If your west-facing rooms turn into an oven every summer afternoon, you are not alone. Plenty of Portland-area homeowners crank the AC just to stay comfortable from June through September. There is a simpler, cheaper fix that most people overlook: solar screen mesh. At Mobile Screens Etc., we have been building and installing screens across the Tigard and Portland area since 1995, and solar screens are one of the easiest upgrades we do. Here is what they are and whether they make sense for your home.
What Is Solar Screen Mesh?
Solar screen mesh is a tightly woven screen fabric designed to block a large share of the sun’s heat and glare before it ever reaches your glass. Regular insect screen is woven to keep bugs out while letting air and light through freely. Solar screen mesh uses thicker yarns and a denser weave, so it stops a much bigger portion of solar energy.
Depending on the density you choose, quality solar screen mesh blocks roughly 70% to 90% of the sun’s heat and UV rays. It still lets you see out and lets fresh air move through an open window, but it dramatically cuts the amount of heat pouring into the room. Think of it as sunglasses for your windows.
How Solar Screens Cut Heat and Energy Bills
Windows are the weak spot in most homes when it comes to heat gain. Sunlight passes through the glass, hits your floors and furniture, and turns into trapped heat. Once it is inside, your air conditioner has to work hard to pull it back out.
Solar screen mesh stops most of that heat on the outside of the glass, before it ever gets in. For homeowners in Beaverton, Lake Oswego, and Tigard, that usually means:
- Cooler, more comfortable rooms on hot afternoons, especially on south- and west-facing windows
- Lower cooling bills during our warm, dry summers
- Less fading on hardwood floors, rugs, artwork, and furniture from UV exposure
- Reduced glare on TVs and computer screens
Not sure whether solar screens are worth it for your specific windows? Give us a call at (503) 245-0048 and we will talk through which windows would benefit most.
Solar Screen vs. Regular Insect Screen
The two look similar from a distance, but they do very different jobs.
Regular fiberglass or aluminum screen
Standard insect screen is built for airflow and clear views. It keeps mosquitoes and flies out, but it does almost nothing to block heat. If comfort and bugs are your only concerns, standard screen is fine and less expensive.
Solar screen
Solar screen still keeps insects out, but its main purpose is blocking heat, UV, and glare. It is slightly darker, so views are a little dimmer, and rooms feel shadier. Most homeowners find that trade-off well worth it on the sunny side of the house. Many people mix and match, putting solar screen on the hot west and south windows and regular screen everywhere else.
Which Windows Are Best for Solar Screens?
You do not need solar screens on every window in the house. To get the most value, focus on:
- West-facing windows that take the brunt of the late-afternoon sun
- South-facing windows that get sun most of the day
- Large picture windows and sliders where the glass area is biggest
- Rooms that are always warmer than the rest of the house, like a bonus room or home office
North-facing windows and heavily shaded windows usually see little benefit, so we often leave those with standard screen to keep your costs down.
Do Solar Screens Work in Oregon’s Climate?
Some homeowners assume solar screens only make sense in Arizona or Texas. Not true. While the Pacific Northwest is famous for rain, our summers have gotten hotter and drier, and a run of 90-degree days is now normal. Solar screens shine during exactly those stretches. And because they block UV year-round, they keep protecting your floors and furniture even in the cooler months. For homes in Tigard, Portland, Tualatin, and Sherwood, they are a smart, low-maintenance upgrade.
Custom-Built and Installed at Your Home
Every window is a little different, so off-the-shelf screens rarely fit right. We build every solar screen to your exact window measurements, and because we are a mobile service, we come to you. No hauling screens across town or guessing at sizes. With more than 25 years of experience, we make sure each screen fits cleanly and holds up to years of Oregon weather.
We serve Tigard, Portland, Beaverton, Lake Oswego, Hillsboro, Tualatin, Sherwood, and the surrounding communities.
Ready to Beat the Heat?
If summer sun is making parts of your home uncomfortable, solar screens are one of the most cost-effective fixes available. Let us take a look at your windows and recommend the right mesh for your home. Call Mobile Screens Etc. today at (503) 245-0048 or stop by our shop at 9448 SW Tigard St, Tigard, OR 97223. We are open Monday through Thursday, 8am to 5pm, and we would be glad to help you stay cool this summer.
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