This is a system that uses angled vertical or horizontal blades to control the amount of solar heat or light that enters a building. Whilst heat and light are generally good, there can be excessive heat in certain climates or at certain times of the year. If this can be controlled without huge energy requirements, everyone benefits.
Challenges
Many modern buildings have a great deal of glazing in the form of windows. External blades can control the amount of light and heating entering expanses of glass by diffusing it; once in place, the blades will keep performing efficiently for many years. Controlling temperature effectively and sustainably is important, as it can have a huge effect on those within a building; for example, the Guardian reported on the effect on temperature and humidity on dementia patients.
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How it works
‘Brise soleil’ is a French term that roughly translates as ‘sun breaker’. These external structures provide a way of allowing low-glare sun into a structure during the winter, in the morning and in the late afternoon, but reducing entry significantly during the hottest part of the day. This is obviously particularly useful in the heat of summer. Frequently found in the form of blades, these external fittings can also be in the form of shelves. They can even multitask in the form of walkways.
Extremely flexible, they can be tailored to the individual buildings and can be made from a variety of materials, including sustainable wood, stainless steel and aluminium. When aluminium is used, it can be painted to resemble wood. The finished result can look extremely attractive and add architectural value to the building.
If you want to find out more about what this kind of temperature and glare control could do for your home or building, contact a reputable supplier such as https://alusystems.uk for guidance and advice.
We need light and heat in winter, but not too much of it in summer. External structures on a building that control this effectively without large energy bills are a practical and sustainable method of temperature control. As building owners and architects increasingly look for solutions to temperature control that are environmentally-friendly, this is the kind of system that will become increasingly popular. As a flexible solution, it has much to recommend it.