Solar screen shades that keep the mountain view

Why solar shades suit Wasatch Back homes

Most homes here were designed around a view: a ski run, the Uintas, Mount Timpanogos or an open meadow. The trouble is that the same big glass lets in hard, high-elevation sun, and in winter the snow outside throws even more light back into the room. Solar screen shades are the usual answer. The fabric is a tight weave with small openings, so it cuts glare and some of the heat while you can still see out.

Openness: the setting that matters most

Solar fabrics are sold by "openness," the share of the weave that is open. A tighter weave, often listed around 1 to 3 percent, blocks more glare and gives more daytime privacy. A more open weave, around 5 to 10 percent, keeps more of the view and lets more light through. There's no single right number. A west-facing great room with a TV usually wants a tighter weave than a north-facing reading nook.

Color changes what you see

Darker fabrics, like charcoal, bronze and espresso, are easier to see through because they reduce the contrast between the fabric and the bright view. Lighter fabrics reflect more heat from the window but glow more in direct sun and can make the view look washed out. Many mountain homes use a dark fabric facing the room for the view and pair it with a neutral fascia that matches the trim. We bring samples so you can hold each one up to your own glass at the time of day the sun is worst.

Day privacy, not night privacy

Solar shades give good privacy during the day because it's brighter outside than inside. After dark, when the lights are on inside, people outside can see in through most solar fabrics. For bedrooms and street-facing rooms, we often pair solar shades with a second, room-darkening shade on the same window, or use dual shades. For rooms where you want sleep-level dark, see blackout shades.

Manual or motorized

Solar shades work well as manual roller shades on windows you can reach. On tall glass, wide banks of windows and anything above a stair, a battery-powered motor makes them practical, and schedules can lower the west-facing shades every afternoon without anyone thinking about it. See motorized roller shades and smart shade control.

• Great rooms and walls of glass facing south or west
• Home offices and media rooms where screens wash out
• Kitchens and dining rooms with afternoon sun
• Furniture, floors and art you want to protect from fading