Exterior Solar Shades are in their infancy in the United States. Architects are now being introduced to the innovative European systems that provide superior performance for the reduction of solar heat gain, glare control and elegant design. All across the European continent (including northern climates) exterior shades, blinds and shutters are seen on the most sustainable buildings. This Architect’s Guide to Exterior Shading Solutions provides the reader with a complete understanding of why one should consider an exterior shade in the first place, as well as seeing the range of possible solutions, choosing the correct fabric, checking out what’s required for controls and sensors, an installation overview, how to maintain the diverse systems and where Exterior Shading Solutions fits into Sustainable Architecture.
The main reason Exterior Shading Solutions are gaining popularity is because of its superior performance in reducing solar heat gain. The graphic below tells it all. A space with no shades allows 80% solar heat gain to enter a space. An Interior Shading Solution offers better results blocking over 50% of the solar heat gain. However, for maximum results nothing beats an Exterior Shading Solution, which blocks over 85% of solar heat gain.
How does one decide which type of Exterior Shading Solution is most suitable? There are 3 styles we will present: Shades, Blinds and Shutters. Within each style there are options in terms of function and design.
Cable Guided – The Cable Guided Exterior Shade is a motorized system with an elegantly designed tubular cassette, which adds an attractive architectural element to today’s dynamic facades. The aluminum housing protects the roller shade components from the elements. The shade has a telescopic bottom bar that slides along the stainless steel side cables. The cassette and cable brackets are designed to integrate with the façade.
The FM41 is a Cable Guided Exterior Shade manufactured by Model System Italia. This gravity assisted exterior solar shade 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 FM41 is 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. The FM41 is an automated solution that can be integrated with any control system.
Tension Force – The Tension Force Exterior Shade is an innovative shading system designed for horizontal, inclined and vertical glazing. Its’ unique tensioning device keeps fabric flat and taut over wide and long spans of glazing. Moreover, the system provides the ability to customize applications on curved glass such as solariums and irregularly shaped, and triangular windows. The product is very reliable and can be used for both interior and exterior applications. It is a durable, heavy-duty product and can withstand adverse weather conditions.
The TF 51 is a Tensioned Forced Exterior Shade from the engineers at Model System Italia. This patented innovative shading system allows the shade to function at any orientation, such as: top down, bottom up or any skylight configuration. It’s unique tensioning device keeps the fabric taut over wide and long spans of glazing, preventing unsightly sagging.
When specified with side channels, the TF51 can follow curves on applications such as solariums or greenhouses. This solution can be used as an interior or exterior application. When installed on the exterior, the TF51 can withstand very strong wind gusts before it is signaled by a wind sensor to retract. Powered with 120v motors, the TF51 is engaged with wired or wireless controls and can be integrated with any control system.
Since the TF51 keeps the shade cloth under tension at all times, a strong reliable fabric is required, which is the Serge Ferrari line of Precontraint fabrics. This fabric will not stretch, tear, or loose its shape under tension due to its unique weave and bonding application.
Zip Shade– The Zip Shade is a breakthrough design that is revolutionizing the window shade industry. It is called it a Zip Shade because a zipper-like locking device is welded to the fabric edges. The zipper slips into a side channel that keeps the fabric from falling out. The bottom hem-bar is weighted so when the shade is completely closed the fabric provides a drum like cover to the window.
With the fabric locked in, the Zip Shade offers multiple advantages. A typical problem with a standard Blackout Shade with side channels is that the fabric never stays in the channel. A simple push on the fabric, and the cloth pops out, leaving a wrinkled condition. The Zip Blackout Shade never allows for this to occur, which is great for bedrooms, hotel rooms or conference rooms.
The Exterior Zip Shade is where the performance soars. As an exterior window shade, the system blocks over 85% of solar heat gain. With the Zip feature, the system is very wind resistant. The fabric stays within the side channels with winds blowing at over 80 miles per hour. The Exterior Zip Shade also can be installed on patios where they provide excellent insect protection.
To cover skylights the Skylight Zip Shade is an industry breakthrough. With the locked in fabric, the skylight shade needs no intermediate support bars to prevent sagging. The fabric remains taught even with large openings. The Skylight Zip Shade can be used with either mesh or blackout fabrics. 
Finally there is the Zip Bottom Up Shade. This is an interior shade the stacks at the bottom of the window and is pulled up to the top, allowing the window to be partially covered at the bottom, leaving the upper portion of the window open, a nice feature for privacy with a view.
Exterior Venetian Blind – Exterior Venetian Blinds have become one of the premier products on today’s most sustainable buildings. The benefits of aluminum louvers over roller shades is primarily the ability to tilt the louvers to provide harvesting of natural daylight into a space, the privacy achieved along with a view by tilting the louvers to prevent views into a space and with a highly reflective surface, to block nearly all of the solar heat gain. These systems can be installed on the exterior of a building or within a double glass façade.
The MD500 is an Exterior Venetian Blind from the engineers at Model System Italia. This robust system is manufactured using extruded aluminum louvers that can span 180” in width without cords or ladders. The louvers are rotated and lifted by a tracking system concealed in the aluminum side channels. Within the channels is a patented chain-belt system that allows the louvers to be tilted into any position as well as raise or lower. The aluminum roll formed louvers are available in standard or custom colors. These louvers are tilted and raised by a dual function 120v motor that can be either controlled by wired or wireless technology. The system evens includes a locking device that allows the MD500 to serve as a security device. 
Rolling Shutter – The Aluminum Rolling Shutter is a widely used solution for storm and security protection. But they also perform amazingly well for blocking 100% of solar heat gain as well as eliminating all sunlight into the space. The interlocking slats provide a light filtering option when fully closed and can be fully retracted when rolled up.
The TT10 Rolling Aluminum Shutter from the engineers at Model System Italia is an elegant look at a previous clumsy solution. The 10mm slats roll down narrow side channels. As they reach the bottom, the slats remain slightly apart allowing light, air and a view to the outside. As the slats close, the gaps seal up blocking the light and securing the opening.
The TT10 operates like any Exterior Shading Solution with a 120v motor put into action with a wired or wireless controller. The TT10 is available is standard or custom colors as well as 10mm, 25mm and 50mm slats.
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