weave and openness. In general, the UV blockage percentage will be the reciprocal of the openness factor.

Q: Are your solar screens American made?
A: Yes. All of our solar screens and other products are fabricated in Central Arizona. All of our material that we use to fabricate our screens is also made in America. None of the materials we use is manufactured outside of the U.S.

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Top 10 
Reasons to 
Install Solar Screens

Top 10 
Reasons 
NOT to Buy Window Tint 
or 
Window Film

Solar Screens Reduce UV rays and heat. Made to order and shipped to you.

18x14 Insect Screen Pool, Patio and Porch Screen is stronger than Standard Window and Door Screen

20x20 NoSeeUm Mesh
This very tiny mesh is designed to keep out smaller flying insects

Exterior Sun Shades
Exterior roll-up Sun Shade.  Blocks the Sun, not the view.

Retractable Screen Doors
Ideal for French Doors
Roll-Away Screen Doors

We Ship to 
All 50 States

We will ship Interior and Exterior Sun Shades anywhere in the USA  

Note: 
For deliveries to Canada please email 
for freight quotes