The Shady Business of Staying Cool in Summer
But when installing any permanent shading, it’s important to cast your mind back to the colder months, especially for those of us in more temperate Australia climates, when we were glad of the warmth provided by sunlight. Consider flexible shading options, so that you allow plenty of sunshine into the house in winter, a little in spring and block it out in summer if necessary. There are so many shading options and so many factors to consider – including budget, climate, style and uses – that this is another minefield of choices. Here are a few things to consider when choosing shading:
Flexibility. A retractable awning can be motorised and that can provide the flexibility of having the shade out all the way, completely retracted or out just a little way, depending on the conditions and time of year. “You can vary the position to get them exactly how you need them,” says Andrew Perry of Outrigger Awnings and Sails, Sydney. “You may want to sit in the sun but just have them out a little to keep the sun off the windows or floorboards.”
Vergolas. A vergola is a term for a roof system with operable louvres so that you have control of the light and ventilation coming through. Vergola is the brand name given to the product but it has become the generic term for this shading system too. The major advantage of a vergola over a fixed structure is the control and flexibility that allows winter sun in but blocks out summer sun.
“You can even change them throughout the day,” says Peter Rust, General Manager of Vergola NSW, “so that as soon as the sun starts getting in your eyes, you can shut the louvres.” Other advantages of vergolas, according to Rust, are that they provide controlled ventilation, and, being made from Colorbond steel, they also provide insulation.
Though they don’t make the claim of being 100 per cent waterproof, vergolas do provide rain shelter and come with a rain sensor so that the louvres can automatically close once it starts raining. Sophisticated models even have sensors that will change automatically to allow the appropriate levels of sunlight.
Rain-proof. With all structures, consider if you want to have shelter from the rain. This can be an advantage of fixed structures, clear roofing and awnings. Find out what level of rain shelter the product you’re considering provides and also ensure that it is installed correctly to be rain-proof – a fall or pitch may be required for this.
Energy-efficient and eco-friendly. Air conditioning is expensive, so the more you can block out the heat from the summer sun coming into your house, the less you will need to use it. Conversely, the more sun we can let in our house in winter, the more we can save on heating. So it’s important to choose the shading that is right for your house and your climate.Read more: 10 Ways Solar Passive Design Can Slash Your Energy Bills
Sun sails. Sails are another way to provide flexibility because they can be retracted when not required. According to Perry from Outrigger Awnings and Sails, the fabric used can be extremely hardwearing too. They use strong European fabrics that are mostly guaranteed for at least five years, but can last for 50 years, according to Perry. “They can outlast a Colorbond roof!” he says.
Green canopies. One ideal way to allow appropriate levels of sun for the time of year is to let nature do the thinking for you and plant deciduous climbers on your pergola. This will mean you’ll have shade and sun exactly when you need them. Planting can also have a softer, more beautiful effect than hard surfaces. But remember to consider your structure and your plant – climbing plants are heavy and your pergola structure needs to be sturdy enough to cope.
Clear cover. A clear cover such as this polycarbonate sheeting on a timber pergola provides a waterproof area and still allows light into the home. These are increasingly popular, according to Steve Jenkins of Pitched Pergolas & DeckStyle in Perth.“Perth has a Mediterranean climate, which allows for lots of opportunities for outdoor entertaining all year round,” he says. “The trend has been to create outdoor spaces that can be used throughout the year, and are often fitted with not just barbecues but with built-in kitchens, fridges, pizza ovens, etc. The use of timber lining on the underside of the roof has the effect of turning a normal patio into a ‘resort-style’ area with access to the pool and backyard.”
Orientation matters. Consider where you need your shade most according to your local climate, to get the most out of your shading. In all areas of Australia, you will want to try to block out the harsh western sun if possible in summer. The northern sun you will mostly want to let in in winter and block out in summer. The east may need shading in the morning, but in colder climates you’ll certainly want to allow some eastern sun in the winter months. Talk to your builder, architect or shading expert about the most energy efficient options.TELL US What sort of shading do you prefer to keep out the Australian sun? Please share your ideas in the Comments section.MOREGive Me Shelter: 10 Ways to Take Cover OutdoorsOrigins and Attributes: Why Was Your Outdoor Space Built That Way11 Tricks to Save Energy … and MoneyBeat the Heat at Home With an Architectural Sunscreen...
It’s all about eaves. The eaves of a house can provide a significant amount of exterior shading as well as keep the sun out of the interior. The key is getting the right angle for your climate – they need to block out the high summer sun and let in the low winter sun.Read More: 9 Principles of Solar Passive Design In and Around the Home
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