How can we determine the two best exterior shades that play a role in “sustainable design”? To understand what shades are available play, we need to understand what is sustainable design. A good definition comes from the AIA website where it states that “sustainable design is a collaborative process that involves thinking ecologically— studying systems, relationships, and interactions—in order to design in ways that remove rather than contribute stress to systems”.
The last part of that statement – in order to design in ways that remove rather than contribute stress to systems – has an important association to exterior solar shades. This next generation in window coverings succeeds as a sustainably designed solution because it removes stress to systems by reducing over 85% the amount of solar energy entering a space and thereby reducing the amount of energy required for cooling. This is a certain qualifier for making the exterior solar shade a sustainable solution.
It is true that putting any type of solar shade fabric on the exterior side of a window can reduce solar heat gain. However, the critical question to ask is: What type of exterior solar shades are the best at reducing solar heat gain as well as, withstand high winds, have a long useful lifespan, is easy to maintain and provides a quick return on investment? Below are our two favorite exterior solar shade systems that we recommend for all your projects and are great at reducing stress to systems.
Cable Guided Exteiror Shade:
The cable guide exterior shade system is elegantly designed and very versatile for both residential and commercial projects. The aluminum cassette is powdered coated in a range of standard colors or can be custom finished. The side cables are able to be mounted to the wall or floor as well as be integrated into the building façade.
The Cable Guided Exterior System is a motorized exteior window shade powered by 120v motors and can be functioned either with wired or wireless controllers. Wind and sun sensors are also offered and many times required. This system is an automated solution that can be integrated with any control system. Read More
ZIP Exterior Shade:
The Zip Exterior Shading Solution is manufactured with a zipper like detail welded to the vertical edges of the fabric. These zippers run in tracks on each side and in turn prevent the fabric from being pushed out of the aluminum side channels. The Zip Shading Solution can withstand wind gusts of up to 90 miles per hour, which makes it a premium Exterior Shading Solution. It can also be specified for interior skylight treatments or interior blackout shades.
The aluminum cassette and side channels are available in standard or custom finishes. The choice of fabric types varies on the chosen application for exterior, interior or skylights. 120v motors and controls power this automated system. The Zip Exterior Shading Solution can be integrated with any type of control system. Read More
To learn more about our Cable Guided Exterior Shade or ZIP Exterior Shade
please contact us today by clicking here or email us at neil@insyncsolar.com
or download the below “An Architects Guide to Exterior Shades“.
{{cta(‘7fc41619-393a-44f3-bfac-65f105d8a90e’)}}