Solar shading

Dynamic solar shading by its nature presents the most risk of faults occurring. Moving parts, motors and reactive functions can be costly to repair or replace and warranties are typically short and limited.

Manual solar shading brings the increased risk of human intervention and misuse, especially those that are internal.

MicroLouvre® screens are fixed to the building facade, window frame, mullions or direct to glass. They are light and quick and easy to install. They do not need to be removed for maintenance or window cleaning. Glass can be cleaned through screens (by simple pressure wash). For those buildings that better suit the option of moveable/removable screens, we offer a number of simple engineered solutions including simple lift in/out options or screens fitted in channels to slide in/out of position.

Dynamic solar shading uses technology to automate and control external and/or internal solar shading by means of an intelligent building control system.

When blinds are deployed due to need (excessive light or glare), the occupants then have no view to the outside.

Manual solar shading requires human intervention which can increase risk of damage to the system. Both dynamic and manual solar shading are subject to faults due to their moving parts and in some cases, motors.

Fixed solutions require no intervention and usually little to no maintenance. MicroLouvre® was designed as a solar shading fixed window screen, consisting of a fine bronze alloy mesh, comprising 700 tiny ‘bris soleil’ fins per metre of fabric, measuring only 1.5mm in depth. It is installed on a frame external to any windows, allowing heat to accumulate on the surface of the metal and then dissipate to the outside before it reaches the window.

MicroLouvre’s durable metal fabric, with micro fine metal louvres, woven with precision, angled and spaced to ensure optimum light in and visibility out, whilst protecting from the sun’s heat and glare.

Even the most recent advances in glazing technology won’t block all the sun’s heat and they reduce the levels of daylight and the view out.

So, what is the answer? How do you block the sun’s heat, get optimum daylight distribution, visibility to the outside world, protection from glare AND the opportunity for ventilation?

You stop the sun’s energy before it hits the glass, with a metal fabric, with micro fine louvres woven in to dissipate the sun’s heat and neutralise glare, but not block natural daylight, natural ventilation or vision out.

Solar energy from the sun streams through glass, heating everything inside the building. Unable to escape back through the glass, the heat can build up to unbearable temperatures. This is what’s known as the greenhouse effect.

Internal blind systems protect the room from a minimal amount of heat gain. They trap the heat and re-radiate it into the room, also known as the radiator effect.

Solar control glass and window films will reduce a good amount of heat gain but they block the sun’s light, leaving the building occupants in the dark and increasing the need for artificial lighting and therefore, energy consumption.

External solar shading is the most effective protection against heat gain, blocking the sun’s energy from reaching the glass. However, external blind systems reflect the sun’s energy whilst still allowing heat to pass through to the glass and therefore the room. Large louvre systems (Bris Soleil) work by deflecting the sun’s light but only during peak sun hours.

MicroLouvre® works totally differently. It neutralises solar heat gain and glare before it reaches the window, working non-stop like a heat exchanger dissipating the sun’s heat and energy into the atmosphere. It doesn’t diffuse daylight, it provides all the benefits but not the negative impact of excessive heat gain and glare. The louvres are micro fine, and angled at a level to ensure optimum light in and visibility out, whilst protecting the building occupants from the heat, glare and even external viewing in. It’s known as angular selective technology.

The main factor when choosing a solution to your solar shading needs is to consider the level of heat gain or glare you are experiencing. If your discomfort is minimal, you can usually solve the problem with internal blinds or window film. However, if you prefer to retain daylight levels in and your visibility out allowing you to enjoy your views or landscape, or your heat gain or glare problem is severe, then you’ll need to consider a solution using external solar shading, or even replacement of your glazing type.

If aesthetics are a concern, or the structural loading needs to be minimal, your external solar shading solution should be lightweight and discrete. Awnings, large louvre systems and dynamic roller systems are often discounted for this reason, as well as their significant cost.

MicroLouvre® screens are lightweight, easy to install and enhance the exterior aesthetic. They also allow the user to continue to enjoy visibility out whilst providing optimum levels of unfiltered daylight in, as well as many other additional benefits like free flow of ventilation and even pest protection.