What is Solar Control ?

Solar Control systems have been developed to compliment most curtain walling systems and
building designs and  now meet the ever increasing energy demands put on the building façade.
The large expanse of glass achieved by curtain walling creates a greater surface through which
the suns rays can enter into the building.

To prevent the building from overheating , high performance glasses can be used to reduce the transmission of radiation, however to achieve a comfortable internal temperature, cooling systems
are generally employed. On average, the monetary operational cost of mechanically cooling a
building is three times more expensive than mechanically heating. The introduction of a Solar
Control system can significantly reduce the amount of solar radiation on the building façade and therefore reduce the amount of solar gain inside the building. The lower internal temperature
reduces the necessity for mechanical cooling, thus cutting energy usage and operational costs.

As a passive solar control solution with minimal maintenance, solar shade systems provide
financial savings year upon year, whilst creating a more carbon efficient building.
Correctly positioned, solar shade systems can provide additional comfort to the building user
by reducing solar glare from high solar altitudes during summer months, and by maximising the
solar gains in the winter months to increase internal building temperatures from the low solar altitudes.

There are three basic types of solar shading -

	horizontal projecting shading horizontal parallel shading vertical parallel shading.

These incoroparte different types of solar blades. Solar blade profiles provide the architect and
specifier with the option to use either flat blade profiles or hollow section profiles generally
referred to within the industry as aerofoil sections.

Most product ranges incorporates flat 'Z',"S" OR " C" type  blade profiles along with more complex
aero or bull-nose sections as shown in our product information available from the links provided 
on this site.

All sections have inherent structural and aesthetic properties.

The main feature of the aero systems being their span capabilities which is reflected in the 
increased module widths (subject to site conditions and design wind load requirements) and
the ability to be installed to provide a continuous, unbroken, blade appearance to the building
facade.

Terminology

Horizontal Projecting Shading is where there are a series of blades projecting directly out from
the façade.

This configuration works best on South, South-East or South-West facing elevations, although
there can be some benefit on other orientations, dependant on the projection.
Generally a greater projection blocks more radiation, although for a South facing elevation, there
is very little additional benefit by increasing the projection more than 0.8 times the
window height.

For windows that are tall and narrow, increasing the width of the shading beyond the jambs of
the window is more effective than increasing the projection of the shading.

For other elevations they are less effective unless a large projection is used.

Horizontal Parallel Shading is where a series of horizontal blades are mounted above one
another and connect directly to vertical façade. This configuration is the most effective at
blocking radiation, although the amount of transmittance will depend on the angle and the set-out
of the blades, as well as the amount of reflectance afforded by the colour. It can also block out a
lot of day light too.

For SouthWest and South East elevations, a blade angle of 0° will block out most of the incoming
solar gain, whilst allowing for some view out too. On other elevations the blades will require a
greater degree of tilt in order to block out solar gains.

Vertical Parallel Shading is where vertical blades project out either side of a window, or connected directly to the transoms on a vertical façade. For window applications, the blades should extend
well beyond the top of the frame for the best results.

This configuration is most effective on the North elevation where the blades can block out most of
the sunlight, but it also makes a useful contribution on the North-East and North-West.

Products

Sapa Solar Control -Vertical Parallel Shading system - ELEGANCE SC

		Elegance SC Solar Shading offers building designers a fully integrated solar control solution for facades with window, screening and curtain walling elements. Installing solar shading can dramatically reduce the overall life-time costs of a building and, with this being an increasingly important issue to end users, it makes huge sense for fabricators to offer solar shading as part of their product range.

Correctly positioned, Elegance SC can provide a comfortable environment for the building user
by reducing solar gain in the summer months. Conversely solar gain in the winter can be
maximised to increase internal building temperatures and therefore offset some of the
requirements for heating.

There are three basic types of solar shading - horizontal projecting shading; horizontal parallel
shading and vertical parallel shading. Elegance SC features all three of these with a number of aesthetic, functional and installation benefits.

• Quick and easy to install, either as part of the initial design of the building façade or as a
  retro fit option
• Three basic types provide design flexibility
• Can be powder coated to match the building's colour scheme
• Bespoke calculation software will work out the optimum solution based on building location and orientation
  
  Elegance SC - Solar Control Leaflet
  
  

  
  Kawneer -1600 SunShade®

  Product Specifications

  An economical, pre-engineered and integrated sunshade with mix and match design
  choices.
  
  Key Features Include: 

  • Standard sunshade that integrates easily into outside-glazed 1600 Wall
    System®1 or inside-glazed 1600 Wall System®5
  • Shades interiors and conserves energy with a 30-inch projection
  • Creates considerable savings in fabrication and attachment time compared
    with custom sunshades, thus allowing use on any building
  • Provides a single-source solution
  • Economical, and easy to install and assemble using screw spline joinery
  • Outriggers and brackets are available in several shapes
  • Louvers can be air-foil, wing-shaped, cylindrical, square or flat
  • Fascias or outmost elements can be rounded, square, or air-foil shaped
  • Anchorage design capable of handling 60 psf combined vertical load of wind
    and snow