Has anyone installed solar screens on their exterior windows? How about window tinting? If so, whom did you use and how do you like the effect? I want someting to block sun/heat but not interfere with view from windows. Thanks!
We used www.lonestarsolarscreens.com and I can not say enough good things about them. Their products, their timeliness, their customer service and their follow-up is impeccable... oh and their prices are great 2!
I just had solar screens put on by Lone Star solar screens.
They gave me the best quote. I still prefer to look out of
a "screenless" window, but view isn't that bad--and if it helps with my $700.00 electric bill, they'll be even BETTER!!
Good luck,
M.
Look no further- I moved here from NJ and this guy took care of me- efficiently, reasonable price and exttremely nice and courteous. I did price other comapnies b/c I was new here and there was no comparison- Real happy with the product. Great advice as well.
Rick Sorrells
124 S Main St Keller TX
###-###-#### cell ###-###-####
We did the solar screens for our entire house which is 2 story and had about 15 windows for around $1100 and we used lone star solar screens. They were very good, install with no money down and you don't have to be home when they are installed. It has really helped with the heat in our house especially upstairs. We had the brown/black screens put on and I don't think it really interferes with the view at all, but I was more concerned about lowering my AC bill. There website is lonestarsolarscreens.com.
NorthSolarScreen.com has a variety of outdoor and indoor solar shades that lower your energy bills. Their sales representatives talked me through the whole process and helped me with window measurements. They explained to me the different benefits of the different styles they offer, but I chose the Verisol Silver Screen shades to stop the glare in my office and keep it warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. In just 2 years they have paid for themselves entirely. I have nothing but good things to say about NorthSolarScreen.com and their products.
Solar Screens are great, we have vaulted ceilings and the windows at the top were unbarable with the sun glazing in. Now our house stats cool and we can be in the living room no matter what time on day! It saves on enery too. My husband is in the glass business and FYI before you go with tinting that will void any warranty on insulated windows.
We put solar screens in our old house. We used Loan Star Solar Screens, and they did a great job. I chose 90% and I think it was too much. It did help on the heat in the house, it looked good on the outside, but when inside, it blocked a lot of the natural light. On a dreary day, it was pretty dark inside.
We have a "window wall" on the back of the house (SE side) so we got a lot of morning sun. Several years ago, we installed solar screens on those windows and they did indeed block heat and light to our satisfaction. Being black screen material, we could see out very well and people could not see in. (Black is far better than lighter colors for your ability to view out.) I would worry about a window tint peeling off at some point.... They may not show as well for the front of a house when selling it because it looks like a black window but you can always remove them when the sign is in the yard.
Go with solar screens - they do make a difference in temperature. Window tinting doesn't stop the window from heating up - in fact it will actuall cause double pane windows (the air inbetween the panes) to heat more, and can cause them to crack, so I would stay away from that. Best wishes.
We have had solar screens on the windows for years. They are wonderful. We used Lone Star Screens - here is their number ###-###-####.
Had them installed in April 1998 - still look great.
We built our home in 2000 and went with window tint. We do not have an issue with direct sun as we are located nicely on our wooded lot. Yes, woods in Plano/Allen.
I like the tint because in the daytime, no one can see in! I do not use window coverings in the back of my home because I back up to woods and it is very private. You can't tell the windows are tinted. You can see in at night if lights are on. I used Professional Window Tint of Dallas (Phillip) and have been very pleased. The cost was about $2500 for 35-40 windows.
I do not care for the screens because I feel they take away from curb appeal and are not attractive. That is just my personal opinion... I do realize.....some people have major issues with the sun and
that might be the best option for them.... to each his own as far as beauty and realistic expectations. :) Most of the people in our neighborhood have used tinting vs screens.
We've had NO peeling issues. :) ALSO, my warranty is not VOID. Silly....I checked that out before we did it.
Good luck with your choice!
Hi Bobby,
My husband did our solar screens himself. He went to Lowes with our measurements and got all of the supplies. It took him one afternoon to make them and put them up. He takes them down easily in the fall and puts them up in the spring. I think it cost us a little under $100 for everything. I know it would have cost us over $400 to have them done since we have very tall windows.
Good luck!
A.
We did solar screens on our exterior windows. You can do a light tan solar screen instead of the dark black solar screen. I liked this better than the window tinting option.
My husband and I did the whole west side of our house plus several other key windows. It was probably under $1,500.00 total thru Texas Solar Screens. http://www.texassolarscreens.com
We just had this done earlier this year and used lone star solar screens. They send someone out to give you an estimate based on number of windows, then they measure all the windows, and will even match up if you have supports through the window. And you get several choices as to color of screens. Price was very reasonable and you can find coupons occasionally in some of the mailers. HTH.
We used Lone Star Solar Screens & are extremely happy with their product. We chose the highest level of heat blockage that they offer & a color blend called "buffalo" which allows the screen to blend with our brick very nicely. As someone else commented, they do tend to block a lot of "natural light" but the energy savings more than makes up for it. Our west-facing rooms are tremendously cooler this summer compared to previous years.
There is a product at Lowe's that is a sticker type clear film that does just that! You just apply it to your windows and cut it to fit, and it isn't noticeable. There is no obstructed view, and it also doesn't make your windows look dark from the outside. We haven't bought them yet, but my in-laws have, and they are very pleased.
Hi, I would recommend instead of solar screens, the horizontal window shadings. Solar screens don't allow much flexibility-they are either up or down. I considered those but instead went for the horizontal shadings...you can open and close the vanes for sun control and the sheer part always gives privacy. There are several companies that can bring them to your house or they are also at online companies.
While my Mom is saving up for the solar screens, I went to home depot and got $40.00 worth of Gila Titanium Window Tint. We put it up ourselves. It made a pretty good difference for the money. Make sure you watch the video at http://www.gilafilms.com/
and it WILL take two sets of hands, but it gave her some relief while she is getting ready to install something more expensive.
Hi B.! We installed solar screens on our house through Lone Star solar screens. They DRAMATICALLY cut down on the heat that was pounding our house & makiing it impossible to cool down, so it was well worth it. The view looking outside is virtually the same as it was without the screens, altho' when you stand outside the house & look at the windows, you can't see through the screens. All in all, I recommend it if you want to cut down on the heat coming through your windows.
