{"id":28168,"date":"2026-04-07T03:15:42","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T11:15:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.blindsgalore.com\/blog\/?p=28168"},"modified":"2026-04-07T03:15:42","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T11:15:42","slug":"interior-vs-exterior-solar-screens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.blindsgalore.com\/blog\/index.php\/beyond-basics\/interior-vs-exterior-solar-screens\/","title":{"rendered":"Which Blocks More Heat: Interior or Exterior Solar Screens"},"content":{"rendered":"
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][\/vc_column_text][vc_raw_js][\/vc_raw_js][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Exterior solar screens block more heat than interior solar screens. The reason is simple: exterior screens intercept solar energy before it reaches the glass, while interior screens can only manage heat that has already entered the room. Both types reduce glare, protect furnishings from UV damage, and improve comfort, but the placement makes a measurable difference in cooling performance.<\/span><\/p>\n

How Solar Screens Reduce Heat<\/b><\/h2>\n

Solar screens work by filtering sunlight through a tightly woven mesh fabric. The tightness of the weave determines the openness factor, which controls how much light, heat, and visibility pass through.<\/span><\/p>\n

A lower openness factor (like 1% or 3%) blocks more solar heat and glare but reduces outward visibility. A higher openness factor (like 5% or 10%) lets in more light and view but blocks less heat.<\/span><\/p>\n

The key difference between interior and exterior placement comes down to where the heat gets stopped. Exterior screens reject solar energy outside the building envelope. Interior screens absorb or reflect heat that has already passed through the glass and entered the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to research published by the<\/span> DOE’s Building America Solution Center<\/span><\/a>, interior roller shades reduced solar heat gain by about 18%, while exterior shades reduced solar heat gain by approximately 55%.<\/span><\/p>\n

Exterior Solar Screens: Maximum Heat Blocking<\/b><\/h2>\n

Exterior solar screens mount on the outside of the window, stopping solar radiation before it touches the glass. The heat gets absorbed and dissipated outdoors rather than trapped inside the home.<\/span><\/p>\n

The<\/span> Blindsgalore Classic Outdoor Solar Screens<\/span><\/a> are designed for exterior mounting and built to withstand sun, wind, and weather exposure. Available in multiple openness factors and colors, outdoor screens provide significant heat reduction on south-facing and west-facing windows where sun exposure is strongest.<\/span><\/p>\n

For hands-free operation on hard-to-reach exterior windows, the<\/span> Coolaroo Motorized Outdoor Sun Shades<\/span><\/a> raise and lower with a remote control, making daily adjustment easy even on large openings like patios and covered porches.<\/span><\/p>\n

Exterior solar screens are best for:<\/b><\/p>\n