Blinds & Shutters - Issue 4-2020

CASE STUDY
The heat is on
Caribbean Blinds
ask, will rising
temperatures
change the way we
design buildings?
Despite what many of us think, the
lockdown period hasn’t all been
negative… It has given the UK some of
the hottest temperatures and unprecedented
summer weather, but for some, it has been almost
impossible to keep their houses cool.
When designing any new build, renovation or
extension, the increasing issue of overheating and
the importance of external shading should be
addressed throughout each stage. Every measure
needs to be taken to ensure a building’s energy
efficiency is at its highest and to prevent the
growing number of eco and ultra-modern glass
properties from turning into unhabitable
‘greenhouses’.
The effects of glazing &
insulation
Flooding a room with natural light and creating a
feeling of endless space and openness are
important factors for occupant wellbeing. Large
expanses of glazing such as rooflights, panoramic
windows, sliding and folding doors can help blur
the boundaries between inside and out – all whilst
emitting free solar gain to passively warm a building
in the colder months. In addition to this, both wallto-floor
and loft insulation help to prevent warmth
from escaping, reducing the demand for heating
and lowering energy costs as a result.
Despite these benefits, the combination of
extensive glazing and high levels of insulation
coupled with a warming climate is resulting in
buildings severely overheating. Although this is
primarily in the summer, it also happens during the
winter, with indoor temperatures rising to
uncomfortable and unsafe levels that put occupant
health at risk. Last year alone, overheating in
buildings resulted in over 900 deaths in the UK – a
figure which is predicted to reach 7,000 by 2050,
and at a cost of £267m to Public Health England.
The solution: External
shading, awnings & blinds
As the sun is not static, a dynamic solution is
required to adapt to the changing ambient
conditions, preventing unwanted solar heat gain
during the summer months and allowing free solar
gain when required in the winter.
Unique perforated solar controlled fabrics can
provide an evenly distributed natural light source
whilst maintaining the view and connection to the
outside. This quick solution can help override high
levels of insulation and glazing, minimising any
unwanted solar heat gain by averting the sun’s rays
from reaching the glass and keeping buildings cool.
Not a new concept to the UK, awnings were
used on elaborate glass shop frontages in the
1800’s before air conditioning was invented as a
way to passively cool the interior of buildings whilst
also protecting goods from the damaging effects of
the sun.
This is proof that the solution to combat the
issue of overheating buildings already exists,
however, the change needed is within the
specification market, as these products need to be
designed and incorporated from the outset. We
need to begin to opt for alternatives to solar
control glass (that doesn’t prevent solar heat gain)
continues on page 32
30 Blinds & Shutters • ISSUE FOUR 2020