External Shading – Louvres, Overhangs and Trees
It is more effective to block the suns heat from reaching your glass window or wall than dealing with the heat once it has entered your hotel environment. The right type of shading device must be chosen to avoid compromising natural light entering your hotel. Shading may be provided by a shading system or feature design that allows flexibility for seasonal changes or daily weather changes that may occur. For example, North facing windows should be shaded with devices that provide protection from the summer sun and, where required, allow the sun to enter the hotel in winter. In this case shading can be provided by adjustable fabric pergolas, awnings, louvre’s, shutters or trees.
What you need to know
- External shading is much more effective in keeping your hotel cool than internal blinds or shutters
- Incorrect external shading devices can restrict natural light and make your internal living space dark
- The most appropriate shading for your windows depends on the direction they face
- South facing windows require shading for low angled sunrise and sunset rays
- Eastern and western windows should be well shaded from the morning and afternoon sun
- Natural shading like tall dense trees or shrubs should be used where possible but avoid planting large evergreen trees near north facing windows, they cast a long shadow in winter, limiting the amount of heat and light entering the hotel
- Be aware that fixed vertical shading like walls and louvers will provide summer shading but block views and winter sun
- Adjustable vertical shading covering the entire window is ideal but may not be aesthetically pleasing from the outside
- Ideally you want to strike a balance with all elements so that the overall experience for your guest is visually pleasing, comfortable and relaxing
- Pergolas, awnings, louvre’s, shutters and trees must fit the overall design and theme of your hotel.
Internal Shading – Curtains And Blinds
Well fitted curtains and blinds reduce heat loss at night, provide protection in summer and offer privacy to your building. A snug fit overlapping the window perimeter is essential. This ensures that warm air from within the building does not move around the curtain or blind and cools when in contact with your glass window.
What you need to know
- Used natural fibres for your curtains and natural materials for your blinds where possible
- Curtains fitted with a reflective lining provide extra summer protection
- Custom made, insulated shutter blinds which are snugly fitted to the window frame, forming a sealed airspace, offer the best indoor shading performance
- Louver, Venetian and Vertical blinds are not good insulators as they allow warm internal air to pass through to the window.