"Sun Screen" Is a Trade Mark name belonging to Phifer Wire Products of Alabama.  It refers to a specific product a Vinyl coated Fiberglass or nylon screening.

The reason for putting solar screening on your windows is to reduce heat gain from direct or reflected sunlight.  If a window is under a patio roof and never gets any sun then it is not likely to provide you an energy benefit by putting solar screening on the window.  Solar screening is not primarily intended to be an insulator, that is to block hot or cold air or rain.  Many of the various window screen product available may do this to some degree due to their density.  The value of a sunscreen is measured scientifically rather by its Heat Coefficient number - the lower the number the better the performance.

When a woven vinyl or fabric product is assigned a percentage of protection that is normally the total percent of the area of the screen that is solid; if the screen is called 80% then the screen is 80% solid material.  An 80% material will reduce the temperature of glass inside by 8 - 12f or 73% annual heat gain reduction.  Since a window screen is rarely more than 1/2inch from the glass of a window it is important that we consider the ability of the screen to "breathe" as it dissipates heat.  If the screen is too dense then heat builds up between the glass and the screen reducing the heat reduction you receive.

By reducing heat reduction with exterior window coverings you can save up to 40% on electricity and maybe more.  Solar screens that are properly installed and well built can last 10-15 years in the Arizona Sun.  The manufacturers of the wire will only guarantee is for as much as 5 years so you can get up to 3 times the expected life from good screens and since they should pay for themselves in about 3 years in reduced electric bills you will receive great return on your investment.  Solar screening also reduces the UV ray entering your home through the windows by 40-80% daily extending the life of your furnishings, draperies and blinds, and floor coverings by years adding even more value to your investment.

Why Custom screens?  When you by a home you may be offered "Sun Screen" or you may get a knock on your door shortly after moving in from a local "Screen Company."  It is important to know what you are getting.  Many housing developers offer screens that are nylon/fiberglass screening, at an additional price for the house.  This screen will only be 68-78% screen with an annual heat reduction of 58-70% and the wire will unlikely last more than 3-5 years without fading or rotting.  You will be paying for them however for 30years with the mortgage of your home; the price may be very high before they are paid for you will have had to have new screens made.  Many door-to-door companies are not really in the screen business they are paying others to quickly make screens for them and then providing poor installations then disappearing with your money.  Be wary of people who offer high discounts or want you to sign contracts.  Know who you are doing business with, where is their showroom? What is there Arizona Registrar of Contractors License number? Are they members of any local business or community groups?

Too often there are people trying to take advantage of others and there is a great deal of such activities in areas where construction is high and much of the population is retired.  Remember, "Let the buyer beware."  Anyone is a potential victim; it pays to do business with a reputable firm who will be there for you when you need them.