Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does exterior shading work?
A: Exterior Sun Control Screens provide sun protection by absorbing and dissipating a large percentage of solar heat and glare before it reaches windows and doors. This results in a more comfortable indoor temperature, more efficient air conditioning and ultimately energy conservation.
Q: Are Sun Control Screens easy to clean?
A: Yes, they only need an occasional cleaning with mild soap and water. They are also mildew and fade resistant.
Q: Do Sun Control Screens come with a warranty?
A: Yes, Phifer offers a warranty on Exterior Sun Control Products. Contact us to request warranty information
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: If I am replacing my insect screens with Sun Control Screening, what spline size should I use?
A: The product that is being installed and the screen frame opening determine spline size. Measure across the opening of the screen frame spline groove and use one size smaller spline for fabrication.
Q: Do Sun Control Screens provide privacy?
A: Solar screens can provide daytime privacy. 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: Which products provide extra strength?
A: SunTex: Heavy-duty mesh is tear and puncture resistant. Learn more about the qualities of our sun screen materials to determine which is best for your application.
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 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. Get ideas for shading your patio, deck or awning and check out our inspiration page.
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. Studies have shown that shaded windows can save up to 25% of the cost of air conditioning when compared to unshaded windows.
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: 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. However, if passive solar heat gain is desired in the winter months the screens can be removed and stored until springtime.
Q: Can Sun Control Screens be removed to clean the windows?
A: Yes, although windows and doors are kept cleaner with the Sun Control Screens installed, they are removable just like insect screening for ease in washing screens and window glass.
Q: How much will Sun Control Screens darken the interior?
A: While UV blockage is 65% to 90%, the Visual Transmittance is 14% 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: All colors provide significant heat reduction when installed on the exterior but dark colors are better at reducing glare and improving outward visibility.
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: What is the GREENGUARD® Certification?
A: GREENGUARD is an indoor air quality certification program for low emitting products. GREENGUARD tests products’ chemical emissions by evaluating over 75,000 chemicals, including volatile organic compounds, carcinogens and reproductive toxins. All Exterior Sun Control fabrics are GREENGUARD certified. For more information on GREENGUARD certification, click here.
Q: What is Microban®?
A: Microban antimicrobial protection is infused into SunTex fabrics to inhibit the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew. or more information on Microban certification, click here.