Protect your home in style with UV blocking shades—our sun-blocking window shades that cut harsh glare, filter damaging UV rays, and keep rooms cooler without sacrificing your view. Choose sleek solar rollers for daytime clarity, insulating cellular fabrics for comfort, or blackout options for total light control. Finish with cordless or motorized lifts for a clean, child-safe look (and effortless scheduling). Preserve floors, artwork, and furniture while creating bright, comfortable spaces tailored to how you live.
Solar Shades, Blackout Shades, and Other Window Treatments that Block Ultraviolet Transmission
Solar shades are light-filtering, blackout shades that completely block light. Both can be excellent window treatments if you are concerned about UV rays and want to preserve your fabrics and wood. Ultraviolet rays may not be visible to the human eyes but can damage carpet, furniture, and fade wood flooring.
Light Filtering Shades
Solar energy can be divided into three bands: the ultraviolet band, the visible band, and the near infrared band. The ultraviolet band is responsible for fabric fading. The visible band is responsible mainly for glare. UV blockage ratings measure a window shades ability to keep these harmful rays from passing through the shade. A light filtering shade, like solar shades, is rated by the openness of the fabric. For example this Sunlera Sheer Weave Roller Shade has an openess factor of 14% and is an excellent shade to use if you want to block UV but still allow the ability to see through the shade. Another light filtering shade option is the Eclipse Solar Screen Shade with a 3% openness factor. The lower the ultraviolet transmission of window shades, the better the shade will do at blocking UV rays.
Blackout Shades
Blackout and room darkening shades block more UV rays than light filtering shades. These light blocking shades are recommended for bedrooms, theater rooms and any room where you would like to completely control light transmission. Blackout shades are generally sold in conjunction with another style of shade like a honeycomb shade or a bamboo shade and can move in conjunction with or independently.
Energy Efficient Shades
All window shades offer varying degrees of UV transmission. It is better to use any type of window covering than none at all so that you are able to offer some degree of insulation, whether it be heat gain or loss. The better the insulating window shades, the more energy you save. Windows account for nearly 30% of the house's heat gain or loss. Pick a window treatment that will provide better insulation, and you can save on your energy costs. Here are Blinds Chalet's top picks that offer insulation and UV protection:
UV Blocking Shades & Sun-Blocking Window Shades — FAQs
What are UV blocking shades?
Which types of sun-blocking window shades work best?
What does “openness factor” mean on solar shades (1%, 3%, 5%, 10%)?
Do darker or lighter fabrics block UV better?
Will UV blocking solar shades provide privacy at night?
Are exterior sun shades better than interior shades for UV and heat?
Do cellular shades block UV as well as solar shades?
Can UV blocking shades help prevent fading of floors and furniture?
How do I minimize edge light and boost sun blocking on rollers?
Are UV blocking shades available cordless or motorized for safety and convenience?
How do I clean sun-blocking window shades without damaging the fabric?
What’s the best way to measure for UV blocking shades—inside or outside mount?
Are UV blocking shades expensive compared to regular shades?
Quick pick: which UV-blocking option should I choose for my room?
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Blinds Chalet has more than 25 years of experience selling and installing solar shades. Attractive, high quality window blinds that fit any energy saving plan, decorating style, and budget. For information on what types of window blinds, blind accessories, and any other window covering needs, visit www.blindschalet.com.
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