Shading technology

Abstract

Building accounts for more than 40% of the total energy consumption, and excess solar heat gain from glazing results in indoor space overheating and thus high cooling energy demand in modern cities. To eliminate the issue from the bottom, shading technology utilization has come to be treated as an important aspect of many energy-efficient building design strategies. Well-designed Sun control and shading systems cannot only dramatically reduce the solar heat gains and lessen cooling requirements, thus improving thermal comfort of building interiors, but also improve the natural lighting quality and enlarge occupant visual comfort by controlling glare and allowing view out. These often lead to increased occupants' satisfaction and productivity. Based on previous literatures in the shading technology field, this chapter hereof aims to present an analysis of different types of shading technology for glazing, their thermal/optical properties and energy performance introduced, design method of fixed horizontal shading described, and general design recommendations summarized.