Solar shading tech is usually associated with the summer – using it to mitigate heat gain and improve energy efficiency. But solar shading options such as louvred facades, brise soleil, and sliding shutters can play a big role in maintaining a building’s comfort and efficiency during the winter months too.
Solar Shading in Winter
During winter, the sun is lower and daylight hours are shorter. This angle of sunlight can lead to direct glare and excessive heat gain in certain areas, particularly in buildings with large amounts of glass. Solar shading helps to control this by diffusing light, reducing glare, and evenly distributing warmth within the space.
Effective solar shading can prevent heat loss by acting as another layer of insulation, allowing them to provide a good balance of natural light, warmth, and energy efficiency all year round.
Louvred Facades: A Flexible Solution
Louvred facades are an excellent example of adaptive solar shading tech. These systems consist of adjustable horizontal or vertical slats, which can be positioned to control the amount of sunlight entering a building. In winter, louvres can be angled to maximise the amount of natural light and heat during daylight hours while minimising glare.
They also contribute to reducing heat loss by creating a buffer between the interior and exterior of a building, which acts as insulation. This is good for maintaining a stable indoor temperature, reducing reliance on additional costly heating systems, and lowering energy costs.
Brise Soleil: Year-Round Benefits
Brise soleil are a more permanent solar shading solution that offers both aesthetic and functional benefits. These fixed horizontal or vertical fins are typically mounted on the exterior of a building, designed to block high-angle sunlight in summer while allowing low-angle winter sunlight to pass through.
In the winter, brise soleil systems enhance comfort by diffusing daylight and preventing glare, particularly in areas of a space with large windows. Being strategic about where they’re placed ensures year-round effectiveness in moderating solar heat gain and enhancing energy efficiency.
Sliding Shutters: Traditional Meets Modern
Sliding shutters combine functionality with stylish design to provide a versatile shading solution. Shutters can be fully or partially closed, allowing occupants to control sunlight and privacy as needed.
Sliding shutters can be used to trap heat within a space during cold nights in the winter, becoming an extra insulating layer. When opened during the day, shutters allow natural light to enter a property, reducing the need for artificial lighting and heating sources, which increase costs.
Balancing Comfort and Efficiency
The key to effective solar shading in winter lies in finding the right balance between controlling sunlight and maintaining energy efficiency. Far from being a summer-only solution, solar shading proves its worth all year-round.
For more information and advice, get in touch with our team at Urban Skies today.