Marine Solar Shades Designed for Vessel Bridge and Wheelhouse Windows
Strong sunlight at sea creates a demanding environment for vessel bridge personnel. Direct sunlight can enter through large forward and side windows, while reflected light from the sea can create additional glare from changing angles as the vessel changes direction.
NAVIGlare RS10 G/G is a custom-made marine anti-glare roller shade developed for vessel bridge windows, wheelhouses and accommodation areas. Using solar-control material originating from the USA, RS10 G/G provides 89% glare reduction, 62% Total Solar Energy Rejection, more than 99% UV rejection and 10% Visible Light Transmission according to its published performance data.
The retractable roller-shade design allows the crew to deploy solar protection when sunlight and reflected glare become uncomfortable and retract the shade when greater outward visibility is preferred.
Why Vessel Bridge Windows Need Effective Solar and Glare Control
Marine bridge glazing is designed to provide a broad field of vision, but large glazed areas also allow substantial daylight and solar energy into the wheelhouse.
Unlike an ordinary building, the direction of incoming sunlight on a vessel changes continuously. Glare may come directly from the sun or indirectly from sunlight reflected from the sea.
A suitable marine solar shade should therefore provide more than simple darkness. It should help control:
• Direct sunlight
• Reflected sea glare
• Excessive brightness
• Solar heat gain
• UV transmission
while allowing outward visibility through the shaded window.
NAVIGlare RS10 G/G combines measurable solar-control performance with retractable operation, allowing the bridge crew to adjust shading according to prevailing conditions.
Made in USA Solar-Control Material
The NAVIGlare RS10 G/G product documentation identifies the product origin as USA.
NAVIGlare combines this USA-origin solar-control material with a custom roller-shade system manufactured according to the dimensions and geometry of the vessel windows.
For shipowners and procurement teams, this allows the material origin to be considered alongside measurable solar performance, flame-propagation testing and custom fabrication capability.
NAVIGlare RS10 G/G Performance Data
The published RS10 G/G performance data is stated according to EN 410.
Technical Specification | RS10 G/G |
Visible Light Transmission | 10% |
Glare Reduction | 89% |
Total Solar Energy Rejection | 62% |
UV Rejection | >99% |
g-Value | 0.38 |
Shading Coefficient | 0.44 |
Exterior Visible Light Reflection | 9% |
Interior Visible Light Reflection | 9% |
Colour Rendering Index | 73 |
These figures provide shipowners, marine consultants and procurement teams with measurable technical data rather than relying only on general descriptions such as “high heat rejection” or “anti-glare.”
Custom-Made Marine Solar Shades
Vessel bridge windows are rarely standard. Depending on the vessel design, bridge glazing may include:
• Rectangular windows
• Trapezium windows
• Trapezoidal windows
• Angled glazing
• Raked bridge windows
• Sloping side windows
• Narrow control-room windows
• Irregular window shapes
NAVIGlare RS10 G/G is customized according to the actual vessel window dimensions rather than supplied only in standard sizes. The product documentation specifically identifies bridge windows and accommodation areas as suitable applications
89% Glare Reduction for Vessel Bridge Windows
Glare can make working conditions on the bridge uncomfortable, particularly when the sun is low or when strong sunlight reflects from the sea.
NAVIGlare RS10 G/G provides 89% glare reduction according to its published performance data.
This makes it suitable for areas such as:
• Forward bridge windows
• Port and starboard bridge windows
• Bridge wings
• Wheelhouses
• Marine control cabins
The shade reduces excessive brightness while retaining outward visibility through the solar-control material. Because the system is retractable, the crew can deploy the shade only when additional glare control is required.
Retractable Solar Protection When Required
One advantage of a retractable marine shade is flexibility. The shade can be deployed when:
• Direct sunlight becomes intense
• Reflected sea glare increases
• Low-angle sunlight enters the bridge
• Excessive brightness affects working comfort
• Additional solar control is required
It can then be retracted when the conditions change. This provides adjustable solar protection rather than permanently altering the appearance or light transmission of the bridge glazing.
More Than 99% UV Rejection
NAVIGlare RS10 G/G provides greater than 99% UV rejection according to its published technical data.
UV control is relevant in vessel interiors because prolonged sunlight exposure can contribute to deterioration and fading of interior finishes and materials.
The shade therefore provides UV protection in addition to glare and solar-energy control.
Suitable for Different Vessel Types
NAVIGlare marine solar shades can be considered for applications on vessels such as:
• Tugboats
• Offshore support vessels
• Crew boats
• Crew transfer vessels
• Ferries
• Commercial ships
• Workboats
• Patrol vessels
• Research vessels
• Passenger vessels
• Yachts
• Superyachts
• Harbour craft
Suitability depends on the individual vessel, window geometry, installation requirements and required solar-control performance
62% Total Solar Energy Rejection
Large vessel windows can allow significant solar energy into the bridge, particularly on vessels operating in tropical regions or spending long periods under direct sunlight.
NAVIGlare RS10 G/G provides 62% Total Solar Energy Rejection, together with a g-value of 0.38 and a Shading Coefficient of 0.44.
These values provide measurable information on the solar-control performance of the shade.
Reducing incoming solar energy can help improve thermal comfort around heavily glazed bridge and wheelhouse areas.
Custom Trapezium Solar Shades for Vessel Windows
Trapezium and angled windows are common on vessel bridges because the glazing often follows the shape of the wheelhouse structure.
Standard rectangular roller blinds may not properly match these window geometries.
NAVIGlare can custom fabricate marine solar shades for different vessel-window shapes, including non-rectangular configurations shown in the RS10 G/G product literature. This is particularly useful for:
• Trapezium bridge windows
• Raked forward glazing
• Angled side windows
• Bridge-wing glazing
• Windows with unequal top and bottom widths
Instead of adapting the vessel window to suit a standard blind, the shade is made to suit the actual window.
10% Visible Light Transmission
RS10 G/G has a published Visible Light Transmission of 10%.
This provides substantial reduction of strong daylight while maintaining outward visibility through the solar-control shade.
For marine bridge applications, this controlled light transmission provides an alternative to opaque blinds that completely block the outside view when deployed.
Applications Beyond the Navigation Bridge
NAVIGlare documentation identifies both bridge windows and accommodation areas as suitable applications. Potential applications include:
• Navigation bridges
• Wheelhouses
• Bridge wings
• Control rooms
• Crew accommodation
• Passenger accommodation
• Observation areas
• Marine control cabins
RS10 G/G can therefore be considered wherever strong sunlight, solar heat and glare need to be controlled while maintaining a level of outward visibility.
NFPA 701 Flame-Propagation Tested Material
Fire performance is an important consideration for materials installed within vessel interiors.
NAVIGlare RS10 G/G documentation states that the solar-shade material meets the Flame Propagation Requirement of the NFPA 701 test.
This test result applies to the tested material. It should not be interpreted as certification of the complete vessel, entire roller-blind installation or vessel fire-safety system.
Where required, the relevant documentation can be submitted to the vessel owner, shipyard, marine consultant, classification society or other approving authority for project-specific review.
A Marine Solar-Control System With Measurable Performance
NAVIGlare RS10 G/G is more than an ordinary roller blind. Its published specifications provide measurable solar-control characteristics:
• 89% Glare ReductionHelps reduce strong direct sunlight and reflected sea glare.
• 62% Total Solar Energy RejectionProvides measurable solar-energy control.
• 10% Visible Light TransmissionReduces excessive brightness while maintaining outward visibility.
• >99% UV RejectionProvides strong protection against UV transmission.
• 0.38 g-ValueProvides an additional measure of solar-energy transmission.
• 0.44 Shading CoefficientProvides further technical information for solar-control assessment.
• NFPA 701 Flame-Propagation RequirementThe tested solar-shade material meets the stated flame-propagation requirement.
• USA OriginThe product documentation identifies the origin as USA.
Custom FabricationMade according to actual vessel-window dimensions, including non-standard shapes.
What Information Is Needed for a Custom Quotation?
For an accurate quotation, vessel owners, shipyards, marine contractors and consultants should provide as much of the following information as possible:
• Vessel name
• Vessel type
• IMO number, where applicable
• Number of windows
• Width and height of each window
• Window shape
• Photographs of the bridge glazing
• Technical drawings
• Window schedules
• Required delivery location
• Installation location
• Project or docking schedule
For trapezium or irregular windows, provide dimensions for the individual sides of each window wherever possible.
Find us:
50 Serangoon North Ave. 4 #03-03 First Centre, Singapore 555856
Call us:
+65 6570-1890
Email us:
info@naviglare.com