Shading systems and lighting control go hand in hand with energy savings and eco-minded interiors, as in the newly constructed Astor Place condominiums in New York City. Photo courtesy of Lutron. Automated systems lower shades when the sun's orientation starts to penetrate, or raises them to capture natural daylight. Photos courtesy of Lutron.

Shading Techniques Harness The Sun

Techniques to control the solar flow.

King Sol reigns, so why fight it? But did you know, according to Hunter Douglas, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, that some 40% of heat escapes the home through the windows and conversely, 50% of the solar gain enters a room via these same openings?

The good news is there are many ways to control the sunlight with manual and automatic shading systems as well as natural techniques for long-term energy savings and less dependency on mechanical heating and cooling.

These methods include but are not limited to: insulated curtains; integral and between-the-glass blinds; window films; automated shades and fabric coverings; and trees, shrubs and bushes.

Here's a sampling of what ecoLogical Home Ideas found in shading products and techniques:

• Hands-free is the way to go with Hunter Douglas Platinum Technology. The product provides window covering control and combines infrared (IF) and radio frequency (RF) for both battery powered and hardwired window shading operation. The remote control allows users to operate individual windows from a distance of 30 feet.


• Lutron Electronics Co., Coopersburg, Pa., offers ecofriendly shade coverings that are PVC and halogen free and provide the latest automated control functions. The Sivoia QED (Quiet Electronic Drive) family of controllable shading products includes roller shades, Roman and drapery track systems.


• Pella Corporation, Pella, Iowa, has an exclusive shading control feature that consists of snap-in, between-the-glass blinds, fabric shades, decorative panels and removable grilles that are easy to change and said to increase energy savings and reduce outside noise by up to 80%, according to the window and door company. Used with double- and triple-paned glass in any of its Designer Series window or patio doors, there's enough space between the glass for the removable grilles and one window fashion.


• Roc-lon Roc-rol is a multipurpose, 100% blackout cloth available in 17 face colors with a white backing. It is part of the Rockland Industries Inc., Baltimore, Total Light Control or TLC line. Used as window shade or drape, it eliminates light and insulates against heat and cold.


• For a retrofit fix, consider window films. These products, such as those from 3M Window Films, St. Paul, Minn., block heat and ultraviolet rays yet have no visible effect on overall clarity and light-letting characteristics. Professionally applied, the Prestige Series Ultra Safety and Security film blocks up to 99.9% of ultraviolet rays and some 60% of solar heat that enters a building, according to 3M.


• Go natural by incorporating shading concepts into landscape design to reduce solar heat gain and cooling costs. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) advises homeowners to plant deciduous trees to block solar heat in the summer but let it in during the winter. To provide continuous shade or to block heavy winds, use dense evergreen trees or shrubs. According to DOE, a 6- to 8-ft. (1.8 to 2.4-meter) deciduous tree planted near the home will begin shading windows the first year. Depending on the species and the home, the tree will shade the roof in 5 to 10 years. Vines can also shade walls during their first growing season.