If your home gets a lot of sun, solar shades can make it more comfortable without turning rooms dark. The key is choosing the right openness percentage. That number, usually 1%, 3%, 5%, or 10%, tells you how tight the weave is and how much light, glare, and heat can pass through.
South-facing and west-facing windows behave differently in Toronto. South exposure brings steady, bright midday sun. West exposure brings intense late-day glare and heat. Choosing the same openness for both often leads to regret, especially if you work from home, have a TV near the window, or want to protect hardwood floors and furniture from fading.
Here is how to pick the right shade openness for each exposure, plus the practical room-by-room tips that make the choice simple.
Quick refresher: what openness means
Openness is the size of the tiny gaps in the fabric weave.
- 1% openness: tight weave, strongest glare control and daytime privacy, dimmer room
- 3% openness: strong glare control, good daytime privacy, still feels bright
- 5% openness: balanced choice, good view and moderate glare control
- 10% openness: brightest and most open view, least glare control and privacy
Openness does not mean “how much light gets through” in a perfect way, because fabric colour and window size also matter. But openness is the best starting point.
South-facing windows: steady light, long exposure
South-facing windows in Toronto often get sunlight for most of the day, especially from late morning to mid-afternoon. This can make rooms feel bright and welcoming, but it can also create glare on screens and contribute to gradual heat gain.
Best openness choices for south exposure
Start with 3% if:
- You get glare on a TV or computer screen during the day
- The room feels warm even in spring and fall
- You want more daytime privacy without losing the view completely
- You have lighter wall colours that bounce light around
Start with 5% if:
- You want the room to stay bright and airy
- Glare is mild and mainly seasonal
- You value a clearer view during the day
- The window is partially shaded by trees or an overhang
Consider 1% if:
- You have very large windows and strong sun all day
- You are protecting flooring, art, or furniture in a high-sun area
- You want the strongest daytime privacy
Consider 10% if:
- The room never feels too bright
- You mainly want UV filtering and a soft reduction in glare
- You have a view you want to keep as open as possible
South-facing rooms: practical picks
Living rooms
Most south-facing living rooms do well with 3% or 5%. If the TV is opposite the window wall, 3% is often the safer choice.
Home offices
If you work near the window or have screens, pick 3%. It reduces screen glare without darkening the space too much.
Kitchens
South-facing kitchens often benefit from 5% so the space stays bright. If late-morning glare bothers you, shift to 3%.
West-facing windows: harsh glare, peak heat, evening privacy
West-facing windows are a different challenge. The sun is lower in the sky in late afternoon and early evening, which means it hits straight into your space. This is when glare is strongest and heat gain is most noticeable. West exposure is also when many families are home, cooking dinner, watching TV, and turning on lights, so privacy becomes a bigger issue too.
Best openness choices for west exposure
Start with 3% if:
- You get strong glare between 3 pm and sunset
- The room feels hot in summer
- You have a TV or screens in the room
- You are close to neighbours and want better daytime privacy
Consider 1% if:
- The window wall gets direct sun and the room overheats
- You have floor-to-ceiling glass or very large panes
- You want maximum glare reduction and privacy
Use 5% only if:
- The window is partly shaded by trees or buildings
- You love a bright room and can tolerate some glare
- The room is not used much in late afternoon
Avoid 10% for west exposure in most cases. It often looks great, but it usually does not solve the glare and heat problem that west-facing homeowners are trying to fix.
West-facing rooms: practical picks
Family rooms
West-facing family rooms usually need 3%. This is where the “TV glare at dinner time” problem shows up.
Dining areas
If the late-day sun feels uncomfortable while eating, choose 3%. If the space is shaded, 5% can still work.
Bedrooms
West-facing bedrooms can be tough in summer because the room heats up late in the day. Solar shades at 3% help, but many bedrooms also need a nighttime layer for privacy and better sleep.
Privacy: what changes between day and night
A key point many homeowners miss is that solar shades mostly help with privacy during the day. At night, interior lights make it easier for people to see in, no matter the openness. Lower openness helps, but it does not fully solve the problem.
If you want privacy after dark, consider:
- A second layer such as Blackout Roller Shades or room-darkening fabric
- Dual Roller Shades so you can use solar by day and privacy by night
- Drapery for a softer, layered look
In homes with west-facing windows, this is especially important, because the space is often used heavily in the evening.
View and fabric colour: small choices, big impact
Openness is only one part of the decision. Fabric colour changes how the shade feels.
- Darker solar fabrics often provide a clearer view and better glare reduction
- Lighter fabrics keep rooms brighter and reflect more heat but can feel more transparent
This is why it helps to view samples in your own home, at the time of day when glare is worst.
A simple room-by-room approach
If you want a quick method that works for most Toronto homes:
- South-facing living room: 5% unless glare is strong, then 3%
- South-facing office: 3%
- West-facing living room or family room: 3%
- West-facing kitchen or dining: 3% unless shaded, then 5%
- Any room with extreme glare or heat: 1%
- Rooms where view is the top priority and glare is mild: 10%
If you are unsure, choose 3% for west exposure and 5% for south exposure, then adjust based on how sensitive you are to glare.
How LuxShades Helps You Choose the Right Openness
Solar shades are one of those decisions that is easiest when you see the fabrics in your real light. LuxShades offers professional consultation, brings samples in multiple openness levels, and helps you choose based on your window exposure, view, privacy needs, and daily routine.
We handle Professional measurement services so your shades fit cleanly, hang straight, and look built-in. We also provide Expert installation for a flawless finish. If you want convenience, we can recommend Motorized and manual roller shades with UV protection, including smart-home options for easy control and scheduling.
For rooms that need daytime view and nighttime privacy, we can also design layered solutions like Dual Roller Shades and true-dark setups like Blackout Roller Shades.
Call to Action
If you are dealing with glare, heat, or privacy issues in your south-facing or west-facing rooms, LuxShades can help you choose the right openness level and build a solution that looks clean and performs well. Book a free consultation for Custom Roller Shade Installation and get expert guidance, accurate measurements, and professional installation across Toronto and the GTA. Call +1 (647) 787-5784 or email info@luxshadesinc.ca to get started.
