512-358-1560

Friday, October 31, 2014

Solar Screens Insulate Windows

Winter is coming, and we experience great variations in temperature as cold fronts blow in and dissipate.

Variations in temperature mean that we may turn on the AC one day, and then the heater the next. Solar screens help homeowners save by insulating windows any time of year, thus reducing heating and cooling costs.

Solar screens insulate with convection

Convection is the flow of thermal energy through gas or liquids.  Liquids and gases are not very good conductors of thermal energy. 

Solar screens utilize the same principle as double paned windows

Liquids and gases are so bad at transferring heat or cold that they are considered thermal insulators. This is the same principle behind the use of double paned windows because air, a gas, resides between the two panes of glass and acts as an insulator.

Insulate the weak point: windows

Windows are our weakest point in the battle to keep the interior of the home heated in the winter and cooler in the summer.



This image taken using an infrared camera (from energy.gov) shows red and yellow where heat loss occurs during winter. By insulating our windows we shore up this weak point and save on heating and cooling costs.

Solar screens equal year round savings

Solar screens keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Solar screens work by insulating windows and are useful year round for reducing heating and cooling costs.



Get a free consultation, quote and solar screen samples from Affordable Screens & Glass:  512-358-1560 or on the web at: clearchoiceaustin.com.





Friday, October 24, 2014

Austin: Is Your Back Porch Screened & Ready?


Screens are a necessity in Austin, we simply can't open our windows to enjoy the beautiful weather without them, and once they are torn or ripped troublesome insects seem to find their way in.

Below is an example of a custom, Austin, re-screen project for an older porch. Re-screening is available for almost any window or porch project.

Austin Affordable Screens & Glass custom porch re-screen project

About this Custom Austin Porch Re-Screen

This project is a special case because this old 70's era back porch in Austin is split into varying sized 'windows', requiring a custom build solution.

Note the lighter colored wood surrounding each screen in this in progress image of the porch re-screen above.

These lighter colored wood splines are placed on either side of the screening material to hold it into each window. Later, the entire porch was repainted. Just visible to the left of the porch is the screen door which also has a new insect screen.
Repair a Torn Screen

For this project we used standard aluminum screening material.

Solar screens are also another popular option in Austin. Solar screens make a great choice when re-screening because they also provide shade.

In either case, whether it is solar screens or standard screens, each protect from bothersome insects and debris.

Read more about all of our screening options here:
http://clearchoiceaustin.com/our-services/window-screens/  

Contact Affordable Screens & Glass:

Web: http://www.clearchoiceaustin.com
Phone: 512-358-1560
Email: office@clearchoiceaustin.com


Thursday, October 2, 2014

Porch and Patio


Enjoy Austin Porch and Patio Enclosures

Enjoying the Screen Porch

Beautiful fall weather is just around the corner. Is your patio ready? 

Get your patio in tip top shape, or add a new screened enclosure and enjoy Austin's wonderful fall and winter weather. Custom screens and re-screens available.


Add Screens
Custom Screened Porch Austin, Texas

No screened porch? No problem. Affordable Screens & Glass can add patio screens to your existing home porch.

To the right is an example of a custom screened enclosure added to an existing second story Austin porch.

Call for a free onsite estimate and our low price guarantee: 512-358-1560


Solar screen porch enclosure viewing out








 Contact:

Web: http://www.clearchoiceaustin.com
Phone: 512-358-1560
Email: office@clearchoiceaustin.com
Affordable Screens & Glass - Austin's porch and patio screen enclosure specialists. Call for a free onsite estimate and our low price guarantee.
512-358-1560

Monday, August 18, 2014

Solar Screens Available With Grid - Cross Bar Grid Paned Window Screen

Solar Screen With Colonial Grid
Solar screens have great benefits, and save homeowners money on summer AC bills, especially in sunny Austin. For those that prefer the look of window panes or crossbar separations, solar screens are available with grid patterns. Window grid patterns commonly used in the Austin area include colonial, prairie and horizontal bar.

Solar screens can be crafted to emulate different styles of paned windows including arched window radiating panes.

Solar Screen With Cross Bars Close Up Outside View
The idea behind the grid pattern added to the solar screen is to preserve the original window panes. For instance with colonial windows (seen here) the solar screen can duplicate the cross bars so that the look and feel of the original window is preserved, overlaying the same bar structure over the window with the solar window screen.

Below is another view of the solar screen with a colonial grid pattern. This is the outside view of the solar screen.
Solar Screen With Cross Bars Creates Paned Window Esthetic
Solar screens with grids can be utilized to create the paned window esthetic whether your current windows are paned or not.

Solar Screen With Colonial Grid Cross Bars Looking Outward (Close-up)
Here I set the solar screen on my rock wall and took a close up through the screen. The solar screen has the look of the traditional colonial paned window from within or without.

Solar Screen Custom Grid - On A Budget

The grid addition to the solar screen is a custom add-on and is crafted to your individual window. For the homeowner on a budget, we suggest grids on the street facing windows and a simple divider or blank screens for the side and backside of the home.

Solar Screen Colors

Gridded solar screens are available in all of the same popular colors.At Affordable Screens & Glass we utilize Phifer's SunTex solar screen fabric.

About The Solar Screen



SunTex 80% black solar screen, Austin, Texas. These Phifer 80% black solar screens are crafted from a unique woven mesh that can block 80% of the sun’s hot rays before they enter your window.
Brand: Suntex
Manufacturer: Phifer
Model: 80
Product ID: 3004046

Order free color samples: http://clearchoiceaustin.com/solar-screen/

SunTex Solar Screen Technical Information:

Solar Screens by Phifer

Standard Widths 36" (91.4cm), 48" (121.9cm), 60" (152.4cm), 72" (182.9cm) and 96" (243.8cm)
Standard Roll Length 100 Linear Feet (30.48m)
Composition 31% Polyester, 69% Vinyl on Polyester
Mesh Weight 13.5 (oz/yd2)
Fabric Thickness .040 (in)
Openness Factor Approximately 25%
UV Blockage Approximately 75%
Warranty - 10 Year Outdoor

Bacteria and Fungal Resistance - ASTM E 2180 and ASTM G21; includes Microban antimicrobial additives. Environmental - Certified to GREENGUARD and GREENGUARD Gold standards for low chemical emissions into indoor air during product usage.

About Affordable Screens & Glass:

Web: http://www.clearchoiceaustin.com
Phone: 512-358-1560
Email: office@clearchoiceaustin.com
Affordable Screens & Glass Austin Solar Screen 512.358.1560
Affordable Screens & Glass specializes in solar screens and exterior or interior solar mesh products designed to reduce the sun's heat build up and glare.


Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Solar Screens Austin Example Density Combinations

Solar screen installations combine solar screen densities



Special windows like the high arched windows pictured at right or the round window below it, are hard to drape, and look better open, yet may admit too much light causing overheating and glare.

Arched, round and other specialty windows admitting too much light, glare, and causing solar heating are a problem for many homes in Austin.


Combining solar screen densities doesn't affect esthetics

Install denser solar screens on specialty windows and  lower density solar screens on the viewing  windows.

Combining densities, even on windows sitting right next to each other is possible with solar screens. Solar screen combinations allows homeowners to filter light from specialty windows without sacrificing esthetics.


Solar screens combination 90% & 80% Phifer SunTex on home in Austin. Combination invisible to passerby.
Phone: 512-358-1560
Contact: Web: clearchoiceaustin.com
Email: office@clearchoiceaustin.com

http://clearchoiceaustin.com
Affordable Screens & Glass specializes in solar screens and exterior or interior solar mesh products designed to reduce the sun's heat build up and glare.

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Solar Screen Example: Porch Enclosure, Austin Texas

Solar Screens 80% Dark Bronze Enclosing Porch



Affordable Screens & Glass solar screen enclosed porch installation with screen door and pet access in Austin, July 2014. This home sits high on a hillside overlooking a beautiful view along with another subdivision. The new porch enclosure featuring solar screens adds privacy along with protection from heat and glare.

Solar screen porch enclosure viewing out
Solar screen porch enclosure view toward subdivision

 Solar Screen Product Information

This porch enclosure solar screen installation is the dark bronze 80% Phifer SunTex fabric.

80% dark bronze solar screen fabric close up
Order a free sample: http://clearchoiceaustin.com/solar-screen/


SunTex solar screen fabric is manufactured by Phifer. Phifer originally developed solar screen fabric for patio furniture.

The solar screen fabric is fade resistant, mildew resistant and requires only the occasional cleaning with mild soap and water.

Solar screens protect from insects just like traditional aluminum insect screens and add sun, heat, and UV control plus providing daytime privacy.

Solar screens let homeowners control the solar energy from the sun and help reduce high summer electricity bills.

SunTex 80 Solar Screen Technical Information:

SunTex Solar Screen 80% by Phifer

Standard Widths 36" (91.4cm), 48" (121.9cm), 60" (152.4cm), 72" (182.9cm) and 96" (243.8cm)
Standard Roll Length 100 Linear Feet (30.48m)
Composition 31% Polyester, 69% Vinyl on Polyester
Mesh Weight 13.5 (oz/yd2)
Fabric Thickness .040 (in)
Openness Factor Approximately 25%
UV Blockage Approximately 75%
Warranty - 10 Year Outdoor

Bacteria and Fungal Resistance - ASTM E 2180 and ASTM G21; includes Microban antimicrobial additives

Environmental - Certified to GREENGUARD and GREENGUARD Gold standards for low chemical emissions into indoor air during product usage.

Contact:

Web: http://www.clearchoiceaustin.com
Phone: 512-358-1560
Email: office@clearchoiceaustin.com
Affordable Screens & Glass specializes in solar screens and exterior or interior solar mesh products designed to reduce the sun's heat build up and glare.

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Solar Screen Example Leander, Texas

Solar Screens: 80% dark bronze





This solar screen installation in Leander Texas uses the SunTex 80 dark bronze solar screen fabric manufactured by Phifer. Solar screens provide the benefit of standard screens plus give relief from the Austin heat, and add daytime privacy. Solar screens allow you to choose the amount of the sun's light, heat and UV energy enter your windows.

Product Information

SunTex Solar Screen 80%
10-year Exterior Warranty


Standard Widths 36" (91.4cm), 48" (121.9cm), 60" (152.4cm), 72" (182.9cm) and 96" (243.8cm)
Standard Roll Length 100 Linear Feet (30.48m)
Composition 31% Polyester, 69% Vinyl on Polyester
Mesh Weight 13.5 (oz/yd2)
Fabric Thickness .040 (in)
Openness Factor Approximately 25%
UV Blockage Approximately 75%

About SunTex Solar Screens:

Read more about solar screen options here:
http://clearchoiceaustin.com/solar-screen/
SunTex solar screen fabric was developed originally for outdoor furniture, it is fade resistant, mildew resistant and upkeep requires only the occasional cleaning with mild soap and water. Solar screens provide all of the standard protection of traditional insect screens, and more.

Solar screens protect from the sun, and reduce high summer electricity bills, solar screens provide daytime privacy, and solar screens allow control of the amount of light, glare, and harmful UV entering the home.






Contact:

Web: https://www.clearchoiceaustin.com
Phone: 512-358-1560
Email: office@clearchoiceaustin.com
Affordable Screens & Glass specializes in solar screens and exterior or interior solar mesh products designed to reduce the sun's heat build up and glare.









Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Solar Screen Example: Austin, Texas


90% Solar Screens 

Affordable Screens & Glass solar screen installation in Austin, July 2014
This solar screen installation is the 90% Phifer SunTex screen fabric in dark bronze.

About SunTex Solar Screens:

Read more about solar screen options here:
https://clearchoiceaustin.com/solar-screen/
SunTex solar screen fabric was developed originally for outdoor furniture, it is fade resistant, mildew resistant and upkeep requires only the occasional cleaning with mild soap and water. Solar screens provide all of the standard protection of traditional insect screens, and more.

Solar screens protect from the sun, and reduce high summer electricity bills, solar screens provide daytime privacy, and solar screens allow control of the amount of light, glare, and harmful UV entering the home.

SunTex 90 Solar Screen Properties:

Solar Transmittance: 11
Solar Reflectance: 5
Solar Absorption: 84
Shading Coefficient
Single: 1/8 clear glass .21,  1/4 clear glass .21, 1/4 heat absorbing glass .20
Insulating: 1/2 clear glass .17, 1 clear class .16, 1 heat absorbing glass .15
Warranty - 10 Year Outdoor
Bacteria and Fungal Resistance - ASTM E 2180 and ASTM G21; includes Microban antimicrobial additives

Environmental - Certified to GREENGUARD and GREENGUARD Gold standards for low chemical emissions into indoor air during product usage. 

Contact:

Web: https://www.clearchoiceaustin.com
Phone: 512-358-1560
Email: office@clearchoiceaustin.com
Affordable Screens & Glass specializes in solar screens and exterior or interior solar mesh products designed to reduce the sun's heat build up and glare.



Monday, May 19, 2014

First solar screen blog post

Today I made this solar screen blog. I hope to post information regarding solar screens that will help people to understand the technology of the product and recent advances. I hope to answer people's solar shade questions. I am an expert solar screen installer in Austin Texas.
Solar screen guarantee image
What makes us, me, different is the Affordable Guarantee. Some installers state that only they can provide a quality solar screen for your windows or porch.  My solar screen installation will meet or exceed any installer and I guarantee low price.