Solar Screens vs. Insect Screens

Exterior screens maximize home comfort and protection by providing a barrier against heat, glare, nosy neighbors and pests. Among the various types of screens available, solar screens and insect screens are two popular choices for homeowners in Central Texas. Below, we compare and contrast these two types of screens to help you make the best choice for you and your home based on your needs and preferences.

Understanding Solar Screens

Solar screens are specialized window or patio coverings designed to block and reduce solar heat gain and glare from the sun. Made from dense, sun-resistant fabrics, these retractable screens absorb and dissipate solar energy before they penetrate your windows, thereby keeping your home cooler and more comfortable all year round.

Benefits of Solar Screens

Energy Efficiency and Cost Savings on Cooling Bills

Solar screens maximize energy efficiency by blocking up to 95% of the sun's heat before it enters your home. The reduction in heat gain lowers the indoor temperature and reduces the need for continuous air conditioning to keep your home comfortable, resulting in substantial savings on cooling costs. These savings offset the initial investment in solar screens, making them a cost-effective solution for maintaining a comfortable home environment.

Protects Furniture and Interiors from UV Damage

Solar screens protect the furniture, flooring, and decor of outdoor living spaces from the sun's harmful UV rays. By filtering out the majority of the solar light and UV radiation, these screens prevent the fading and deterioration of fabrics, wood, and other materials. This protection prolongs their lifespan, preserves their appearance, and makes your home's interior more durable.

Maximum Privacy While Maintaining Visibility from Inside

In addition to blocking heat and light, solar screens offer the advantage of daytime privacy without compromising your view. During the day, these screens create a one-way visibility effect, allowing you to see outside while preventing outsiders from looking in. This feature gives homeowners a sense of security and privacy while enjoying natural light and an unobstructed view of the outdoors.

Applications

Perfect for Openings in Sun-Exposed Areas

Solar screens are an excellent choice for windows, doors, and patios that receive significant sunlight exposure. These screens are designed to block and absorb solar energy before it penetrates your home, reducing heat gain and glare. You can create a cooler and more comfortable indoor environment by installing solar screens on sun-facing windows, doors, and patios. Custom solar screens are versatile and can be created to fit patio spaces and pergolas of all sizes.

Suitable for Homes with High Sun Exposure

Homes located in regions with high sun exposure, like Central Texas, can benefit immensely from installing solar screens. These screens protect against the intense heat and UV rays in the summer to help prevent overheating, glare, and UV damage to your home's interior.

Understanding Insect Screens

Insect screens, commonly known as bug screens or fly screens, are designed to prevent insects and pests from entering your home while allowing fresh air to circulate. Made from fine mesh materials, aluminum, or fiberglass, these screens don't offer the full effect of protection but act as a barrier that keeps out mosquitoes, flies, and other unwanted bugs. 

The retractable Tuff Insect Screen from Texas Rolling Shutters & Screens protects you and your outdoor space from bug intrusion while providing excellent visibility and privacy with a 45% openness factor. This means it doesn’t offer nearly as much privacy as our solar screens with a low openness factor and tight weave pattern, but the premium vinyl-coated screen keeps your space comfortable and bug-free year-round. Like our solar screen, they come with an adjustable bottom bar, so homeowners living on a slope can close the retractable screen up to 2-1/2”. 

Benefits of Insect Screens

Improved Air Circulation and Ventilation

Insect screens allow for improved air circulation and ventilation by enabling windows and doors to be opened without worrying about pests entering the home. This promotes a constant flow of fresh air, which helps to naturally cool the interior, reduce indoor air pollution, and create a healthier living environment. By maintaining good airflow, insect screens contribute to a more comfortable and breathable home atmosphere, especially during warmer months.

Protection from Insects Without the Use of Chemicals

One of the significant advantages of insect screens is their ability to protect you from insects without relying on chemicals. By forming a physical barrier around your window or patio, these screens keep mosquitoes, flies, and other pests out, reducing the need for insecticides and repellents. This chemical-free approach safeguards the health of your family and guests and contributes to a more environmentally friendly home.

Minimal Impact on Natural Light and Visibility

Insect screens are designed to have minimal impact on natural light and visibility, allowing homeowners to enjoy bright and airy interiors while keeping pests at bay. The fine mesh used in these screens is virtually transparent, ensuring that ample sunlight can filter through when sitting in direct sun without significant obstruction as well as effectively blocking mosquitoes, flies, and other pests from entering your home while allowing fresh air to flow freely. This feature maintains the aesthetics of windows and doors, providing a clear view to keep your home well-lit and welcoming.

Applications

Perfect for Windows, Doors, and Openings in Areas Prone to Insects

Bug screens are particularly effective for outdoor spaces such as patios, porches, and sunrooms to create a bug-free area for relaxation and entertainment. They create a comfortable and pest-free environment without worrying about bugs invading your outdoor living space or your home.

Suitable for Homes in Regions with High Insect Activity

Homes with high insect activity can greatly benefit from installing insect screens. These screens provide a natural and chemical-free barrier against insects, significantly reducing the need for insecticides and other repellents. In areas where mosquitoes, flies, and other pests are prevalent, insect screens help maintain a peaceful living environment by keeping bugs outside where they belong, improving your home's overall comfort and health. Bug screens with an adjustable bottom bar helps keep out rodents or larger pests, even if your house is on a slope. 

Comparing Solar Screens and Insect Screens

The primary function of solar screens is to reduce heat and glare from the sun, but they serve multiple purposes. In addition to heat and sun protection, they also cut down on utility usage and bills, keep your home cool in summer, preserve your interior, and keep out pests. In contrast, insect screens are primarily used to keep insects out while allowing air to flow freely, making them suitable when pest control is the priority. However, insect screens don't offer many benefits beyond insect protection, and they don't come with as many color and screen fabric options for ultimate customization.

Material and Durability

The premium fabric screen material is one of the biggest differences. Solar screens are typically made from durable, sun-resistant mesh from polyester or fiberglass coated with PVC, to withstand prolonged exposure to sunlight. The tightly woven material keeps out pest and prying eyes without compromising the view and air flow. 

At Texas Rolling Shutters & Screens, we have an exclusive range of Mermet USA fabrics that minimize the Texas sun’s impact on the material. In addition to varying fabric options, coming in a variety of colors, patterns, and openness factors to best customize the style and light filtration according to your preferences.  

Insect screens, on the other hand, are usually made from fine mesh materials like aluminum, fiberglass, or polyester, without the durable coating. These materials are chosen for their ability to block small insects like Ceratopogonidae, commonly known as no-see-ums. However, their openness factor options are not as varied, making it difficult to keep out all pests.   

Our Tuff Insect Screen is made from a heavy-duty vinyl-coated material to ensure it stays fully functional in spite of the blazing sun and high insect activity throughout Texas. The durable woven pattern and 45% openness factor and the adjustable bottom bar helps keep out almost all bugs as well as pests like rats and mice that may try to enter your home through your outdoor living space. 

Cost Comparison

Solar screens can be more expensive than insect screens due to their specialized materials and added energy savings benefits. However, the long-term savings on cooling bills offset the initial investment. Insect screens are generally more affordable, making them a cost-effective solution for pest control. Both types of screens offer long-term benefits, but the choice depends on individual needs and budget considerations.

Making the Right Choice

Several factors should be considered when deciding between solar screens and insect screens. Specific needs, such as the desire to reduce cooling costs or the need for effective pest control, should be the biggest factors. Budget considerations and long-term benefits should also be weighed to make the best choice for your home.

Protect Yourself and Your Home with Texas Rolling Shutters & Screens

Solar screens in Austin and insect screens offer unique benefits tailored to different needs and preferences. Solar screens are excellent for reducing heat, glare, and UV damage while improving energy efficiency and privacy. Insect screens, such as our Tuff Insect Screen, provide effective pest control and improved air circulation, making them ideal for homes in areas with high insect activity. Evaluating your budget and the number of benefits you wish to enjoy with your new screen can help you make the best decision for your home for your comfort and outdoor protection.

If you are ready to purchase your next solar screen, contact Texas Rolling Shutters & Screens today for our expert advice and professional installation services.