Solar screens and insect screens are both installed over windows, so it is easy to assume they do the same job. However, the two products are made for very different purposes.
Traditional insect screens are mainly designed to keep flies, mosquitoes, and other pests outside when a window is open. Solar screens provide insect protection too, but they are made with a denser material that also reduces sunlight, heat, and glare.
That difference can be important for homeowners in Phoenix. A basic insect screen may help you enjoy fresh air during cooler weather, but it will not do much to stop the intense sunlight that heats windows and makes certain rooms uncomfortable.
This guide compares solar screens and insect screens based on heat reduction, airflow, visibility, privacy, appearance, and cost. It will also help you decide which type of screen makes the most sense for each area of your home.
What Are Solar Screens?
Solar screens are exterior window screens made from tightly woven, sun-resistant mesh. They are designed to reduce the amount of direct sunlight that reaches your window glass.
Because they are installed outside the window, solar screens begin blocking sunlight before it enters the home. This can help reduce heat buildup, soften glare, and make rooms with heavy sun exposure more comfortable.
Solar screens are commonly installed on:
- West-facing windows
- South-facing windows
- Bedrooms
- Living rooms
- Home offices
- Large picture windows
- Windows near televisions
- Patio-facing windows and doors
Phoenix homeowners can typically choose between 80% and 90% screen materials. An 80% screen allows more natural light and a clearer outward view. A 90% screen provides stronger sunlight reduction, glare control, and daytime privacy.
Our guide to 80% vs. 90% solar screens explains which material may work best for different windows around your home.
What Are Insect Screens?
Insect screens are the standard lightweight mesh screens found on many windows and doors. Their main purpose is to prevent bugs from entering while allowing air to move through an open window.
They can help block common pests such as:
- Flies
- Mosquitoes
- Moths
- Gnats
- Bees
- Other flying insects
The mesh used for insect screens is usually more open than solar screen material. This allows plenty of airflow and provides a clear view outside.
However, insect screens are not intended to control sunlight. Most of the sun’s brightness and heat can still pass through the screen and reach the glass. As a result, installing a basic insect screen will not make a major difference in a room that becomes hot from direct afternoon sun.
Insect screens are best when pest control, ventilation, and a clear view are the main priorities.
Solar Screens vs. Insect Screens at a Glance
Here is a basic comparison of the two products:
| Feature | Solar Screens | Insect Screens |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Reduce sunlight, heat, and glare | Keep insects outside |
| Heat reduction | Strong | Very limited |
| Glare reduction | Yes | No |
| Daytime privacy | Increased | Minimal |
| Airflow | Moderate | High |
| Outdoor visibility | Good, but slightly darker | Very clear |
| Sun fading protection | Yes | Very limited |
| Energy-saving potential | Yes | Minimal |
| Insect protection | Yes | Yes |
Both options can help keep bugs outside when they fit the window properly. The main difference is that solar screens provide additional protection against Arizona’s sunlight and heat.
Which Type of Screen Blocks More Heat?
Solar screens are the clear choice for reducing heat from direct sunlight.
When the sun shines through an uncovered window, the glass absorbs heat and transfers some of that warmth into the room. Interior blinds and curtains can reduce brightness, but the sunlight has already passed through the glass by the time it reaches them.
Solar screens address the problem from the exterior. Their denser mesh reduces the amount of sunlight that reaches the glass in the first place.
This can be especially helpful on west-facing windows. These windows receive strong afternoon sunlight when outdoor temperatures are often at their highest. Large south-facing windows can also receive extended periods of sun exposure throughout the day.
Insect screens do not have enough material density to provide meaningful heat reduction. A room can still become very warm even when every window has a standard insect screen.
The results from solar screens can vary based on the size and direction of the window, nearby shade, screen material, glass type, insulation, and the design of the home. However, they are specifically made to address heat and sunlight in a way that insect screens are not.
How Do Solar and Insect Screens Compare for Airflow?
Insect screens generally provide the most airflow.
Their lightweight mesh has larger openings that allow fresh air to move through easily. This makes them useful for homeowners who regularly open their windows during the cooler fall, winter, and spring months in Arizona.
Solar screens also allow air to pass through, but the denser material can reduce airflow somewhat. A 90% screen will usually restrict more air than an 80% screen because it uses a tighter weave.
The difference may not matter on windows that remain closed for most of the year. However, it is worth considering for windows that are frequently opened for ventilation.
A mixed approach can work well. You might install solar screens on windows that receive strong sunlight and keep standard insect screens on shaded windows that are mainly used for fresh air.
Which Screen Provides Better Visibility?
Insect screens provide the clearest view because their mesh is lighter and more open.
Solar screens slightly darken the view, particularly when a 90% material is used. However, homeowners can still see outside through the screen. Visibility is usually better when looking from a darker room toward the brighter outdoors.
An 80% solar screen offers a good balance between sun protection and outward visibility. A 90% screen may be better for a hot bedroom, west-facing living room, or home office where heat and glare are bigger concerns than maintaining the clearest possible view.
Screen color, outdoor lighting, interior lighting, and the direction of the sun can also affect visibility.
Do Solar Screens Provide More Privacy?
Solar screens generally provide more daytime privacy than insect screens.
Their darker, denser mesh can make it more difficult for someone outside to see into the home during daylight hours. This may be helpful for street-facing bedrooms, home offices, living rooms, and houses located close to neighboring properties.
Insect screens provide very little privacy because the mesh is more open.
It is important to understand that solar screens do not provide complete privacy. Their privacy benefit can reverse at night. When it is dark outside and your interior lights are on, people may still be able to see through the window.
Blinds, curtains, or interior shades should still be used when nighttime privacy is important.
Can Solar Screens Keep Insects Out?
Yes. A properly fitted solar screen can help keep common insects from entering through an open window.
Because the material is tightly woven, it can perform many of the same pest-control functions as a standard insect screen while also reducing sunlight and glare. This means most windows do not need separate solar and insect screens installed over the same opening.
The condition and fit of the screen matter. Bugs may still enter if the mesh is torn, the frame is bent, or gaps are present around the edges.
Standard insect screens may remain the better choice when maximum airflow is the top priority. For heavily exposed windows, however, solar screens usually provide a more complete combination of insect protection, heat reduction, glare control, and daytime privacy.
When Are Insect Screens the Better Choice?
Solar screens are useful in Phoenix, but that does not mean every window needs one.
Standard insect screens may be enough for:
- North-facing windows with little direct sunlight
- Windows shaded by mature trees
- Windows beneath a covered patio
- Garages, workshops, and utility rooms
- Windows frequently opened for ventilation
- Rooms where maximum natural light is important
- Windows with a view you do not want to darken
Using both products in different areas of the home can help you balance ventilation, visibility, and sun protection without paying for solar screens where they offer little benefit.
When Do Solar Screens Make More Sense?
Solar screens are usually the better option when direct sunlight is creating a comfort problem inside your home.
They may be helpful when:
- One room becomes hotter than the rest of the house
- Strong afternoon sunlight comes through west-facing windows
- Blinds or curtains feel warm during the day
- Sunlight creates glare on televisions or computer screens
- Furniture, flooring, or interior finishes are beginning to fade
- You want more privacy from the street during the day
- Your air conditioner struggles to keep certain rooms comfortable
You also do not need to install the same material on every window. Many homeowners use 90% solar screens on their hottest west- and south-facing windows while choosing 80% screens for areas where natural light and visibility are more important.
Learn more about the available materials and installation options on our Phoenix solar screens service page.
Appearance, Materials, and Custom Fit
Solar screens and insect screens can both be built in custom frames that fit each window opening.
Solar screen material is heavier and is available in several colors. Frame colors can also be selected to coordinate with your window trim and exterior finishes. This helps the screens look like a planned part of the home rather than an add-on.
Accurate measurements are important. A screen that is too small may leave gaps around the window. A screen that is too large may bow, rattle, or fail to sit correctly in the opening.
Professional measuring and installation are especially helpful for oversized windows, unusual window shapes, and second-story installations.
Are Solar Screens Worth the Higher Cost?
Insect screens usually cost less because they use lighter material and are built for a simpler purpose.
Solar screens cost more, but they also provide benefits that standard insect screens do not. These may include reduced solar heat gain, less glare, added daytime privacy, and better protection against sun fading.
The value depends heavily on the window.
A solar screen may not provide much additional value on a fully shaded north-facing window. On a large west-facing window that receives hours of direct afternoon sun, the benefits can be much more noticeable.
At All Pro Shade Concepts, 80% and 90% solar screens cost $8 per square foot installed, with a $500 minimum project charge. The price includes custom frames, solar screen mesh, removal of old frames, and professional installation. There is no extra charge for second-story installation.
For more information and sample calculations, read our guide covering solar screen costs in Phoenix.
Choosing the Right Screens for Your Phoenix Home
There is no single screen that is best for every window.
Before deciding, consider:
- Which direction the window faces
- What time of day the room gets hottest
- How often the window is opened
- How much natural light you want
- Whether glare is a problem
- How important the outside view is
- Whether the window already receives shade
- Whether you want more daytime privacy
Insect screens are a practical choice when your main goals are airflow and pest control. Solar screens provide a broader solution when you also want to reduce direct sunlight, heat, and glare.
For many Phoenix homes, the best setup is a combination. Solar screens can be installed on the hottest and brightest windows, while insect screens remain on shaded windows that are mainly used for ventilation.
Get Custom Solar Screens in Phoenix, Arizona
Solar screens and insect screens may look similar, but their performance is very different. Insect screens are primarily made to keep bugs outside while allowing maximum airflow. Solar screens can also provide insect protection while helping reduce sunlight, heat, glare, and daytime visibility into your home.
All Pro Shade Concepts has provided custom sun-control products since 2005. We install professionally measured 80% and 90% solar screens throughout Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria, Scottsdale, Surprise, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Goodyear, Buckeye, and surrounding Valley communities.
Call 623-748-0408 or contact All Pro Shade Concepts to request a free estimate and find out which windows around your home would benefit most from solar screens.
