{"id":29304,"date":"2026-10-12T01:13:14","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T09:13:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.blindsgalore.com\/blog\/?p=29304"},"modified":"2026-10-14T02:02:11","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T10:02:11","slug":"solar-shades-vs-roller-shades-difference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.blindsgalore.com\/blog\/index.php\/blinds-basics\/solar-shades-vs-roller-shades-difference\/","title":{"rendered":"Solar shades vs. roller shades: UV block, openness factor, and heat compared"},"content":{"rendered":"
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In the solar shades vs. roller shades question, the core difference is fabric. Solar shades are roller shades made with an open-weave screen that cuts UV, glare, and heat while keeping your view of the outdoors. Standard roller shades use solid light-filtering or blackout fabric, which gives you privacy and darkness but hides the view. On heat, a solar shade’s results depend less on the label and more on three specs: its openness factor, its fabric color, and whether it hangs inside or outside the glass.<\/p>\n

Most comparisons stop at definitions. Here we work from the numbers, because the specs on a solar fabric tell you almost exactly how it will perform at your window.<\/p>\n

What is the difference between solar shades and roller shades?<\/h2>\n

Both roll up onto a tube at the top of the window. The difference is the fabric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Features<\/th>\nSolar shades<\/th>\nStandard roller shades<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Fabric<\/td>\nOpen-weave screen rated by openness factor<\/td>\nSolid light-filtering or blackout fabric<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
View outside<\/td>\nYes, during the day<\/td>\nNo, when lowered<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
UV and glare<\/td>\nCut most UV and glare, by openness level<\/td>\nBlackout fabric blocks nearly all light through the fabric<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nighttime privacy<\/td>\nNo, with lights on inside<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Best for<\/td>\nSun-facing rooms, offices, media rooms, views<\/td>\nBedrooms, nurseries, privacy, darkness<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Our solar shades<\/a> note that they won’t provide complete privacy at night, which is why many people pair them with drapes. For the full side-by-side, including privacy and room fit, our earlier post on solar shade vs. roller shade<\/a> covers the basics. Below, we go deeper on the specs.<\/p>\n

How do UV block and openness factor work?<\/h2>\n

The openness factor is the percentage of open space in the weave. UV block is roughly the inverse. A 1% fabric has about 1% open space and blocks about 99% of UV. A 10% fabric blocks about 90%.<\/p>\n

Manufacturer data bears this out. Phifer’s spec sheet for its SheerWeave Basic solar fabric<\/a> lists approximately 99% UV blockage at 1% openness, 97% at 3%, and 95% at 5%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Openness<\/th>\nApproximate UV block<\/th>\nWhat you’ll see<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
1%<\/td>\n99%<\/td>\nThe tightest weave; the least view and the most privacy by day<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3%<\/td>\n97%<\/td>\nStrong glare control, with shapes visible outside<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5%<\/td>\n95%<\/td>\nA balanced view and glare control for most rooms<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10%<\/td>\n90%<\/td>\nA clear view, with lighter glare control<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Our guide to solar screen openness factors<\/a> walks through what each level looks like in a real room.<\/p>\n

Do solar shades block more heat than roller shades?<\/h2>\n

The answer depends on how the shade is specified, not just which kind it is. Three factors decide how much solar heat reaches the room.<\/p>\n

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  1. Placement. A shade outside the glass stops the sun before it heats the window. The South Carolina Energy Office<\/a> advises that it’s always best to install exterior shades whenever possible. That’s where outdoor solar screens have the edge over any interior shade.<\/li>\n
  2. Fabric color. Inside the window, color matters a lot. In the same Phifer spec sheet, a white 3% fabric mounted inside clear glass reflects 64% of solar energy, while a charcoal 3% fabric reflects just 4%. The white version lets through roughly half as much solar heat.<\/li>\n
  3. Openness. A tighter weave lets less direct sun through, so 1% to 3% fabrics cut more heat and glare than 10%.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    There’s a trade-off with color. Darker solar fabrics give a clearer view out, while lighter fabrics reflect more heat. The same Energy Office guidance recommends white window shades to reflect heat away from the house.<\/p>\n

    A blackout roller shade blocks more light than any solar shade, but it also blocks your view. If you want to cut heat and still see outside, choose a light-colored solar shade with a low openness factor, or mount a solar screen on the outside of the window.<\/p>\n

    Can solar shades go outside the window?<\/h2>\n

    Yes. Outdoor solar shades are built for weather and mount outside the window or across a patio opening. That’s what makes them the strongest heat blockers of the options here.<\/p>\n