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Need to reduce heat transfer through windows

Karrotte Karonne

last year

Hi, I need some advice please on the best possible external window shading for the front of the house. I’m in Brisbane and the front of the house faces from east to west so it’s full sun all day on this area. I’ve got quite good internal window treatments but they’re not enough to significantly reduce the heat transfer through the glass. I’m considering two possibilities either: 1) vertical aluminium battons running from the eaves to below the ledge under the windows and from the side of the house (on the left) to as close as I can get to the power entry to the house; or

aluminium horizontal l’ouvres covering the same area. I’m thinking that both options would be attached about 500mm from the wall. Aesthetics are important to me but I’m also interested in functionality - how much cooler will that room be with each option.
On the aesthetics front though, should I match the aluminium colour to the brick colour? Thank you !

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Comments (15)

Kate
last year
As sun is coming from above horizontal would work best unless your vertical lucre’s are tracing in time to sun movement.
Karrotte Karonne
Original Author
last year
Good point Kate, the battons I’m looking at are 50mm square and 50mm apart. It might be too much of a gap.
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dreamer
last year
I would do external horizontal aluminium louvre’s. Your style of home would definitely be suited to them. They make a huge difference. I have these on an upstairs bathroom window.......the toothpaste no longer melts. Mine are fixed at a certain angle pre configured by the installer (luxaflex) for the best shading in summer. My window size is 1600mm long by 1000mm high.
dreamer
last year
Since your windows face east around to west, does that mean they face north?
dreamer
last year
The only issue with any shading externally is your wind out/awning windows. The louvre would have to be positioned far enough away from building to allow the windows to be opened. 500mm that you have stated may be excessive, you would not need that distant. Just depends on how far your windows reach out when your trying to get the breeze.
dreamer
last year
And I would match the louvre colour to your existing window colour.
Karrotte Karonne
Original Author
last year
Thank you dreamer, it’s good to know that the vertical blade louvres make a difference. The two windows combined are approx 3 metres wide . I want the drop to be about 2.5 m so that there is cover from the eaves to below the ledge underneath the tallest window. Yes, you’re spot on 😀…the house is facing north. For the two awning windows to be fully open and to clear the ledge that juts out, I think I have to be a bit under .5m away from the wall. How far from the window are your louvres? Do you still get enough air flow? Thanks again.
dreamer
last year
My louvres are positioned the same as the photo above, from the Luxaflex website. I have a sliding window therefore not an issue. Airflow is not impeded at all. The full west wind comes in strong as ever. The “Fremantle doctor” comes in the bathroom window and out my lounge/balcony sliding door, wonderful cross breeze that cools the upstairs perfectly, without air conditioning. I have taken a photo of my louvres, but a bit difficult because it is the second storey.
dreamer
last year
The awning windows will be your major hurdle.
dreamer
last year
The other alternative is an awning... but personally it just doesn’t match the aesthetic of your beautiful home.
Anne Monsour
last year
I think that you meant horizontal louvres ?
Karrotte Karonne
Original Author
last year
Oh, the beautiful Freo Doctor…we get some bay breezes but the sun is relentless. Dreamer, your window looks very sleek and elegant with the louvres.
Karrotte Karonne
Original Author
last year
You’re right, the awnings wouldn’t look right for the style of the home.
Julie Herbert
last year
A custom made louvre awning that has a Bermuda type wind out shutter allowing the opening of the windows, or retractable shutters, Sure shade an Australian company that is in dreamer’s photo would definitely give ideas for you.
Karrotte Karonne
Original Author
last year
Thank you Julie, they do look good.

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