SHADING DEVICES:
Introduction:
Sun Shading Devices inhibit the solar radiation (block, allow, etc.) incident on a
building and are used either internally or externally or in between the internal and
the external building space.
They can be any mechanical equipment (like dynamic facades), projections
(chajja), cantilevers, louvers, fins, jaalis, or even textiles.
They can be fixed, manual and automatic moveable
The primary objective of creating a comfortable internal environment, that is, cool
in the summer and warm in the winter.
Importance of Sun Shading Devices:
Solar radiation is an important factor of thermal comfort. Sun Shading Devices
improve internal environment in order to provide greater comfort for occupants.
To reduce the heat gains during summer and promote heat gain during winter,
reduce the HVAC loads and therefore minimize energy costs. Use of shading
device can improve building energy performance.
To prevent glare (causing discomfort or disablility of vision).
To increase useful daylight availability.
To create a sense of security- internal sun shading devices like curtains help to
beautify internal space and create a sense of privacy.
Use of shading:
Solar controls should be considered for all glazed openings exposed to direct
sunlight.
Solar control is particularly important on south to west-facing facades, since the
solar gains will coincide with the hottest part of the day.
Solar control is also vital for lightweight buildings with large areas of glazing.
Constraints of shading devices:
Sun path and wind direction are usually different. Maintenance of air flow through
the non-air- conditioned buildings during the cooler hours of the day.
There will be a need for admitting controlled levels of diffused daylight.
In most cases there will be a requirement of views out of the window.
Solar shading When sunlight hits a pane of glass, it splits into three components –
Reflected: no effect on heating.
Absorbed: glass heats up which would transfer heat by conduction and also emits
heat (and)
Transmitted: Heat up surface behind it. The proportion between the three
components is determined by the ‘angle of incidence’ and by the type of glazing.
For most types of glazing, the transmitted component is very small if the angle of
incidence is larger than 45º from the normal to the glazing.
If the angle is more than 60º, most of the radiation is reflected.
Types of Sun Shading Devices:
On the basis of their position in a building:-
Internal
External
Mid pane
Internal Sun Shading Devices
Limit the glare resulting from solar radiation.
Usually are adjustable and allow occupants to regulate the amount of direct light
entering their space.
External Sun Shading Devices:
Most thermally efficient as it controls the amount of radiation entering the
building externally.
Horizontal, Vertical or egg-crate devices
Vegetation and other buildings can also act as shading devices.
Horizontal Devices: to shade a window during hot summer months, but to allow
sunlight to shine through a window in the winter, to help warm a building.
Vertical Devices: Primarily useful for east and west exposures to improve the
insulation value of glass in winter months by acting as a windbreak.
Slanted Vertical Fin Vertical Fins.
The egg-crate: A combination of vertical and horizontal shading elements commonly
used in hot climate regions because of their high shading efficiencies. The horizontal
elements control ground glare from reflected solar rays. The device works well on
walls.
Shading from External Environment Shade from buildings:
Designing shading device:
1. Understand the sun path of the place.
2. Select shading type.
Horizontal
Vertical
Egg crate
3. Identify category
Fixed
Adjustable
4. Calculate design dimensions.
Understand horizontal and vertical shadow angles.
1. Sun paths:
2. & 3. Select Shading Type & Category:
Shading from External Environment:
Shadow angles are formed by sun shading devices or projections on a wall
exposed to the sun.
Different design of sun shading devices forms different shadow angles.
The performance of shading device is specified by two angles :
Horizontal shadow angle
Vertical shadow angle
These angles depend on the position of the sun and the orientation where
the window is facing.
Horizontal shadow angle:
The horizontal shadow angle (HSA) is required for (or cast by) vertical shading devices.
It is the horizontal angle between the normal of the window pane and the azimuth of the
sun.
HSA = wall azimuth – solar azimuth
Horizontal shadow angle:
Vertical shadow angle:
The vertical shadow angle (VSA) is required for (or cast by) horizontal shading devices.
It is the angle between the ground line and altitude of the sun.
Vertical shadow angle
Vertical shadow angle:
Actually it is measured on a vertical plane normal to the elevation considered. If we imagine a virtual plane between
the bottom left-hand and right-hand corners of the window and the sun, then the VSA is the angle this plane forms
with the ground plane. tan VSA = tan(altitude) / cos(HSA)
Solar altitude angle & VSA:
Solar altitude angle describes sun’s position in relation to the horizon, while VSA describes the
performance of the shading device.
Numerically, the two coincide when, the sun is exactly opposite the wall considered i.e. when
solar azimuth and wall azimuth angle are same and HSA = 0.
For all other cases, when the sun is sideways from the perpendicular, the VSA is always larger
than the solar altitude angle.
5. Shade Dimensions:
These two angles, HSA and VSA, can then be used to determine the size of the shading device required for
a window.
If the height value refers to the vertical distance between the shade and the window sill, then the depth of
the shade and its width from each side of the window can be determined using relatively simple
trigonometry.
Shade Depth : The depth is given by:
Depth = height / tan(VSA)
Shade Width : The width is given by:
Width = depth x tan(HAS)
Disadvantages of Sun Shading Devices:
Difficulties can be experienced in handling the internal shading devices like
curtains and blinds.
In the use of shading devices like light shelves, problems with low angle winter
sunlight penetration can give rise to glare.
If the building is highly stylized (e.g. Neoclassical or glass cube), it may be
impossible to reconcile external shading with the original style.
Shading always blocks a part of the view. As a minimum, it blocks the portion of
the sky where the sun travels.
Some shading methods are extremely specific to compass orientation (azimuth).
For example, fixed horizontal shading may leak sunlight into the building during
the morning or afternoon.
