Alternative SHADING Methods
Alternative Outdoor Shading Methods To Help Save You Money This Summer
On 1st April 2022, the energy price cap rose again by 54% (following an increase last October) as the cost for wholesale gas and electricity continues to soar.
Energy bills are skyrocketing for many families across the country, with the typical household now paying roughly £37.50 per week – as opposed to £25 per week before – resulting in an overall increase of nearly £700 per year*.
Although this upsurge in energy costs will hit the UK especially hard during the winter months, temperatures are continuing to rise and the issue of overheating in the summer will onlybecome more apparent as time goes on. No matter the type of property you live in, every measure needs to be taken to ensure your home’s energy efficiency is at its highest.
Here are a few cost-effective alternatives to air conditioning which will help keep your home cool this summer:
Overhangs & architectural features
Overhangs are a key design aspect within any property as they play an instrumental role in keeping homes more energy efficient – not only during the summer months, but throughout the winter too. Designed to provide sufficient shade and shelter all year round, the right sized overhangs will effectively block sunlight and solar heat gains in south-facing windows and walls in warmer weather, whilst also shielding exterior walls, windows and doors from rainwater.
Ensure any overhangs aren’t too large as this will cause unwanted shade in the winter months, making your home cold, gloomy and uncomfortable. Louvered overhangs are ideal in hot climates, however, in the UK, retractable overhangs may be more beneficial.
Other architectural elements that can assume the function of roof overhangs and control solar heat gains are balconies and recessed walls, protruding ledgers, head casings and flashings, as well as arched stonework around windows.
Trees & shrubbery
In cold and moderate climates such as in the UK, roof overhangs are not as effective on east and west-facing walls, where the sun is too low in the sky to be blocked. On these sides of your property, you should consider other shading devices or hedges and small trees instead.
As the most natural form of shading, trees, plants and shrubbery can effectively act as air conditioning within any property. When strategically planted, they can limit the influx of sunlight coming through your windows, passively cooling your home and reducing its overall surface temperature as a result.
In addition to reducing energy use, trees and plants that directly shade buildings improve air quality, lower greenhouse gas emissions, provide a habitat for many species, look aesthetically pleasing and can even lower noise.
Awnings & external blinds
Not only do awnings provide instant shade and shelter from direct sunlight; both heat and glare (bright light) and offer outstanding UV protection (typically 95% minimum UV block), but they also deliver a much-needed cooling effect to the indoor room adjacent to where they are positioned.
They ensure a comfortable indoor living space, eliminating any bright light to prevent glare, whilst filtering damaging UV rays to stop fixtures and furnishings from fading. Retractable awnings (both manual and motorised) also offer extra privacy – particularly in built-up areas – and add a striking new dynamic to any façade.
Automatic outdoor blinds ensure a thermally and visually comfortable indoor environment with minimum energy demand on any installed heating and cooling systems, reducing energy costs and CO2 emissions as a result.
Bioclimatic pergolas
Suited to both classic and contemporary properties, a bioclimatic pergola extends the use of any outdoor space by providing instant shelter, whilst permitting you to play with light and shade – if using a rotating louvered roof. The addition of side screens, LED lighting and infra-red heating will allow you to make the most of your indoor/outdoor living space at all times of the day (or night) and in any weather.
To summarise, we should be doing all we can to ensure our homes are fully equipped to prevent unwanted solar heat gain during the summer months and allow free solar gain in the winter. Although architectural features and greenery are sufficient solutions, external shading products such as blinds, awnings and pergolas are a quick, easy and affordable way to help to create a comfortable, sustainable home with lower running and maintenance costs.
By Stuart Dantzic
Managing Director, Caribbean Blinds
For over 30 years, Caribbean Blinds has been exclusively designing, manufacturing and supplying the very finest external shading systems that transform the use, functionality and enjoyment of all types of spaces.