photo by YAZMDG
Have you ever been in a house with the curtains closed on a lovely sunny day? Usually it’s an effort to have privacy from nearby houses or passersby.
I think living that way is a shame. A person ought to be able to enjoy the sunshine streaming in and a view of the yard. Maybe there’s a better way.
Solar screens
Exterior solar screens could be that better way. They are more commonly found in very hot climates, but they have qualities useful in milder climes too.
Most of us aren’t used to having the window coverings on the outside. Admittedly they would have to be cleaned once in a while.
Advantages
But consider the advantages. Solar screens:
- don’t get blocked by furniture, nor do they block heating vents
- reduce heat gain in the hot summer months
- go over windows and glass doors
- work by remote control or timers
And the magic of solar screens is that you can see through them better than the sheerest curtain.
Clean lines
Like many architects, I’m fond of the bare windows lookâno curtains, shades, or shutters. Solar blinds give you a clean slate on the interior while providing privacy and blocking heat. And they look slick on the exterior.
Of course, if you have casement windows that swing out like a door, the solar screens would go on the inside. That won’t keep as much heat out, but in the Bay Area this isn’t critical. And you still get the privacy-with-a-view advantage.
