Beat the Texas Heat: How Exterior Roller Shades Shield Your Home from Harmful UV Rays

Living in Texas means dealing with intense sunlight and scorching temperatures that can make outdoor living uncomfortable and drive up energy costs. With temperatures often exceeding 100°F during summer months, Texas homeowners are constantly seeking effective solutions to protect their homes and families from the sun’s harmful effects. Exterior roller shades have emerged as one of the most effective window treatments for combating these challenges, offering superior UV protection while maintaining the beauty and functionality of your outdoor spaces.

The Science Behind UV Protection

The U.S. Department of Energy confirms that exterior window coverings like shutters and shades are the most effective window treatment option if you want to reduce solar heat gain. This is because an exterior sunscreen of any short will stop shortwave radiation before it can get inside your home or business. It will reflect and absorb the sun’s energy, just as if it were hitting the side of your house rather than touching a window.

Block up to 94% of solar heat gain and 90% of UV rays, providing essential protection during Texas’s scorching summer days, often exceeding 100°F. This level of protection is particularly crucial in Texas, where heat-related illnesses on the rise—growing 19% faster than the state’s population—it’s vital to consider health implications. Solar shades effectively block 99% of harmful UV rays, providing a protective barrier against the sun’s harsh effects.

Energy Efficiency Benefits for Texas Homes

One of the most compelling reasons Texas homeowners choose exterior roller shades is their impact on energy costs. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that an estimated 76 percent of the sunlight that falls on standard double-pane windows and enters your home or business will become heat. If the goal is to keep your home or business cool, this additional heat source can force your air conditioner to run continuously.

Smart automation can adjust the shades according to sun intensity and temperature, keeping your space comfortable while helping to reduce energy costs by 10-20% each year. Extend the lifespan of your outdoor furniture and prevent fading by deflecting harmful solar radiation, which can lower ambient temperatures by as much as 20°F.

A research study conducted in France demonstrated the effectiveness of exterior shading. They found that a south-facing room would heat up to 97 degrees when there were no shades or any coverings on the window. When they added an indoor screen, they could decrease that temperature to 90 degrees. Then, they added an external screen. They could reduce the internal temperature to 75 degrees—without using air conditioning.

Superior Protection Compared to Interior Solutions

While interior window treatments have their place, exterior roller shades provide significantly better protection. While internal shades are still helpful, they cannot perform in the same way that external shades do. Interior shades allow the UV rays to enter your home, and they are absorbed in the internal shades. That absorption then converts the UV rays into longwave radiation. Longwave radiation will still emit heat into the home, and by this time, it is trapped in the house, creating heat gain by heating the air around it, even if no sunlight gets through the internal window covering.

Similar to interior solar shades, exterior solar shades are outdoor window coverings designed to block sunlight and reduce heat transmission before it enters the home through glass windows or the yard area. Made from durable, weather-resistant materials, exterior shades are an effective barrier against the sun’s harmful UV rays. They help keep outdoor and indoor spaces cooler and more comfortable while also providing UV protection and reducing glare.

Material Quality and Durability

Texas weather demands high-quality materials that can withstand extreme conditions. The Solar Shades shade fabric used in these blinds is durable and resistant to UV rays, ensuring long-lasting protection against harmful sun exposure. PVC-coated polyester is a common option due to its strength and resistance to fading, making it suitable for long-term use. Another material frequently used is acrylic fabric, which provides excellent UV resistance while still allowing some natural light to filter through.

This patented knitted fabric blocks up to 95% of damaging UV rays ensuring you and yours are protected, safe and comfortable at all times. The tight knit construction of our HDPE fabric ensures protection against fading, mold and mildew while continuing to block the sun’s harmful rays. This patented knitted fabric blocks up to 85% of damaging UV-rays ensuring you and yours are protected, safe and comfortable always. The tight knit construction of our HDPE fabric ensures protection against fading, mold and mildew while continuing to block the sun’s harmful rays.

Professional Installation in the DFW Area

For Texas homeowners seeking professional installation services, A Plus Shutters, Shades and Barn Doors is a proud branch of the highly successful A Plus Home Remodel, a company with over 10 years of experience in transforming homes. We bring that same commitment to excellence to every shutter, shade, and barn door we create, ensuring your satisfaction and lasting beauty for your home. With a decade in construction and a dedicated shutter showroom, we bring unparalleled expertise and passion to every project. Our commitment to local craftsmanship and personal service sets us apart, making us a beloved choice in Arlington and beyond.

When searching for experienced roller shades installers southlake residents trust, it’s important to choose a company that understands local conditions and requirements. Proudly featuring Texas-made products with superior quality. We proudly serve Arlington, Fort Worth, Pantego, Dallas, Southlake, Mansfield, Cedar Hill, and Grand Prairie. If you’re unsure if we service your area, give us a call!

Additional Benefits for Texas Homeowners

Beyond UV protection and energy savings, exterior roller shades offer numerous additional advantages. These solar shades not only provide protection from the harsh rays of the sun but also offer a range of benefits that can transform any outdoor space into a comfortable and energy-efficient oasis. One of the key advantages of outdoor roller shades is their ability to provide privacy without completely blocking the view outside. These shades are designed with specially woven fabrics that allow natural light to filter through while obscuring the view from prying eyes. In addition to enhancing privacy, outdoor roller shades offer excellent insulating properties that help reduce heat transfer and lower energy consumption. The solar panel-like construction of these shades helps block out harmful UV rays, preventing excessive heat from entering your home during hot summer months.

Designed specifically to block out UV rays, these shades eliminate 80%-99% of damaging rays while still allowing some light into your home. You can rest easy knowing your furniture is protected. This protection extends to all your valuable interior furnishings, preventing costly fading and deterioration from UV exposure.

Smart Technology Integration

Modern exterior roller shades can integrate with smart home systems for enhanced convenience and efficiency. Our motorized options can be easily connected to your existing home automation systems, allowing you to control them remotely through smartphones, tablets, or voice-activated devices. This integration facilitates scheduling, which helps maximize energy efficiency by automatically adjusting them in response to the time of day or ambient conditions. Such connectivity enhances your lifestyle by seamlessly combining comfort, convenience, and technology in your living spaces.

Exterior roller shades represent a smart investment for Texas homeowners seeking effective UV protection, energy savings, and enhanced outdoor living. With their superior blocking capabilities, durable materials, and professional installation options available throughout the DFW area, these window treatments offer an ideal solution for combating Texas’s challenging climate while maintaining comfort and style.