Do sunscreen roller blinds give privacy during the day?

Sunscreen fabric is a woven mesh. It is described by its openness, the share of the fabric that is open: a lower figure means a tighter weave, less glare and less view. How it behaves through the day comes down to that weave and to which side of the window is brighter.

By day

When it is brighter outside than inside, you can see out through the fabric in daylight, and it is harder for people outside to see in. That is the job a sunscreen blind is chosen for: it cuts glare and keeps your view of the outdoors. How much privacy you get depends on the weave and on how bright it is inside and out, so it varies from one fabric and one room to another.

At night

At night the effect reverses and people outside can see in. With the lights on, a sunscreen blind gives no privacy on its own, which is why it is often paired with a blockout blind or a curtain. A double roller blind, also called a dual roller blind, puts a sunscreen or light filtering blind and a blockout blind at one window, so you can use either or both.

Choosing for your room

• Openness. A lower figure means a tighter weave, less glare and less view.
• Light filtering. This fabric lets daylight through without a clear view either way, so rooms stay bright and private in the daytime.
• Blockout. This fabric stops light passing through and gives full privacy.
• Night. If privacy at night matters, ask about pairing the blind with a blockout blind or a curtain. A light filtering fabric also hides the room, though shadows can show when the lights are on.
• Seeing it in place. A blind retailer can show you each fabric against a window, in the colours available.

A blind retailer can show you the fabrics, then measure, quote and order. Speedy Blinds makes roller blinds for retailers.