What is brise soleil?
Brise soleil generally refers to a fixed arrangement of horizontal, inclined or vertical louvers which shade window openings. In the typical form, a horizontal projection extends out from the building. These arrangement of fixed solar shading louvers can reduce solar heat gain and glare, but also can enhance the aesthetic appeal of the building.
Exterior Sun Shades Solar C - inclined or vertical louvers which shade window openings
Brise soleil is most effective on facades where it is possible both to reduce the amount of high angle sun in the summer, but also to allow low angle sun in the winter, which can provide some passive solar heating.
Colt Solar C
Colt exterior Sun Shades Solar C are a fixed aluminium louver system. It may be combined with other Colt products such as rooflights and glazed facades. See Solarfin for movable louver systems.
Unlike conventional 'Z' shaped blades, which reduce both direct and diffused light, the blade of the Solar C fixed louver system is designed to be particularly effective at controlling solar heat gain while allowing a large proportion of diffused light through the blade.
Six blade profiles are available varying in width from 4” (100mm) to 6” (150mm). A perforated blade is also available with a width of approx 4 3/8” (110mm). The pitch between the blades is normally set at 4” but this can be varied to suit the blade size and angle.
Support Rafters
Five basic Solar C louvers rafter designs are available. Their use depends on the fixing method and the loadings on the structure. For any projections less than 1m the rafter can be cantilevered from the building structure, assuming the windload is not excessive. Maintenance walkways with kick plate and hand rails can be attached to the rafter to enable access for cleaning.
The patented variable louver clip is adjustable in increments of 15 degrees
Panellised System
The Solar C is normally a continuous brise soleil louver system mounted either above or below fixed rafters projecting from the building. This will provide uniform light entry to the building. However, if a panellised system is preferred, then this is available with profiled end plates which can make a prominent feature to a building.
Installation of the Solar C exterior solar shades
Installation should be carried out by Colt trained installers. With continuous brise soleil louvres, the louvres are sent out in breakdown for on site assembly. An adjustment in the louvre system can accommodate building tolerances of +/- 3/8” (10mm). Particular attention is required to suitable fixing locations and the structural integrity of the fixing material. This should be considered at the early stages of the project.
