Increasing natural light in a building without overheating is a challenge. Solar shading is an effective way to regulate heat and light and create a more sustainable environment. In this article, we’ll look at solar shading systems, including brise soleil structures.
What is brise soleil?
The name brise soleil comes from two French words – briser (to break) and soleil (the sun). Put simply, the purpose of a brise soleil system is to break up the sun’s rays, controlling the amount of heat and light that enters your building.
Effectively, there’s no difference between brise soleil and other solar shading systems. Both are physical structures that help with cooling and shading to keep your interiors comfortable.
How does a brise soleil system work?
The function of any solar shading system is simple: to cut out direct sunlight by breaking up the sun’s rays. A brise soleil system uses horizontal and vertical blades to function effectively, and these can be customised to suit your building. Timber, fabric, and mesh can all be used to manufacture shading systems, but aluminium, such as Alusystems, is the most common.
But solar shading systems aren’t merely practical. These systems work best on south-facing elevations because of how the sun moves across the sky, but they also have an aesthetic function that can bring a building’s facade to life. A significant benefit of solar shading is that your system can be customised to add a unique visual element to your design.
What are the benefits of brise soleil and solar shading systems?
You may have noticed the recent uptick in the popularity of solar shading systems. It’s hardly a surprise when you consider the multiple benefits for your next project. Robust, long-lasting and easy to maintain, solar shading systems reduce the greenhouse effect and minimise heat gain. The well-being benefits of natural light are well known, and a brise soleil system works without overheating or glare.
Best of all, solar shading is an excellent fit with the push for more sustainable buildings, allowing you to reduce energy bills with natural heating and cooling.
