Written by Big Easy Windows
Key Takeaways
- Insect screens keep bugs out. Solar screens do that and block a large share of solar heat before it reaches the glass.
- On west and south-facing windows in this climate, exterior solar screens are one of the cheapest ways to cut afternoon heat gain.
- Screens are exterior-mounted, so they intercept heat before it enters. That’s why they outperform interior blinds for heat control.
- Denser mesh means more shade and less view. Choose the density per elevation rather than for the whole house.
- Big Easy Windows fits screens with new and existing windows. Call (504) 384-8165.
Two Different Products That Look Similar
Quick Answer: A standard insect screen uses an open mesh sized to stop bugs while passing air and light. A solar screen uses a denser, wider-profile mesh engineered to absorb and reflect solar radiation, typically blocking a substantial share of the sun’s heat before it hits the glass. Both keep insects out. Only one meaningfully reduces cooling load, and in the New Orleans metro that difference shows up on the bill.
Homeowners in Metairie and Kenner with a west-facing living room usually know exactly which window we mean. It’s the one nobody sits near after 3pm.
Why Exterior Shading Beats Interior Blinds
Once sunlight passes through glass, its energy is inside the house. Interior blinds and curtains block light and reduce glare, and the heat is already in the room. Exterior shading stops the energy before it gets in.
That’s the whole argument for solar screens in a cooling-dominated climate. They’re less expensive than replacing glass and can be added to windows that are otherwise fine, which makes them a sensible first move if new windows aren’t in the budget this year.
Choosing Mesh
Standard Insect Mesh
Fiberglass or aluminum in a conventional weave. Maximum airflow and view, minimal heat control. Right for north-facing windows and anywhere you want the clearest view.
Solar Screen Mesh
Sold by shading percentage, commonly in a range from around 80 to 90 percent. Higher numbers block more heat and darken the view more. A practical approach is heavier density on west and south exposures, lighter or standard mesh elsewhere.
Pet-Resistant Mesh
Heavier-gauge weave built to resist claws. Worth it on doors and low windows where a dog or cat pushes against the screen. Slightly reduced visibility compared with standard mesh.
Fine Mesh
Tighter weave for smaller insects. Airflow drops as the weave tightens, which is a real tradeoff when you actually want the breeze.
What They Look Like From Inside and Out
Be realistic about this before ordering the densest option available. Solar screens darken the view outward, noticeably so at higher shading percentages. From outside they read as a dark, uniform panel, which many people find tidy and some don’t. Colors vary, and darker mesh generally gives better outward visibility than lighter mesh at the same density, which surprises people.
If a room’s view is its best feature, use lighter mesh there and put the heavy screens on the windows nobody looks through.
Screens and Storm Season
Screens are not storm protection. They’re not rated for impact and shouldn’t be confused with impact-resistant windows or approved shutters, which is the subject of our post on wind borne debris rules.
Practical storm-season note: remove and store screens ahead of a serious wind event. They can be damaged or become debris, and they’re inexpensive to reinstall afterward. Also make sure any screen on a bedroom window can be removed from inside, which ties into egress requirements.
Maintenance in Our Climate
Screens here collect pollen in spring, dust year round, and mildew in shaded damp spots. A rinse and a gentle wash with mild soap once or twice a year keeps them clear and keeps airflow up. Check the spline and frame corners while you’re at it, since a screen that’s pulling loose at a corner will tear.
Aluminum frames outlast plastic ones in this sun. Store removed screens flat and labeled by window so reinstallation isn’t a puzzle. Our window maintenance guide covers the rest of the exterior routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will solar screens really lower my cooling bill?
They reduce solar heat gain on the windows they cover, and the effect is largest on unshaded west and south glass. How much you notice depends on how much of your load comes through those windows.
Can solar screens go on existing windows?
Yes. That’s a large part of the appeal. They fit most existing operable windows without changing the window itself.
Do they work with low-E glass?
Yes, and the effects stack. Low-E reduces gain at the glass, and the screen reduces what reaches the glass. See our energy label guide for how the glass side is rated.
Should I screen every window?
Not necessarily. Match density to exposure and skip heavy screens where view matters and heat gain is low.
Do screens reduce airflow?
Any mesh reduces it somewhat, and denser weaves reduce it more. On windows you open for breeze, favor lighter mesh.
Ask About Screens With Your Quote
If you’re already replacing windows, specifying screens at the same time is simpler and usually cheaper than adding them later. If you’re not replacing anything, screens on the worst two or three elevations are a small project with a noticeable result.
Big Easy Windows serves the New Orleans metro and Northshore. Browse window types, see our services, or call (504) 384-8165.
