Solar shading is the use of building features or devices to control how much direct sunlight enters a space. It can block, deflect, filter or redirect sunlight to reduce unwanted heat and glare while preserving useful daylight—and, where appropriate, admitting beneficial winter sun.
How solar shading works
Sunlight passing through windows can contribute to indoor heat and cause glare. Shading changes the amount or direction of that sunlight before or after it reaches the glazing. The aim is not necessarily to darken a room: effective design manages solar heat and brightness while retaining the daylight and views people need.
Exterior devices can intercept sunlight before it passes through the glass. The Scottish Government’s 2020 non-domestic technical handbook says external shading devices are effective because they deflect solar radiation before it enters the building. Interior blinds and shades provide occupant control, but their performance depends on their design and how they are used.
Common types of solar shading
- Overhangs and window reveals: Fixed horizontal projections that shade openings at certain sun angles. They are commonly considered for south-facing openings.
- Horizontal louvres and shutters: Elements that can provide adjustable control; they may also be combined with an overhang.
- Vertical fins: Fixed or adjustable projections suited to managing sunlight on east- and west-facing façades.
- Awnings and external shades: Exterior coverings that intercept sunlight before it reaches the glazing. Some can be retracted or adjusted.
- Interior blinds and shades: Window coverings occupants can use to manage daylight and glare. Their effect depends on the specific system and its operation.
These are examples, not a complete catalogue. The right approach depends on the building, its glazing and orientation, local climate, daylight needs, views and the level of occupant control required.
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Why façade orientation matters
The sun reaches each side of a building at different angles and times of day. A shading feature that works on one façade may be ineffective on another. The Scottish handbook’s general guidance favors horizontal devices on south-facing façades; low-angle morning and evening sun makes that approach less suitable for east- and west-facing façades, where vertical fins or adjustable devices such as sliding or rotating shutters may be more appropriate.
The U.S. Department of Energy also notes that east- and west-facing glass can be difficult to shade. Its building-envelope and architectural considerations guidance treats orientation, glazing, climate, shading, views and ceiling height as connected parts of daylighting design.
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What to consider when choosing a shading approach
- Sun direction and timing: Identify which façades receive direct sun, and when. The device needs to address those angles and hours.
- Heat and glare: Decide how much direct solar exposure must be reduced for the space to remain comfortable.
- Daylight and views: Consider whether the proposed shading still allows useful natural light and preserves important views.
- Seasonal operation: Where relevant, consider whether the design can reduce unwanted summer solar gains while allowing useful winter sun.
- Control: Choose between fixed shading and a system occupants can adjust, based on the space and its use.
- Building constraints: Installation conditions, façade details, applicable building requirements and fire-safety considerations can affect the choice.
Illustrative performance figures—and their limits
A June 2022 edition of the Scottish Government’s non-domestic technical handbook gives these example reductions in solar gains for particular shading configurations:
| Configuration | Example reduction in solar gains |
|---|---|
| Horizontal overhang or window reveal | Up to 75% (Scottish Government handbook example, June 2022) |
| Horizontal louvres or shutters combined with a horizontal overhang | Up to 90–95% (Scottish Government handbook example, June 2022) |
| Vertical fins combined with a horizontal overhang | Up to 85–90% (Scottish Government handbook example, June 2022) |
These are configuration-specific handbook examples, not guaranteed results for every building or product. They should not be treated as a prediction of performance without considering the actual design and conditions.
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How solar shading relates to building requirements
In England, Approved Document O: Overheating includes guidance on shading standards in the simplified method for high-risk locations, and says practicable passive means of limiting unwanted solar gains should be incorporated when mechanical cooling is installed. Requirements and building-control decisions depend on the applicable jurisdiction and current edition, so project teams should check the rules that apply to the building.
Solar-shading products can also be relevant to external-wall fire-safety considerations. A separate UK Government response on combustible materials in external walls discusses blinds, shutters and awnings in that context; it is not a comparison of their shading performance.
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