Charlie: Anthony in Cyprus wants to know, “Do you have an opinion on solar tinting versus solar screens to keep heat out of the house?”
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Tom: Well they both work. But if you look at the studies, the solar screens are always going to be more effective and here’s why, they don’t attach to the glass. Solar tinting goes usually on the inside of the glass, so the glass will still heat up, even though it reflects back. And you can get problems with double-paned windows and stuff because it overheats the glass. But with solar screens it keeps the glass cool, so it’s always going to be more effective if you can find a good one that you like.
I have solar screens in my house. I like the, what I call medium density, it’s made by Phifer. It’s a 65% reduction in the heat but it still allows you to see outside and give you some quality light in your house.
Charlie: They’re a lot more translucent than the old ones, you can see through them better than the old ones.
Tom: It depends what you buy.
Charlie: Yeah.