Question 1

If I have more than one window mounted next to each other, will you mount just one screen or multiple screens?

Accepted Answer

We install a separate solar screen for each window, regardless of its size, style, mounting, or type. In rare cases, we may be able to create a single solar screen that fits over multiple windows, but this will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/02ba9f_db05a74d632f4042baedda04a0222161~mv2.jpg

Question 2

Can you make  my solar screens with Grid Patterns?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we can match your existing grid patterns.  match the existing grid patterns within the glass of your windows.  Or, we can make our own grid pattern design.  Each grid pattern upgrade has a $40 cost.  So each screen that gets a grid pattern has a +$40 cost to that screen.

Illustrating custom made solar screens with grid patterns.
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/02ba9f_179270d0fccb4bd2a68e7e163baca692~mv2.jpg

Question 3

What is the difference between your 90% and 80% density solar screen fabric?

Accepted Answer

Our 90 percent solar screens offer superior shading compared to our 80 percent solar screens, providing 10 percent more coverage. We highly recommend using the 90-percent density for west-facing windows that are exposed to the intense afternoon sun in Austin. As for all other windows, the 80 percent fabric will suffice, as it provides substantial shading compared to no shading at all.

Question 4

What parts of Austin do you offer installation services?

Accepted Answer

We work in the following areas: Austin, Pflugerville, Manor, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Hutto, Leander, Georgetown, Bee Caves, Lakeway, Buda, Manchaca, and Kyle.

Question 5

Can solar screens be installed over the glass of a door?

Accepted Answer

Pricing for solar screens on swinging doors is the same as for windows. 
We can also create a sliding door using our solar window screen fabric and include a pocket for the sliding door to slide behind for an additional $150 each. Installing both the sliding door screen and the pocket aims to fully cover your entire door with sun screen fabric to enhance the efficiency and temperature control of your entryways.

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/02ba9f_55c49d7f2d1d4227a391c124be95a65f~mv2.jpg

Question 6

What is the difference between your solar screens and window tinting?

Accepted Answer

Window tinting only provides shade from your glass inward into the home. Window tint film does not directly shade the glass or window itself. Solar window screens, on the other hand, provide shade for your glass, windows, and the interior of your home.

An honest broker of window film will tell you that window tint will cause sun stricken glass to heat up, and this heat will then radiate into the home. Solar screens will 100% prevent this by providing shade from the outside. With a solar screen, the glass will never get hit by more than 20% of the sun's rays.

The solar window screens are designed to be installed on the outside of your window, serving as an exterior shading device between the window and the sun.

Window tint is applied to the inside pane of the glass, causing the inside pane to heat up more with the film than without it. This means that window film will actually make the glass hotter than it would be without it. This is the opposite of the intended effect, as we aim to achieve cooler rooms and a more efficient home.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hy67WA9bePQ

Question 7

Do different colors offer better protection?

Accepted Answer

No. All six of my fabric colors offer the same amount of sun protection.  One provides 80% shade and the other provides 90% shade.  The color is strictly for visual appeal.

Question 8

Can I see through your solar screens from inside my home looking out?

Accepted Answer

My solar screen fabric (https://www.twitchellcorp.com/store/c7/textilene90)is made with an even weave that allows for excellent visibility through the windows while still providing daytime privacy when viewed from the outside. The 80 percent fabric offers a similar view to regular insect screens, while the 90 percent fabric may have a slightly grainier look, though visibility to the outside is still quite good.

This is what it is like to look through installed 90% solar screens
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/02ba9f_16eb83ad49f44ff2ab1e18e131c3625c~mv2.jpg

Question 9

Once mounted, are the solar screens removable?

Accepted Answer

Yes, every solar screen is designed for you to be able to remove it for cleaning your windows. When you remove them, it's a good idea to label them so you know which window the solar screen goes back on.  Each solar screen is custom made specific for the window it is installed on.

Question 10

Will the solar screens keep bugs out?

Accepted Answer

Most definitely, our solar screens are woven much tighter than your average bug screen, making them even more effective. If you currently have insect screens, we will remove them and replace them with your new screens.

Some windows are not made to take new, full-sized solar screens, so the new solar screens have to be surface mounted.

It's important to understand that window screens, including those that come from the window manufacturer, are not designed to keep crawling bugs out. Insect screens are removable and therefore not sealed. Crawling bugs can find their way around any screen unless it is caulked (sealed) into the window. Screens are designed for keeping out large flying insects, not crawling ones.

Sometimes, there is excess caulk, silicone, or mortar at the bottom of windows, preventing the new screen from sitting flush with the metal window frame. However, we do our best to ensure that each of our screens fits as well as possible in these types of windows.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4VKP8azAtk

Question 11

What is done with the old screens?

Accepted Answer

We will take care of disposing of your old screens for you, unless you have relatively new insect screens. In those cases, we suggest that you save them for future use in case you sell your home and the new owner wants them.

If your old screens can be removed from the outside of the home, we will take care of removing them. If the screens can only be removed from the inside, that's optional for you to remove them if you prefer. We do not enter homes to remove screens. This is something we leave up to you.

Question 12

Can you install solar screens on the windows of my commercial building?

Accepted Answer

Yes, solar screens can be installed on commercial buildings. However, if you are not the building owner, make sure to obtain proper permission before proceeding with the installation of solar screens.

Showing 90% solar screens installed to the windows of a commercial building
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/02ba9f_e1c6089a423b47d990c20f8f5cf91b54~mv2.jpg

Question 13

How does one clean your solar window screens?

Accepted Answer

If you need to clean your solar screens, you can do so using a detergent of any sort.

We suggest if you have a lighter color and really want to clean your solar screens to look new, you should either hire one of our recommended window washers, or take the solar screens down and scrub them very well and pressure wash them. Darker colors will hide dirt more effectively than the lighter options, so they only would need to be occasionally cleaned more mildly.

Question 14

Should I clean my windows before you put up the new solar screens?

Accepted Answer

You don’t have to, but we recommend that you get your windows cleaned before we install your solar screens. This is because we believe you won't need to clean them as often once the screens are up. You may want to clean them now and see how dirty they get over time. If you need help finding good window washers, let us know.

Question 15

Will air move past the solar screens?  Will I be able to feel a breeze inside my home with your solar screens over the windows?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The sunshade fabric used to make your solar screens will let a breeze through so you can still enjoy the fresh air.

Question 16

Can I use different fabric colors on the house?

Accepted Answer

We advise against it. There are six fabric colors available to choose from; however, it's important to ensure that they complement the exterior of your home. We will provide recommendations for fabric and frame color combinations in order of preference. If your window frames are white, we can use frame colors like Tan and Champagne in some cases to trim out the solar screens. This can add an architectural layer that complements your home. Not all homes will look best with a different color trim, so it's generally recommended to use the same color of screen frame as the color of window frame you have. If we believe that a different frame color could enhance the look of your home, we will make that recommendation.

Examples of using Tan for the solar screen framing installed over white window framing.
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/02ba9f_8013fb219709420896676c0c08b1d5dc~mv2.jpg
Solar screens will never 100% cover up the window framing.  White from the window frame will still show as a border around the solar screens.  As you can see in these pictures, you will see some white as a border around the solar screens.

Examples of champagne framed solar screens installed on white frame windows.
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/02ba9f_2c80a549a9694785a7566822ce60322f~mv2.jpg

Question 17

How much light will the new solar screens let through?  Will they make my home dark?

Accepted Answer

Sure, the screens block the sun's rays.  So yes, they for sure will  cut down on the light.  With that being said, it is all objective.  With the solar screens you can open the blinds, something you can't do without them.  being able to open the blinds makes a HUGE difference in the amount of light coming in.  It feels like it is a cloudy day with the solar screens.  That's what I hear most often from people.

Solar screens will not cut down on 80% or 90% of the light.  They will just stop 80% or 90% of the sun's rays from getting through.  Light is very difficult to cut out.  Plenty of light will still get through.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqHmUd3LGjk

Our screens offer shade, not darkness.

Therefore, you will still get plenty of light, which will just be filtered to increase shade and cool your home.

When you think about our solar screens, don’t think about being inside a cave; that’s not at all what you get with our screens.

While one might think that by putting up 90 percent shade screens, the home will decrease in light by 90 percent, that’s not remotely the case.

Instead, with a 90 percent shade screen you are providing 90 percent shade for your glass from the sun’s rays. You are NOT eliminating 90 percent of the inbound light.

A comparison to that would be when it’s a cloudy day. That’s what I hear from people ALL the time. Most everyone is pleasantly shocked when I put the solar screens up at how much light still filters through.

However, the screens do not make it really dark in the house. Light is very hard to eliminate, but shading from the sun’s harmful rays is not. Don’t get me wrong – yes, it will be darker, as we are providing shade, and that’s the goal – but it won’t make dungeon like dark in the home.

Question 18

Can you make a solar screen to fit around a window mount A/C unit?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we can make and install a solar screen to fit a window that has a window mount A/C unit.  We recommend that you also get a full sized solar screen for that opening for when you decide to remove the A/C unit.  Then you will have a screen that will fit properly.

I can install a solar screen on a window that has a window mount A/C unit.
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/02ba9f_06d2d45271f344a5a4d310ba70140577~mv2.jpg

Solar Window Screens FAQ

Our Solar Window Screens Will Stop the Sun's Heat!

Solar Window Screen FAQ

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