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By North Phoenix Solar Screens · Phoenix-area window screening
Quick answer: Sun screens and solar screens commonly refer to the same exterior window product in Phoenix. Both use woven mesh to reduce sunlight and glare before it reaches the glass. What matters when comparing quotes is the actual mesh, its sun-control performance, the frame, and how the screen fits your window.
What are sun screens, and how do they work?
Solar screens, also known as sun screens, sit outside your windows rather than inside the room. Their woven material intercepts a portion of incoming sunlight while still allowing some light and air through. They are not solar panels: they do not generate electricity, connect to your electrical system, or require an inverter.
North Phoenix Solar Screens uses Phifer SunTex® solar screen material for its solar-screen installations. Phifer describes SunTex 80/90 as vinyl-coated polyester, not ordinary fiberglass insect mesh. Its product page states that the material can block 80–90% of the sun’s hot rays before they enter the window. See Phifer’s SunTex specifications for the manufacturer’s performance information and application details.
That product rating is not a promise of an 80–90% reduction in your electric bill. It describes the screening material, not the energy use of an entire house. Glass type, screen color, sun angle and installation all affect the result at an individual window.
Is there a difference between sun screens and regular bug screens?
The names can be confusing when shopping for replacement window screens. An insect screen is primarily selected to keep bugs out while allowing ventilation. Solar mesh is selected for sun control as well as screening. If the goal is to make a hot room more comfortable, replacing a torn bug screen with another standard insect screen is not the same specification as installing solar mesh.
- Sun screen / solar screen
- Exterior sun-control mesh. Compare the named fabric, density, color, fit and mounting hardware.
- Standard insect screen
- A screen chosen mainly for insect protection and ventilation. Do not assume it has the same solar performance.
- Window tint
- A film applied to glass, not a framed mesh screen. Glass compatibility and film specifications need separate consideration.
If insects are your main concern, explore our insect-screen options. If you are comparing exterior mesh with film, read our solar screens versus window tint guide.
Which Phoenix windows should get solar screens first?
Start with the rooms you actually notice: an office with afternoon glare, a bedroom that stays warm, or a living room with sunlight across the seating area. In Phoenix, exposed west-facing windows are useful places to evaluate because they receive afternoon sun. East-facing windows may need morning glare control; south-facing exposure depends on season and shading.
- Observe the problem. Note when direct sunlight enters and whether heat, glare or privacy is your main concern.
- Check existing shade. A porch, tree or neighboring structure can change the needs of two windows on the same wall.
- Consider the room’s use. A screen-facing workspace and a room where you want maximum daylight may need different choices.
- Compare from indoors. Look through mesh samples toward your own yard instead of judging only a close-up fabric photo.
This approach works whether you are comparing sun screens for a North Phoenix home or planning a project in Scottsdale, Peoria, Glendale, Anthem, Cave Creek or Carefree. Local context matters, but your particular window exposure matters more than a neighborhood label. You do not necessarily need the same mesh on every side of the home.
Should you choose 80% or 90% mesh?
Both options are intended for exterior sun control. The practical decision is a balance between stronger shading and the daylight you want to retain. Compare 80% mesh if preserving more light is important; consider 90% mesh for a window where stronger sun control is the priority. Neither is automatically the best choice for every room.
Phifer’s specifications list approximately 25% openness for SunTex 80 and 10% for SunTex 90. Openness is the open area of the fabric; it is not the same measurement as UV blockage, visible-light transmission or electricity savings. These distinctions help you compare products without assuming every percentage describes the same thing.
Our 80% and 90% solar screen mesh guide provides a visual starting point. Final appearance depends on the mesh color, outdoor lighting and what is behind the screen. A sample at your window is more useful than a guarantee based only on a photograph.
What should you check before ordering custom sun screens?
A useful quote identifies the material and the work included. Ask whether the price covers frames, mounting hardware and installation, and whether existing screens need to be removed. For a shaped opening, explain the shape before relying on a rectangular width-and-height estimate.
- Window details: Count, approximate dimensions, location and any irregular shapes, such as semi-circular windows.
- Product details: Named mesh, density, mesh color and frame finish.
- Access and operation: How the screen mounts and whether the window must open, be cleaned or serve as an emergency escape opening. Do not obstruct required emergency egress.
- HOA requirements: Check your own association’s current approval and color rules before installation; requirements are not identical across communities.
Approximate measurements help start a conversation, but final fit and mounting need to be confirmed. Our window measuring guide explains how to gather useful information for an initial estimate. Avoid assuming that the visible glass measurement is the finished screen size.
What about warranties and long-term expectations?
North Phoenix Solar Screens’ five-year limited workmanship warranty is separate from Phifer’s applicable ten-year limited exterior manufacturer’s warranty for eligible SunTex mesh. The manufacturer’s coverage does not extend to frames, mounting hardware, insect mesh or installation workmanship. Gradual fading and physical damage are not covered by Phifer, and removal or replacement labor is not automatically included.
Review the terms supplied for your project and Phifer’s official product and warranty information. A warranty period is not a promise that every part of the screen will last that long regardless of weather, maintenance or damage.
Frequently asked questions about Phoenix sun screens
Are sun screens and solar screens the same thing?
For residential window screening in Phoenix, sun screens and solar screens commonly mean the same thing: exterior mesh screens designed to reduce incoming sunlight and glare. Ask for the specific mesh product, density, frame and mounting method rather than relying on the name alone.
Should I choose 80% or 90% solar screens in Phoenix?
Compare 80% mesh when maintaining more daylight is a priority, and 90% mesh when stronger sun control is the priority. Window direction, existing shade and room use matter; compare samples from inside your home before choosing.
Do sun screens provide privacy at night?
Do not rely on sun screens for nighttime privacy. Visibility changes with lighting, and people outside may see into a brightly lit room after dark. Use curtains or blinds when privacy is required.
Do I need sun screens on every window?
Not necessarily. Start by evaluating windows with direct sun, uncomfortable glare or rooms that overheat. A deeply shaded window may have different needs from an exposed west-facing window.
Can I get an estimate by email?
North Phoenix Solar Screens offers free quotes by email. Send the approximate number and size of your windows, your location, and details about any irregular shapes, such as semi-circular windows. Personalized quotes are provided within 24 business hours; in-person estimates are also available.
Will solar screens lower my electricity bill by a fixed amount?
No fixed savings amount applies to every home. Solar screens reduce incoming solar heat, but bill savings depend on glazing, insulation, HVAC performance, thermostat settings, window exposure and the number of windows screened.
Get a free sun screen quote for your Phoenix home
Tell North Phoenix Solar Screens how many windows you want screened, their approximate sizes, your city or ZIP code, and which rooms get the strongest sun. Include your email address and mention any irregular shapes, such as semi-circular windows. We offer personalized quotes within 24 business hours, and in-person estimates are also available.
Request a free solar screen estimate or call (602) 652-2927. Whether you call them sun screens or solar screens, the goal is the same: select the right exterior screening for your home, with clear product details and a custom fit.
Sources and product information
Phifer Incorporated: SunTex® 80/90 Exterior Solar Screen — material composition, sun-control description, openness specifications and manufacturer warranty information. Reviewed October 30, 2026. Manufacturer specifications are not whole-home savings guarantees.