Draper has been manufacturing solar control shading systems since 1902 and has advanced its product line to meet today’s sustainable design requirements by potentially to energy efficiency and enhanced productivity strategies. Draper supports the green architecture movement with potentially energy-saving window shade fabrics and controls of the finest quality. Draper offers environmentally friendly window shades that can improve energy efficiency and reduce operating costs.

Draper products are shipped to dealers throughout the United States and more than 100 other countries.

Solar Shading Strategies for Supplemental Load Reduction and Daylighting Designs

 In the white paper, “Market Transformation Opportunities for Emerging Dynamic Façade and Dimmable Lighting Control Systems,” a number of design strategies incorporating daylighting and control systems are explored.

Initiatives such as LEED have increased interest in the use of daylighting from an energy saving strategy but also to provide occupant benefits and increased productivity (see www.lightright.org). The white paper goes on to say that occupants are increasingly expressing an interest in more transparent facades as a means to visually connect with the outdoors at a time when there is emerging evidence that the attributes of daylight and view enhance performance as well as amenity and satisfaction.

It is recommended that controlling solar gain, daylight, view and glare be considered early on in the design process and part of the energy calculations. Manually-controlled or fixed shading will not be as efficient as some sort of automated response to changing outdoor conditions and to changing interior task requirements. Traditional, manually-operated shading systems can be motorized, and then controlled by occupant action or by sensors and building controls.

Other considerations of solar control shading strategies include:

• Excessive contrast and reflective glare can be dealt with by designing movable shades with user controls.
• Mesh fabric shading systems also allow high levels of visibility to the exterior while providing thermal and UV solar protection.

Visual Comfort

• Provide environments that are visually stimulating. Humans respond well to variations in lighting levels, comfortable contrasts and pleasant changes in light and shadow.
• Provide as much natural light as possible. Coordinate supplemental light sources with available daylight.
• Consider creative integration of daylight, energy efficient lighting options and effective control strategies. Include daylight as a factor when trying to meet industry standards for lighting. Optimize the spaces being illuminated with the appropriate colors, surface treatments, room proportions and ceiling heights for the tasks involved.
  

In the ENERGY STAR supplemental “Load Reduction Guidelines,” interior shading systems are recommended as a solution in reducing the solar cooling load.

The chart below represents energy savings through the use of duplex fabrics. Duplex fabrics combine a solid color with a back coating, or have a special weave with a white thread covering the majority of the backside of the fabric. This minimizes heat gain and glare while maximizing the outside view: The darker color on the room side improves the see-through characteristics of the fabric, while the lighter back reflects heat and light.