Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/178323
Automated roller shade systems are controlled by sun sensors and timers, and can be integrated into home or building management systems, continually adjusting for optimum ef iciency. Esthetically, automation makes it easy to achieve a uniform look from the exterior with all shades lined up. The choice of fabric for a solar shading system is critical as it is the shade's largest visible element and affects heat gain, COURTESY SUN GLOW WINDOW COVERING PRODUCTS absorption, re lectance and transmittance of solar energy. Different fabrics and weaves each have their own solar Choosing the right windows for a home is just one part and optical properties that must be considered for of the equation. The next is managing the heat, light the speci ications of projects. "Most fabrics are either and glare so that in winter, the home is warm and in opaque or have openness factors of one, three, ive or summer, its UV rays don't cause damage. Sun Glow 10 per cent," says Kanargelidis. Homeowners who want Window Covering Products of Canada provides sev- outward visibility and glare reduction should select eral solar shading options to optimize thermal and darker fabrics with lower visual transmittance values. But if the end goal is to optimize energy ef iciency, she visual comfort across the seasons. The company's most popular products are inte- advises choosing lighter fabrics with a high re lectance rior roller shades in a variety of performance fabrics value. Sun Glow offers fabrics that meet both criteria: that address speci ic project needs. "Some fabrics can dark colours to the interior and white to the exterior. reduce up to 70 per cent of solar gain while maintain- This particular DX line of fabrics is often used in condoing outward visibility and eliminating glare," says miniums where white exterior is mandatory. A new selection of performance fabrics is able to Vivian Kanargelidis, president and CEO. By contrast, exterior roller shades, which can block up to 99 per clean the air, reduce noise and resist the growth of baccent of harmful solar UV rays, stop solar energy from teria, mould and mildew. And environmentally friendly reaching a window's glazing and transmitting into the fabrics include PVC-free materials, polyester materiinterior. In the process, they can reduce air condition- als or materials that are recyclable. But each project ing loads by up to 60 per cent. is different so an understanding of its requirements Managing Sunlight 32/ AUGUST 2012 p.24-33Windows.indd 32 and the right product to address those requirements is important. "Carefully select the right placement, fabrics and operating systems to provide energy ef iciency, comfort and protection," advises Kanargelidis. "When sunlight management is addressed properly, it's a worthwhile investment and a powerful element of sustainable building design." Velux Canada is a manufacturer of skylights, roof windows and sun tunnels (tubular skylight systems). "Everything we do is natural lighting through the roof – windows attached to the roof rather than a vertical system," says Mark Taylor, regional sales manager for Western Canada. "For most applications, because the sun is at a higher point, vertical windows are limited in terms of the actual distance light can travel within a room. With a skylight system, light can travel much further into a room and you get a brighter intensity – up to twice as much light compared to a vertical wall system. So you get a bigger bang for your buck." The company's tubular skylight systems are used for smaller spaces like ensuite bathrooms, laundry rooms and hallways, where they collect light up top and re lect it through a tube into a room. The tubular skylights are more of utility system than the comforting light re lected through a glass skylight, he says. The biggest misconception about skylights is that they are prone to leaks. "That's usually an installation issue," says Taylor. Velux introduced the No Leak Skylight™ in 2010, wherein the company took some of the skills necessary for installers and inserted them into the product itself. "Our environment requires additional waterproo ing methods that aren't often done by installers," he explains. "We also put together a training course to show them how to do the installations properly." ■ Residential Windows 7/13/12 10:03 AM