In this epoch, in which the newspapers carry a new story on the prevalence of cancer almost daily, we are fully aware of the need to wear sunscreen, above all in summer between the hours of 11am and 3pm. We are less aware, meanwhile of the need to screen the buildings we live in from the sun – though there is a whole spectrum of brise soleil specially adapted to this purpose. And, while buildings are obviously not at risk from cancer, they should be causes of concern: careful upkeep of our buildings exteriors can help keep the insides running well. Energy efficiency, for example, can be greatly advanced by controlling external factors such as heat and light. A building that uses glass louvres will normally require less internal heating and use of fossil fuel. And buildings with external louvres can act simultaneously as blinds and as air vents for the intake and discharge of cool or hot air. The latter, in hot climes or seasonal temperature highs, will perform much the same function as an air conditioning system – only at a much lower long term cost.
External louvres come in many and varied styles and can even be custom-designed and fitted to suit individual buildings. This is because their fabricators are sympathetic towards the hugely divergent styles of architecture that coexist these days, but are also knowledgeable of their common requirements when it comes to climate regulation. To give an idea of what external louvres look like, it might help to imagine a heavy slatted blind or a set of narrowly overlapping sails. Given their erection outside, these sun-shading devices are always weather resistant with barely any maintenance required after their installation. This might be welcome news if the façade of your building now looks shabby or is in constant need of repainting due to weather-related cracks and peels; external louvres will protect whatever lies underneath them, behaving much like defensive shields.
Glass louvres are more clinical in appearance: think of the Louvre of the Parisian art gallery and you’ll have a good idea of their look. Clearly, some more traditionalist home and building owners will not welcome these sorts of extensions in their midst. But, given ample space such as a courtyard or green space, these louvres can truly come into their own. Brise soleil perhaps tread a middle ground: more conspicuous than external louvres they are useful in the creation of walkways between buildings, jutting out like awnings from the wall.
Please visit http://www.maplesunscreening.co.uk/ for further information about this topic.
http://www.maplesunscreening.co.uk/
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