We get this question constantly. Solar screens or window tint -- which one should you put on your Las Vegas house? We install solar screens, so take our opinion with a grain of salt. But we'll try to be straight about it.
Solar screens sit on the outside of your window. They're mesh fabric stretched over an aluminum frame that mounts to the window frame. The sun hits the screen first, and the screen absorbs and reflects the heat before it reaches the glass.
Window tint is a film applied to the inside surface of the glass. It works by filtering the light and heat as it passes through the glass itself.
That difference -- outside vs. inside -- matters more than you'd think.
Solar screens block 80-90% of solar heat depending on the fabric density. Window tint blocks 40-80% depending on the grade. The reason screens win on raw numbers is physics -- they stop the heat before it hits the glass. With tint, the glass still heats up and radiates some of that heat into the room.
In a Las Vegas summer where your west-facing windows are getting blasted by 115-degree afternoon sun, that difference matters on your electric bill.
| Solar Screens | Window Tint | |
|---|---|---|
| Per window (avg) | $50-150 | $5-15/sq ft ($75-225/window) |
| Whole house (15-20 windows) | $1,200-2,500 | $1,500-3,500 |
| Lifespan | 10-15 years | 15-20 years |
| Energy savings | 20-30% | 15-25% |
Tint wins on aesthetics. You can't see it from outside, so your house looks the same. Solar screens are visible -- they give windows a slightly darker, mesh appearance. Some people don't love that look.
Tint also blocks 99% of UV rays versus 90% for screens. If you have expensive furniture or hardwood floors getting direct sun, tint protects them better.
And tint is maintenance-free. Screens need occasional cleaning (a hose and a brush, nothing crazy, but it's still something).
Screens are removable. Want to take them off in winter to let the sun warm the house? Pop them out in two minutes. Tint is permanent.
Screens stop heat before it reaches the glass, which means the glass itself stays cooler. This matters for window longevity and for rooms where you sit near windows.
Screens also provide daytime privacy. From outside looking in, screens make it very hard to see inside. With tint, certain grades can look reflective or dark, but standard tints don't provide much privacy during the day.
For most Las Vegas homes, solar screens are the better value. They cost less, block more heat, and you can remove them seasonally. If you care a lot about how your windows look from the curb, or if UV protection for interiors is your main concern, tint might be the move.
Some of our customers do both -- tint on the front-facing windows where they want the clean look, screens on the back and sides where performance matters more than appearance.