Vessel Traffic Services towers require solar protection solutions that are fundamentally different from those appropriate in most other buildings. VTS operators depend on a completely clear, unobstructed view of the port environment, shipping channels, and sea surface throughout their operational shift. Any product that blocks or significantly impairs that view is not suitable for a VTS tower application, regardless of how well it controls glare or heat.
This guide is written for port authorities, VTS facility managers, harbour masters, and procurement teams responsible for sourcing anti-glare screens for VTS tower windows. It covers the specific requirements of the VTS environment, what to look for in a suitable product, how to specify and order correctly, and what Solar Solve supplies for this application.
Why VTS Tower Windows Require a Specialist Solution
The solar protection requirement for a VTS tower window is not the same as for a standard office building, a cruise terminal, or even a maritime navigation bridge. VTS towers have three characteristics that make the specification particularly demanding:
Continuous outward visibility is operationally critical
VTS operators monitor vessel movements, shipping lane traffic, anchorage areas, and port approaches in real time. Their view through the tower windows is not a comfort feature — it is part of the operational infrastructure. A screen that obscures or distorts the outward view, even partially, impairs the operator’s ability to perform their role safely. The product must be transparent in both directions and must not affect colour recognition, which is essential for identifying vessel lights and buoys at distance.
Glare and heat are genuine operational hazards
VTS tower windows are typically large and panoramic, oriented to provide maximum coverage of the port environment. This design means they are also highly exposed to solar glare and heat throughout the day. Sun glare can temporarily blind operators to vessel positions, reduce radar and surveillance display readability, and create the kind of sustained eye strain that degrades alertness during long shifts. Solar heat gain raises control room temperatures, increasing discomfort and cooling costs.
Standard blinds cannot be used
Standard roller blinds, venetian blinds, and opaque solar shades all work by blocking light — and with it, the outward view. They are not suitable for VTS tower window applications. The correct product category is a transparent solar screen: a see-through screen that filters solar radiation without eliminating the view through the window.
What to Look for in a VTS Tower Anti-Glare Screen
When evaluating transparent solar screens for VTS tower windows, the following criteria should all be confirmed before placing an order:
| Evaluation Criterion | What to Confirm |
|---|---|
| Outward visibility | Screen must be see-through when deployed. Operator must retain clear, undistorted view of the port environment and vessel positions at all times. |
| Colour recognition | Colours through the screen must not be significantly distorted. VTS operators rely on vessel navigation light colours for identification. |
| Glare reduction | Effective reduction of direct solar glare and sea surface reflected glare during all operational hours. |
| Heat rejection | Meaningful reduction of solar heat gain through the window to control room temperature. |
| UV protection | UV rejection to protect operators from cumulative UV exposure during extended control room shifts. |
| Custom manufacture | Every VTS tower window is different. The screen must be manufactured to the specific window dimensions. |
| Marine environment suitability | VTS towers are in coastal environments. Materials must resist salt air, humidity, and UV degradation. |
| Product guarantee | A meaningful manufacturer’s guarantee confirming confidence in long-term product performance. |
SOLASOLV® Performance for VTS Tower Windows
SOLASOLV® transparent anti-glare screens manufactured by Solar Solve Marine in South Shields, UK, meet all of the criteria above. Every screen is see-through by design and maintains a completely clear, undistorted outward view when deployed:
| Performance Measure | SOLASOLV® Rating | VTS Tower Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Solar glare reduction | Up to 93% | Eliminates glare impairing vessel monitoring, display readability, and navigation light identification throughout the operational day |
| Solar heat rejection | Up to 87% | Reduces control room temperature and lowers air conditioning demand during peak solar periods |
| UV light rejection | Up to 99% | Protects VTS operators from cumulative UV exposure during extended shifts in coastal port environments |
| Outward visibility | Fully maintained | Completely clear, undistorted view of the port environment, vessel movements, and sea surface at all times |
| Product guarantee | 7 years (SOLASAFE®) | Manufacturer’s guarantee for continuous operational environments such as 24-hour port control centres |
★ SOLASOLV® is the only marine anti-glare screen in the world to hold Type Approval from Lloyd’s Register, DNV, ABS, and RINA simultaneously. Full technical specifications are available on the Solar Solve technical information page.
Two SOLASOLV® Formats for VTS Tower Windows
Solar Solve supplies two anti-glare screen formats for VTS tower window applications. Both use the same SOLASOLV® transparent solar protection material and deliver the same performance figures:
SOLASAFE® — Cassette-mounted (recommended for new installations)
The cassette format provides a self-contained housing that encloses the screen material when retracted. This gives a clean, professional finish at the window frame and protects the screen from the coastal salt-air environment when not in use. The cassette format is preferred for new VTS tower installations and professional refurbishment projects. The SOLASAFE® guarantee runs to seven years. View the SOLASAFE® product page for full specifications.
SOLAROLA® — Non-cassette (suited to retrofit in existing towers)
The non-cassette format provides the same SOLASOLV® solar protection in a simpler roller screen configuration suited to retrofit installation in existing VTS towers where the cassette format is not required. View the SOLAROLA® product page for full specifications.
Both products are available in a range of film colours providing different levels of visible light transmission to suit different tower orientations and operational preferences. Film colour selection affects both the degree of glare reduction and the tint of the outward view. Solar Solve’s technical team can advise on film colour selection based on the tower’s specific orientation and the operational priorities of the VTS facility.
How to Specify SOLASOLV® Screens for a VTS Tower
A complete and accurate specification before ordering is the most reliable way to ensure the screens arrive correctly sized, correctly configured, and with the right documentation. Follow these steps:
- Identify all windows to be supplied. Confirm the exact number of windows, their locations within the tower, and any differences in size or configuration between them.
- Confirm the window shape for each location. VTS tower windows are often non-standard — panoramic, angled, curved, or stepped. The Solar Solve window shapes guide provides reference for all common configurations.
- Obtain accurate measurements for each window. Solar Solve’s measuring guide explains how to distinguish between the window opening, the recess, and the finished screen size. Where architectural drawings are available, provide these to Solar Solve’s technical team for review before manufacture begins.
- Select the product format. SOLASAFE® cassette for new installations and professional refurbishments. SOLAROLA® non-cassette for retrofit applications.
- Select the film colour. Discuss with Solar Solve’s technical team based on the tower orientation, operational hours, and preferred balance of glare reduction and visible light transmission.
- Confirm the required delivery date. Solar Solve manufactures every screen to order from South Shields. Lead times should be confirmed at enquiry stage.
- Request the documentation package. Technical specifications, product data sheets, and the manufacturer’s guarantee should be requested with the order.
Submit a complete enquiry to sales@solasolv.com or call +44 191 454 8595. Alternatively, use the Solar Solve ordering and quote page to submit your enquiry details.
Durability in Coastal Port Environments
VTS towers operate in some of the most demanding environmental conditions of any control room application. Coastal salt air, humidity, UV radiation, and the continuous use associated with 24-hour port operations all place demands on window fittings that standard products cannot meet over time.
- SOLASOLV® screens are manufactured using marine-grade materials specifically engineered to withstand coastal and port environments
- The screen material resists corrosion, UV degradation, and wear from the frequent deployment cycles associated with operational control rooms running around the clock
- Every screen is manufactured to the specific dimensions of the window being supplied, ensuring a precise, professional fit regardless of the tower’s window configuration
- Solar Solve has been supplying specialist marine and coastal screens since 1987, with 200,000+ screens installed across 108 countries
VTS Tower Anti-Glare Screen Buyer’s Checklist
Before placing an order, confirm the following:
- Screen is transparent — outward view must be fully maintained when deployed
- Screen does not distort colour recognition through the window
- Glare reduction figures confirmed from manufacturer’s technical data sheet
- Heat rejection figures confirmed from technical data sheet
- UV rejection figures confirmed from technical data sheet
- Screen manufactured to the specific dimensions of the window
- Window measurements or drawings provided to manufacturer before order is placed
- Product format selected — cassette (SOLASAFE®) or non-cassette (SOLAROLA®)
- Film colour selected based on tower orientation and operational preference
- Required delivery date confirmed as achievable
- Technical data sheet, product specifications, and manufacturer’s guarantee included in order documentation
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of anti-glare screen is suitable for a VTS tower window?
A VTS tower window requires a transparent see-through anti-glare screen that reduces solar glare and heat while maintaining a completely clear, undistorted outward view for the operator at all times. SOLASOLV® screens reduce solar glare by up to 93% and heat by up to 87% while maintaining full outward visibility. Standard opaque blinds are not appropriate for VTS tower applications because they block the view of the port environment that operators need to maintain continuously.
Do SOLASOLV® VTS tower screens need to be custom-made?
Yes. Every SOLASOLV® screen is manufactured to the specific dimensions of the window being supplied. VTS towers vary significantly in window size and configuration, including large panoramic windows, angled panes, and non-standard shapes. Solar Solve’s window shapes guide and measuring guide support facility procurement teams in confirming accurate dimensions before ordering.
What is the difference between SOLASAFE® and SOLAROLA® for VTS tower applications?
Both products use the same SOLASOLV® transparent anti-glare screen material and deliver the same performance figures. SOLASAFE® is the cassette-mounted version, preferred for new installations and professional refurbishment projects. SOLAROLA® is the non-cassette version, suited to retrofit installation in existing VTS towers where a simpler installation format is preferred.
Can SOLASOLV® screens reduce energy costs in VTS tower control rooms?
Yes. By rejecting up to 87% of solar heat through the tower windows, SOLASOLV® screens reduce the solar heat gain entering the control environment. This lowers the demand on air conditioning and cooling systems during peak solar periods, reducing energy consumption and contributing to the port facility’s energy efficiency objectives.
How do I get a quote for SOLASOLV® VTS tower screens?
Contact Solar Solve Marine directly at sales@solasolv.com or call +44 191 454 8595. To obtain an accurate quotation, Solar Solve will need the window dimensions or drawings, the number of windows, the preferred product format, and the required delivery date. You can also submit an enquiry via the Solar Solve ordering page.
