Frequently Asked Questions

Solar screens, also known as sun screens, are specialized window screens made from heavy-duty woven mesh, typically fiberglass coated in PVC, mounted on the outside of your windows or doors. Unlike interior blinds or shades that trap heat after it enters the glass, solar screens intercept sunlight before it ever hits the window. They block solar heat, UV rays, and glare while still letting air through and preserving your view.

Standard insect screens are designed only to keep bugs out; they use a very fine, lightweight mesh that does almost nothing to block heat or UV. Solar screens use a much denser, heavier-duty mesh (typically 80% or 90% openness blockage) engineered specifically to reduce solar heat gain. They're built on stronger frames and are far more durable than insect screens.

No, this is the most common misconception. From inside your home during the day, you can still see out clearly through solar screens. The mesh reduces glare and softens the brightness of direct sunlight, which actually makes the view more comfortable to look at. At night, with interior lights on, the screens do limit outward visibility slightly, the same way any window screen does.

Yes. Solar screens are installed on the outside of your windows, so your windows operate exactly as they always have. In the cooler months, open your windows freely; the screens still keep bugs and dust out while letting the breeze in.

Our 90% solar mesh blocks up to 90% of solar heat gain before it reaches the glass. Our 80% mesh blocks up to 80%. In Phoenix, where west and south-facing windows can receive intense direct afternoon sun for hours, this is the single most effective thing you can do to reduce heat transfer into your home, more effective than low-e glass upgrades alone.

The percentage refers to how much solar radiation the screen blocks. 90% mesh is denser, providing maximum heat and glare reduction, ideal for east, west, and south-facing windows that take the brunt of Arizona's afternoon sun. 80% mesh is slightly more open, allowing a bit more natural light and outward visibility, a good choice for north-facing windows or covered patios where full heat blocking isn't as critical. We'll help you choose the right option for each window during your free estimate.

Solar screens reduce solar heat gain, which means your AC doesn't have to work as hard to maintain a comfortable temperature. Many Phoenix homeowners notice meaningful reductions in their cooling costs, especially on south and west-facing rooms that get direct afternoon sun. Results vary based on your home's insulation, HVAC system, and how many windows are screened; we don't make specific dollar guarantees, but the heat reduction is real and measurable.

In winter, solar screens remain installed and still provide UV protection and insect screening. Because Arizona winters are mild and many homeowners want maximum natural warmth in cooler months, some customers choose to remove screens from north-facing windows in winter. Our screens are designed for easy seasonal removal if desired.

Yes, this is one of the biggest benefits. UV rays are responsible for fading hardwood floors, bleaching furniture fabric, damaging artwork, and degrading plastics. Our solar mesh blocks a significant portion of UV radiation before it enters through the glass, dramatically slowing the fading process. Think of it like SPF for your home's interior.

We offer six frame colors: Bronze, Adobe, White, Almond, Mill, and Black. We'll help you match the right color to your window frames and home exterior during the estimate visit.

We custom-build screens for virtually any opening: standard single and double-hung windows, sliding windows, casement windows, arched and custom-shaped windows, sliding glass doors, French doors, and patio/porch enclosures. Because every screen is built to measure, there's no such thing as a window that's 'the wrong size.'

We use Phifer SunTex® heavy-duty woven mesh, the industry-leading product for solar screen applications. It's made in the USA, engineered specifically for high-UV climates like Arizona, and rated for exceptional durability. It's pet-resistant, fade-resistant, and designed to hold up under decades of desert sun.

Yes. We have the equipment to safely install screens on second-story and higher windows. Just let us know during the estimate visit and we'll plan accordingly.

It's simple: contact us to schedule a free in-home estimate. We come out, measure every window you want screened, discuss fabric and frame color options, and give you a clear, no-hidden-fees quote. Once you approve, we build your custom screens right here in Phoenix and schedule the installation, usually within a week or two depending on the season.

For a typical single-story home with 10–15 windows, installation usually takes 2–4 hours. Larger homes or multi-story projects take longer, but we'll give you a time estimate upfront so you can plan accordingly. Most homeowners are surprised by how quick the process is.

Off-the-shelf solar screen kits exist, but they're cut to standard sizes that rarely fit perfectly; a screen that doesn't seal properly at the edges lets heat sneak in around the sides. Our screens are measured and manufactured to fit your exact window openings and installed by experienced technicians. The custom fit is what makes them effective.

No. Solar screens are mounted using standard screen hardware, the same type used on insect screens. They attach cleanly and can be removed without leaving damage. We take care around painted surfaces and specialty frames during installation.

Solar screens are low maintenance. For routine cleaning, a rinse with a garden hose knocks off dust and debris. For a deeper clean, gently scrub with a soft brush and mild soapy water, then rinse thoroughly. Avoid pressure washers at close range; high pressure can distort the mesh. Let screens air dry before reinstalling if removed.

With proper care, quality solar screens made from Phifer SunTex® mesh last 10–15 years or more in the Arizona climate. The mesh is UV-stabilized and fade-resistant. We offer aluminum frames in six finishes, including Mill natural aluminum. Damage from sharp impact (a fallen tree branch, hail) is the most common reason for earlier replacement.

Yes. Solar screens are designed for removal: they use standard clip or spline hardware that allows the screens to be taken down and put back up without tools in most cases. Some customers remove screens from north-facing windows in winter to let in more warming sunlight, then reinstall in spring.

We serve the entire Phoenix metro area, including Phoenix, North Phoenix, Scottsdale, Peoria, Glendale, Anthem, Cave Creek, Carefree, Tempe, Chandler, and surrounding communities. Not sure if we cover your area? Give us a call and we'll let you know.

Pricing depends on the number of windows, their sizes, the mesh type, and frame color. Every job is custom-quoted; we don't use one-size-fits-all pricing because every home is different. Contact us for a free, no-obligation estimate and you'll get a clear per-screen breakdown with no hidden fees.

Yes. North Phoenix Solar Screens provides a 5-year limited workmanship warranty from installation completion, covering defects directly caused by improper installation. Covered defects are repaired or corrected at no charge to the original customer, including reasonable labor and materials needed to correct the defect. Exclusions include normal wear and tear; damage from pets, accidents, misuse, alterations, removal or reinstallation by others, severe weather, hail, windblown debris, and other external causes; and material/manufacturing defects unrelated to our installation workmanship. For service, call (602) 652-2927; photographs or an inspection may be requested. Separately, eligible Phifer SunTex® solar screen mesh has Phifer Incorporated's applicable 10-year limited exterior manufacturer's warranty, subject to its official terms, exclusions, and claim requirements. It does not cover aluminum frames, mounting hardware, insect-screen mesh, installation workmanship, gradual fading, or physical damage. Labor to remove, reinstall, or replace mesh under a manufacturer claim is not automatically included. These are separate warranties.