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 Mobile ViewEXTERIORS of buildings ADHESIVES, EXTERIOR CONSTRUCTION AGE of a BUILDING - how to determine ALGAE, FUNGUS, LICHENS, MOSS ARCHITECTURE & BUILDING COMPONENT ID ATTIC CONDENSATION CAUSE & CURE BARK SIDE DOWN on DECKS, TRIM, STEPS BASEMENT WATERPROOFING BEST CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES GUIDE BRICK VENEER WALL Loose, Bulged BRICK WALL DRAINAGE WEEP HOLES BOOKSTORE - EXTERIORS BUILDING SAFETY HAZARDS GUIDE BUILDING SETTLEMENT CHIMNEY INSPECTION DIAGNOSIS REPAIR DECK & PORCH CONSTRUCTION DECK COLLAPSE Case Study DECK FINISHES COATINGS PRESERVATIVES DECK FLASHING LEAKS, ROT Case Study DEFINITIONS of ENGINEERED WOOD OSB LVL etc EARTHQUAKE DAMAGED FOUNDATIONS ENERGY SAVINGS in buildings ENGINEERED WOOD Flooring ENGINEERED WOOD Products EXTERIOR WALL SIDING TRIM & FINISHES FIBERGLASS INSULATION FIBERGLASS HAZARDS FIBERGLASS INSULATION MOLD FLASHING MEMBRANES PEEL & STICK FLASHING for METAL ROOFS FLASHING ROOF WALL DETAILS FLASHING ROOF-WALL SNAFU FLASHING SIDING DETAILS FLASHING WALL DETAILS FLASHING WOOD ROOF DETAILS FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, SAFETY & CLEANUP FOOTING & FOUNDATION DRAINS FOUNDATION CRACKS & DAMAGE GUIDE FOUNDATION WATERPROOFING FRENCH DRAINS GALVANIC SCALE & METAL CORROSION GLUES ADHESIVES, EXTERIOR CONSTRUCTION GRADING & SITE WORK, EXTERIOR GUTTERS & DOWNSPOUTS HEAT TAPES & CABLES on Roofs for Ice Dams HOUSEWRAP AIR & VAPOR BARRIERS KIT HOMES, Aladdin, Sears, Wards, Others LEAD POISONING HAZARDS GUIDE LEAD TEST KIT for HOME USE LEED GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION LOG HOME GUIDE LIGHTNING PROTECTION MOISTURE CONTROL in BUILDINGS MOLD DETECTION & INSPECTION GUIDE MVOCs & MOLDY MUSTY ODORS ODORS & SMELLS DIAGNOSIS & CURE PAINT ANALYSIS, DIAGNOSTIC USES PAINT & STAIN GUIDE, EXTERIOR PORCHES & Sunrooms PORCH CONSTRUCTION & SCREENING RAILINGS, DECK & PORCH RAILINGS, STAIRWAY RETAINING WALL DESIGNS, TYPES, DAMAGE RETAINING WALL GUARD RAILINGS ROOF ARCHITECTURAL STYLES - PHOTO GUIDE ROOF CLEANING RECOMMENDATIONS ROOF COLOR RECOMMENDATIONS ROOF DORMER TYPES - PHOTO GUIDE ROOFING DIAGNOSIS INSPECTION & REPAIR ROOF VENTILATION SPECIFICATIONS SHEATHING, Gypsum board SHEATHING Homasote & Other Board SHEATHING, OSB SHEATHING, Plywood SHEATHING, FOIL FACED - VENTS SIDING, Sheathing Identification - Photo Guide SIDING, ALUMINUM SIDING, ASBESTOS FIBER CEMENT SIDING ASPHALT ROOF SHINGLES on WALLS SIDING ASPHALT SHINGLE or SHEET SIDING DAMAGE by SPLASHBACK SIDING EIFS & STUCCO SIDING, FIBER CEMENT SIDING HARDBOARD SIDING STEEL SIDING VINYL SIDING, WOOD PRODUCT CHOICES SIDING, WOOD INSTALLATION SIDING WOOD, FAILURES OVER FOAM BOARD SIDING WOOD, FLASHING DETAILS SIDING WOOD SHINGLE INSTALLATION SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING EXTERIORS STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING INTERIORS STAINS & FINISHES, INTERIOR STAIRS, RAILINGS, LANDINGS, RAMPS STONE CLEANING METHODS STRESS SKIN INSULATED PANELS STUCCO WAll FAILURES DUE TO WEATHER STUCCO WALL METHODS & INSTALLATION STUCCO OVER FOAM INSULATION STUCCO PAINT FAILURES SURFACE GRADING, SITE DRAINAGE TERMITES, ROT THERMAL EXPANSION of MATERIALS THERMAL MASS in buildings TRIM, INTERIOR INSTALLATION TRUSS UPLIFT, ROOF TRUSSES, Floor & Roof VAPOR BARRIERS & CONDENSATION in BUILDINGS VENTILATION in buildings VINYL Siding or PLASTIC Window ODORS in buildings VINYL CHLORIDE HEALTH INFO WALL SIDING TRIM & FINISHES WALL FINISHES INTERIOR WATER BARRIERS, EXTERIOR BUILDING WATER ENTRY in buildings WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS WIND TURBINES & LIGHTNING WINDOWS & DOORS Best Practices Guide, Windows & Doors Window Types, Guide Window Materials & Construction Windows, Fiberglass, Guide Window Certification FIBERGLASS WINDOWS GLASS vs HEAT MIRROR SOLAR GAIN/Loss HURRICANE, WIND, & STORM-Resistant WINDOWS LOW-E WINDOW GLAZING LOW-E VS QUAD-GLAZING LOW-E RETROFIT ADD-ON FILMS WINDOW EFFICIENCY Features & Ratings Window Shading, Reduce Solar Gain Spectrally Selective Window Glazing Plantings for Window Shading Guide to Window Awnings and Shutters Solar Screening for Windows Interior Shades for Windows WINDOW FLASHING & SEALING Guide WINDOW GLAZING Based on Climate WINDOW HARDWARE PHOTOS Window Installation, Flange-Type Window Installation, w/ Integral Brickmold SKYLIGHTS, Guide to Choosing & Installing Skylight Condensation Problems Skylight Design Issues Skylight Energy Efficiency Skylight Installation Procedures DOORS, EXTERIOR, Selecting & Installing DOORS, INTERIOR Doors, Exterior, Frames Doors, Exterior, Energy Efficiency Guide Doors, Exterior Flashing Details Window & Door Sources POLYCARBONATE GLAZING SITE BUILT DOUBLE GLAZED WINDOWS SKYLIGHT LEAK DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR SKYLIGHT VENTILATION DETAILS SLIDING GLIDING WINDOW DEFECTS SLOPED GLAZING DETAILS SOLAR SHADES & SUNSCREENS STORM WINDOW INTERIOR STORM WINDOW PLASTIC CHOICES STORM WINDOW WEEP HOLES SUNGAIN, FILMS, LOW-E GLASS SUNSPACE GLAZING for SUNTANNING VERTICAL GLAZING DETAILS VINYL WINDOWS VINYL / PVC WINDOW WARPING WINDOW / DOOR ENERGY EFFICIENT, DOE WINDOW / DOOR AIR LEAK SEALING HOW TO Window Certification WINDOW EFFICIENCY Features & Ratings WINDOW FLASHING & SEALING Guide WINDOW GLAZING Based on Climate WINDOW HARDWARE PHOTOS Window Installation, Flange-Type Window Installation, w/ Integral Brickmold WINDOW LEAKS INTO BASEMENT Window Materials & Construction Window Types, Guide WINDOW TYPES - Photo Guide Window & Door Sources WINTERIZE A BUILDING WOOD Burning Heaters Fireplaces Stoves More Information |
In this article series we discuss methods for shading windows to reduce excessive solar gain or glare. InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers nor with topics or services discussed at this website.© Copyright 2012 InspectAPedia.com, Daniel Friedman, Steve Bliss, Wiley & Sons, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use page top links to major topics or use links at the left of each page to navigate within topics and documents at this website. Green links show where you are in a document series or at this website. Window Shading to Reduce Solar GainAlso see SOLAR SHADES & SUNSCREENS and see SUNGAIN, FILMS, LOW-E GLASS In this article series we discuss the selection and installation of windows and doors, following best construction and design practices for building lighting and ventilation, with attention to the impact on building heating and cooling costs, indoor air quality, and comfort of occupants. We review the proper installation details for windows and doors, and we compare the durability of different window and door materials and types. As described in Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction Chapter 3, BEST PRACTICES GUIDE: WINDOWS & DOORS: Shading of glass with overhangs, plantings, or shades will reduce cooling loads and increase comfort in any climate with significant cooling loads. Shading of windows will also reduce glare (Figure 3-19, below), fading of furnishings, and localized overheating in rooms with south- or west-facing glass. Window overhangs, plantings, or exterior shades that block the sun before it strikes the glass are the most effective approach since the heat never gets into the building. But light-colored interior shades can also substantially reduce heat gains.
Spectrally Selective Window GlazingFrom a shading standpoint, using spectrally selective glass (SHGC below .40) is like having shades or blinds on standard low-E glass. However, adding good shading to spectrally selective glass can reduce cooling costs by another 10 to 15%. This would make sense in very hot climates or on houses with large expanses of glass on the south or west side. In many cases, the shading adds no cost or serves other design needs. For example, a porch on the east or west side of a house provides effective shading as well as outdoor living space. Plantings for Window ShadingDeciduous trees can provide very effective summer shade on the south side but, depending on the type of tree, may block 20% or more of the solar radiation in winter. Because trees follow the local seasons rather than the calendar, the shading tends to occur when needed most. For example, leaves appear earlier in the spring and last longer in the fall in warmer climates, which need spring and fall shading. Trees also cool the area around them by their natural evaporative cooling—as water evaporates from the leaves. Other options for shading south-facing windows include trellises with dense foliage or evergreen trees. Evergreens should be tall enough to block the summer sun but trimmed so their canopies allow the low winter sun to reach the windows. On the east and west sides of the house, trees or large shrubs can provide very effective shading, since the problem times are morning and afternoon when the sun is low in the sky and easily blocked by a well-placed planting, either deciduous or coniferous. Fixed Overhangs. These are commonly used on the south side of homes with clear glass or high-solar-gain glass. To be effective, the overhangs must be sized correctly to reject the high summer sun but allow in the low winter sun. In most temperate climates, a 1 1/2 - to 2-footwide overhang is adequate for average size windows. However, to provide full shading from March to September in hot climates may require a 3-foot or wider overhang. One limitation of fixed overhangs is that the shading will be the same on March 21 and September 21, although the heating and cooling needs at these times may be very different. The following guidelines for shading south facing glass strike a balance between summer and winter performance:
Guide to Window Awnings and Shutters
Other low-tech, but very effective exterior options for windows that are difficult to shade include wooden shutters, bamboo shades, and rolling shutters.
Solar Screening for WindowsThis dark plastic or fiberglass screening is mounted on the exterior of the window in a frame or retractable roller or, in some cases, applied directly to the glass. Depending on the weave, it can reduce a window’s solar heat gain by 40 to 70%. Solar screening reduces glare and fading, but it also reduces daylight and obscures views. Solar screens are best used on difficult to shade areas, such as west-facing glass or skylights. Some are designed to also serve as insect screens. See SOLAR SHADES & SUNSCREENS for details. Interior Shades for WindowsThough not generally as effective as exterior shading, light-colored drapes, shades, or blinds can reduce solar gain by 10 to 50% (for typical curtains or blinds) to as high as 70% for an insulated, reflective shade that seals tightly around the window perimeter. The performance of an interior shade depends on the reflectivity of its outer face, the density and R-value of the material, and whether it seals around the window. Between-the-glass pleated shades or mini blinds, available from Pella and some smaller manufacturers, are more effective in blocking solar gain than interior shades, because they block the heat before it enters the building interior. Industry Associations for Windows & DoorsAmerican Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) www.aamanet.org Efficient Windows Collaborative www.efficientwindows.org National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) www.nfrc.org Sustainable by Design www.susdesign.com Shareware calculators for sun angles, solar heat gain, and shading Window and Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA) www.wdma.com -- Adapted and paraphrased, edited, and supplemented, with permission from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction. Questions & Answers regarding this articleQuestions & answers about methods to shade or otherwise protect windows from glare or from too much solar gain. Ask a Question or Search InspectAPediaHTML Comment Box is loading comments...
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