Natural light can elevate the atmosphere of any home—making it feel more open, inviting, and connected to the outdoors. But too much sun exposure can bring unwanted heat, glare, and harmful UV rays into your space. That’s where solar shades come in. At Made in the Shade West Cincinnati, we offer solar shades that give you the best of both worlds: the ability to harness natural light while maintaining comfort, energy efficiency, and style.
Whether you’re outfitting a sunroom, patio-facing living room, or a home office, solar shades can help you control the light without sacrificing your view.
What Are Solar Shades?
Solar shades are roller-style window treatments made with specially designed fabrics that filter sunlight, reduce glare, and block harmful ultraviolet rays—all while maintaining outward visibility. Think of them as sunglasses for your windows.
The key to their performance is the “openness factor,” which refers to how tightly woven the fabric is:
- 1% openness = tighter weave, less light, more privacy
- 3–5% openness = a good balance of light filtering and visibility
- 10%+ openness = more visibility, more light, less glare control
The right openness factor for your home depends on the window’s direction, your view, and how much privacy you need.
Top Benefits of Solar Shades
1. Glare Reduction Without Darkness
Solar shades reduce screen glare on TVs and computer monitors, making them ideal for home offices, media rooms, and living areas. Unlike blackout shades, they don’t make a room dark—they diffuse and soften incoming light for a comfortable ambiance.
2. Energy Efficiency
By blocking solar heat, especially on south- and west-facing windows, solar shades can help reduce indoor temperatures and lower cooling costs. This can make a noticeable difference in comfort and energy bills, particularly during Cincinnati’s hot summer months.
3. UV Protection
Solar shades can block up to 99% of UV rays, protecting your furniture, flooring, artwork, and décor from sun damage and fading.
4. Maintain Your View
One of the standout features of solar shades is that they allow you to see out during the day, even while blocking sunlight. This is perfect for homeowners who want to enjoy scenic backyard views or keep an eye on children playing outside.
5. Sleek, Minimalist Aesthetic
Solar shades are known for their clean, modern appearance. They roll up neatly and come in a variety of neutral tones and weaves to blend with almost any décor. Pair them with custom valances or side panels for a layered designer look.
Great For Indoors AND Outdoors
Did you know solar shades also come in exterior-grade materials? Install them on patios, pergolas, or sunrooms to create a comfortable, shaded space outside while protecting adjacent indoor rooms from heat buildup.
Motorization: Effortless Light Control
We offer motorized solar shades that can be controlled with a remote, smartphone app, or integrated into your smart home system. Set your shades to automatically rise with the sun and lower during the hottest part of the day—no manual adjustments necessary.
Motorized options are also ideal for high or hard-to-reach windows and enhance child and pet safety by eliminating cords.
Where Do Solar Shades Work Best?
- Living Rooms with Large Windows
- South/West-Facing Rooms
- Home Offices and Media Rooms
- Kitchens and Dining Rooms
- Sunrooms or Enclosed Patios
They can also be used in combination with blackout drapes for day/night flexibility in bedrooms.
Proudly Serving Greater Cincinnati
Our experienced team brings the mobile showroom to your door. We serve:
- West Chester
- Mason
- Loveland
- Lebanon
- Maineville
- Morrow
- Springboro
- And surrounding areas
You’ll be able to see how the shade materials look with your lighting, furnishings, and window size before making a decision.
Let the Light In—On Your Terms
Solar shades offer a high-performance, elegant solution for anyone who loves natural light but hates the side effects of heat and glare. Whether you want to brighten up your home or reduce your energy usage, solar shades are a beautiful and functional upgrade.
☀️ Book your free consultation today and let us help you make sunlight your home’s best feature—not its biggest problem.
