Thread: Formula for shade and awnings?

Could you put tinting on the glass?

Originally Posted by Handyjack

Could you put tinting on the glass?

I hadn't thought of that. Maybe putting the tint film on the top half or the windows would suffice. It is not that difficult of a task to install the tint film, especially with two people working together.

Thinking about here, standing on ones head, I think that the awning would have to come down to about half the height of the window. The sun would be at the highest angle of elevation at your summer solstice or about now. Although about equinox, the sun may still be reflecting off of the counter top to be annoying.

I'm at about 33½° North and I had an office with a southerly view. For most of the year the sun made the office about unbearable. Applying tint to the windows made the office livable. The landlord was very irritated about the tinting. He was even more irritated when the people occupying the adjacent offices demanded tinting also. LOL! We moved out of that office around 20 years ago but the tinting is still there. More LOL!

Originally Posted by bellyup

Hi Guys,
Hope someone can point me in the right direction.
We have a new house. Our kitchen is on the eastern side and has a 3mtr x.75 mtr (approx) clear glass splashback/window above the bench and cooker.
The sun beams in from early morning till late morning and reflects off the marble bench top - it's truly blinding!
My question:
Is there a formula I can use to work out how to make and install an awning so it will work to give me the shade I need?
Thanks for your thoughts,
Bruce.

here are some calculators

tools for window shades Sustainable By Design :: tools

this shadow calculator looks fun FindMyShadow.com - sun position calculator and bespoke scene shadow plotting - v2.2

this one might be too complex https://www.suncalc.org/#/-31.9539,1...1.25/08:40/1/0

Originally Posted by rrich

I hadn't thought of that. Maybe putting the tint film on the top half or the windows would suffice. It is not that difficult of a task to install the tint film, especially with two people working together.

The OP lives in Broken Hill.
The problem he's describing appears to be partly related to the width of his eaves (or roof overhang), or the lack there of.

My own experience of a Broken Hill summer would encourage me to install a shade structure to reduce the heat load on those parts of the building facing, east, north and west.

Originally Posted by ian

My own experience of a Broken Hill summer would encourage me to install a shade structure to reduce the heat load on those parts of the building facing, east, north and west.

You know much more about the local geography than I.

I know that here at 33½° North, the South facing windows are H*** in an office environment. From February through October the heat from the sun is brutal. Remember that the people across the aisle won't allow you to turn the A/C cooler.

Thanks guys - have tried the sunscreen film and it's a no go - the glare still belts in, even with the dark tint, nothing less than an awning would work. The reflection bouncing off the bench top is the killer.
Just to confuse everyone, our new house is near Orange, central west NSW..... somewhat cooler than Broken Hill I'll agree.

Originally Posted by bellyup

have tried the sunscreen film and it's a no go - the glare still belts in, even with the dark tint, [the] reflection bouncing off the bench top is the killer.
Just to confuse everyone, our new house is near Orange, central west NSW..... somewhat cooler than Broken Hill I'll agree.

so does the new house have any eaves to speak of, and is it multi level?
and are there views you would like to retain?

I like the idea of a shade or awning that can be rolled up/retracted if not needed.
For that, you need the calculation for min/max solar angles for a year at your place.
My Dad drew a scale plan as the next step to figure out what to do.

I live in a mountain valley at 53N. Shade temperatures this year past swung from +47C down to -30C.
24" out from the entire SW wall of 40', I built a grape vine trellis right to the roof line, approx. 12' or better.
Those 3 grape vines shade my whole hot house side from noon on. +27C in the kitchen.
Low maintenance and the leaves all fall off for winter to restore visibility.

I suggest a few grape vines. Cab Sauv, any one?

I'd be looking at a solution along the lines of RV's, i.e. some sort of vegetation that breaks up the sunlight. If the problem is on the eastern side as you say, the glare will be a problem from the time the sun comes over the horizon. Awnings aren't going to prevent that. Perhaps you could plant some trees or shrubs that will allow a little dappled sunlight in but stop the glare, perhaps deciduous trees if you want the warmth of sunlight in those cold Orange winters.

Originally Posted by bellyup

Thanks guys - have tried the sunscreen film and it's a no go - the glare still belts in, even with the dark tint, nothing less than an awning would work. The reflection bouncing off the bench top is the killer.

I'm surprised at that, I have just installed some suncreen film and the heat and glare reduction has been obvious. I opted for a medium level film that filters 70% visible light. This is fine on the northern windows. I think the next level up might have been better on the west facing door, however I like the clear natural view outside when the sun is not directly shining on that window. We also have east facing windows in the family room/kitchen without film. With wide eaves the morning sun is only a problem up to about 8am in summer (QLD) and we use venetians inside to block that. We do have some UV fading to furnishing on that side but think a 70% film on those windows would be quite sufficient (retaining the venetians for block when required)

The cost effective way would be vertical or vanetian blinds. Those outside awnings tend to look a bit daggy after a while.
Have had tinting but had to remove it as birds kept flying into the glass. After a couple of dead parrots it had to go.
Regards
John

What about 1 of those electric shutters that are perforated so you still get some filtered light but no direct glare

Originally Posted by rwbuild

What about 1 of those electric shutters that are perforated so you still get some filtered light but no direct glare

There is a screening fabric that is close to a 75% opaque but you can still see through it. It is black fiber glass and has some of the "squares" filled but in a non obvious way. Before we took down the enclosed patio and replaced it with something more permanent the screens worked rather well. It is easy to replace the screen fabric with one of those roller things and new rubber piping. (After doing one screen to SWMBO satisfaction you can hire yourself out to the neighbors. )

Our temperature here range from 4 to 33 C° over the year. Sometimes we may get up to 40° C but not very often.

Originally Posted by rwbuild

What about 1 of those electric shutters that are perforated so you still get some filtered light but no direct glare

I installed electric shutters on a house many years ago and they were absolutely brilliant. I would have no hesitation in recommending them. Excellent security benefits as well. I think they would work well in this situation.
This sort of thing https://www.ezyfitrollershutters.com...ller-shutters/