Do solar shades block all UV rays?
July 27, 2018 10:14 AM Subscribe
Uva and UVB
I think I read somewhere that UVA rays are the most harmful while uvb is what causes tanning. I'm looking for some solar shades for windows in my office that have too much sun coming into it and it can get physically uncomfortable to sit in the office because of it. But there's also a nice view and I'd rather not block the view.
Solar blinds come with different levels of openness. 0% blocks the view outside entirely, up to 14% which provides highest visibility. I'm not sure if the openness affects the amount of harmful rays that come through or if it only controls the amount of view you get without affecting anything else.
I think I read somewhere that UVA rays are the most harmful while uvb is what causes tanning. I'm looking for some solar shades for windows in my office that have too much sun coming into it and it can get physically uncomfortable to sit in the office because of it. But there's also a nice view and I'd rather not block the view.
Solar blinds come with different levels of openness. 0% blocks the view outside entirely, up to 14% which provides highest visibility. I'm not sure if the openness affects the amount of harmful rays that come through or if it only controls the amount of view you get without affecting anything else.
A quick search turns up a number of sources that claim UVA is not always effectively blocked by glass (although UVB and UVC usually is).
As for the shades, it'd depend on how they operate. If it's like the ones I've seen at my workplace, where it's a thin mesh that allows some light to pass through, I'd expect that they just reduce the amount of UVA light to a similar degree as visible light, since there's nothing filling the holes that transmit light.
posted by Aleyn at 12:53 PM on July 27, 2018
As for the shades, it'd depend on how they operate. If it's like the ones I've seen at my workplace, where it's a thin mesh that allows some light to pass through, I'd expect that they just reduce the amount of UVA light to a similar degree as visible light, since there's nothing filling the holes that transmit light.
posted by Aleyn at 12:53 PM on July 27, 2018
Response by poster: I know UV is not blocked by glass because I tan when I'm exposed to the sun in my office for too long. If resources on google are to be believed you can't tan naturally without plenty of UVA exposure.
posted by fantasticness at 2:14 PM on July 27, 2018
posted by fantasticness at 2:14 PM on July 27, 2018
« Older Your recommendations for a career coach | Turning a Galaxy Tab 2 Into a library point Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
It's infrared (IR) radiation that's causing the heating. IR is harmless, except for warming you up. Solar shades block some fraction of the IR radiation.
I know the pages selling solar shades talk about UV. They're wrong.
posted by mr_roboto at 11:14 AM on July 27, 2018