How to keep house cool depends on the building, glazing, orientation, ventilation and shading strategy. External shading can reduce direct solar gains before they pass through the window. WAREMA products include external venetian blinds, roller shutters and window awnings for different façade and room requirements.
External shading limits solar radiation at the glazing and can therefore reduce heat input into the room. The result depends on factors such as window area, orientation, product position and operation.
WAREMA offers sun shading products for windows as well as solutions for patio shade, balcony shade and conservatory roof blinds . Product selection should reflect the building, intended use and required daylight and privacy control.
Air conditioning actively cools rooms and uses electrical energy. External shading follows a different approach: external venetian blinds, roller shutters and window awnings reduce solar gains before they enter through the glazing. This can lower cooling demand, although the effect depends on the building and operation. Read more about energy saving blinds . Retractable awning can also shade windows and glazed doors where their position and dimensions allow.
Achieve a pleasant room temperature with external venetian blinds.
Heat protection for your windows.
Fabric screens for a good inside atmosphere.
External shading can help prevent rooms from heating up through direct solar radiation. WAREMA expert Markus Schwab explains how product type, position and operation influence the result and which factors should be considered when choosing sun shading solutions for a building.
- External shading acts in front of the glazing and can reduce direct solar gains before they enter the room.
- External venetian blinds combine shading with adjustable daylight guidance. Window awnings use fabric to shade the glazing, while roller shutters can provide a high level of closure.
- The appropriate product depends on the room, façade, window, required daylight and privacy, and the installation situation.
Automated shading can react to configured schedules or sensor values even when occupants are away. This can support consistent operation, provided the control strategy and thresholds are set for the building and selected products.
Controls such as the WAREMA WMS radio system can operate compatible shading automatically using configured functions and sensor information. Manual operation via compatible controls or app remains available where supported. Automation does not replace project-specific planning of shading, glazing and ventilation.
If daylight is required, shading can be positioned to limit direct solar radiation while retaining useful natural light. External venetian blinds are particularly adjustable because the slat angle can be changed during the day.
- When you're home, the sun shading system should be opened just wide enough to allow sufficient daylight inside. For example, external venetian blinds can be adjusted to the position of the sun with their tiltable and movable slats, even without automation. As a rule, it's important to prevent direct sunlight from getting inside at all times to prevent overheating.
- Even if the sun is not directly shining on the facade, it makes sense to close the sun shading system as much as possible to ensure there is still just enough daylight, as scattered rays also heat up the room.
When a room is not in use, closing suitable external shading before strong solar exposure can reduce solar gains. Night-time ventilation may help when outdoor air is cooler than indoor air and the building allows safe ventilation. Follow the product instructions for temperature-related operating limits, including guidance for roller shutter curtains.
External sun shading solutions and air conditioning address overheating in different ways. Shading reduces solar gains at the building envelope, while air conditioning removes heat using energy. The resulting energy demand depends on the building, equipment, climate, settings and operating pattern.
Which colours and fabrics are best for keeping out sunlight?
- The darker the colour of the fabric, the lower the transmission and therefore incidence of energy. For this reason, when it comes to awnings dark colours are the way to go - regardless of whether they are installed on the patio or in front of windows.
- However, it's important to ensure that daylight isn't prevented from entering the room by external venetian blinds as otherwise additional artificial lighting will be required. Instead, the light transmission can be controlled by the slat angle or the degree of opening, meaning colour is of secondary importance.
- Although light can enter the room by partially closing the roller shutter curtain, lighter colours are generally a good idea as they do not heat up as much.
WAREMA Project Consulting supports architects and specialist planners with solar-shading concepts during the planning process. The scope can include facade integration, product selection and control requirements for the project.
Visit us at one of our Sunlight Experience Centres or contact your local WAREMA specialist retailer for advice and a project-specific quotation. The specialist dealer search helps you find a suitable contact in your area.