The Right Product for a Navigation Bridge Is Not Always Obvious
Procurement managers, shipbuilders, vessel owners and fleet operators specifying anti-glare blinds for navigation bridge windows face a genuine decision. Solar Solve manufactures more than one product suitable for bridge window applications. Each has different construction, installation characteristics and operational features. Choosing the wrong one for the vessel type, window configuration or operational requirement creates problems that are difficult and costly to resolve after installation.
This guide sets out the factors that determine the right choice for a bridge window anti-glare blind, explains the differences between the core Solar Solve products used in bridge applications, and provides a straightforward decision framework for buyers at every stage of the specification process.
All Solar Solve anti-glare screens for navigation bridge windows are custom made to the exact dimensions and window profile of the vessel, manufactured at Solar Solve’s UK facility in South Shields and dispatched to vessel locations worldwide. For the full product range, visit the Solar Solve marine.
The Two Core Products for Navigation Bridge Windows
Solar Solve produces two anti-glare solar screen products specifically designed and Type Approved for use at navigation bridge and wheelhouse windows: SOLASAFE® and SOLAROLA®. Both use the same specialist shade film technology and deliver the same core performance: up to 93% glare reduction, up to 87% solar heat rejection, at least 98% UV light filtration, and 100% clear, undistorted outward visibility.
The difference between them is construction. One comes with an aluminium protective cassette. One does not. That distinction has practical consequences for installation, maintenance, longevity and suitability in different bridge environments.
SOLASAFE: The Cassette-Mounted Anti-Glare Screen
SOLASAFE® is Solar Solve’s cassette-mounted anti-glare solar screen. The shade film is housed within an aluminium cassette head box that protects the film when the screen is retracted. As the screen is retracted into the cassette, a built-in wipe-clean brush system removes dust and debris from the film surface automatically. The cassette design keeps the film clean, protected and ready for use at all times without requiring manual cleaning of the roller mechanism.
Key features of SOLASAFE:
- Aluminium cassette head box protects the shade film when not in use
- Built-in wipe-clean brush system cleans the film automatically on retraction
- Available with manual, electric or remote control operation
- Aluminium bottom rail included as standard
- Optional side channels or guide cables
- Choice of shade film colours: Gold, Silver, Grey, Bronze
- Choice of 400+ aluminium profile colours
- Custom made to exact vessel window dimensions
- 7-year guarantee
- Dispatched within 3 to 5 days (same day service available)
Type Approvals held by SOLASAFE: Type Approved by Lloyd’s Register, DNV, ABS and RINA. Compliant with ISO 8468, M Notice 760 and Merchant Shipping No. 1419 1998.
Best suited to: vessels where the bridge windows are exposed to high levels of dust, salt spray or debris; installations where long-term low-maintenance operation is a priority; cruise ships, naval vessels, offshore support vessels and commercial cargo ships where the cassette’s self-cleaning action and protected storage of the film is operationally valuable; any vessel where the appearance of the finished installation is important, as the cassette provides a cleaner, more finished profile.
SOLASAFE® is the most widely specified Solar Solve product for navigation bridge windows worldwide and has been installed on tens of thousands of vessels including cruise ships, coastguard vessels, naval ships and air traffic control towers. The US Coastguard and the Royal Navy both rely on SOLASAFE® for bridge window glare control.
SOLAROLA: The Non-Cassette Anti-Glare Screen
SOLAROLA® is Solar Solve’s aluminium roller anti-glare screen without a cassette head box. It uses the same specialist shade film as SOLASAFE® and delivers identical glare reduction, heat rejection, UV filtration and outward visibility performance. The absence of the cassette makes SOLAROLA® a more compact installation with a lower profile at the window head.
Key features of SOLAROLA:
- Aluminium roller without cassette head box
- Same shade film as SOLASAFE — identical performance
- Available with manual or electric operation
- Custom made to exact vessel window dimensions
- Choice of shade film colours: Gold, Silver, Grey, Bronze
- Suitable for inside or outside recess installation
- 2-year guarantee
Type Approvals held by SOLAROLA: Type Approved by Lloyd’s Register, DNV, ABS and RINA — the same four classification society approvals as SOLASAFE®.
Best suited to: vessels where the available space at the window head is limited and a cassette housing cannot be accommodated; installations where a lower-profile fitting is preferred; vessels where the window configuration makes a non-cassette solution more practical to install; refit situations where an existing roller mechanism is being replaced and the cassette profile is not required.
SOLASAFE vs SOLAROLA: A Direct Comparison
| Feature | SOLASAFE | SOLAROLA |
|---|---|---|
| Cassette head box | Yes | No |
| Shade film technology | Same — identical film | Same — identical film |
| Glare reduction | Up to 93% | Up to 93% |
| Heat rejection | Up to 87% | Up to 87% |
| UV filtration | At least 98% | At least 98% |
| Outward visibility | 100% clear | 100% clear |
| Self-cleaning brush system | Yes | No |
| Operation | Manual, electric, remote | Manual, electric |
| Type Approvals | DNV, ABS, Lloyd’s, RINA | DNV, ABS, Lloyd’s, RINA |
| Guarantee | 7 years | 2 years |
| Head space required | More (cassette housing) | Less (roller only) |
| Profile options | 400+ colours | Standard aluminium |
| Best for | High-use, exposed environments | Space-limited or lower-profile installs |
The performance delivered at the window is identical. The choice between SOLASAFE® and SOLAROLA® is driven by the physical constraints of the installation, the maintenance environment of the vessel and the operational preference of the buyer.
What About STOPLITE for Bridge Windows?
STOPLITE® is a cassette-mounted blackout roller blind designed for crew cabin applications rather than navigation bridge windows. It is designed to create daytime sleeping conditions by significantly reducing sunlight in sleeping areas. It can also function as a sun visor when a fully dark room is not required, as its bottom rail can be stopped and held in any position.
STOPLITE® holds Type Approval from DNV but it is not a solar screen for navigation bridge use. It does not maintain the clear outward visibility required on a working bridge and is not designed or specified for that application. Buyers looking for a bridge window anti-glare solution should specify SOLASAFE® or SOLAROLA®, not STOPLITE®. Buyers looking for crew cabin blackout blinds or daytime sleeping solutions should specify STOPLITE®.
Choosing the Right Film Colour
Both SOLASAFE® and SOLAROLA® are available in four shade film colours: Gold, Silver, Grey and Bronze. All four colours deliver the same glare reduction, UV filtration and outward visibility performance. The difference between them is in heat rejection and external vessel appearance.
| Film Colour | Inside Face | Outside Face | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Grey | Gold | Vessels where external gold finish is preferred; strong glare reduction |
| Silver | Grey | Silver | Maximum heat rejection; recommended for tropical and high-sun routes |
| Grey | Grey | Grey | Neutral appearance; balanced performance across all metrics |
| Bronze | Bronze | Bronze | Vessels where bronze external finish is preferred |
For vessels operating on routes with sustained high solar intensity — tropical routes, equatorial passages, the Red Sea, the Gulf — Silver film delivers the maximum heat rejection performance and is the recommended choice. For vessels where aesthetics of the external finish are a specification requirement, Gold or Bronze offer alternative appearance options while maintaining full glare and UV protection.
For detailed performance data by film colour including visible light transmission figures, visit the Solar Solve technical information.
Choosing the Right Operation: Manual, Electric or Remote
Both SOLASAFE® and SOLAROLA® are available with manual or electric operation. SOLASAFE® additionally offers remote control operation.
Manual operation is the standard choice for most bridge window installations. Screens are raised and lowered by hand using a simple pull mechanism. Manual operation requires no electrical installation, has no motor to maintain and is reliable in all vessel operating conditions.
Electric operation is specified where the window location makes manual operation impractical, for example where windows are located at height or in positions that are difficult for crew to reach directly. Electric operation requires a power supply to the blind motor.
Remote control operation (SOLASAFE® only) is specified where screens need to be operated from a distance, either for convenience or because the physical installation position makes direct operation impractical.
A Decision Framework for Buyers
The following questions will determine the right product for most bridge window specifications:
Is there sufficient space at the window head to accommodate a cassette housing?
If yes: SOLASAFE® is the recommended choice for bridge window applications. The cassette protects the film, the self-cleaning brush system reduces maintenance, and the 7-year guarantee reflects the higher specification. If no: SOLAROLA® delivers identical performance in a more compact profile.
Is the vessel operating in a high-dust, high-salt-spray or high-debris environment?
If yes: SOLASAFE® is recommended. The cassette housing protects the retracted film and the self-cleaning brush system removes debris automatically.
Is the vessel operating on tropical, equatorial or other high-sun-intensity routes?
If yes: specify Silver film for maximum heat rejection regardless of whether SOLASAFE® or SOLAROLA® is selected.
Is the installation a new build or a retrofit?
Both SOLASAFE® and SOLAROLA® are suitable for new build and retrofit installations. Solar Solve manufactures every screen to the exact window dimensions provided and can accommodate standard and non-standard window shapes. For guidance on measuring your vessel’s windows accurately before specifying, visit the Solar Solve measuring guide.
Is the installation for crew cabins or sleeping areas rather than the bridge?
STOPLITE® or DIMMLITE® are the appropriate products for cabin, lounge and sleeping area applications. Neither is suitable for navigation bridge window use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between SOLASAFE and SOLAROLA for bridge windows?
A: Both products use the same shade film and deliver identical performance: up to 93% glare reduction, 87% heat rejection, 98% UV filtration and 100% clear outward visibility. The difference is construction. SOLASAFE® has an aluminium cassette head box with a built-in self-cleaning brush system and a 7-year guarantee. SOLAROLA® is a non-cassette roller with a more compact profile and a 2-year guarantee. The choice depends on the available space at the window head and the maintenance environment of the vessel.
Q: Are both SOLASAFE and SOLAROLA Type Approved for navigation bridge use?
A: Yes. Both SOLASAFE® and SOLAROLA® are Type Approved by Lloyd’s Register, DNV, ABS and RINA — the four leading marine classification societies.
Q: Which film colour gives the best heat rejection?
A: Silver film delivers the highest heat rejection performance and is recommended for vessels operating on tropical, equatorial or other high-sun-intensity routes. All four film colours — Gold, Silver, Grey and Bronze — deliver the same glare reduction and UV filtration performance.
Q: Can Solar Solve supply screens for non-standard or irregularly shaped bridge windows?
A: Yes. Solar Solve manufactures custom screens for a wide range of window shapes including tapered, inverted taper and trapezium profiles. All screens are made to the exact dimensions provided by the buyer.
Q: How long does it take to receive a custom-made solar screen after ordering?
A: SOLASAFE® screens are normally manufactured and dispatched within 3 to 5 working days. A same-day dispatch service is available for urgent vessel requirements.
Q: Is STOPLITE suitable for navigation bridge windows?
A: No. STOPLITE® is a blackout blind designed for crew cabin and sleeping area applications. It does not maintain the clear outward visibility required on a navigation bridge. SOLASAFE® or SOLAROLA® are the correct products for bridge window anti-glare applications.
Q: Can Solar Solve help with measuring before an order is placed?
A: Yes. Solar Solve provides full measuring guidance and the team is available to advise on dimensions, window shapes and installation positions before an order is placed. Using a metal tape measure and measuring at two points across the window width is essential for accurate custom manufacturing.
