Is There a Shade that People Can't See Me, but I Can See Out?
Posted by Mark Hequin on
This is one of the most asked window treatment questions! And the answer is a confusing yes and no.
Yes, there are solar screens, which, based on the weave of the shade material, you can see out of during the day but people can't see in. Solar shades are designed to allow you to see out, but other’s not see in, providing daytime privacy. The exact opposite is true at night though. When a light is on in the room, people outside will be able to see into your home. While a solar shade provides privacy during the day, it will provide no privacy at night. So, in reality the answer is no, solar shades are not shades that provide privacy during both daytime and at night.
The reason for this is the weave of the shade determines the openness of the shade, which in turn effects the visibility, privacy and light control of the shade material. Solar shade fabrics are numbered in percentages ranging from 1-10%. The higher the number, the more open the weave, creating a loose sheer-like fabric allowing the most light to pass through and the clearest view to the outside. The tighter the weave, the less light and visibility, and the more UV, heat and glare control.
There are a lot of factors that go into choosing the right percentage for your shade. One important factor is the direction your windows face. For optimum heat, glare and UV control it is recommended that you select a 3-5% shade material for South and West facing windows, and a 5-10% for North and East facing windows.
The color of the shade can also affect how the shade functions. For example, lighter colors provide more privacy than darker colors, this also means your view to the outside is less with a lighter shade. But, one fact remains, you will not have privacy at night as the exact opposite is true. The amount of visibility you have during the day is the amount someone outside your home will have into your home at night.
With so many options and choices, let us help you! MAAD for Design offers an array of products and will bring the samples to you, that way you can see them in your home and visualize how they will look and function in your windows. Our goal is to be your guide and help you choose the right product for your home, that meets your needs, reflects your style, and fits your budget! Call us at (787) 345-8776 or (787) 345-8399!