Virginia Beach gets 213 sunny days a year. That’s part of why people move here — and part of what quietly damages hardwood floors, leather furniture, and artwork inside homes with big windows facing the water. Solar shades solve a specific problem: they cut UV and glare without blocking the view you’re paying for.
Julie Boswell has helped homeowners across Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Suffolk choose the right solar shade for their exact windows and sun exposure. She brings real fabric samples to your home, so you see how much view you keep and how much heat you block — before you order anything. Request your free in-home consultation or call (757)563-3372
What Does "Openness Percentage" Mean, and Why Does It Matter in Virginia Beach?
Solar shade fabric is rated by how much light passes through it — its openness percentage. A higher number means more visibility through the shade and more light in the room. A lower number blocks more heat and glare, but the view softens.
For a Sandbridge or North End home with a direct ocean view, that tradeoff matters more than almost anywhere else in Hampton Roads. Too tight a weave and you’ve spent real money to look at a curtain instead of the Atlantic. Too open and the afternoon glare off the water still hits your TV or your eyes. Julie walks through this tradeoff with actual samples held up to your actual windows, so you’re not guessing.
Do Solar Shades Block UV Without Losing the Ocean or Bay View?
Yes — that’s the specific advantage over blinds or heavier shades. A well-chosen solar shade filters a large share of UV rays and cuts glare, while still letting you see clearly through the fabric when it’s down. For a living room in Shore Drive or a bay-facing bedroom in Bay Colony, that means you can lower the shade at 2pm without losing the reason you bought the house.
Color plays a role too. Lighter fabrics reflect more heat and keep the room brighter. Darker fabrics cut glare more aggressively and are the better pick for a home office or a room with a TV or computer monitor that fights afternoon sun.
Can Solar Shades Protect My Floors and Furniture From Sun Damage?
Direct UV exposure fades hardwood floors, bleaches upholstery, and yellows fabric — and it happens faster in a coastal home than an inland one. Refinishing a hardwood floor or replacing sun-damaged furniture isn’t cheap, and it’s a cost most homeowners don’t think about until the damage is already done.
Solar shades are one of the more effective, least disruptive ways to slow that down. They block a meaningful share of UV while still letting diffused light into the room, so you’re not trading a bright home for a protected one. If you’re weighing solar shades against the cost of floor refinishing or furniture replacement down the road, the math tends to favor doing it now.
What Else Should I Consider Before Choosing Solar Shades?
Motorization is worth a look if you’re covering hard-to-reach windows or want shades to close automatically during peak afternoon sun — especially useful for a vacation or rental property in Sandbridge that sits empty for stretches. Explore motorized options.
Are Solar Shades a Good Fit for Virginia Beach Offices and Commercial Spaces?
Solar shades aren’t just a residential product. They’re a strong fit for office buildings, restaurants, and schools across Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads — anywhere glare on screens or fading on furniture and flooring is a daily, ongoing cost. Made in the Shade Virginia Beach handles commercial installations with the same measurement and installation standard as residential work. See our commercial capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions — Solar Shades in Virginia Beach, VA
Q: What openness percentage should I choose for my Virginia Beach home?
A: It depends on your view and your sun exposure. Homes with a direct water view and strong afternoon sun often do well with a lower openness percentage on the most exposed windows, and a higher one on rooms where preserving the view matters more than blocking heat. Julie brings sample swatches to your consultation so you can compare the actual visibility and light control in your own space before deciding.
Q: Will solar shades really protect my floors and furniture from fading?
A: They meaningfully reduce UV exposure and glare, which slows the fading and bleaching that direct coastal sun causes over time. They won’t eliminate it entirely, but for a Virginia Beach home with large windows facing the water, they’re one of the most effective and least visually disruptive ways to protect what’s inside.
Q: Can I still see outside when my solar shades are down?
A: Yes — that’s the main reason people choose solar shades over blinds or blackout options. The fabric’s openness percentage controls exactly how much visibility you keep. Julie helps you find the balance between UV protection and view preservation that fits your specific windows.
Q: Do you install solar shades for businesses in Virginia Beach?
A: Yes. Solar shades work well in offices, restaurants, and schools throughout Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Suffolk — anywhere glare and fading are an ongoing cost. Call (757) 563-3372 to talk through a commercial project.
Written by Julie Boswell, Made in the Shade Virginia Beach — locally owned and operated, serving Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads
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