LIGHTING & LIGHTING CONTROLS FEATURE
AUTOMATED SHADES: BALANCING PERFORMANCE AND AESTHETICS
Access to daylight is vital for the comfort, productivity and happiness of building occupants. However, too much daylight can have the opposite effect. When designing an optimal lighting scheme, how to prioritise daylight access, glare control, views, and solar heat gain has to be considered, says Steve Detmer, residential product manager at Lutron Electronics
W
hen using traditional blinds, occupants don’t usually want to
constantly move them up and down throughout the day. Aiming to avoid glare and too much sunlight, the default setting on traditional blinds is usually closed. However, because of this, the many benefits of natural light are lost. Automation can alleviate many of
these issues. A daylighting strategy that includes sensors, timers, and daylight-responsive software can work with a building management system to optimise the balance of natural and electric lighting for comfort and energy savings. The benefits of sensors and timers
cannot be understated. Rather than simply turning on the lights as someone enters, sensors can be used to close the blinds and turn the lights off when a room is unoccupied, saving energy and protecting furnishings from sun damage. Daylight sensors can open the blinds to bring more daylight on a cloudy day, or close the blinds to reduce glare as the sun dips towards the horizon. Automated blinds with timers can ensure privacy by closing all blinds in the evening, and opening them to enjoy natural light in the morning. Admittedly, automated shading can be
a tough sell. It’s difficult for end-users to understand the benefits of smart shading without seeing them first hand. The thing about great technology is that
when it works, it doesn’t draw attention to itself – it just works. In addition, most occupant’s past
experiences of automated shading can stand in the way. They imagine clunky and noisy projector screens, rather than the quiet, seamless, aesthetically-pleasing blinds of today. It’s critical that engineers are able to demonstrate the benefits, via video or showroom, of automated blinds, as to be seen is to be believed. When it comes to choosing a shading
system, there are a lot of factors to consider. While blind styles have generally stayed the same over time, Lutron is seeing an increase in the amount of versatile materials being used for shades. It’s essential that the chosen blind
fabric balances performance and aesthetics. This is because different fabric properties affect how much light and heat gets through, and how clearly people inside can see out. The colour and opacity of the fabric, and the pattern of the weave, all have an impact – and there can be significant performance differences between fabrics of the same colour. Blackout blinds are perhaps the best
known, ideal for rooms where blocking out all daylight is required. It gets a bit trickier when planning for spaces where some natural light is wanted. When recommending materials for offices, engineers should suggest a darker fabric
with a greater openness factor. This cuts down glare and reduces solar heat gain, but occupants can still see through it. This way, employees get the feel of being outside without the headaches caused by glare. Lighter fabrics offer a different experience: they diffuse the light entering a space, and the whole blind becomes a light feature, illuminating the space. Many occupants struggle to understand
the benefits of automated shading. It’s the role of engineers to introduce clients to the benefits of shading, but their help shouldn’t stop there. They should also ensure that end-users are aware of the options available to them, which includes battery powered or wireless solutions for retrofit projects. Most clients will choose their blind fabric purely based on patterns and colours, and it’s up to engineers to educate them on the need to balance performance with aesthetics.
Lutron Electronics
lutron.com/europe
Sealing up to IP68. ABS, polycarbonate and die-cast aluminium enclosures. In-house mod services: • machining • printing • drilling •
custom colours 01256 812812 •
sales@hammond-electronics.co.uk •
www.hammondmfg.com
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