External sliding shutters
|
|
Sliding shutters made of waterproof, hardwearing materials attach to tracks fixed to building façades. Like sliding doors, shutters can slide away completely, revealing windows in full. Furthermore, their inherently dynamic nature can enliven a façade’s appearance. When opened, shutters typically stack behind each other, while multiple shutters can be overlapped within the same track to fully shade wider windows.
| Overheating mitigation | High | Blocks most of the solar gains when fully closed. Effective in all orientations |
| Winter solar gains | High | Allows maximum solar gains when fully opened |
| Daylight | Medium | Depends on the free area of the shutters and how much they are closed. In winter allows maximum daylight when fully opened |
| Ventilation | Medium | Allows ventilation, but depends on the free area of the shutters and how much they are closed |
| Wind resistance | High | Robust device fitted within channels |
| Operability | Low | Manually operated that requires leaning out the window. Not suitable for reduced mobility occupants. The performance depends on occupant behaviour |
| Maintenance | Medium | Inspect channels and wheels |
| Cost | ££££ |
|
“ The sliding mechanism of the shutters and their Hanham Hall, South Gloucestershire |
This is an extract from Shading for Housing, Design guide for a changing climate, published by the Good Homes Alliance and the British Blinds and Shutters Association in 2023. You can download the guide in full at: https://bbsa.org.uk/new-design-guide-on-shading-for-housing/
--BBSA
[edit] Related articles
Featured articles and news
CIAT at the London Festival of Architecture
Designing for Everyone: Breaking Barriers in Inclusive Architecture.
Mixed reactions to apprenticeship and skills reform 2025
A 'welcome shift' for some and a 'backwards step' for others.
Licensing construction in the UK
As the latest report and proposal to licence builders reaches Parliament.
Building Safety Alliance golden thread guidance
Extensive excel checklist of information with guidance document freely accessible.
Fair Payment Code and other payment initiatives
For fair and late payments, need to work together to add value.
Pre-planning delivery programmes and delay penalties
Proposed for housebuilders in government reform: Speeding Up Build Out.
High street health: converting a building for healthcare uses
The benefits of health centres acting as new anchor sites in the high street.
The Remarkable Pinwill Sisters: from ‘lady woodcarvers’ to professionals. Book review.
Skills gap and investment returns on apprenticeships
ECA welcomes new reports from JTL Training and The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership.
Committee report criticises UK retrofit schemes
CIOB responds to UK’s Energy Security and Net Zero Committee report.
Design and construction industry podcasts
Professional development, practice, the pandemic, platforms and podcasts. Have we missed anything?
C20 Society; Buildings at Risk List 2025
10 more buildings published with updates on the past decade of buildings featured.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation, closing 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
From project managers to rising stars, sustainability pioneers and more.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.