We all recognize the benefits of having natural daylight within buildings. People respond better when they can have a view to the outside and work better under controlled natural daylight conditions. Furthermore Architects naturally like to create buildings that evoke interest and admiration. Accordingly there are examples of buildings with large areas of glazing that can be seen nearly everywhere.
Our solar shading systems offer designers the opportunity for distinctive architectural impact, while reducing solar heat gains.
Read our Introduction to Solar Shading to learn more about how solar shading works.
Features and Benefits
- Optimum performance by reducing solar heat gains while maintaining acceptable levels of natural daylight.
- Reduction of cooling loads in summer.
- Reduction of heating requirements in winter.
- Potential for striking aesthetic impact.
- Potential to integrate photovoltaic cells
Product Lines
Blade Attachment Systems
Each of the solar shading systems listed above (with the exception of the Cantilever System) can be attached to the construction using a variety of systems. Learn more about these solar shade blade attachment systems and see which one is right for your application.
Controllable Versus Fixed Fins
A fixed solar shading system may only truly be effective on a south facing building.
Although a solar shading system may enhance the appearance of a building, their function in controlling heat and light energy has to be taken into consideration.
Controllable solar shading systems can better optimize the flows of heat and light energy than fixed solar shading systems. Since the louvers are designed to follow the path of the sun, daylight levels may be optimized while radiation levels are reduced to a minimum. The likelihood of overshading or undershading that frequently occurs with fixed solar shading is reduced, since the louvers are always set to optimum shading angle.
On dull days, light sensors operate to fully open the fins to allow the occupants full vision to the outside at all times. Controllable solar shading is also effective when fitted to glazed rooflights.
An additional benefit is that when closed, some louvers can provide additional security and can help reduce winter heat loss.