Solar shades provide some degree of privacy during the daytime, but they are not optimized for complete privacy. In order to increase privacy in your home, you can either add a liner to your solar shades or invest in curtains to layer them.
Without a liner or a layered curtain, solar shades only provide daytime privacy. They have an open fabric weave that allows natural light and air to pass through. During the day, you can see out but passers-by can’t see in. At night when lights are on in your room, the effect is reversed. When lights are on in your room, the solar fabric becomes transparent, so your nosy neighbors will see in. And you won’t like to be in such a situation, will you?
Other than privacy, the benefits of solar window coverings are amazing, such as UV protection, glare reduction, energy efficiency, and natural light optimization. So, a better way is to improve the privacy level of your solar window treatments instead of looking for an alternative.
Here are 11 easy DIY tips to create privacy with your moveable solar shading devices, such as the use of dense fabric weave, blackout or privacy lining, layering, precise fit, and bottom-up design.
Scroll on to learn some creative ways to create privacy with sun-blocking window treatments.
What Are Solar Shades?
Also known as sun shades or solar roller blinds, solar shades are one of the best affordable window coverings out there to add to the functionality and style of your window treatments. They reduce glare, block heat and UV rays, while still allowing great views of the outdoors. By blocking heat in summer and cold in winter, they help you cut down on your energy bills.
Sun shades usually come with a roller mechanism which is easy to raise or lower and gives your window treatments a sleeker look. Compared to cellular blinds and Roman shades, solar shades are easy to clean window treatments with low maintenance costs.
Easy DIY Tips to Create Privacy with Solar Shades
Here are some quick DIY tips to customize your sun blinds for complete, adjustable privacy.
1. High Opacity Level (We Recommend 1% Openness)
One of the easiest and most affordable ways to improve the privacy level of your sun shades is to buy a product with high opacity or low openness level. Different openness percentages of solar roller shades include 1%, 3%, 5%, 10%, and 14%.
A shade with a 1% openness factor will have a denser fabric weave to block out 99% of the UV radiation while allowing only 1% percent of the natural light to sail into your room. These types of window treatments can reduce visibility from the outside by blocking more sunlight and creating a greater barrier between the exterior and interior.
2. Blackout/Privacy Liner
The use of a blackout or privacy liner is another cost-effective way to improve the privacy of your solar window treatments. With this liner, you can also make your shades provide a room-darkening effect in your room. And when there is a night-like environment in your room, could there be any chances of privacy leakage? Obviously, not!
3. Layering
Third easy way to create privacy with solar roller shades is the use of layering. Laying sun shades with sheer curtains or drapes gives an effective way to achieve privacy while still providing natural light during the daytime. Keep your solar window treatments down to maintain privacy, and when needed, you can close the curtains or drapes for improved privacy during the nighttime.
4. Custom Sizing for Perfect Edge-to-Edge Fit
Order solar roller window coverings that are custom-sized to the fraction of an inch for your window frames to ensure a precise fit and minimize gaps to improve privacy. Properly fitted blinds prevent outsiders from peeking through the sides, creating a more private and secure environment .
5. Bottom-Up Lift Option
Bottom-up solar blinds allow you to maintain privacy at eye level while still allowing light to enter from the top of the window opening. With this configuration, you can keep the lower part of your window covered while the top portion remains open. It will offer a perfect balance between privacy and natural light.
6. Top-Down Solar Shade Style
Installing top-down solar window treatments allows you to lower the shade from the top of the window and maintain privacy in the lower part of the window. You will still be enjoying natural light from above half of the window opening. This configuration is particularly useful in settings where you want privacy on the lower half of the window openings but still want to allow natural light to enter from the upper portion.
7. Adding Valances & Cornices
Adding valances and/or cornices above your solar roller blinds not only enhances the decorative elements of your window treatments but also provides additional privacy. These decorative add-ons can obstruct the view from above, preventing people in the street from looking down into your room.
8. Motorized or Smart Lift Option
Solar shades with motorization or smart lift systems offer convenient control over privacy levels in your room. With the ability to raise, lower, or adjust your shades using a wireless remote control or smartphone app, you can easily adjust the window treatments to your desired position for the required level of privacy. With cordless lift, both these lift systems are pet and child-safe, as they do not make use of any dangling cords which could cause strangulation or choking hazard for young children or pets.
9. Choose an Outside Mount & Add 3-4” for Better Coverage
With an outside mount option and adding 3 to 4 inches to length and width, your solar shades will provide better coverage and control over light and view from the outside.
10. Side Channels/Tracks
Installing side channels or tracks along the sides of your window frame can help prevent light leakage and increase the privacy level in your room. These tracks create a snug fit for the solar roller shades and reduce the chances of anyone being able to see inside your room from an angle.
11. Reverse Roll
By opting for a reverse roll installation style, where the fabric rolls off the front of the window shade instead of the back, you can minimize light gaps between the window frame and the shade. This configuration will ensure a better fit and enhance your privacy by reducing the chances of light seeping through the sides.
How to Correctly Install Solar Blinds for Better Privacy
Accurately measure your window’s width and height to the fraction of an inch to get the right sized solar blinds. Then install them properly for complete coverage and privacy.
For a professional, inch-by-inch, follow DIY step-by-step guide on how to install solar shades on windows.
- Step 1: Drill holes (using a ⅜-inch drill bit)
- Step 2: Set up the brackets with screws and a screwdriver.
- Step 3: Hang your window covers.
Summing Up
While solar roller shades can provide some degree of privacy during the daytime, they may not offer complete and adjustable privacy on their own. If privacy is a top priority along with UV protection in your home, office, or other building, you should customize your solar blinds to improve their privacy.
FAQs
How do you make solar shades private?
Lower the openness level to 1%, choose a tighter fabric weave, add a privacy liner, and choose an outside mount to make your solar shades private. With these modifications, your sun shades will be less see through and block more light, creating private and dark space in your bedroom for restful sleep.
Can solar shades provide privacy?
The answer is both ‘yes’ and ‘no’. The lower the openness level, the tighter the fabric wave, the less you can see through the solar shades, and vice versa. During the day, the privacy is even better, as you can see outside but others can’t see into your room. The exact opposite will be true at night. Adding a liner or a layered curtain will make your solar blinds 100% private.
Can you see inside at night with solar shades?
Yes, when lights are on in your room at night, you can see inside with solar shades. However, you won’t be able to see through them from the inside to the outdoors. These window coverings are only good at providing daytime privacy.
Do roller shades provide privacy at night?
Yes, roller shades with a blackout fabric provide two-way privacy both during the day and night. Roller shades are incredibly practical, as they provide complete privacy and light control when lowered all the way down.
Further Assistance
Still unsure about the best way to increase privacy with your solar shades? Use 24/7 live chat or give us a call at (800) 863-6109 to contact our experts for custom privacy solutions.