1% · Tighter screening
Consider when glare control matters most. The view is more screened; this is still not blackout.
CUSTOM WINDOW COVERINGS
Solar Shades
Your view. With the light under control.
Bring softer daylight into your home without closing off the outdoors. ShadeZone helps you choose custom solar screen shades around your view, window exposure and daily routine—from a bright Coquitlam kitchen to a west-facing Vancouver living room.
Ask about these shadesOr call 604-553-2125
Product inspiration · From our original websiteOpenness, explained.
Think of openness as the tiny gaps between woven threads. A lower number means a denser screen; a higher number leaves more of the weave open. “Opacity” describes how see-through a fabric feels, but it is not the same measurement.
3% · Everyday balance
A useful comparison for sunlit living spaces and offices where daylight and glare both matter.
5% · More connection
Compare for a more open view and daylight. Direct sun on a monitor may call for a tighter fabric.
10%+ · View first
A reference for more open weaves on gentler exposures. Offers less screening; collection availability varies.
Illustrations, not fabric swatches: these enlarged diagrams show relative open area only. They do not simulate your view, transmitted light, UV protection or heat performance. The percentage is not a CSS opacity setting or a guaranteed light-blocking percentage. Compare physical samples and the selected fabric’s data; not every level is available in every collection.
Choose for the moment
the sun becomes a problem.
Living rooms & large glass
Note when sunlight reaches the sofa or television. South- and west-facing openings may need stronger screening, while shaded windows can favour a more open view. Compare fabrics at the time the room is hardest to use.
Home offices
Test from your desk with the monitor on. A tighter screen can help with reflections, but the best result depends on desk position, screen angle and exposure.
Kitchens & dining rooms
Keep useful daylight at counters and tables. Check low morning or evening sun, and ask about cleaning instructions for the fabric you choose.
Bedrooms, bathrooms & street-facing rooms
Plan privacy first. A screen can be a daytime layer, but an opaque companion is usually the better starting point for private routines and sleep.
DAY AND NIGHT ARE DIFFERENTA daytime view.
A daytime view.
An evening plan.
Solar fabric is not a permanent one-way screen. Visibility changes with the balance of indoor and outdoor light. After dark, a lit room can become visible from outside—even with a low-openness fabric.
A double roller combines an independently operated solar screen and blackout fabric. Drapery can provide another privacy layer. We check the mounting space and coverage before recommending either.
Explore double roller shades
Colour changes the view.
Darker screen fabrics
Often give a clearer outward view and less reflected glare. Compare charcoal and darker neutrals against the scenery and your interior finishes.
Lighter screen fabrics
Create a brighter, softer appearance and can reflect more solar energy. Reflections can make the view less crisp; colour alone does not establish privacy or thermal performance.
Hold samples against the actual window. Compare them from the sofa, desk and doorway, in strong daylight and with the room lights on.
Glare. UV. Heat.
Comfort for your eyes
Glare control reduces harsh brightness and reflections. A comfortable screen can still leave a room pleasantly bright.
Care for your interiors
Selected fabrics reduce UV exposure. Ask for their tested data; shade fabric cannot prevent every cause of fading.
Comfort near the glass
Heat control depends on the fabric, glazing, exposure and installation. For difficult afternoon sun, ask about exterior shades or awnings as part of the plan.
Explore outdoor shadesWhen to choose another treatment
Compare cellular shades for insulation, blackout fabrics for stronger darkness, Roman or natural shades for texture, and shutters for adjustable coverage.
Compare the Product GuideBring the window into the conversation.
Send a photo, approximate dimensions, compass direction if known, and the time sunlight bothers you. Tell us how important the view is and whether the room needs privacy at night. ShadeZone can help narrow the fabric choices, review samples and plan installation across our Service Area.
Plan your solar shadesDIY measuring guideTHE DETAILSA closer look.
A closer look.
A choice that fits.
A solar shade is a roller shade made with woven screen fabric. Its small openings let you keep a connection to the view while moderating direct sun. Start with openness, then compare colour and the fabric’s technical data. We help coordinate the fabric, hardware, measurements and manual or motorized operation for your space.
Well suited to
Living and dining spaces, view windows, home offices and commercial interiors where useful daylight matters. Private rooms generally need an additional opaque layer.
ShadeZone helps with product selection, custom measurements and installation across our service area. Find your area
What are solar screen shades or sunscreen blinds?+
Solar screen shades, sometimes called sunscreen blinds, use an open-weave fabric to reduce glare and manage sunlight while retaining some daytime view. Compare fabric openness with your window exposure. Solar fabric does not give dependable nighttime privacy when the room is lit.
Does 5% openness mean only 5% of light gets through?+
No. It describes the open area of the weave. Light transmission, UV reduction and heat performance depend on the complete fabric specification, including colour and construction.
Can people see through solar shades at night?+
They may. When your room is brighter than outdoors, the open weave can reveal silhouettes or interior activity. For reliable nighttime privacy, add an appropriate opaque shade or drapery.
Can solar shades make a bedroom dark?+
Solar screen fabric is not blackout. Pair it with a separate blackout roller, room-darkening drapery or another suitable private treatment. Installation gaps still affect the finished result.
How should I choose a sample?+
View it at your own glass, with your room lighting and furnishings. Check the difficult time of day and compare the view from normal seating positions. A digital illustration cannot replace a physical sample.
Are solar shades the best option for insulation?+
They are selected mainly for solar and glare control. If insulating comfort is the main goal, compare cellular shades. We can also discuss layered treatments and exterior shading for the conditions at your window.
From our Coquitlam showroom
to your home.
ShadeZone supplies and installs custom window treatments in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Vancouver, Burnaby, North Vancouver and West Vancouver. Explore your local guide for measurement, access and installation planning.
We also welcome enquiries from Richmond, New Westminster, Surrey, Delta, Langley, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, White Rock and nearby communities. See the full service area and travel arrangements.
Visit our Coquitlam showroomYOUR NEXT STEPLet’s find
Let’s find
your perfect fit.
Tell us about your solar shades project. Share your rooms, approximate window sizes and what you want to achieve with light and privacy.
We’ll review your options and help plan the next step. Visit our showroom
More ways to shade.
Roller Shades
A simple fabric shade with a clean, flat finish. Choose subtle textures, bold patterns or natural-look fabrics, with light control ranging from softly filtered daylight to room-darkening coverage.
Double roller shades
Pair a daytime screen or light-filtering fabric with a separate blackout roller. Operate each shade independently to change from filtered daylight to greater privacy and light blocking.
Cellular / Honeycomb Shades
Cellular shades, also called honeycomb shades, use hollow fabric cells that trap air at the window. Their softly pleated design combines light control with insulating comfort. Choose single-cell fabrics in 3/4-inch (¾-inch) or 1.25-inch (1¼-inch) sizes, or double-cell construction for added insulation.