Solar Screens vs Insect Screens: Which Mesh Does Your Opening Need?
Insect screens use a fine, open weave (typically 18x14 fiberglass) that stops bugs while letting through nearly all light and air; solar screens use a denser coated weave that blocks roughly 80-95% of sunlight and much of the heat, while still stopping most insects. Choose insect mesh for openings used mainly in the evening or on shaded sides, and solar mesh for sun-struck west and south openings where glare and heat are the real problem. This comparison shows where each wins and when it is worth installing both.
Key takeaways
- Solar screens are rated by the percentage of light they block (80%, 90%, 95%), which corresponds roughly to an openness factor of 20%, 10% and 5%.
- Mounted outside the glass, a 90% solar screen can cut solar heat through a sunny window by well over half; inside the glass it does much less.
- Insect screens barely affect heat or light, so they are the right choice wherever the goal is airflow, view and bug control.
- Dark solar mesh (black, charcoal, bronze) gives the best outward view; light colors reject slightly more heat but create glare and are easier to see into.
- Solar mesh gives daytime privacy but reverses at night: with lights on inside, people can see in.
What is the actual difference?
Both are woven meshes, usually of vinyl-coated polyester or fiberglass. The difference is how much open area the weave leaves. Standard insect mesh has an openness factor well above 50%, so light, air and view pass almost unhindered. Solar mesh closes that up to 5-20% openness, and the thick coated yarns absorb or reflect most of the sunlight before it reaches the glass or the room. Products such as Phifer SunTex and Twitchell solar fabrics are common examples of this category. How openness is measured and what it does to view is covered in screen mesh openness factor.
| Factor | Insect screen (18x14) | Solar screen 80% | Solar screen 90% | Solar screen 95% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Approx. openness | 60-70% | About 20% | About 10% | About 5% |
| Light and glare reduction | Minimal | High | Very high | Near blackout outdoors-in |
| Heat reduction (exterior mount) | Small | Substantial | Large | Largest |
| Outward view by day | Excellent | Good | Fair to good | Fair |
| Airflow | Excellent | Moderate | Reduced | Low |
| Daytime privacy | None | Some | Good | Very good |
| Stops mosquitoes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Typical material cost | Lowest | 2-3x insect mesh | 2-3x | 2-4x |
Exact figures vary by product and color; check the manufacturer's openness and solar data for the specific fabric.
How much heat does a solar screen actually block?
Placement matters more than percentage. An exterior solar screen intercepts sunlight before it passes through the glass, so the heat it absorbs is released outdoors. An interior screen lets the sun through the glass first, and much of the absorbed heat is released into the room. That is the same principle behind exterior awnings outperforming interior blinds; the US Department of Energy notes that awnings can reduce solar heat gain by up to 65% on south-facing windows and 77% on west-facing windows.
These are approximate figures; real values depend on glass type, sun angle and fabric. To estimate savings for your home, try the energy savings calculator.
Visibility, color and privacy
Dark mesh colors (black, charcoal, dark bronze) absorb light and reduce reflection, so your eye sees through them more easily. Light colors (beige, white, stone) reflect more sunlight and so reject a little more heat, but they glow in direct sun and make it harder to see out. They also show more from the street.
Privacy works only one way at a time. In daylight the bright exterior makes it hard to see into a room behind solar mesh. After dark, with lights on inside, the effect reverses and people outside can see in. Insect screens give essentially no privacy at any time.
Airflow and insect protection
All common solar meshes stop mosquitoes and flies, and the tightest weaves stop many smaller insects too. But airflow drops as openness falls. On a screened porch where the goal is a cool evening breeze, a 90% solar screen can make the space feel stuffy. Insect mesh wins for ventilation, especially on shaded or north-facing openings where heat is not an issue.
If you are dealing with no-see-ums, a dense solar mesh or a 20x20 insect mesh both work; standard 18x14 insect mesh does not.
When to use both
Some openings need different things at different times of day: shade at 4 pm and a breeze at 8 pm. Options include:
- Dual-roller systems: large motorized screens can carry an insect screen and a solar screen in one head box with separate channels, so you choose either. See motorized patio screens.
- Solar on the sunny side, insect elsewhere: on a porch, fit solar mesh on the west and south faces and insect mesh on the shaded faces.
- Exterior solar screen plus interior insect screen: on windows, a fixed exterior solar screen handles heat, while a retractable window screen inside handles bugs when the window is open.
Solar screens or awnings?
For heat, both work best outside the glass. Awnings preserve the view and airflow because they shade from above, but they leave low-angle west sun only partly blocked. Exterior solar screens block low sun completely but put a mesh in your line of sight. We compare them in detail in exterior solar shades vs awnings.
Bottom line
If your problem is bugs, use insect mesh. If your problem is heat and glare on a sunny wall, use exterior solar mesh: 80% where you value the view, 90% on west exposures, 95% only for privacy or glare-critical rooms. Where you need shade by day and breeze at night, combine them rather than compromising on one mesh.
Frequently asked questions
Do solar screens make a room dark?
They reduce daylight noticeably, especially at 90% and 95%. Most people find 80% screens keep rooms comfortably lit while cutting glare. Dark colors feel less dim from inside than light colors because they glare less.
Can solar screens be used in winter?
They block welcome winter sun too, which can increase heating costs on south-facing windows. Removable or retractable solar screens are best in climates with cold winters; fixed ones make more sense in hot climates.
Do solar screens damage windows?
Exterior solar screens do not cause the thermal stress issues sometimes associated with interior films. Follow your window manufacturer's guidance if the glass has special coatings, but exterior screens are generally considered safe.
Are solar screens worth it in a humid climate?
Yes for heat, but airflow drops and mesh can hold moisture, so choose a vinyl-coated polyester that resists mildew and leave a gap for air movement. Clean annually to prevent mildew spotting.
How long does solar screen mesh last?
Quality vinyl-coated polyester solar mesh commonly lasts around 10 years or more in full sun, longer on shaded exposures. UV fading and brittleness at the edges are the usual signs it is due for replacement.
Can I replace insect mesh with solar mesh in my existing screens?
Often yes for fixed frames, using a slightly larger spline because solar mesh is thicker. In retractable screens, check the cassette has room for the thicker roll and the spring or motor can handle the extra weight.
Sources and standards consulted
- EN 13561:2015, External blinds and awnings (covers vertical external screens and wind classes) (CEN)
- Screen mesh specification sheets (fiberglass, polyester and PVC-coated meshes) (manufacturer documentation)
- Energy Efficient Window Attachments (U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver)
- Attachments Energy Rating Council (AERC) rating program (AERC)
See how we research for our sourcing and verification process.