Solar Shade Openness: Choosing the Right Percentage - Guide for Canada

When shopping for solar shades in Canada, you will have to decide on the degree of “Openness”. If you’ve ever wondered why some shades feel cosy and private while others seem to invite the outdoors in, it usually comes down to openness.

Openness refers to how tightly the window blind fabric is woven: a lower degree of openness indicates a tighter weave, with blocks more light & UV and often has better insulating properties. A higher openness factor on the other hand indicates the opposite: a looser weave, letting in more light and visibility, and cold or hot air. Think of openness like the size of the holes in a mesh. Smaller holes let in less light.

If a shade fabric is labeled 3% openness, that means 3% of the surface area is made up of open space, and the other 97% is fabric yarns blocking light.

In Canada, where we experience bright, long summer days, low winter sun angles, and dramatic temperature swings, the openness factor plays a big role in comfort, privacy, energy savings, and even the health of your furniture and floors.

Choosing the right openness percentage isn’t just about how much you want to see outside; it’s about balancing light control, UV protection, privacy, and view throughout the seasons.

This guide will explain what openness percentage means, compare common options, and give Canadian-specific recommendations by room type, window direction, and climate. From blinding prairie sun to the soft light of a northern winter, the right openness can make your home feel balanced year-round.

Choosing the right combination of openness and fabric colour is key to balancing comfort, privacy, and energy efficiency in Canadian homes.

During the day, solar shades offer privacy as long as it’s brighter outside than inside; a lower openness percentage increases this privacy and reduces glare. At night, however, the situation reverses: with indoor lights on, visibility from outside becomes possible regardless of openness level. If you’ve ever sat in a lit room at night and realised the neighbours can see straight in, you already know why a second layer matters.

Fabric colour also influences how openness feels — darker shades enhance view clarity but absorb more heat, while lighter shades reflect sunlight to keep interiors cooler, though they may slightly reduce the crispness of the outside view.

• Daytime: More privacy with lower openness, but all solar shades lose privacy at night when lights are on. Plan a second layer if needed.
• Fabric Colour: Darker shades = clearer views, more heat absorption. Lighter shades = cooler rooms, slightly softer views. A good trick is to stand a few feet back from the fabric sample. If you can see your hand clearly through it, so can someone outside.
• Bottom Line: Pair the right openness percentage with a fabric colour that matches your light, heat, and privacy needs.

There’s no universal “best” openness factor. The ideal choice depends on your home’s orientation, room use, and personal priorities. In Canada, solar shades are especially valuable for three key reasons.

First, they help manage seasonal light extremes: long summer days in cities like Calgary or Toronto can bring excessive glare and heat, while low winter sun can beam directly into rooms for hours. 

Comparing Common Openness Levels of Solar Window Treatments

Here’s how 1%, 3%, 5%, and 10% openness typically perform:

Real-world example:

A south-facing condo in Vancouver might use 3% openness to cut glare but keep mountain views, while a sunroom in Ottawa might go with 10% openness for an open feel.

In home offices and media rooms, glare control is a top priority, especially in south- or west-facing spaces where sunlight can be intense. A 1%–3% openness helps reduce reflections on monitors and TV screens, improves visual comfort, and protects electronics from long-term UV exposure.

Bathrooms call for maximum daytime privacy, which is why 1% openness works best. This tight weave still allows some natural light to filter in without compromising seclusion. Be sure to choose a moisture-resistant fabric to handle the humidity and temperature fluctuations typical of Canadian bathrooms.

The ideal solar shade openness also depends on which direction your windows face, a crucial consideration in Canadian cities with distinct seasonal sun patterns.

South-facing windows receive the most sunlight year-round, making a 1%–3% openness best for reducing heat gain and glare in summer.

West-facing windows get intense late-afternoon sun, especially during long summer days, so a 1%–3% openness helps block harsh rays and keep interiors cooler. In a west-facing living room, a lower openness can turn the 5 p.m. sun from an eye squint into a pleasant golden glow.

East-facing windows welcome gentle morning light with minimal heat buildup; a 5% openness brightens mornings without overwhelming glare.

North-facing windows see minimal direct sunlight and enjoy softer light year-round; a 5%–10% openness maximizes daylight while preserving clear views.

Light-coloured  solar shades for windows reflect more sunlight and heat, making them a smart choice for keeping rooms cooler during Canada’s warmer months. Even with a lower openness percentage, they can make interiors feel brighter and more open. The trade-off is slightly reduced view clarity compared to darker fabrics, as the lighter tones diffuse the outdoor scene.

Dark solar shade fabrics absorb more heat but deliver a sharper, clearer view of the outdoors. They also offer better glare control by reducing the amount of visible light entering a room. Dark tones pair especially well with higher openness percentages, making them ideal when maintaining an unobstructed, vivid view is your top priority. If you love your mountain or lake view, a darker shade at a slightly higher openness can frame it like a picture.

Solar shades offer excellent daytime privacy in Canadian homes, as long as the exterior is brighter than the interior. Lower openness factors enhance this effect, making it harder for passersby to see inside while still allowing light and views out.

However, nighttime privacy is a different story. When indoor lights are on, solar shades alone will not prevent visibility from outside, regardless of openness percentage. To maintain full privacy after dark, pair your solar shades with additional treatments such as layered drapes, blackout roller shades, or cellular shades. This layered approach ensures both daylight comfort and nighttime discretion.

The right solar shade openness can contribute to year-round energy savings in Canadian homes.

In summer, lower openness fabrics help reduce cooling costs by blocking more solar heat, keeping interiors comfortable without over-relying on air conditioning.

In winter, they continue to cut glare and protect interiors from UV damage, though pairing them with thermal treatments such as insulated drapes or cellular shades is recommended to retain warmth. For homes with expansive windows, the impact can be significant, lowering HVAC loads and helping maintain consistent indoor comfort throughout the seasons. That’s money saved without having to touch the thermostat.

1. Identify your room’s primary need (view, glare control, privacy, or heat reduction).
2. Consider window orientation — south and west often need lower openness.
3. Decide on fabric colour for heat and glare impact.
4. Factor in seasonal changes — long summer days, low winter sun.
5. Plan for nighttime privacy with secondary window treatments if needed.