Window Protection From Solar - Radiations

Mumbai : Present-day buildings are generally found uncomfortably hot during sunny periods because of excessive solar heat input. The heat entry into the living space could be retarded by adoption of thick walls and roofs considerably. But summer overheating problems is appear to arise manifold due to the progressive trend towards adoption of larger glazed area as part of western aesthetic consideration, culminating in the fully glazed wall in commercial and official buildings. There is no doubt as to the many advantages that large windows present from the point of view of complete visual ease with the interior surrounding, or of the healthy psychological reaction associated with the sense of openness and freedom that is engendered by large glass areas but extensive glazing must necessarily call for judicious control. The chief concern in controlling solar heat penetration lies with its elimination during the hot season, invariably the case in most part of India. This is the desire which has sponsored the urge to give more attention and popularity to a reasoned and scientific determination of the requirements of buildings in respect of thermal and visual comfort, and consideration of how these can best be procured, both practically and economically under different conditions. The significance of sunshine and shade problem in fairly good number of cases has failed to receive proper attention resulting of the shortfalls often being taken care of by artificial means. The purpose of this article is to create awareness among designers on the various terminologies used in the design.