Summers on the Costa Blanca are getting hotter every year. Large windows and sliding doors provide plenty of natural light, but they also let in a lot of heat. As a result, indoor temperatures can rise quickly, causing the air conditioning to work overtime.
One of the most effective solutions for keeping your home cooler is installing screens.
Why screens are so effective
Unlike curtains or other interior sun protection, screens block the sun before it reaches the glass. This keeps much of the heat outside and prevents your home from heating up as quickly.
The difference is immediately noticeable, especially with large windows and sliding doors.
Benefits of screens:
- Lower indoor temperatures on hot days
- Less reliance on air conditioning
- Less distracting glare on screens and furniture
- Greater living comfort throughout the day
- Sleek and modern appearance
Blocking the heat on the outside creates a much more comfortable indoor climate.
Preserving views and daylight
A major advantage of screens is that they do not completely cut you off from the outdoors.
Depending on the fabric selected, the view outside remains largely unobstructed, while visibility from outside is reduced. This gives you more privacy without making your home feel dark.
Suitable for homes and apartments
Screens are particularly popular for homes on the Costa Blanca with:
- Large windows
- Sliding doors
- South- or west-facing façades
- Apartments with significant sun exposure
- Modern villas with lots of glass
Thanks to their minimalist design, screens suit virtually any architectural style.
Wind-resistant systems for the Costa Blanca
On the coast, it is not only the sun but also the wind that plays an important role.
Modern zip screens feature a system that holds the fabric securely in the guides. As a result, the screens remain taut and stable even at higher wind speeds.
This makes them particularly suitable for homes by the sea and apartments at higher elevations.
Electric and solar screens
Screens are available with various control options.
Electric screens offer maximum convenience and can be operated with a remote control or smartphone.
In addition, solar screens are an attractive solution when there is no power connection available. Thanks to the integrated solar panel, they operate completely wirelessly.
Which screens are best suited to your home?
No home is the same. The right choice depends, among other things, on:
- The location of the home
- The amount of solar exposure
- The dimensions of the windows
- The desired level of privacy
- The level of wind load
That is why we always provide advice based on the specific situation.
Having screens installed on the Costa Blanca
We supply and install made-to-measure screens in Altea, Albir, Calpe, Benissa, Moraira, Jávea, Dénia, Benidorm and surrounding areas, among others.
From advice and measuring to professional installation, we take care of the entire process.
Would you like to know which screens are best suited to your home? Please feel free to contact us for personal advice or visit our showroom in Altea.
Screens against heat in Spain: a smart solution for a cooler home requires more than a quick product choice. For readers who want to prepare properly, the focus is on practical product selection and installation. Port of Altea provides advice, measuring, delivery and professional installation from our showroom in La Nucía.
On the Costa Blanca, sun, wind, salt, large expanses of glass and intensive outdoor living are never separate issues. That is why we assess not only colour and size, but also the façade, window frame, operation, accessibility and daily use.
Why this solution?
Screens block solar heat before it reaches the glass while preserving some outward visibility during the day. With a good system, the fabric, cassette, guides and motor work as one integrated unit.
The best choice is the solution that people use naturally. That is why we discuss who operates the system, when protection is needed and how much visibility, ventilation, privacy or blackout effect should remain.
Technical check before ordering
We check the wall construction, recess, opening dimensions, wind load, cable route and the free movement of windows or sliding doors. A zip screen keeps the fabric in the side guides and is therefore more stable than a free-hanging fabric.
A made-to-measure product can only function properly when the measuring method matches the system. We record the width, height, projection, mounting side and operation, and check doors, windowsills, roller-shutter boxes, downpipes and other obstacles.
Specifically for the Costa Blanca
For readers who want to prepare properly, we see a wide variety of façades and window frames. A location may be sheltered, but it may also be fully exposed to sun or wind. That is why we do not base a proposal on a photo alone. A local survey prevents an attractive solution from being applied incorrectly from a technical perspective.
From La Nucía, we plan projects in Costa Blanca as part of our regular service area. For multiple products, measuring, power supply, installation, and operation can be combined in a single plan.
Colour, fabric, mesh, and finish
Fabric colour and openness factor together determine visibility, light, and heat reduction. Dark fabric generally provides better outward visibility; light colours create a softer appearance on the façade.
We prefer to view samples alongside the window frame, façade brick, and interior. Bright Spanish light changes colours considerably. Neutral shades may appear warmer or cooler, and dark materials become hotter; we take this into account without turning personal taste into a technical fairy tale.
Manual, electric, or solar
Manual operation is simple, but electric operation can be much more convenient for large or frequently used systems. Solar power is particularly interesting when wiring is difficult. The dimensions, weight, frequency of use, and available position for a solar panel determine whether it is a sensible option.
When motorisation is involved, we discuss a wall transmitter, remote control, any sensors, and control per product or group. A wind sensor helps, but does not make solar shading indestructible; responsible use remains necessary in strong winds.
What determines the price?
The price depends on the dimensions, system, profile colour, fabric or mesh, motor, accessibility, and mounting surface. Installation on a straight, easily accessible façade is different from working at height, above a patio cover, or on a surface that requires additional anchoring.
After measuring, you will receive a proposal in which the product and installation are considered together. This means you are not comparing a bare online price with a complete, professionally installed custom-made product.
Maintenance in a coastal climate
Sand and salt require regular but gentle maintenance. Carefully rinse profiles and guides, remove dirt before it starts to cause abrasion, and do not use aggressive cleaning agents. Moving parts should not be treated indiscriminately with grease or spray; follow the system’s maintenance advice.
Do not leave a product rolled up or folded while wet for extended periods, and check after strong winds that everything moves freely. Addressing noise, misalignment, or stiffness early often prevents more serious damage.
Common mistakes with custom-made solar shading and insect screens
A common mistake is ordering based on a rough wall opening. Frames are not always straight, tile edges may protrude, and a roller shutter or door handle may be located precisely within the operating area. Wind resistance is also sometimes treated as an absolute figure, whereas the dimensions, installation, façade position, and correct use together determine what is responsible.
A second mistake is choosing the cheapest system first and only then considering power, installation, and operation. This can result in visible cables, an inconvenient crank, or a cassette that obstructs the door. With custom work, the complete usage situation should be established before production.
Combining solutions for a cooler and more comfortable home
Outdoor shading is most effective when heat is stopped before it enters through the glass. This can be combined with interior shading for atmosphere and privacy. Insect screens then make it possible to ventilate during cooler hours without an invasion of mosquitoes. The products therefore serve different purposes and can actually reinforce one another.
With multiple façades, the same system does not have to be used everywhere. A zip screen may be the logical choice for a large glazed frontage, a roller shutter for a bedroom, and a pleated insect screen door for the frequently used patio door. Matching the colour and operation keeps the overall look calm, while each opening receives the technically appropriate solution.
Checklist for a good quotation
- Are the exact dimensions, system type, and installation position stated?
- Are the profile colour, fabric or mesh type, and operation specified?
- Are the motor, transmitter, sensors, and electrical connection included?
- Is it clear who will dismantle and dispose of existing products?
- Are lifting equipment, accessibility, fixing materials, and adjustment included?
- Will you receive an explanation of use, wind conditions, and maintenance after installation?
These points make quotations easier to compare and prevent essential components from appearing as surprises during installation.
From advice to installation
- Discuss the opening, sun exposure, and intended use.
- Have the dimensions and mounting surface checked.
- Choose the design, colour, and operation using actual samples.
- Receive a complete price for custom work and installation.
- Have the system installed, adjusted, and explained.
Advice from Port of Altea
Would you like to know which version is suitable? Contact us or visit our showroom in La Nucía. Also see the main page about outdoor shading on the Costa Blanca.