Retrofitting solar shading
BRE (Building Research Establishment) is an independent, research-based consultancy, testing and training organisation, operating in the built environment and associated industries.
Retrofitting solar shading (IP 3/17) was written by Paul Littlefair and published by BRE on 2 November 2017. It replaced BRE Information Paper 11/02, which was withdrawn.
Solar shading can have important benefits for the environment of buildings; reducing glare and overheating, and providing savings in cooling energy. Productivity and staff morale drop with high internal temperatures and there may be adverse effects on health. Particular problems can occur in extensively-glazed buildings, or those with intensive computer use.
Compared with the alternative of installing air conditioning, solar shading can be a highly cost-effective way to control overheating. Solar shading can be particularly effective as part of a package of passive measures including night ventilation and the use of more efficient equipment and lighting controls.
This 8-page Information Paper describes the solar shading systems commonly retrofitted to buildings, and provides guidance on the selection and design of appropriate systems. It is intended for use by building owners, facilities managers, energy auditors, interior designers and architects.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- BRE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE Buzz articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE Buzz.
- BRE Expert Collection 6 Daylight and shading.
- BREEAM Visual comfort Glare control.
- Brise soleil.
- Building Research Establishment.
- Control of solar shading IP 4 17.
- Glare.
- Night-time purging.
- Passive building design.
- Retrofitting.
- Solar shading.
- Solar shading of buildings BR 364.
- Thermal comfort.
- Wind Resistance for External Blinds.
Featured articles and news
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.
The changed R&D tax landscape for Architects
Specialist gives a recap on tax changes for Research and Development, via the ACA newsletter.
Structured product data as a competitive advantage
NBS explain why accessible product data that works across digital systems is key.
Welsh retrofit workforce assessment
Welsh Government report confirms Wales faces major electrical skills shortage, warns ECA.
A now architectural practice looks back at its concept project for a sustainable oceanic settlement 25 years on.
Copyright and Artificial Intelligence
Government report and back track on copyright opt out for AI training but no clear preferred alternative as yet.
Embedding AI tools into architectural education
Beyond the render: LMU share how student led research is shaping the future of visualisation workflows.
Why document control still fails UK construction projects
A Chartered Quantity Surveyor explains what needs to change and how.
Inspiration for a new 2026 wave of Irish construction professionals.
New planning reforms and Warm Homes Bill
Take centre stage at UK Construction Week London.