BRE Solar shading of buildings

Overview

Windows are an essential feature of nearly every type of building. People like being able to see out and to have access to daylight and fresh air. Even sunlight is often welcome. In winter, the window can act as a passive solar collector, helping to heat up the building. Windows have their adverse effects too, but these can mostly be avoided by providing a suitable shading device - the subject of this report. There are three main reasons why shading might be needed: to reduce overheating, to reduce glare from windows, and to provide privacy. Various types of shading devices and special types of glazing are discussed and their comparative performance is summarised in a table.