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Heating & Air Conditioning Windows Design Dilemma

Solar shades - can’t decide! Help

4 years ago

Hello,

I am installing solar shades in my living and dining room in NYC. The windows fully cover the southern wall across both rooms and are full southern exposure. We are also on a high apartment floor so get full sun all day. Primary concern is decreasing glare and reducing heat (it can get quite hot!). At the same time, it’s a nice view out the windows. We are expecting a baby as well so I want to make sure the space is not too hot for her to play in. I am torn between a 1% and a 3% shade. 3% still offers some view but will not reduce heat as much as 1%. Concern with 1% then is — is it overkill and take away too much sun and view? Does anyone have experience with either that can comment? I haven’t found too many comments from people with 1% shades.

Thanks.

Featured Answer

PRO

Windows on Washington Ltd

4 years ago

What a view!! You doing this yourself or having a company do it? If its the latter, they should be able to provide you with a swatch of either to get a visual on the realized look of both.

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Comments (10)

HU-888945888
Original Author
4 years ago
Thank you—we have swatches and still can’t decide. :-)
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PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
You can't decide from a swatch. What does that illustrate other than color. View photos with different %s of the screen in front of the same view.

I think you want at least 5% so you can see the view & you want bronze/gray material so you can actually see the view through the shades.
User
4 years ago
Biggest note is the off axis view is near nil. Very hard to see out at any angle to the side.
Helen
4 years ago
I live in a high rise with a view and a strong Eastern exposure. I need shades down in the morning before the sun rises sufficiently so that it doesn't glare into my apartment - glare, heat plus damage to furniture and floors were all issues.

In addition to my solar shades, I also installed UVA film on the windows. It is not visible at all and is rated to reduce UVA by almost 99%. I know that the bills for A/C this summer were significantly lower than before I had film and solar blinds. I am in Los Angeles so I run the A/C pretty much non-stop.
Anne Duke
4 years ago
I have 1% and while they let in light, the view will be lost while they are down. But, the shades don’t have to be down all the time. I raise and lower mine as needed.
Snaggy
4 years ago
I have view envie !
Laura Villar
4 years ago
me too Snaggy! beautiful view!
ekoorba
4 years ago
What did you choose in the end??
HU-528710687
4 years ago
Incredible view! Call me at your earliest convenience at 636-352-7689; Halcyon has the treatment for you and I will personally see to it that you get what you need in time for this new addition to your family. I look forward to hearing from you.

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