Some Commonly Asked Questions:

Q:  Why do Black and Brown cost less than the other colors?
A:  Darker colors are the most functional and the most popular.  There is a little price advantage because I do more volume in these colors.  Offering a discount tends to increase demand, which helps me to streamline my inventory and process making the discount worthwhile.

Q:  How much can I expect to save on my electric bill?
A:  SRP claims that by shading all sun-struck windows you can save up to 25% of your cooling costs.  With 80% screens a good portion of that savings may be obtained.  Maximum savings will be achieved with 90% Suntex, but with a reduction in natural light.  Figure your cooling cost by subtracting out the "base" amount of your electric bill.  (For example one month when you didn't use heat or AC your bill was $80.  In July your bill was $280.  Your cooling cost is $200 for July.)

Q:  It gets so HOT in Arizona, why would anyone choose 80% instead of 90% screens?
A:  There are a few reasons, the most common is to allow more sunlight to illuminate the room while still having some protection.  Common applications for Suntex 80 are windows where the sun exposure is minimal, or on any room where maximum natural light is preferred.

Q:  Will Suntex 90 block too much of the light, making my rooms too dark?
A:  Suntex 90 does make a noticeable change in the lighting of your rooms.   It's a natural tradeoff, blocking most of the sun's heat does require a reduction in the amount of light coming in.  In the end it is a personal choice and only you can say how much light is needed in your home.   It may help to consider which concerns you more: having too much heat, -or- having too much shade.

Q:  If the screens block so much of the sun won't 90% screens also block some of my view?
A:  Look at this picture, the straight-ahead daylight view is actually better than the old 70% sun screens (but the room will be darker).  If you are trying see out at an extreme angle to the window then your view will be blocked, it's the same properties that block more of the sun as the angle gets sharper.

Q:  How can you charge less than the competition and stay in business?
A:  It's simple, my overhead is much lower than the larger screen shops.  I carefully control everything I do so my scrap and rework costs are extremely low, and thanks to referrals I spend almost nothing on advertising.  I pass the savings to my customers and enjoy seeing them pleased with the high quality at a great price.

Q:  What about low-E windows, I hear they don't need solar screens?
A:  There are two factors to consider in energy efficient low-E windows.  The first is the insulating or R-value, which is the ability to stop thermal energy (cool or warm air) from passing through.  The second is the Shading Coefficient (SC), or the ability of solar energy to pass through.  In our hot climate a low SC is desired (yes, it's backwards - a low SC means greater shading ability).  Some low-E windows have achieved an SC of .35, which is comparable to a 70% solar screen.  This is a remarkable achievement in window technology.  Solar screens do remain as the most effective at rejecting solar energy, but the choice is a personal one.  The lowest possible cooling bills would be achieved with the highest R-value and the lowest SC value (Suntex 90 has an SC of approximately .1).

Q:  Should I remove the screens during winter months?
A:  It's a personal choice, if you want a little more solar heat gain during the coldest winter months you can certainly remove the screens.  Just take care in storing them that nothing pushes against the screen to stretch it out of shape.

Q:  I can't easily turn the clips to remove the screens for cleaning.
A:  Though they appear to simply twist off, the clips should be kept snug enough that high winds over time cannot work the screen loose.  In most cases a turn with a Phillips screwdriver will loosen the clips enough to twist off.  Remember to re-tighten when putting the screen back on.

Q:  How do I keep my screens clean?
A:  If they are just dusty a light rinsing with a hose should easily take the dust off.

Q:  My screens are dirty and they won't rinse off easily, how can I clean them?
A:  When dirt becomes "baked" on the screen they are a little harder to clean.  A soft window scrubber and some mild detergent should do the trick.  Be sure to rinse well to remove all the detergent.  Also take care not to stretch the screen out of shape.

Q:  How do you attach the screens to my windows?
A:  I use the clips the way they were designed to be used, by attaching them to the outer edge of the exposed window frame.  Some companies prefer to build oversized one-piece screens, and they claim that mounting into the stucco has advantages.  I simply don't follow their logic.  When the clips attach to exposed frame (the outer edge, away from the glass) they have a supportive base and are secure.  On virtually every home where screen clips are mounted into stucco I have found loose clips, where they have fallen off the screen frame and are doing nothing to hold the screen on.

Q:  Do solar screens affect the window warranty?
A:  In my experience I do not see a massive disservice being performed against all the new-home owners by screen companies that attach screens to the exposed window frame (the majority of screens are installed this way).  I have read many window warranties, and they simply do not have any "attachment or fastening to" clause that voids the warranty.  I have also not experienced or heard of any warranty denials resulting from simply attaching screens properly to the exposed window frame (this is the way the screen frame and clips are designed to be used).  Unfortunately some builders like to hassle, but window companies are primarily concerned with the glass.  Tint or films applied to the glass often void the warranty.  Painting the glass may also void the warranty.  Obviously, if I damaged the glass while installing screens I would be responsible.  The window warranty will not cover attachments to the window (it doesn't need to, the screens have their own warranty).  Read your own window warranty and I think you will find it is reasonable and aligned with common sense logic.  Properly installed screens do not interfere in any way with the function or integrity of the window, and should not adversely affect the window warranty.

Q:  Will the screens be more effecive if the entire window frame is covered?
A:  This is one of the selling points of some screen shops and in my opinion is simply a sales line.  Solar screens do help shade the window but they are still a "partial" shade.  As long as some sun is still hitting the glass the amount of heat radiating through the window frame is negligible.  The real problem is solar energy easily penetrates the glass and then the resulting heat is trapped inside.  All focus should be on shading the glass, and until all the direct rays are completely blocked the thermal conductivity of the frame is a non-issue.  Windows will never insulate like a wall, but shading the glass from direct sun can significantly reduce your cooling costs.