How to Put Up Solar Screens Without Frames
The first solar screens were packaged -- somewhat like storm windows -- and installed in exterior window frames. Solar screens are now offered as roller blinds that can be easily mounted inside your home. These screens can filter out up to 97 percent of harmful UV light, reflect hot sunlight away from your house and still provide a view of the outdoors. Most of these roller screen models have similar installation instruction, requiring only the roller screen kit and few simple tools. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Solar roller screen
- Mounting brackets
- Pencil
- Power drill
- Screws
- Level
- Shims (optional)
Instructions
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1
Test your mounting options. Roller solar screens can be mounted within or outside the window frame. Ensure that your brackets can be screwed into solid wood or stud boards, spaced an equal number of inches apart, as larger screens require additional brackets.
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2
Measure the length of the window space you need to cover. Longer screens require additional brackets for support. Install two brackets for 30 inches of screen, and then add an additional bracket for every 20 additional inches of screen length. For instance, a 78-inch long screen would require four brackets.
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3
Measure and mark in 2 1/2 inches from the ends of the solar screen. If you require three brackets, center the third between the two ends. Ensure that any additional brackets are equally spaced. Solar screen brackets are often screwed up into the window frame, so jut a sample bracket -- centered on your marking -- and pencil through the screw holes.
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4
Drill pilot holes for your screws in the places you marked. Use a level to ensure that your mounting area is level. If not, you may have to add shims to level your screens. Most solar screen brackets thread screws through the bottom of the brackets to distribute the weight of the solar screen. Ensure that your screws are 1 1/2 inches longer than the vertical height of your brackets, or 2 1/2 inches for longer screens.
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5
Mount the brackets with screws. Secure the center screw first. Some brackets have small holes to secure the bracket to the wall. If so, drill pilot holes and secure the screws before installing any additional vertical screws.
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6
Attach the end mounts to the brackets. Some versions snap in place, while others require screws.
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Install the screen with the colored side facing you. The opposite side is used to reflect sunlight away from the window and filter out harmful UV light.
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Attach any cord tension devices, such as the Universal Cord Tensioner for Hunter Douglas models, to the bottom of the screen's cord.
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Tips & Warnings
If you do not have a place to mount your solar roller screens, attach a 2-by-2-inch beam of wood -- secured to wall studs -- across the top of your window.
References
- Photo Credit John Foxx/Stockbyte/Getty Images
