Energy Saving Screens That Block Solar Heat
Fortress Screens block solar radiation before it reaches your windows, reducing the heat that enters your building and lowering your cooling costs. Windows are the biggest source of solar heat gain in any building. By stopping that heat at the exterior, your AC runs less and your energy bills drop.
Every Fortress Screen is a stainless steel mesh in a structural aluminum frame, permanently installed on the exterior of your windows and doors. The same screen that saves energy also provides Category 5 hurricane protection and cut-proof security. One product. Three benefits. No additional cost for the energy savings.
How Energy Saving Screens Work
Solar radiation passes through glass and heats the interior of your building. This is called solar heat gain. The more glass you have, the more heat enters. South-facing and west-facing windows are the worst offenders, especially in Florida and other warm climates.
Fortress Screens sit on the exterior of your windows and intercept solar radiation before it reaches the glass. The stainless steel mesh blocks a significant portion of solar heat while still allowing natural light and visibility. Your rooms stay bright but cooler.
The result: your air conditioning runs less. Your compressor cycles fewer times per day. Your energy bills go down. And your interior furnishings, flooring, and furniture are protected from UV damage that causes fading and deterioration over time.
Who Benefits Most from Energy Saving Screens
Homeowners with Large Glass Areas
Sliding glass doors, floor-to-ceiling windows, sunrooms, lanais, and Florida rooms let in the most solar heat. These openings benefit the most from Fortress Screens. The larger the glass, the bigger the energy savings.
South- and West-Facing Properties
Windows that face south and west receive the most direct sunlight and generate the most solar heat gain. Screening these openings first delivers the fastest return on investment.
Commercial Property Managers
Office buildings, retail spaces, and strip malls with large glass facades spend heavily on cooling. Fortress Screens reduce operating costs across the entire building envelope while also providing hurricane and security protection.
Housing Authorities
Multi-unit properties with aging HVAC systems and high utility budgets benefit from reduced cooling demand across every screened unit. Energy savings begin immediately after installation and compound year over year.
Any Climate, Any Location
Energy savings apply everywhere the sun heats windows, not just in hurricane zones. Properties in Arizona, Texas, Georgia, the Carolinas, and any warm climate benefit from solar heat reduction through Fortress Screens.
UV Protection
Ultraviolet radiation damages everything it touches over time. Flooring fades. Furniture upholstery deteriorates. Artwork loses color. Wood finishes break down.
Fortress Screens reduce UV exposure on your interior surfaces by blocking radiation at the exterior of the building. Your furnishings last longer and maintain their appearance. This is a compounding benefit that saves replacement costs year after year.
Sales Tax Exemption for Energy Savings Installations
When Fortress Screens are installed specifically for energy savings purposes in Florida, the installation may not be subject to sales tax. Ask your Fortress Screens representative about qualifying conditions and documentation requirements.
Specifications
- Mesh material: Stainless steel, 12x12 per square inch
- Tensile strength: 120,000 lbs
- Solar heat reduction: Blocks solar radiation before it reaches glass
- UV protection: Reduces UV exposure on interior surfaces
- Frame material: Structural aluminum
- Frame colors: White, Bronze, Black (premium custom colors available)
- Installation: Permanent mount to exterior of building
- Applications: Windows, doors, sliding doors, patios, lanais, sunrooms, skylights
Hurricane and Security Protection Included
Every energy saving screen from Fortress Screens is also Category 5 hurricane rated and cut-proof against forced entry. The stainless steel mesh blocks up to 90% of hurricane wind pressure and cannot be cut with knives or standard tools.
You do not pay extra for hurricane or security protection. They are built into every screen.
Fortress Screens are certified under the Florida Building Code (FL32125.1-R2 / FL32125.2-R2) and NAMI (NI014823-R2 / NI014824-R2). They qualify for insurance premium discounts as impact-rated protection.
Warranty
Fortress Screens LLC warrants the product and its components from the date of installation:
- Frame structural integrity: 10 years
- Screen/frame attachment system: 5 years
- Stainless steel mesh (corrosion): 2 years
- Paint (chipping, cracking, delaminating): 5 years
- Frame corrosion: 5 years
Get a Free Estimate
Submit your info at fortressscreens.com/get-a-quote or call (813) 515-7349. The team will schedule an onsite visit, bring screen samples, take measurements of all your openings, and provide a quote, typically same day for residential projects.
Budget roughly $1,000 per opening as a starting estimate. Actual pricing depends on measurements, quantity, frame color, and project complexity. Financing is available through Hearth with no loan origination fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Fortress Screens lower energy bills?
The stainless steel mesh blocks solar radiation before it reaches your windows, reducing the amount of heat entering your building. Your AC runs less, your cooling costs drop, and your interior is protected from UV damage.
Do energy saving screens block natural light?
No. The mesh reduces solar heat but still allows natural light and full visibility from inside. Rooms stay bright but cooler.
Which windows benefit most from energy saving screens?
South-facing and west-facing windows receive the most direct sunlight and generate the most heat gain. Large glass areas like sliding doors, sunrooms, and floor-to-ceiling windows also benefit significantly.
Do energy saving screens also protect against hurricanes?
Yes. Every Fortress Screen is Category 5 hurricane rated. The same mesh that blocks solar heat also blocks up to 90% of hurricane wind pressure and absorbs debris impact. Hurricane protection comes standard.
Do energy saving screens provide security?
Yes. The stainless steel mesh is cut-proof and impact-proof, providing permanent security against break-ins and forced entry. Security is included with every installation.
Are Fortress Screens eligible for a sales tax exemption?
When installed specifically for energy savings purposes in Florida, the installation may not be subject to sales tax. Ask your Fortress Screens representative about qualifying conditions.
Do energy saving screens work outside Florida?
Yes. Solar heat reduction applies anywhere the sun heats windows. Properties in any warm climate benefit from reduced cooling costs. Fortress Screens ships nationwide.
How much do energy saving screens cost?
Budget roughly $1,000 per opening. Actual pricing depends on size, quantity, and project specifics. Free estimates are provided to all prospects.
