Yes, a zip screen blocks glare and the sun's heat and creates shade; its micro-perforated fabric lets air through, so the space does not feel stuffy when it is closed. It is not insulation like glass, though: it cuts summer heat but does not create a closed, heated room in winter.
Short answer
A zip screen blocks the sun: the fabric cuts glare and solar heat and creates shade behind it. Because the fabric is micro-perforated it lets air through, so the space does not feel stuffy when it is closed and you can still see out from inside. Whether it "blocks heat" depends on what you mean; the table below separates the two.
| Question | Answer | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Does it block the sun? | Yes | Cuts glare and solar heat, creates shade. |
| Does it keep the space cooler in summer? | Yes, by stopping the sun outside | The sun hits the fabric before it reaches the space. |
| Is it insulation? | No | It does not hold warmth in like glass; a heated room needs a glass system. |
| Does air pass through? | Yes | The micro-perforated fabric breathes and cuts wind force by about 70%. |
| Can you see out? | Yes, from inside | The view is dimmer with denser fabrics. |
| Does rain get through? | No | Water runs down the fabric surface to the ground. |
How does it block the sun?
A zip screen is an outdoor blind whose fabric edges carry a zip strip locked into the side rails. The fabric stays taut inside the rails, so there are no gaps at the edges and the sun meets a surface covering the whole opening. It is especially useful against low afternoon sun on terraces, balconies, pergolas and café fronts. If you want more shading, choose a denser fabric; we explain the fabric groups (Serge Ferrari and Screen) in zip screen fabric types.
"Does it block heat?" — two different meanings
- Summer sun heat: Yes. The sun's rays are stopped at the fabric, so the area behind it heats up less.
- Winter insulation: No. A zip screen is fabric; it does not keep a heated space warm the way glass does. It reduces chill by cutting the wind, but a closed, heated room needs guillotine glass or a conservatory (can you use a zip screen in winter?).
Does it let air through?
Yes. The micro-perforated fabric lets air pass, so the space does not feel closed in when the screen is down. The same fabric cuts wind force by about 70% and the system withstands winds up to 120 km/h. Although air passes, rain does not come in; water runs down the surface. For the insect-screen effect see does a zip screen work as an insect screen?.
Sun from above: Sky Zip
Sun comes not only from the side but also through glass roofs. Under conservatory, glass roof and bioclimatic pergola roofs, the roof zip screen Sky Zip is used (conservatory roof blind).
What about at night?
In daylight you can see out through micro-perforated fabric while it is harder to see in. At night, when the inside is lit, silhouettes can be seen from outside; if evening privacy matters, choose the fabric with that in mind.
Book a free survey and we will check the sun direction and opening sizes on site.
