Solar screens are a popular upgrade for Arizona homeowners because they help reduce direct sunlight, cut glare, and make hot rooms more comfortable. But once you decide to install solar screens, there is another common question:
Should you choose 80% solar screens or 90% solar screens?
The simple answer is this: 80% solar screens allow more natural light and better outward visibility, while 90% solar screens block more sunlight and provide more daytime privacy.
The right choice depends on your windows, sun exposure, room use, and how much light you want inside your home.
Not sure which solar screen percentage is right for your home? Call us at (623) 748-0408 for more info and a free estimate.
What Do 80% and 90% Solar Screens Mean?
The percentage refers to how much solar heat and sunlight the screen is designed to block.
An 80% solar screen blocks a high amount of sunlight while still allowing more natural light and visibility through the window.
A 90% solar screen blocks more sunlight, reduces more glare, and provides more daytime privacy. The tradeoff is that the view from inside the home may look slightly darker.
In general, the higher the percentage, the more sun protection the screen provides. The lower the percentage, the more light and visibility you keep.
Quick Comparison: 80% vs 90% Solar Screens
| Feature | 80% Solar Screens | 90% Solar Screens |
|---|---|---|
| Heat reduction | Strong | Stronger |
| Glare control | Good | Better |
| Daytime privacy | Good | Better |
| Natural light | More light | Less light |
| Outward visibility | Better visibility | Slightly darker view |
| Best for | Moderate sun areas | Heavy sun exposure |
| Common use | Front windows and shaded areas | West-facing windows and hot rooms |
Both options can be a good choice. The better option depends on where the window is located and what problem you are trying to solve.
When 80% Solar Screens Are a Good Choice
An 80% solar screen is a good option when you want heat and glare control without making the room feel too dark.
This can be a good choice for windows where you still want natural light, visibility, and a more open feel inside the home.
80% solar screens may work well for:
Front-facing windows
Windows with partial shade
Rooms where natural light matters
Areas where outward visibility is important
Windows that do not get harsh afternoon sun
Homes where curb appeal and balanced appearance are important
For many Arizona homeowners, 80% solar screens offer a nice middle ground. They help reduce sunlight without making the room feel too closed off.
When 90% Solar Screens Are a Better Choice
A 90% solar screen is usually the better option for windows that get intense direct sun.
This is especially true for rooms that feel hotter than the rest of the house, have too much glare, or get strong afternoon sunlight.
90% solar screens may work well for:
West-facing windows
South-facing windows
Upstairs bedrooms
Hot living rooms
Home offices with screen glare
Windows near TVs
Rooms that stay uncomfortable during the afternoon
Large windows with long hours of direct sun
A 90% solar screen is often the better choice for problem windows. If a room gets too hot or has glare that makes it hard to use the space, 90% solar screens usually make more sense.
Which Solar Screen Is Better for Arizona Heat?
For the hottest windows in Arizona, 90% solar screens are usually the better option because they block more sunlight and provide stronger heat control.
This is especially helpful on west-facing windows. These windows often take the hardest sun later in the day when outdoor temperatures are already high.
South-facing windows can also benefit from 90% solar screens, especially if the room gets long hours of sun exposure.
That does not mean every window needs a 90% screen. For windows that do not get heavy direct sun, 80% solar screens may be enough.
Many Arizona homeowners choose 90% solar screens for the hottest windows and 80% solar screens for windows where they want more natural light.
Which Solar Screen Gives Better Visibility?
80% solar screens usually provide better outward visibility than 90% solar screens.
If you want to keep more of your view from inside the home, 80% may be the better choice.
A 90% solar screen can still allow visibility, but the view may appear darker. This is one reason homeowners often use 90% screens on problem windows rather than every window on the home.
Visibility can also depend on:
Screen color
Time of day
Interior lighting
Sun direction
Window size
Landscaping or shade outside the window
If visibility is a major concern, 80% solar screens may be the better fit for certain windows.
Which Solar Screen Gives Better Daytime Privacy?
Both 80% and 90% solar screens can improve daytime privacy, but 90% solar screens usually provide more privacy.
This can be helpful for front windows, bedrooms, bathrooms, street-facing windows, and homes where neighboring houses are close together.
However, solar screens should not be treated as full privacy screens at night. When it is dark outside and lights are on inside the home, people may still be able to see in.
Solar screens are best for daytime privacy, glare control, and sun reduction.
Should You Use 80% and 90% Solar Screens on the Same Home?
Yes. You do not have to choose one percentage for the entire house.
In many Arizona homes, a mixed approach works best.
For example, you may choose:
90% solar screens on west-facing windows
90% solar screens on hot bedrooms
90% solar screens on TV rooms or offices with glare
80% solar screens on front-facing windows
80% solar screens on shaded windows
80% solar screens where you want more natural light
This approach gives you stronger sun control where you need it most while keeping more light and visibility in other areas of the home.
A professional measurement and recommendation can help you decide which percentage makes the most sense for each window.
Do 80% and 90% Solar Screens Cost the Same?
At All Pro Shade Concepts, both 80% and 90% solar screens cost $8 per square foot installed, with a $500 minimum project charge.
The price includes:
New frames
Solar screen mesh
Professional installation
Removal of old frames
Second-story installation at no extra charge
Custom fitting for each window
This means the decision between 80% and 90% solar screens is not about price. It is about comfort, visibility, privacy, and how much sunlight you want to block.
For exact pricing on 80% or 90% solar screens, call All Pro Shade Concepts at (623) 748-0408 for a 100% free estimate.
Can 80% and 90% Solar Screens Qualify for SRP Rebates?
SRP may offer rebates for qualifying shade screens that meet current program requirements. Since rebate rules can change, homeowners should confirm current eligibility directly with SRP before starting a project.
In general, qualifying shade screens may need to meet certain solar heat gain blocking standards and be installed on approved sun-exposed windows.
Because 80% and 90% solar screens are designed to block a high amount of sunlight, they may be worth reviewing if you are an SRP customer.
Before making a decision based on a rebate, check SRP’s latest requirements or read our SRP solar screen rebate guide.
Solar Screen Installation Across the Phoenix Metro Area
All Pro Shade Concepts installs 80% and 90% solar screens throughout the Phoenix metro area, including Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria, Scottsdale, Surprise, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Goodyear, Buckeye, and nearby Valley communities.
Homes across the Valley deal with different sun exposure depending on window direction, lot placement, nearby shade, and home layout.
A west-facing bedroom in Glendale may need a different screen option than a shaded front window in Scottsdale. A large living room window in Chandler may need stronger glare control than a smaller window in Peoria.
That is why it helps to look at each window individually instead of choosing one option for the entire home without considering sun exposure.
How to Choose the Right Solar Screens for Your Home
The best solar screen percentage depends on what you want each window to do.
Choose 80% solar screens if:
You want more natural light
You want better outward visibility
The window does not get intense direct sun
The window is partly shaded
You want a balanced option
You are concerned about the room feeling too dark
Choose 90% solar screens if:
The room gets very hot
The window faces west or south
You want stronger glare control
You want more daytime privacy
The window gets long hours of direct sun
The room has a TV, computer, or workspace affected by glare
For many Arizona homes, the best answer is not 80% or 90% for every window. The best answer may be a mix of both.
Need help deciding between 80% and 90% solar screens? Call All Pro Shade Concepts at (623) 748-0408 for a 100% free estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are 80% or 90% solar screens better in Arizona?
For windows with heavy direct sun, 90% solar screens are usually better. For windows where natural light and visibility matter more, 80% solar screens may be the better choice.
What is the difference between 80% and 90% solar screens?
The main difference is how much sunlight they block. A 90% solar screen blocks more sun and gives more daytime privacy, while an 80% solar screen allows more light and visibility.
Do 90% solar screens make rooms too dark?
They can make rooms feel darker than 80% solar screens, but many homeowners prefer 90% screens on hot or west-facing windows because of the added sun and glare control.
Can I use 80% and 90% solar screens on the same house?
Yes. Many homeowners use 90% solar screens on the hottest windows and 80% solar screens on windows where they want more natural light.
Do 80% and 90% solar screens cost the same?
Yes. At All Pro Shade Concepts, both 80% and 90% solar screens cost $8 per square foot installed, with a $500 minimum project charge.
For a full pricing breakdown, visit our Phoenix solar screen cost guide.
Are solar screens private at night?
No solar screen should be treated as full nighttime privacy. When lights are on inside the home after dark, visibility from outside may increase.
Which windows should get 90% solar screens?
West-facing windows, south-facing windows, upstairs bedrooms, hot rooms, home offices, and TV rooms are often good candidates for 90% solar screens.
Which windows should get 80% solar screens?
80% solar screens may work well on front-facing windows, shaded windows, windows with better views, and rooms where natural light is more important.
How do I know which solar screen percentage to choose?
The right choice depends on sun exposure, room use, privacy goals, glare, visibility, and how much natural light you want. A professional estimate can help you choose the best option for each window.
If you are still comparing pricing, see our guide on solar screen costs in Phoenix.
