Hi Iain,
Thanks for the feedback — we’re glad to hear it does what it’s meant to do by reflecting heat while still letting light through, and that you found it fairly easy to install.
We get that at first glance it can look like “just perforated foil”, but Renshade is actually purpose-designed and engineered for performance. When used correctly, it can reduce solar heat gain by up to 71%, cut glare and light by up to 89%, and may help reduce cooling load by up to 31%, depending on how and where it’s installed.
On pricing, we understand the comparison. Renshade is a simple, removable solution that reflects heat and lets light through, and it’s priced at $144.
By comparison, true external shading options like awnings, pergola blinds, shutters, or custom shade systems often cost thousands. For many homes they’re also not practical due to body corporate rules, heritage restrictions, rentals, access issues, or the need for custom-made solutions.
If you’re interested, this article goes through different external shading options:
https://www.ecomaster.com.au/the-best-ways-to-shade-a-window/
And if external shading isn’t an option for you, this page might also be helpful:
https://www.ecomaster.com.au/window-coverings/