Solar shading of buildings BR 364
BRE (Building Research Establishment) is an independent, research-based consultancy, testing and training organisation, operating in the built environment and associated industries.
Solar shading of buildings: Second edition (BR 364) was written by Paul Littlefair and published by BRE on 5 January 2018.
The careful choice of solar shading for buildings allows good use of winter solar gain and daylighting whilst avoiding summer overheating. This can help reduce cooling costs, prevent glare (particularly where computer screens are used), and provide privacy for building occupants.
BR 364 describes the most commonly-used solar shading devices and discusses new developments. It sets out the advantages and disadvantages of each kind of shading device and provides a decision table to help select the best solution.
The 56 page report will be of particular interest to architects, building services engineers, building owners, facilities managers, shading manufacturers, retailers and installers in the UK and other countries with similar climates and latitudes.
Its contents are:
- Executive summary.
- Introduction.
- External shading.
- Glazing.
- Mid-pane devices.
- Internal shading.
- Conclusions.
- Appendices.
- References.
[edit] Find out more.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Blinds.
- BRE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE Buzz articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE Buzz.
- BREEAM Visual comfort Glare control.
- Brise soleil.
- Building Research Establishment.
- Control of solar shading IP 4 17.
- Exterior shutters.
- Retrofitting solar shading.
- Solar shading
- Wind Resistance for External Blinds.
Featured articles and news
Costs and insolvencies mount for SMEs, despite growth
Construction sector under insolvency and wage bill pressure in part linked to National Insurance, says report.
The place for vitrified clay pipes in modern infrastructure
Why vitrified clay pipes are reclaiming their role in built projects.
Research by construction PR consultancy LMC published.
Roles and responsibilities of domestic clients
ACA Safety in Construction guide for domestic clients.
Fire door compliance in UK commercial buildings
Architect and manufacturer gives their low down.
Plumbing and heating for sustainability in new properties
Technical Engineer runs through changes in regulations, innovations in materials, and product systems.
Awareness of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
What CBAM is and what to do about it.
The new towns and strategic environmental assessments
12 locations of the New Towns Taskforce reduced to 7 within the new towns draft programme and open consultation.
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.






















