Shading for housing

Design guide for a changing climate

Delivered by Commissioned by Supported by

with
“
Contents

Introduction
A short history of shading design

 y the middle of the

B Designing for shading best practice

“
2030s, 90% of the UK
housing stock will suffer
Case studies - product guide
Summary of properties
Appendices
Performance
Product guide - technical
Resources

from overheating.
Credits and acknowledgements
The purpose of this guide is to forge a new design
culture in which shading is central to housing design
and built in from the start.
It is anchored by a detailed study of the best design-led
shading products that architects can specify today.
The guide also provides a short history of shading
design, explores UK-specific design challenges and
wraps up with best practice advice.
Appendices cover product performance, and list
additional resources.

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 3

Introduction

Until the turn of the 21st century, summertime in shopfronts. Today however, shading devices – or
the UK was a decidedly cool affair. Hot ones were products – for all kinds of buildings, but housing Limit unwanted solar gains
rare – 1976 stands out – and fondly remembered for especially, are rarely made integral at design stage.
years later. It’s different now. In 2022, a temperature In short, solar control is too often a tacked-on
of 40.3°C was recorded in Lincolnshire. With global afterthought. Minimise internal heat gains
temperatures rising year on year – heatwaves are
Barriers
projected to increase in frequency, intensity, and Manage heat within the building
There are several reasons for this, and barriers
duration1.
to shading in UK industry - spanning economic,
Health hazard cultural, technical and legislative sectors - remain.
The threat is real: in 2020, according to the UK Too many stakeholders see shading products purely Passive ventilation
Health Security Agency, an additional 2,000 deaths as a maintenance cost; a ‘cold climate’ outlook which
were caused by heatwaves. In England’s long hot considers shading products as superfluous still Mechanical
summer of 2022 there were 4,500 excess deaths2. prevails, while open-ended legislation encourages ventilation
Under these conditions, too many British homes are smaller windows instead of proposing external
seriously failing. A recent study3 shows that by the shading products. For many, upfront cost is still a
middle of the 2030s, 90% of the UK housing stock significant barrier, despite the mechanical ventilation Active
cooling
will suffer from overheating. Simply put, our built and cooling savings that early shading design
environment – designed for dampness, breeze, rain integration can bring. Health and safety guidance
and mild heat – is in no fit state to shelter us from also nixes the use of shading products, especially on
this changing climate. high-rise buildings.
Forgotten art
The curious thing is, it wasn’t always like this: even
when our summers were not on red alert, our
streets offered better solar shading than they do
today. Indeed, from any time from the end of the Cooling hierarchy (adapted from GLA London Plan): an
19th century until the 1950s, most British shopping environmentally-friendly priority list when designing for
overheating mitigation. Best practice would be dynamic and
streets had a layer of awnings floating above the external shading to align with the cooling hierarchy.

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 4

A short history of shading design

For much of the 20th century, British city makers architecture in hot climates, where shading was
- planners, architects, developers and builders – a significant driver in basic shelter design, in the
were well-versed in shading design. Indeed, from British Isles, the cooler, wetter climate meant such
the end of the 19th century and right up until the devices were more often used to control privacy and
1970s, British shopfronts used awnings to shelter daylight rather than the effects of solar heat.
potential customers from rain or shine. As the FT’s
We can assume, winding even further back, that
architecture critic Edwin Heathcote notes, ‘canvases
British Romans would have used the technologies in
span the space above the shoppers, creating a kind
use throughout their empire, like blinds – begun as
of soft-topped arcade, half-in, half-out; a generous
pieces of damp cloth stretched across windows in
gesture of protection (in an era when many stores
Rome to keep dust out - which developed, over the
had open frontages), spanning the street but also
years, into decorative and colourful fabric screens.
creating another surface for introducing advertising,
information and colour. As we head into this summer, British Romans practiced passive solar building
and the naked London streets bake in the sun, you design too, capturing solar energy in cold seasons,
can’t help but feel the city is bereft.’ blocking it in hot seasons, and maximising this
cycle by locating buildings in reference to the sun’s
The history of shading devices for buildings in
trajectory during different times of the year. Such
the UK, however, reaches further back than the
methods stretch back thousands of years - Socrates
Victorian era. Certainly, since medieval times, window
was known to speak often about building orientation,
shutters have had a role to play in domestic British
size, and ventilation as key contributors to thermal
architecture. Popularised during the Tudor period,
comfort - with evidence in China suggesting passive
shutters originally made from thick wooden boards
building strategies were in play as long ago as
were, in fact, commonplace in British homes before Buckingham Palace garden party, 1897, with all the window
4000BC.
glass windows. Nevertheless, unlike vernacular awnings down on the south-west elevation

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 5

A short history of shading design

Despite a historically mild climate, Britain – the Indeed, it is somewhat ironic that it was the uptake
first country to industrialise - would go on to play of electrical air-conditioning in the postwar era that
a key role in shaping the fortunes of solar shading, saw the built environment shorn of architectural
when, in 1769, Englishman Edward Bevan patented shading devices that now, tentatively, are making
the “Venetian Blind”. The device, commonly used in a return. In this respect, slowly but surely, shading
Venice, didn’t actually originate there – the French design in the UK is maturing. Unfortunately, we’re
call them “Les Persienes”, given their common still seeing new homes built with shade-free floor to
usage throughout the Middle East – spread rapidly ceiling windows but there is also an understanding,
throughout Europe and then the USA, as the for example, that solar film is not a stand-in for
Western world industrialised. robust, externally fitted contemporary shading
products.
In the 20th century, industrialised processes
wrought by Modernism transformed the production
of architecture and urban design. Everything
Roman invasion of Britain
was made anew, even shading devices – when Le 43AD
Corbusier re-invented the brise soleil for the modern
age. These ‘sun breakers’ are just one in a large
extended family of sun-shading products that, as the
environmental cost of electrical air-conditioning has
become clear, have become more prominent in recent
years. Alongside solar control glass film these include
elegant, horizontally sliding shutters, electrically
operated blinds ‘that descend on the outside of the
facade like slow guillotines’4 and intricately pierced Tree cover, rock Building location Blinds Mashrabiya
external blinds inspired by Arabic mashrabiya formations and caves and orientation Roman era screens
Prehistoric era 400BC - Ancient 12th century -
screens. Greece and China Baghdad

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 6

A short history of shading design

Gutenberg printing press Watt steam engine Sputnik 1

1440 1776 1957

Shutters Venetian blinds Roller shutter Brise soleil Solar control glass film Sealed glass blinds
1500s - Tudor 1769 - first patented, 1882 - first patented, 1930s – based on Le 1966 - first patented 1980s-90s
period, England England Switzerland Corbusier’s designs by 3M, USA

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 7

Designing for shading best practice

This guide is calling for a new design culture in Retrofit and change of use
External dynamic
the UK. A design culture in which the everyday In the course of a building’s life, its fabric, services,
shading
specification of shading products on domestic even its function, can change – potentially leaving
buildings – or the designing for shading from it prone to overheating. Improving the thermal
the start – is second nature among developers, performance of a building’s fabric, for example, to External
housebuilders, architects and consultants. reduce heating demand, will increase the risk of fixed shading
overheating on sunny days if no mitigation measures
The public too, buyers and tenants alike, should be
are incorporated. Specifying shading products when
well-versed in the benefits that shading products
converting offices and other kinds of commercial Internal
bring, in terms of running costs, comfort and general
property with large areas of glazing for residential shading
wellbeing. Here, we present a shading ‘cheat sheet’
use, will minimise the risk.
focused on the practicalities of adapting to holistic
shading design. Dynamic versus fixed
Dynamic shading products are more effective
Future proofing and climate resilience
at reducing the risk of overheating than fixed
As global temperatures continue to rise, so does the
alternatives because residents can adjust
risk of buildings overheating. Currently buildings are
them in response to seasonal weather changes.
not required to pass the overheating criteria using
Furthermore, because of their inflexibility, some
future weather files to comply with UK Building
fixed products increase heating demand by blocking
Regulations.
any solar gain during autumn or winter, for example.
Modelling using predicted future weather data has Dynamic shading products are not ‘fit and forget’
shown that buildings designed with shading products accessories: like any other mechanical equipment
built-in from the start are less likely to overheat with moving parts, they must be included in a
in the future than those that aren’t. Remember: building’s maintenance regime. Residents, who should
futureproofing is cheaper than retrofitting. be briefed on how their home’s shading products
Incorporating shading products after a building has work, will have a role to play, conducting visual
been built is always more costly than designing them inspections, for example, ensuring channels and
in from the start. guides are clear of dirt.
Shading device hierarchy (PTE, 2023)

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 8

Designing for shading best practice

Internal versus external Cost

Given the role external shading products play in the The size and shape of windows significantly affect
appearance of a building’s façade, it is essential that costs. Typically, for blinds or shutters, the base cost Timber frame panel
they are designed-in from the start. Internal shading of both manufacture and installation means that, for Cladding
products are less effective at reducing overheating larger openings, they become significantly cheaper
External roller blind
because they have to repel solar heat that has per sqm of glazing. Whether a product is manually-
already entered the building and recent regulatory controlled, motorised or automatic will impact upon
changes have excluded internal blinds from being cost. In short, the more sophisticated the control is,
used for overheating compliance in new build homes. the more expensive the product will be.
Windows Embodied carbon
External shading products are less common in the Embodied carbon of shading products is small Detail - External roller blind
UK compared to other countries, with most domestic compared to the total embodied carbon of a typical (Adapted from The Deerings by Tye Architects/Gresford Architects)
windows opening outwards. This limits the selection new build, typically making up 1-2%. Furthermore,
of shading products available. As architects and shading products can make significant reductions
housebuilders adapt to designing for shading from in ventilation and cooling demand with associated Cladding
the outset, windows should open inwards, or slide savings in operational and embodied carbon
SIP panel
up and down in traditional sash windows, to prevent emissions.
clashing. In addition, inward opening windows allow
for higher ventilation rates, are safer to operate, and Steel support plate
easier to clean, leading to better daylight.
Technical considerations External sliding shutter

Incorporating shading products into façades will

always create new technical challenges, whether
in structural support design, thermal bridging Detail - External sliding shutter
(Adapted from Sulgrave Gardens by Cartwright Pickard)
or combustibility, for example. Integral shading
design means specifying shading products that are
complementary to the construction method used. Best practice examples of integrated shading design

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 9

Case studies - product guide

The product guide provides detailed information to help

you select the right product for a building’s shading
needs. Each product page features a brief description,
a table detailing its functionality, an in situ product
photograph, a ‘performance web’ visualising a product’s
strengths and weaknesses and, where relevant, an
architect’s comment on a product’s added value.

Fixed shading devices Dynamic shading devices Alternative shading devices

Product 1: Product 5: Product 9: Product 13: Product 17:

Overhang External sliding External roller Dutch canopy Closed cavity
shutters blinds awning façade

Product 2: Product 6: Product 10: Product 14: Product 18:

Horizontal slats External folding External roller Internal roller Window film
shutters shutters blinds

Product 3: Product 7: Product 11: Product 15: Product 19:

Vertical fins External hinged Drop arm awning Internal venetian Planting
shutters blinds

Product 4: Product 8: Product 12: Product 16:

Fixed screens External venetian Folding arm Internal hinged
blinds awning shutters

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 10

 Summary of properties
Overheating
mitigation
How to read the performance web
High

Low Medium Winter solar

Each product’s performance web has seven metrics,

Maintenance gains
Low

each with its own ‘radial spoke’. High performance N/A

metrics are closer to the outer edge of the web; low Operability Daylight

performance metrics are closer to the centre.

Wind resistance Ventilation

Fixed shading devices

Overheating
Dynamic shading devices
Overheating Overheating Overheating
Alternative shading devices
Overheating
mitigation mitigation mitigation mitigation
mitigation
Winter solar Winter solar Winter solar Winter solar
Product 1: Product 5: Product 9: Product 13: Product 17:
Maintenance Maintenance Maintenance Maintenance Winter solar
gains gains gains gains Maintenance
gains

Operability
Overhang
Daylight Operability External sliding
Daylight Operability Daylight
External roller Operability
Dutch canopy
Daylight
Closed cavity
shutters blinds awning façade
Operability Daylight

Wind resistance Ventilation Wind resistance Ventilation Wind resistance Ventilation Wind resistance Ventilation
Wind resistance Ventilation
Overheating Overheating Overheating Overheating Overheating
mitigation mitigation mitigation mitigation mitigation
Winter solar Winter solar Winter solar Winter solar Winter solar
Product 2: Product 6: Product 10: Product 14: Product 18:
Maintenance Maintenance Maintenance Maintenance Maintenance
gains gains gains gains gains

Horizontal slats External folding External roller Internal roller Window film
shutters shutters blinds
Operability Daylight Operability Daylight Operability Daylight Operability Daylight Operability Daylight

Wind resistance Ventilation Wind resistance Ventilation Wind resistance Ventilation Wind resistance Ventilation Wind resistance Ventilation
Overheating Overheating Overheating Overheating Overheating
mitigation mitigation mitigation mitigation mitigation

Winter solar Winter solar Winter solar Winter solar Winter solar
Product 3: Product 7: Product 11: Product 15:
Maintenance
Product 19:
Maintenance Maintenance Maintenance Maintenance
gains gains gains gains gains

Vertical fins External hinged Drop arm awning Internal venetian Planting
shutters blinds
Operability Daylight Operability Daylight Operability Daylight Operability Daylight Operability Daylight

Wind resistance Ventilation Wind resistance Ventilation Wind resistance Ventilation Wind resistance Ventilation Wind resistance Ventilation
Overheating Overheating Overheating Overheating
mitigation mitigation mitigation mitigation

Winter solar Winter solar Winter solar Winter solar

Product 4: Product 8: Product 12: Product 16:
Maintenance Maintenance Maintenance Maintenance
gains gains gains gains

Operability
Fixed screens
Daylight Operability
External venetian
Daylight Operability Daylight
Folding arm Operability
Internal hinged
Daylight
blinds awning shutters
Wind resistance Ventilation Wind resistance Ventilation Wind resistance Ventilation Wind resistance Ventilation

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 11

 Product 1: Technical

Overhang spec

Overhangs, also known as brise soleil, are installed directly above

windows, providing shade without obscuring views. They can be “ We sized the depth
designed in a variety of ways, with timber or metal slats, solid or
perforated metals. Overhangs can strongly influence a building’s ‘look’ and density [of the
and must be carefully integrated into a façade’s design. Rainwater
runoff, wind microclimates and the impact of birds (they perch upon overhang] to control
them), must also be factored into an overhang’s design, installation and
maintenance regime.
solar gain.”
Goldsmith Street, Norwich
Mikhail Riches

Deviation from south orientation losses

Overheating
Medium effectiveness. The overhang depth and sill
mitigation
height have an impact on the effectiveness
Winter solar Allows low angle sun, but blocks some useful
Medium
gains solar gains
Daylight Medium Reduced all year round

Ventilation High Full opening area effective Overheating

mitigation
Wind resistance High Robust device without moving parts Low
Winter solar
Maintenance
Operation is not required. Suitable for reduced gains
Operability N/A mobility occupants. The performance is always
as per design
Operability Daylight
Maintenance Low Inspect fixings

Cost £
Wind resistance Ventilation

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 12

 Product 2: Technical

Horizontal slats spec

Horizontal slats, usually made with timber or metal, are often

described as ‘sun breakers’. A typical product’s appearance is “ The shading design
governed by the dimension of slats and the spaces between them – as
well as their orientation when installed. Slats can be installed directly had to be part of
in front of a window, or at the edge of a balcony, although in both
cases views out will be significantly reduced. the overall identity
of the build.”
Villa Caroisla, London
Nick Baker Architects

Effective in all orientations. The space between

slats depth and tilt angle have an impact on the
Overheating
High effectiveness. The design needs to be adapted
mitigation
for each orientation, especially in East and West
orientations when the sun angle is low
Winter solar
Low Blocks some useful solar gains
gains
Daylight Low Reduced all year round
Free area will be reduced depending on the slats
Ventilation Medium Overheating
design
mitigation
Wind resistance High Robust device without moving parts Low
Winter solar
Maintenance
Operation is not required. Suitable for reduced gains
Operability N/A mobility occupants. The performance is always
as per design
Operability Daylight
Maintenance Low Inspect fixings

Cost ££££
Wind resistance Ventilation

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 13

 Product 3: Technical

Vertical fins spec

Vertical fins – usually made with timber or metal – are fitted alongside
windows, providing shade without obstructing views. Depending on “ The yellow hue gives
a façade’s orientation, vertical fins can be combined with overhangs
to increase a building’s shade cover. As with brise soleil, wind a pop of colour on
microclimates and interference by birds, must be considered. Colour-
coated fins can also be used to visually enhance façades. the timber facade.”
Hampshire Passivhaus
Ruth Butler Architects

Effective in a very specific north east and north

Overheating
Medium west orientation. The fin depth and glazing
mitigation
width have an impact on the effectiveness
Winter solar
Low Blocks some useful solar gains
gains
Slightly reduced and in some instances improved
Daylight High depending on the colour of the fin which can
reflect light inside
Ventilation High Full opening area effective Overheating
mitigation
Wind resistance High Robust device without moving parts Low
Winter solar
Maintenance
Operation is not required. Suitable for reduced gains
Operability N/A mobility occupants. The performance is always
as per design
Operability Daylight
Maintenance Low Inspect fixings

Cost £
Wind resistance Ventilation

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 14

 Product 4: Technical

Fixed screens spec

These metal perforated sheets, suitable for balconies and deck

access buildings, can lend a unique aesthetic to a building while also “ These patterned
contributing to residents’ privacy. Where they are placed, however, is
crucial - to avoid interference with ventilation and views, which can be screens – with
significantly reduced.
William Morris roses
- shield west-facing
access decks from
bright sunlight.”
Colby Lodge, London
Overheating Effective in all orientations. Effectiveness Pollard Thomas Edwards
High
mitigation depends on the screen's free area
Winter solar
Low Blocks useful solar gains
gains
Daylight Low Reduced all year round
Depends mainly on the position of the screen.
Ventilation N/A The impact of the free area of the screen will
Overheating
increase the closer to the window it is installed
mitigation
Wind resistance High Robust fixed element Low
Winter solar
Maintenance
Operation is not required. Suitable for reduced gains
Operability N/A mobility occupants. The performance is always
as per design
Operability Daylight
Maintenance Low Inspect fixings

Cost £
Wind resistance Ventilation

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 15

 Product 5: Technical

External sliding spec

shutters
Sliding shutters made of waterproof, hardwearing materials attach
to tracks fixed to building façades. Like sliding doors, shutters can “ The sliding
slide away completely, revealing windows in full. Furthermore, their
inherently dynamic nature can enliven a façade’s appearance. When mechanism of the
opened, shutters typically stack behind each other, while multiple
shutters can be overlapped within the same track to fully shade wider shutters and their
windows.
position when open
breaks down the
façade to avoid
Overheating
mitigation
High
Blocks solar gains when fully closed. Effective in
all orientations
large expanses of
Winter solar
High Allows maximum solar gains when fully opened
blank wall.”
gains
Hanham Hall, South Gloucestershire
Depends on the free area of the shutters and HTA
Daylight Medium how much they are closed. In winter allows
maximum daylight when fully opened
Allows ventilation, but depends on the free area
Ventilation Medium
of the shutters and how much they are closed
Overheating
Wind resistance High Robust device fitted within channels mitigation
Low
Manually operated that requires leaning out Winter solar
Maintenance
the window. Not suitable for reduced mobility gains
Operability Low
occupants. The performance depends on
occupant behaviour
Operability Daylight
Maintenance Medium Inspect channels and wheels

Cost ££££
Wind resistance Ventilation

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 16

 Product 6: Technical

External folding spec

shutters
Typically, external folding shutters are made of horizontal timber or
metal slats, but perforated metal screens can also be used. Depending “ Finished in patinated
on the depth of the window reveal, shutters fold within the reveal or
project off of the façade. Multiple shutters can be hinged together to bronze sheet-
shade wide windows.
metal with a subtle
triangular embossed
pattern that aligns
with the brickwork
Overheating
mitigation
High
Blocks solar gains when fully closed. Effective in
all orientations
coursing.”
Winter solar Oxbourne House, London
High Allows maximum solar gains when fully opened Fletcher Priest Architects
gains
Depends on the free area of the shutters and
Daylight Medium how much they are closed. In winter allows
maximum daylight when fully opened
Allows ventilation, but depends on the free area
Ventilation Medium
of the shutters and how much they are closed
Overheating
Wind resistance High Robust device fitted within channels mitigation
Low
Manually operated that requires leaning out Winter solar
Maintenance
the window. Not suitable for reduced mobility gains
Operability Low
occupants. The performance depends on
occupant behaviour
Operability Daylight
Maintenance Medium Inspect channels, wheels and hinges

Cost ££££
Wind resistance Ventilation

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 17

 Product 7: Technical

External hinged spec

shutters
External hinged shutters, usually made of timber (and colour-coated),
can transform the appearance of façades. There are two types: those
made of slats which allow certain degree of daylight and views out
“ These shutters
and solid shutters - which have a ‘block-out’ and privacy function. blend well with
Occupants lean out of windows to close the shutters, posing a safety
risk when installed at higher levels. the historic built
environment - their
design and colour
animates the street,
Overheating Blocks solar gains when fully closed. Effective in
mitigation
High
all orientations and they reduce
Winter solar
gains
High Allows maximum solar gains when fully opened heat gain during the
Depends on the free area of the shutter. In hot summer days.”
Daylight Medium winter allows maximum daylight when fully
opened Sliema Palazzino, Malta
Allows ventilation, but depends on the free area Architecture XV
Ventilation Medium
of the shutters
Overheating
Wind resistance High Robust device with suitable locking system
mitigation
Manually operated that requires leaning out Low
Winter solar
the window. Not suitable for reduced mobility Maintenance
Operability Low gains
occupants. The performance depends on
occupant behaviour
Inspect hinges and locking system. Re-painting
Maintenance High Operability Daylight
every few years is required
Cost ££
Wind resistance Ventilation

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 18

 Product 8: Technical

External venetian spec

blinds
External venetian blinds consist of thin, deep, metal (often coloured)
slats that can be manually controlled to allow views out, whilst still “ An elegant way to
providing solar control. Slat tilt angles control privacy levels too.
When retracted, slats stack in a box installed in the window head, reduce solar gains
leaving the window fully exposed.
in the summer and
maximise solar gains
Overheating Blocks most of the solar gains when fully
in the winter.”
High
mitigation extended. Effective in all orientations
Camden Passive House, London
Winter solar Bere Architects
High Allows maximum solar gains when fully retracted
gains
The thin slats maximise the free area to allow
Daylight High daylight ingress. In winter allows maximum
daylight when fully retracted
Allows ventilation, but depends on the free area
Ventilation High between the slats, the tilt angle and how much
the blind is extended
Side channels are more robust than cable
Wind resistance Medium guides. The blind automatically retracts in high Overheating
winds if linked to sensors mitigation
Motorised and automatic options are available. Low
Winter solar
Suitable for reduced mobility occupants. The Maintenance
Operability High gains
performance depends on the control option and
occupant behaviour
Inspect channels and lift tape. Access to the
Maintenance High Operability Daylight
motor in the blind box is required
Cost £££
Wind resistance Ventilation

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 19

 Product 9: Technical

External roller spec

blinds
This product is a box installed in the window head containing a blind - a
weather-resistant fabric - with side channels or cables allowing users
to guide the blind upwards into the box or downwards to cover the
glazing. The blind can be coloured and/or have different levels of opacity,
providing a degree of glare control (and views out). Suitable for shading
façades and roofs with complex geometries.

Overheating Blocks solar gains when fully extended. Effective

High
mitigation in all orientations
Winter solar
High Allows maximum solar gains when fully retracted
gains
The mesh material is designed to facilitate
Daylight Medium adequate light levels in winter allowing maximum
daylight when fully retracted
The mesh material allows for a certain degree
Ventilation Low of ventilation, but it will mainly depend on how
much the blind is extended
Side channels are more robust than cable
Wind resistance Medium guides. The blind automatically retracts in high Overheating
winds if linked to sensors mitigation
Motorised and automatic options are available. Low
Winter solar
Suitable for reduced mobility occupants. The Maintenance
Operability High gains
performance depends on the control option and
occupant behaviour
Inspect fabric and channels or cables. Access to
Maintenance Medium Operability Daylight
the motor in the blind box is required
Cost £££
Wind resistance Ventilation

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 20

 Product 10: Technical

External roller spec

shutter
An external roller shutter is made of connected rigid slats, usually Central Somers Town, London
PVC or aluminium, that retract into a box installed in the window head. Adam Khan Architects
Small gaps between the slats provide a limited amount of daylight and
ventilation and when fully extended provide a ‘block-out’ function.

Overheating Blocks solar gains when fully extended. Effective

High
mitigation in all orientations
Winter solar
High Allows maximum solar gains when fully retracted
gains
The gaps between the slats allow for a certain
degree of daylight, but it will mainly depend on
Daylight Low
how much the shutter is retracted. In winter
allows maximum daylight when fully retracted
The gaps between the slats allow for a certain
Ventilation Low degree of ventilation, but it will mainly depend
on how much the shutter is retracted
Rigid slats guided by side channels can
Wind resistance High Overheating
withstand strong winds mitigation
Motorised and automatic options are available. Low
Winter solar
Suitable for reduced mobility occupants. The Maintenance
Operability High gains
performance depends on the control option and
occupant behaviour
Inspect channels and slats. Access to the motor
Maintenance Medium Operability Daylight
in the shutter box is required
Cost ££
Wind resistance Ventilation

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 21

 Product 11: Technical

Drop arm awning spec

A drop arm awning is a three dimensional shading product more

typically used on commercial shopfronts. It consists of a box installed
in the window head, containing a blind made of weather resistant
fabric, with spring-loaded, hinged side arms that lower and keep the
fabric taut.

Deviation from south orientation loses efficacy.

Overheating
Medium Effectiveness depends on the awning depth and
mitigation
window sill height
Winter solar
High Allows maximum solar gains when fully retracted
gains
Daylight reduction depends on the colour of the
Daylight Medium
fabric and the arm length
Ventilation High Large effective ventilation area
The side arms are not able to withstand
continuous high wind levels and therefore the
Wind resistance Low
awning should be equipped with sensors to Overheating
automatically retract mitigation
Manual and automatic options are available. Low
Winter solar
Automatic option suitable for reduced mobility Maintenance
Operability High gains
occupants. The performance depends on the
control option and occupant behaviour
Inspect side arms and fabric. Access to the
Maintenance Medium Operability Daylight
blind box is required
Cost ££
Wind resistance Ventilation

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 22

 Product 12: Technical

Folding arm awning spec

A folding arm awning consists of a box installed in the window head,

containing a blind made of weather resistant fabric, with spring-
loaded, folding arms that retract and keep the fabric taut. Projecting
off the façade, awnings provide sun control particularly to large,
glazed areas, as well as shading people sitting below. The fabric is
extended at a slight angle, allowing views out.

Deviation from south orientation loses efficacy.

Overheating
Medium Effectiveness depends on the awning depth and
mitigation
window sill height
Winter solar
High Allows maximum solar gains when fully retracted
gains
Daylight reduction depends on the colour of the
Daylight Medium
fabric and the arm length
Ventilation High Large effective ventilation area
The side arms are not able to withstand
continuous high wind levels and therefore the
Wind resistance Low
awning should be equipped with sensors to Overheating
automatically retract mitigation
Manual and automatic options are available. Low
Winter solar
Suitable for reduced mobility occupants. Maintenance
Operability High gains
The performance depends on the occupant
behaviour
Inspect arms. Access to the motor in the
Maintenance Medium Operability Daylight
cassette is required
Cost ££££
Wind resistance Ventilation

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 23

 Product 13: Technical

Dutch canopy spec

awning
This weather-resistant blind, fixed to a frame - consisting of multiple
spring-loaded hinged arms that lower and keep the fabric taut –
creates a rounded quarter circle that projects off of the façade. All
sides of the frame are covered by the blind affording additional solar
protection. Typically considered well suited for historic buildings.

Deviation from south orientation loses efficacy.

Overheating
Medium Effectiveness depends on the awning depth and
mitigation
window sill height
Winter solar
High Allows maximum solar gains when fully retracted
gains
Daylight reduction depends on the colour of the
Daylight Medium
fabric and the arm length Overheating
mitigation
Ventilation High Large effective ventilation area
Low
Winter solar
Wind resistance Low Should be retracted in strong winds Maintenance
gains
Manually operated. The performance depends
Operability Low
on the occupant behaviour
Operability Daylight
Maintenance Medium Inspect framework and operating mechanism

Cost ££
Wind resistance Ventilation

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 24

 Product 14: Technical

Internal roller spec

blinds
Internal roller blinds – which come in multiple textures, colour and Jolles House, London
patterns - are fixed to the ceiling or wall above windows. Fabric can Pollard Thomas Edwards
be opaque and provide blackout function, or have varying degrees of
transparency, to calibrate privacy and glare control levels, while also
allowing views out. Easily combined with external shading products.
Note: Internal roller blinds should not be taken into account for
Building Regulations overheating compliance.

Overheating
Low Does not significantly reduce the solar gains
mitigation
Winter solar
High Allows maximum solar gain when fully retracted
gains
Daylight level depends on the fabric type and
Daylight Medium colour. It can assist with glare control when
lowered on sunny days
The mesh material allows for a certain degree of
Ventilation Medium ventilation but it will mainly depend on how much
the blind is closed
Not designed for wind resistance. Unless guided
Wind resistance N/A by cables or channels, blind can move when Overheating
window is open during strong winds mitigation
Low
Manual and automatic options are available. Winter solar
Maintenance
Suitable for reduced mobility occupants. The gains
Operability High
performance depends on the control option and
occupant behaviour
Operability Daylight
Maintenance Low Access to the blind box is required

Cost £
Wind resistance Ventilation

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 25

 Product 15: Technical

Internal venetian spec

blinds
Internal venetian blinds consist of thin, deep, metal (often coloured)
slats that can be manually controlled to allow views out, whilst still “ The blinds were
providing solar control. Slat tilt angles control privacy levels too.
When retracted, slats stack in a box installed in the window head, just one of many
leaving the window fully exposed.
elements that
Note: Internal venetian blinds should not be taken into account for
Building Regulations overheating compliance. residents were
able to customise
themselves.”
Overheating
Low Does not significantly reduce the solar gains
mitigation
Winter solar
High Allows solar gain when fully retracted Beechwood Village, Basildon
gains
Pollard Thomas Edwards
The thin slats maximise free area which allow
Daylight High daylight entry. Maximum daylight entry allowed
in winter
Ventilation rate depends on the free area
Ventilation High between slats and how much of the window is
covered by product
Not designed for wind resistance. Unless guided
Wind resistance N/A by cables or channels, blind can move when Overheating
window is open during strong winds mitigation
Low
Manual and automatic options are available. Winter solar
Maintenance
Suitable for reduced mobility occupants. The gains
Operability High
performance depends on the control option and
occupant behaviour
Operability Daylight
Maintenance Low Check cords for wear

Cost £
Wind resistance Ventilation

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 26

 Product 16: Technical

Internal hinged spec

shutters
This product consists of multiple panels – painted timber louvres -
fitted within a frame and fixed to the internal window reveal. Shutters
can be tracked for larger windows. Louvres can be fixed or operable,
to allow for control of privacy and views. Café style shutters allow for
the lower portion of glazing to be shaded for privacy while light enters
through the unshaded upper portion.

Overheating
Low Does not significantly reduce the solar gains
mitigation
Winter solar
High Allows maximum solar gain when fully opened
gains
Flexible, depending on free area between slats
Daylight Medium
and percentage of shutters closed
Allows ventilation, but depends on the free area
Ventilation Medium between slats and how much the shutters are
closed
Overheating
Wind resistance N/A Not designed for wind resistance mitigation
Low
Manually operated. Suitability for reduced Winter solar
Maintenance
mobility occupants depends on the sill height. gains
Operability Medium
Performance depends on the occupant
behaviour
Operability Daylight
Maintenance Medium Inspect hinges and locking system

Cost £££
Wind resistance Ventilation

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 27

 Product 17:
Closed cavity
façade
The performance of a shading product installed within a glazed vented The Shard, London
cavity is similar to the same product if it were installed externally. The Renzo Piano
shading products commonly used in this type of façade are venetian
blinds or roller blinds. The use of closed cavity façades with integrated
shading products is sometimes used in tall, glazed buildings.

The performance of the shading device is similar

Overheating to the same device installed externally only if
High
mitigation installed within a vented false façade. Effective
in all orientations
Winter solar Allows maximum solar gains when slats turned
High
gains horizontally or when blind is fully retracted
Allows optimum daylight when slats turned
Daylight High
horizontally or when blind is fully retracted
Curtain wall system does not allow natural
Ventilation N/A
ventilation Overheating
mitigation
This system will not be affected by wind due to
Wind resistance High Low
protection from the curtain wall system Winter solar
Maintenance
Automatically operated. Suitable for reduced gains
Operability High
mobility occupants.
Being protected from the environment reduces
Maintenance Medium Operability Daylight
wear and tear. Access to the cavity is required
Cost ££££
Wind resistance Ventilation

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 28

 Product 18:
Window film

Window film is a self-adhesive film with solar control properties that is

applied to the surface of the glass. Depending on the product, it can
significantly change glazing and daylight colour. Some films also have
privacy function whilst allowing views out. Typically used on existing
buildings where retaining the look of existing façades is required.

Overheating
Medium Blocks solar gains. Effective in all orientations
mitigation
Winter solar
Low Blocks useful solar gains
gains
Blocks some degree of daylight all year round. It
Daylight Low
changes the colour of the light
Ventilation N/A Window film does not affect ventilation Overheating
mitigation
Wind resistance High Permanently adhered to the glass Low
Winter solar
Maintenance
Operation is not required. Suitable for reduced gains
Operability N/A mobility occupants. Performance always as per
design
Operability Daylight
Maintenance Low Cleaning required

Cost £
Wind resistance Ventilation

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 29

 Product 19:
Planting

Deciduous plants are a natural way to increase biodiversity and lend

social value while providing shade and allow for winter solar gain. “ It gives back to the
However, it is difficult to accurately measure and model performance,
given the changing nature of plant-life, both seasonally and across street in so many
their lifespans. Often used in tandem with other shading products.
ways – with colour,
Note: Planting should not be taken into account for Building
Regulations overheating compliance. biodiversity and
even social value
– kids love playing
alongside it when
they walk past.”
Overheating Depends on the size and amount of leaves of
Medium
mitigation plant species. Effective in all orientations
Loss of leaves will allow solar gains during the
Winter solar Diespeker Wharf, London
Medium winter months. Branches will still block some
gains Pollard Thomas Edwards
useful solar gains
Depends on the size and amount of leaves of
Daylight Medium
plant species
Leaves and branches are flexible allowing air Overheating
Ventilation High
movement without great resistance mitigation
Leaves and branches may not resist strong Low
Wind resistance Medium Winter solar
winds Maintenance
gains
Operation is not required. Real performance is
Operability N/A
unpredictable
Operability Daylight
Maintenance High Requires regular watering and trimming

Cost £££
Wind resistance Ventilation

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 30

Appendices
Performance

The primary goal of a shading product is to reduce - Peak solar gain is the highest solar heat gain in reduction is likely to be negative. However, where
unwanted solar energy – heat – from entering a a room at any one point across the period. The there is air conditioning, or small internal heat gains,
building or room. However, there are other features method of heat removal, whether natural or the reduction could be neutral, far outweighed by
that may be less desirable but must be considered mechanical, must be able to cope with this peak. the benefits, or even positive if it is hotter outside.
by designers. The data presented in the following
For fixed products, the data shown can be used to Here, the focus is on shutters and venetian blinds,
appendices is intended to help designers select
optimise the shade’s dimensions and to demonstrate with various options for shutter infill compared
an appropriate product. As well as looking at how
how shading performance changes with orientation. – from an open slat design to a relatively closed
to optimise the primary performance objective
weather louvre.
– stopping direct sun – it will also look at other Tables showing how a shade’s efficacy varies
impacts on daylight and ventilation. throughout the year and at any time of day are Daylight
presented where appropriate, highlighting beneficial Shading products can have a negative impact on
The modelling results presented here have been
winter solar gains. internal daylight levels, and lead to greater use of
based on a ‘typical’ bedroom and have deliberately
artificial lighting. On a bright or sunny day, fixed
been kept as general as possible, presenting only For dynamic products, the focus is on peak
products are unlikely to reduce internal daylight
variables that depend directly on the shading device. conditions as they should only be used when needed.
below acceptable levels, but on dull or overcast days,
It can help guide designers towards an appropriate Solar gain across the peak summer day is used to
use of artificial light may be necessary.
solution but is no substitute for detailed design compare different materials for blinds and infills for
consideration and project-specific modelling. shutters, and whether they are located internally or Dynamic products need not be used during overcast
externally to the glazing. conditions minimising their impact on daylight. When
Solar Performance
they are used to prevent direct sunlight however,
Cumulative solar gain and peak solar gain are used to Ventilation
the impact on internal light levels can trigger usage
demonstrate solar performance. Both are taken over Shading products can also impact upon natural
of artificial light.
the period May to September, when the overheating ventilation although only products located directly in
risk is at its highest. front of windows will have a significant effect. Consequently, two different daylight plots are used:
-C
 umulative solar gain can be thought of as the Depending on the context, the reduction of natural - for fixed products - a daylight factor plot,
total solar energy entering a room over the period. ventilation by a shading product can be negative, calculated using an overcast sky
It can translate to cooling energy saved, as well neutral, or in some cases positive. Where there are
- for dynamic products - an illuminance plot,
as giving a picture of a product’s overall shading large amounts of internal heat gain, and natural
calculated using a sunny sky.
performance ventilation is the only means to remove it, then a
Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 32
Product index

Product 1: Product 1: Product 11:

Overhang Overhang Drop arm
awning

Product 11:
Drop arm
awning

Product 12:
Folding arm Section Summer Winter
awning
Product 12: Product 13:
Folding arm Dutch canopy
awning awning
Product 13:
Dutch canopy
awning

All products consisting of a shading

element above the window, whether
fixed or dynamic, have been grouped
together, as their performance is
measured in a similar way with slight
variations, the main factor being the
dimension of the product, which can
vary greatly.

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 33

Product index Dimensional optimisation Orientation effects
1, 11, 12, 13

Dimensions: As can be seen

from the data, there are points
beyond which increasing the
dimensions offers diminishing
returns. However, as this varies
for peak and cumulative gains, the
chosen dimensions should reflect
whichever of these quantities are
prioritised.
Orientation effects: As can be
seen, these products reduce
solar gain most significantly in a
southern orientation although
this effect is much more dramatic
for peak compared to cumulative Effect of overhang width on peak and cumulative solar gain Effect of overhang shading with orientation - peak
gains.

Effect of overhang depth on peak and cumulative solar gain Effect of overhang shading with orientation - cumulative

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 34

Product index Comparison of products
1, 11, 12, 13

Awning and fixed overhang

comparison: As this graph
demonstrates, there are only small
differences in the performance
of a fixed overhang and operable
awnings at the same dimensions
when deployed on a hot summer
day. Small improvements can be
seen in the drop- or folding-arm
awnings resulting from their drop
below the window head, and the
Dutch canopy awning shows
markedly better performance
when the sun moves away from
due south, due to its side panels.
Comparison of awnings and overhang - peak summer day solar gain

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 35

Product index Annual efficacy Daylight factor images – overcast
1, 11, 12, 13

Annual efficacy: This shows how

products perform best during
peak summer, and still permit a
good deal of beneficial winter
solar gain.
Daylight: As can be seen, these
products reduce daylight levels
significantly thanks to a reduced
sky-view. Of course for the
Annual efficacy of unshaded case
operable awnings this is less of an Unshaded daylight Daylight factor plot
issue as they can be retracted. factor plot with overhang

Annual efficacy of shaded case

Contour scale/legend
for daylight factor plots

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 36

Product index

Product 2: Product 2:
Horizontal slats Horizontal slats

Section Summer Winter

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 37

Product index Dimensional optimisation Daylight factor images – overcast
2

Dimensional optimisation (for a

south facing room): There is a
clear slat depth to spacing ratio
at which peak solar gains are
reduced significantly. This will vary
with orientation and latitude.
Annual efficacy (for slat spacing/
slat depth = 1, south facing):
This shows complete exclusion
of direct sunlight through the Unshaded daylight Daylight factor plot
summer months, while permitting factor plot with horizontal slats
some beneficial winter solar gain.
Daylight: As might be expected
Peak and cumulative solar gain for different ratios of slat depth to slat spacing
by their excellent shading
performance, these products have
a significant detrimental effect Annual efficacy
on daylight in the room (image for
slat spacing/depth = 1)

Contour scale/legend
for daylight factor plots

Annual efficacy of shaded case

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 38

Product index

Product 8: Product 8:
External External
venetian blinds venetian blinds

Section Summer Winter

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 39

Product index Peak Day Performance - solar gain Peak Day Performance - ventilation
8

Performance here assumes slats

are adjusted to block direct sun.
Solar gain: Limited to solely
diffuse and reflected radiation,
thus showing a significant
improvement over the unshaded
case.
Ventilation: Only a small reduction
in the window’s ventilation
performance due to relatively
aerodynamic blades.
Daylight: Shows that good
daylight levels can be achieved on
a sunny day with blades adjusted External venetian blind - peak summer day solar gain External venetian blind - typical summer day natural ventilation rate
to exclude direct sun.
Daylight factor images – sunny sky

External Venetian Blind, Contour scale/legend

daylight lux plot, sunny for lux plots sunny sky
sky

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 40

Product index

Product 4: Product 4: Product 5:

Fixed screens Fixed screens External sliding
shutters

Product 5:
External sliding
shutters

Product 6:
External folding Section Summer Winter
shutters
Product 6: Product 7:
External folding External hinged
shutters shutters
Product 7:
External hinged
shutters

All products consisting of a

continuous infill plane of shade
extended in front of the window,
whether fixed or dynamic, have
been grouped together as their
performance is measured in a similar
way. The main factor is the infill of
the panel which can vary greatly.

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 41

Product index Infill comparison - solar gain Infill comparison - ventilation
4, 5, 6, 7

This comparison of a shutter

infill for a west-facing room
shows a trade-off between solar
shading, ventilation and daylight
performance. Those showing
the best degree of solar shading
perform worse for daylight and
ventilation when deployed.
Though it should be noted that
with the open louvre or perforate
infill, there is still a risk of glare
from the direct sun at low sun
angles.

Shutters infill comparison - peak summer day, west facing room External shutter infill comparison - typical summer day natural ventilation

Daylight factor images – sunny sky Shutter Infills

Open Louvre Weather Louvre Perforate

‘Open Louvre’ infill ‘Weather Louvre’ Infill ‘perforate’ infill Contour scale/legend
(contrasol linear 55) (Contrasol 40Z) daylight (contrasol perforated - for lux plots sunny sky
daylight lux plot, sunny sky lux plot, sunny sky approx 15%) daylight lux
plot, sunny sky
Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 42
Product index

Product 3: Product 3:
Vertical fins Vertical fins

Section Summer Winter

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 43

Product index Dimensional optimisation Orientation effects
3

Dimensions (for west facing room):

For peak solar gain, clear points
beyond which diminishing returns
are achieved can be observed.
For cumulative solar gain, it is less
clear cut.
Orientation: As can be seen,
fins only provide a significant
reduction in peak solar gain at a
NE or NW orientation, although
their reduction of cumulative
solar gain is fairly uniform at all
orientations.

Effect of vertical fin depth on peak and cumulative solar gain Effect of vertical fin shading with orientation - peak

Effect of vertical fin height on peak and cumulative solar gain Effect of vertical fin shading with orientation - cumulative

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 44

Product index Annual efficacy Daylight factor images – overcast
3

Annual efficacy: (for west facing

room): As can be seen, some
reduction in direct sun is observed
through the summer afternoons,
however there is also significant
reduction of potentially useful
winter solar gain.
Daylight: Depending on the sky
condition, finish and location of
Annual efficacy of unshaded case
the fin, the effect on daylight is Unshaded daylight Daylight factor image
variable. In general, assuming a factor plot of room with vertical
light-coloured fin and an overcast fin
sky, only a small reduction is
observed, and due to reflections
from the fin, distribution is slightly
skewed.

Annual efficacy of shaded case

Contour scale/legend
for daylight factor plots

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 45

Product index

Product 9: Product 9:
External roller External roller
blinds blinds

Product 10:
External roller
shutters

Section Summer Winter

Product 10:
External roller
shutters

All products consisting of a

continuous solid plane of shade
extended in front of the window
have been grouped together, as
their performance is measured in
a similar way with the main factor
being the material, which can vary
greatly.

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 46

Product index Material comparison - solar gain
9, 10

Material comparison: Similar to a

shutter infill, there is a trade-off
between shading performance and
daylight with light fabrics still able
to provide reasonable daylight
when deployed to block direct sun.
For darker fabrics it is likely that
artificial lighting will be required
if all blinds are deployed, so
consideration should be given to
the degree of blackout required.

External roller blinds - material comparison peak summer day

Daylight illuminance images - sunny sky

Daylight lux plot (sunny Daylight lux plot (sunny Daylight lux plot (sunny Contour scale/legend
sky) 0202 White material sky) 1001 Sable Grey sky) 3030 Charcoal for lux plots sunny sky
external roller blind material external roller material external roller
blind blind
Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 47
Product index

Product 14: Product 14: Product 15:

Internal Internal roller blinds Internal
roller blinds venetian blinds

Product 15:
Internal
venetian blinds

Product 16:
Internal hinged Section Summer Winter
shutters
Product 16:
Internal hinged
shutters

All internal shading products

have been grouped together and
compared against their external
counterparts.

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 48

Product index Internal vs External Comparison graphs
14, 15, 16

Internal vs External comparison:

The graphs demonstrate the
advantages gained by locating
shading products outside.
Rather than increased direct
transmittance, the increase in
solar gain results primarily from
heat absorbed by the device and
re-radiated to the room. For
shutters and Venetian blinds the
same product has been modelled
inside and out. For roller blinds,
a light coloured fabric has been
used inside and dark outside, as
would generally be recommended
Internal vs External roller blinds - typical summer day Internal vs External venetian blinds - typical summer day
to minimise this effect.

Internal vs External shutters - typical summer day

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 49

Resources

Sponsor case studies and image galleries Useful guides Tools

Ballymore European solar shading database – European Solar Equa - Dynamic indoor climate and energy simulation
Shading Organisation software
Caribbean Blinds
Solar shading impact report – National Energy EnergyPlus - Whole building energy simulation
Guthrie Douglas
Foundation software
Louvolite
Solar shading for low energy and healthy Radiance - Lighting simulation software
buildings, 2018 edition 2 - European Solar Shading
Organisation
Manufacturers
Overheating in new homes - Good Homes Alliance
Caribbean Blinds UK Ltd - External blinds, louvered
pergolas and awnings Overheating in retrofit and existing homes - Good
Homes Alliance
Guthrie Douglas - Internal/external blinds and
pergolas/sails Addressing overheating risk in existing UK homes -
ARUP
Louvolite - Internal blinds and shutters
Daylight analysis - Urban Light Surveyors
Hallmark Blinds - External and internal venetian and
roller blinds Embodied carbon of shading products - Endnotes
Nikolaos Christidis, Gareth Jones, Peter A Stot, Dramatically
1. 
Pollard Thomas Edwards
Enviroblinds - External roller shutters and blinds increasing chance of extremely hot summers since the 2003
European heatwave, Nature, published 08 December 2014;
Contrasol - External shutters, brise soleil, horizontal retrieved online September 2023
slats, vertical fins
2.
https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/england-had-4500-
heat-related-deaths-during-record-breaking-2022-official-
Cadisch MDA - Fixed screens, overhangs data-2023-09-22; retrieved online September 2023
ARUP, Addressing overheating risk in existing UK homes
3. 

S:CRAFT - Internal blinds and shutters (2022) An Arup report commissioned by the Climate Change
Committee; retrieved online September 2023
SmartLouvre - Metal fabric 4
Edwin Heathcote, ‘The humble awning is ready for its time in the
sun’, Financial Times, 19 July, 2023

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 50

Resources

Academic papers
Brown, C. (2023). Solar Shading Design and Lavafpour, Y., Sharples, S., & Gething, B. (2020). Mavrogianni, A., Davies, M., Taylor, J., Chalabi,
Implementation in UK Housing as a Tool for The impact of building form on overheating control: Z., Biddulph, P., Oikonomou, E., Das, P. & Jones,
Advancing Sustainable Development. In The Role of a case study of Larch House. Architectural Science B. (2014). The impact of occupancy patterns,
Design, Construction, and Real Estate in Advancing Review, 63(6), 467-480. occupant-controlled ventilation and shading on
the Sustainable Development Goals (pp. 63-83). indoor overheating risk in domestic environments.
Grussa, Z. D., Andrews, D., Lowry, G., Newton, E.
Cham: Springer International Publishing. Building and Environment, 78, 183-198.
J., Yiakoumetti, K., Chalk, A., & Bush, D. (2019). A
Wright, A., & Venskunas, E. (2022). Effects of London residential retrofit case study: Evaluating Gupta, R, and Gregg, M (2013) Preventing the
Future Climate Change and Adaptation Measures passive mitigation methods of reducing risk to overheating of English suburban homes in a warming
on Summer Comfort of Modern Homes across the overheating through the use of solar shading climate, Building Research and Information. 41:3, 281-
Regions of the UK. Energies, 15 (2), 512. combined with night-time ventilation. Building 300.
Services Engineering Research and Technology, 40
Gupta, R., Howard, A., Davies, M., Mavrogianni, Gupta, R and Gregg, M (2012) Using UK climate
(4), 389-408.
A., Tsoulou, I., Jain, N., Oikonomou, E. & Wilkinson, change projections to adapt existing English homes
P. (2021). Monitoring and modelling the risk of Gupta, R. and Gregg, M. (2018) Assessing energy for a warming climate. Building and Environment. 55,
summertime overheating and passive solutions to use and overheating risk in net zero energy dwellings 20-42.
avoid active cooling in London care homes. Energy in UK. Energy and Buildings, 158, 897-905
and Buildings, 252, 111418.
Gupta, R., Gregg, M. and Williams, K. (2015): Cooling
Lomas, K. (2021). Summertime overheating in the UK housing stock post-2050s, Building Services
dwellings in temperate climates. Engineering Research & Technology, 36 (2), 196-220
Gupta, R., & Gregg, M. (2020). Assessing the
magnitude and likely causes of summertime
overheating in modern flats in UK. Energies, 13 (19),
5202.

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 51

Resources

Standards and guidance

BS EN 13561 - External blinds and awnings. CIBSE TM 37 - Design for improved solar shading GLA London Plan 2021 - Policy SI4 - Managing heat
Performance requirements including safety control risk
BS EN 13659 - Shutters and external venetian blinds. CIBSE TM 52 - Limits of thermal comfort: avoiding NPPF - planning policy - Climate change planning
Performance requirements including safety overheating in European buildings policy ch 14 – Meeting the challenge of climate
change, flooding and coastal change
BS EN 14501 - Blinds and shutters. Thermal and CIBSE TM 59 - Design methodology for the
visual comfort. Performance characteristics and assessment of overheating risk in homes Approved documents:
classification
CIBSE TM 69 - Dynamic thermal modelling of basic Part B - Fire Safety
BS EN 52022-1 - Energy performance of buildings. blinds
Part F - Ventilation
Thermal, solar and daylight properties of building
CIBSE - Guide A - Environmental design
components and elements - Simplified calculation Part L - Conservation of fuel and power
method of the solar and daylight characteristics for CIBSE - Guide F - Energy efficiency in buildings
Part O - Overheating
solar protection devices combined with glazing
Solar shading for low energy buildings, 2012
Part Q - Security in dwellings
BS EN 52022-3 - Energy performance of buildings.
TN 72 - External shading devices
Thermal, solar and daylight properties of building
components and elements - Detailed calculation BRE - Summertime performance of windows with
method of the solar and daylight characteristics for shading devices (2005)
solar protection devices combined with glazing
BRE - Solar shading of buildings: Second edition
BS EN 13120 - Internal blinds. Performance (BR 364)
requirements including safety
BRE - Site layout planning for daylight and sunlight:
ISO 15099 - Thermal performance of windows, doors a guide to good practice (BR 209, 2022 edition)
and shading devices
BS EN 17037 - Daylight of buildings

Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 52

Credits and acknowledgements

Authors: Steering group: Photography credits:

Joseba Perez de Larraya, Raffaella Corrieri, Andrew Chalk, British Blind and Shutter Association cover - Oxbourne House, Fletcher Priest Architects
Tom Dollard, Rory Olcayto, Grecia Castillo, Dave Bush, British Blind and Shutter Association © Jack Hobhouse
Heike Messler, Pollard Thomas Edwards Zoe De Grussa, British Blind and Shutter Goldsmith Street passivhaus, Mikhail Riches
Association © Tim Crocker; p12
Kai Salman-Lord and Will Curwen, Max Fordham
Julian Brooks, Good Homes Alliance Villa Caroisla, Nick Baker Architects
Rajat Gupta, Oxford Brookes University Richard Broad, Good Homes Alliance © Hamish Par; p13
Aaron Caffrey, Ballymore Hampshire Passivhaus, Ruth Butler Architects
Chris Martin, Martin Arnold
Bryn Marler, Ballymore © Peter Langdown Photography; p14
Editor: Rory Olcayto, Pollard Thomas Edwards Stuart Dantzic, Caribbean Blinds Colby Lodge, Pollard Thomas Edwards
Andrew Kitching, Guthrie Douglas © Tim Crocker; p15
Technical editor: Joseba Perez de Larraya, Pollard
Steve Birtles, Louvolite Hanham Hall, HTA © Nick Harrison; p16
Thomas Edwards
Adrian Coe, Urban Light Surveyors Oxbourne House, Fletcher Priest Architects
Design: Tim Metcalfe, Pollard Thomas Edwards Anastasia Mylona, The Chartered Institution of © Jack Hobhouse; p17
Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Sliema Palazzino © Architecture XV; p18
Illustrations: Joseph Stancer, Pollard Thomas
Belen Alemany, Energy Conscious Design Architects Camden passivhaus, Bere Architects
Edwards
(ECD) © Tim Crocker; p19
The authors would like to thank Good Homes Debbie Haynes, OxPlace External roller blinds © Caribbean Blinds; p20
Alliance, British Blind and Shutter Association, Emma Davies, Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Central Somers Town, Adam Khan Architects
Ballymore, Caribbean Blinds, Guthrie Douglas Service © David Grandorge; 21
and Louvolite for sponsoring and supporting the Gregory Francis, Urban Light Surveyors Jolles House, Pollard Thomas Edwards
publication of this guide. Thank you to the steering Neil Murphy, TOWN © Simon Taylor; p25
group and focus group participants and all the Nicholas Heath, NDM Heath Ltd Beechwood Village, Pollard Thomas Edwards
architects and photographers who have contributed Richard Young, Sovereign © Nick Kane; p26
to the guide. Seb Laan Lomas, Architype The Avenue, Pollard Thomas Edwards
© Tim Crocker; p29
Diespeker Wharf, Pollard Thomas Edwards
© Simon Kennedy; p30
Shading for housing Design guide for a changing climate 53
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Design guide for a changing climate
Contact
Richard Broad Andrew Chalk
Projects & Communications Manager Director of Operations
Good Homes Alliance British Blind and Shutter Association (BBSA)

[email protected] [email protected]
0330 355 6275 01449 780 444

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