See Outside, Stay Protected
Unlike traditional shades that block your view when lowered, screen shades maintain visibility to the outdoors. The specialized fabric works like sunglasses for your windows—reducing brightness and blocking harmful rays while preserving your connection to Ottawa's beautiful landscapes.
How screen shades work:
- Tightly woven fabric blocks UV rays and heat
- Openings in the weave maintain view-through
- Darker interior/brighter exterior creates one-way privacy during daytime
- Reduces glare on screens and eliminates hot spots
Perfect for south and west-facing windows that receive Ottawa's intense afternoon sun.
Understanding Openness Factors
Screen fabrics are measured by "openness factor"—the percentage of the weave that allows light through
- Openness / Light Blocked / View / Privacy / Best For
- 1% / 99% / Limited / High / Maximum protection
- 3% / 97% / Moderate / Good / Strong sun, privacy
- 5% / 95% / Good / Moderate / Most popular choice
- 10% / 90% / Excellent / Lower / Great views, light control
- 14% / 86% / Maximum / Minimal / View priority
Most Ottawa homeowners choose 3-5% openness for the ideal balance of protection and visibility. Our specialists will assess your windows and recommend the right factor.
Hunter Douglas Screen Options
Hunter Douglas offers premium screen shades with exclusive features:
- Designer Screen Shades: The flagship screen shade with Custom Clutch operation for smooth, reliable lift. Available in five openness factors with the smallest light gap in the industry.
- Greenscreen Sea-Tex™: Exclusive sustainable fabric made from reclaimed ocean plastic. Same performance, reduced environmental impact.
- Alustra® Screen Fabrics: Premium designer fabrics with metallic threads and exclusive colours. Part of the Alustra Collection.
All Hunter Douglas screens are GREENGUARD certified and backed by a Lifetime Limited Warranty.
Alta Screen Solutions
Alta Window Fashions delivers excellent value in screen shades:
- Alta Roller Shades with Solar Screen Fabric Over 500 fabric options including solar screens in multiple openness factors. Custom-built in Canada to your exact specifications.
- GREENGUARD Certified Fabrics Low emissions for healthy indoor air quality.
- Flame-Resistant Options Available for commercial and multi-unit residential applications.
Alta screen shades offer comparable quality to Hunter Douglas at a more accessible price point—ideal for whole home installations or budget-conscious projects.
Ideal Applications
Screen shades solve specific challenges in Ottawa homes:
- Home Offices – Eliminate screen glare while maintaining natural light
- Living Rooms – Protect furniture from fading without darkening the room
- Sunrooms – Reduce heat gain while enjoying the views
- Condos – Manage sun on floor-to-ceiling windows
- Media Rooms – Reduce brightness for better TV viewing
- South/West Windows – Where Ottawa sun hits hardest
Pair with room-darkening shades for bedrooms where you need complete darkness.
Motorization for Large Windows
Screen shades are often specified for large windows and walls of glass making motorization especially valuable:
- Hunter Douglas PowerView® – Schedule shades to lower during peak sun
- Alta BLISS™ – Rechargeable motors with app control
- Somfy – Commercial-grade automation for larger installations
Randall's is certified in all three platforms. We'll recommend the right system for your project.
Find Your Perfect Screen Shade
Visit our Glebe or Nepean showrooms to see screen fabric samples and compare openness factors in person. Our specialists will assess your windows' orientation and recommend the right solution. Free in home consultations available.
Visit Our Showrooms | Call: (613) 233 8441