Re: GBlist: gb list: exterior window shades

["Karlene Bell" <bellstudio@mindspring.com>]

I've seen retractable metal outside awnings.  they roll up.
Karlene
-----Original Message-----
From: dkerr <dkerr@lausd.k12.ca.us>
To: greenbuilding@crest.org <greenbuilding@crest.org>
Cc: greenbuilding@crest.net <greenbuilding@crest.net>
Date: Sunday, May 28, 2000 3:02 AM
Subject: GBlist: gb list: exterior window shades


>First, thanks to all who replied to my natural gas A/C question.
>    My current problem is window shading.  I'm aware that in a largely
cooling
>climate like here in Los Angeles one wants to minimize window frontage on
east
>and west walls.  However, due to site considerations, that's where the
views
>are, and my lot is closely aligned with the cardinal directions.  So I want
to
>shade my east and west facing windows to reduce heat gain.  My south
windows
>will have a roof overhang on the second floor and the first floor could get
by
>with small, fixed awnings for summer heat gain.
>     I've lived in a house with fixed sheet metal awnings facing east and
west
>and I don't want to again.  They are cheap, durable, effective at keeping
out
>heat, but very dark when the sun is on the other side of the house.  I want
>cheap, durable, effective against heat gain and openable to the sky and
light
>when the sun's on the other side.
>     I've explored fabric retractable awnings, they are way too expensive
and
>fabric wears out too fast.
>     I've seen transparent screens that slide in tracks flat against the
>window frame that claim to screen out 80% of heat gain and UV light but
again
>it's fabric and I'm skeptical.  I've roasted under a fabric canopy that was
>supposedly infrared blocking.
>     Venetian blinds on the interior meet several of my criteria but a lot
of
>the heat is trapped in the house.
>     So what I'm thinking is that exterior, wide blade venetian blinds
running
>in tracks on both sides of the window (for wind stability) but operable
from
>inside would meet nearly all of my criteria.  Metal is durable, their angle
>can be adjusted to provide some view and relected light even when the sun
is
>on that side, they can be raised completely when it's not, and interior
>venetian blinds are relatively cheap.
>     With that preface I have 3 questions for your collective wisdom. 1.
Has
>anyone heard of exterior venetian blinds as I've described?  2. Does anyone
>have another suggestion I've not mentioned?  3. See any flaws in my
thinking?
>
>
>______________________________________________________________________
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>

______________________________________________________________________
This greenbuilding dialogue is sponsored by CREST <www.crest.org>
BuildingGreen <www.buildinggreen.com> and Oikos <www.oikos.com>
For  instructions send  e-mail to  greenbuilding-request@crest.org.
______________________________________________________________________