Posted by EZSnapDirect on February 21, 2012 | No Comments
SHGC stands for Solar Heat Gain Coefficient. This number is commonly used as a guide line for rating the energy efficiency of windows and their various shading treatments. 
The old term for term for this measurement was shading coefficient. SHGC values range from 0 to 1. The lower the SHGC number, the less solar gain or heat passing through the window. Many power utilities offer rebates to customers who upgrade their windows. They typically will give you a rebate based on the total SHGC number of your upgraded product.
Little known Secret
Most of these rebate programs will give you a rebate if your upgraded windows have a SHGC # of .4 or less.
Many times you can still qualify for a rebate if you add an exterior shading product that has a SHGC # of .4 or less. Be sure to check with your local power utility to find out the details of their specific rebate program.
The EZ Snap shading mesh has a SHGC of .1827. This SHGC number is based on a solar profile angle of 45 degrees (most common) and a clear, double pane window.
Posted by EZSnapDirect on January 30, 2012 | No Comments
The sun is a very powerful force indeed. Especially when you consider the earth only receives about one two-billionth of the sun’s total energy. We have all experienced the power the sun has to fade and damage,whether it’s the paint on your car or your favorite chair. 
Sun light contains three types of energy rays:
- ultraviolet radiation
- visible light
- infrared radiation
Ultraviolet (UV) is the most dangerous and damaging. Ultraviolet rays break down the chemical bonds in coloring dyes, causing the color(s) in an object to fade over time. Some objects are more prone this bleaching effect, such as dyed textiles like carpet, drapes or furniture. Given enough time in the sun, everything eventually fades.
So how do we slow down the fading process in our homes?
When it comes to UV fading and damage in the home, UV light entering from windows is responsible for almost 100% of the problem. The perfect solution is to filter out the majority of the sun’s damaging rays, while still retaining enough of the visible light spectrum to properly light the room. One of the best ways to accomplish this is by using an exterior shading solution such as an awning or an exterior shade screen. These exterior solutions not only filter out the majority of the damaging UV rays, they also stop the heating rays of the sun before they enter the window.
The EZ Snap exterior shading material typically filters out up to 90% of the damaging UV radiation from the sun, as well as, 90% of the heating rays of the sun.
Learn more on Exterior Window Shades
Posted by EZSnapDirect on January 23, 2012 | No Comments
• Exterior blinds and shades are up to 7 times more effective at stopping heat from entering the home than interior blinds or window tinting.
• EZ Snap’s exterior shades block up to 90% of the sun’s heat
• 16% of the U.S. electricity is used for air conditioning.
• 43% of the U.S. peak energy load in summer months is for air conditioning.
• EZ Snap exterior shade screens can lower interior temperatures by up to 15 degrees F
• Millions of birds could be saved annually if the use of exterior shades increased by as little 10%
• Cooling costs can be reduced by up to 60% with using an exterior window shade
• Windows facing the summer sun can let in the equivalent amount of heat as a 1500 watt electric heater for every 10 sq/ft of glass
• Exterior shades have 7 benefits in one product – Lower energy costs, increased comfort, reduced glare, reduced U.V. damage to interior, day-time privacy, eliminate bird strikes, and windows look cleaner (less sun to reflect off of dirt)
Posted by EZSnapDirect on December 8, 2011 | No Comments
One of the best ways to brighten up a dark room is a well-placed skylight or two. Skylights are fantastic for adding natural light to a home, but they are also one of the biggest sources for excessive heat buildup in a home.
Even though skylights tend to be much smaller in size than the typical windows, they can easily allow too much heat and light into the home. This is due to the fact that they are placed on the roof, usually directly facing the sun. This location and angle allows the sun’s heating rays to directly enter the home, usually for most of the daylight hours. Interior blinds are helpful at reducing the excessive light that enters, but they do little to stop heat. As with any shade or blind to be effective, they must be installed on the outside of the skylite or window.
Exterior shades and blinds on skylights, not only shade the skylight glass itself; they also stop the heat before it enters the skylight glass. Once the heat enters the home it’s too late. Heat continues to build up, eventually raising the interior temperature. The benefit of adding an exterior skylight shade like EZ snap™ to your skylight is that, not only do you stop up to 90% of the sun’s heat, but you retain the benefit of having filtered light from the skylight.
The trick is to stop the heat while still allowing lots of ambient light to enter. After all, extra light is why you have a skylight in the first place. Customers have told us that once they had their EZ Snap™ skylight blinds installed, the light from the skylight was softened and the glare and hotspots was reduced. Exterior Skylight blinds and shades like EZ Snap™ also have the added benefit of reducing the damaging U.V. rays entering the skylight.
If you are going to add shade to reduce your heat load, your skylights are the number one place to start.
