As much as we all love a gloriously sunny day, it does lose its appeal when you’re stuck inside a hot workplace all day. A surprising amount of commercial properties just aren’t cut out to handle heat, quickly turning into something akin to a sauna – not ideal when you’re trying to get through a day’s work.
If every hot day in the workplace you find yourself searching to find if there’s a maximum legal workplace temperature, it might be time to do something about it.
Why do windows let in so much heat?
A significant amount of heat gain can be attributed to windows, mostly because they let in so much sunlight, particularly infrared radiation. Even a well-insulated window struggles to block out much solar energy, so when it’s sunny outside, it heats up the interior surfaces in a room, which will also then radiate heat and contribute to warming the space. Much like a greenhouse, glass windows will keep the heat trapped inside.
Double-glazed windows are far better at insulating a property, as they have an air or gas pocket between the panes that helps to reduce the movement of heat. However, they can’t stop solar radiation from getting inside your property, so some heat transfer can still be expected.
How to reduce heat transfer via windows
Curtains or blinds
Curtains or blinds can be very handy at blocking light, particularly blackout curtains or blinds. Blackout curtains and blinds are made from thick, dense fabric that can block out the majority of natural light. Some also come with thermal lining to further help keep a room cool. Remember that curtains and blinds will need to be drawn well before the sun is at its peak – usually around midday, but it can still be very warm outside before this – to make sure enough heat is being blocked.
Keeping blinds and curtains drawn can also help to reduce glare, which can cause eye strain and take a hit on productivity – and it’s an easy solution, as if you already have curtains and blinds fitted, it takes a matter of seconds to close them.
Of course, the major downside to curtains and blinds is that you end up blocking out most – if not all – of the sunlight! Bright days can be few and far between, so working in a dark room when the sun is shining outside isn’t ideal. They can also reduce airflow in a room, meaning that heat stays trapped, making the room feel stuffier.
Double-glazed windows
If the windows in your building are single glazed, they will let in a lot more sunlight than double-glazed windows, which can make the room feel uncomfortably hot. They also don’t have as much UV protection as double-glazed windows, which can lead to furniture fading or even skin damage.
Double-glazed windows are a more energy efficient option, as the gap between the two panes acts as insulation, which reduces heat transfer. During the summer, this allows less sunlight to come through the windows, which helps to keep the indoor temperature more comfortable. Over time, this will help save money from cooling costs – such as fans or air conditioning – as well as heating costs in winter, as it can also work to stop the heat escaping.
Although double-glazed windows can be a great long-term investment, they definitely aren’t a quick fix – if there’s a sudden heatwave forecast, getting new windows fitted is not the answer! It can also be very expensive to replace your windows, especially in a large building.
Low-E glass
Low-E glass – also known as low-emissivity glass – is a type of glass that has a microscopic, clear coating that helps to reduce thermal transfer. Low-E glass can be beneficial in both summer and winter, as in summer it helps to keep heat out, whilst in winter it retains the warmth.
The coating on Low-E glass is made of metallic oxide, meaning that it deflects sunlight – including harmful infrared and UV rays – back outside, whilst still letting in plenty of natural light. Similarly to double-glazing, Low-E windows keep energy costs down by reducing the need for you to use heating or cooling systems.
However, the downside to Low-E glass is also the same as double-glazing – it’s not a quick solution, and the treated glass can be significantly more expensive than regular glass. As a long-term investment it can be hugely beneficial for your business, but there is a significant initial cost.
Solar screens
Solar screens are lightweight panels made of mesh that are usually custom-designed to the size of your windows to fit neatly over them. The mesh is usually made from polyester or fibreglass that is coated with a UV-resistant material, which can help to filter out solar radiation.
They are typically fitted on the outside of the window to stop the sun from directly reaching the glass, which is where the majority of solar gain tends to occur. This means that less heat is absorbed by the glass windows, therefore less heat is passed into the room, keeping it a more comfortable temperature.
Solar screens do still let some natural light through, due to them being made of mesh, although it will be duller than with a clear window. Another downside of solar panels is that they aren’t suitable for all window orientations, as some windows don’t receive as much sunlight, so a solar panel might end up blocking out the light unnecessarily.
Solar window films
Solar window film – also known as solar control window film – is a thin, durable film that is applied to windows to help reduce heat transfer, filter out UV rays and minimise glare.
Solar film has a reflective quality which allows it to reflect a certain amount of the sun’s rays before it reaches the glass, and also absorbs some of the solar heat to prevent it from getting inside the building. It won’t stop natural light from getting in, but it will mean that the temperature inside stays far more stable.
Many types of solar film block out a high percentage of UV rays, which can fade interiors and furnishings, and helps to reduce glare for improved visibility. As window films can block a pretty significant amount of heat, it means there is less need to be reliant on air conditioning, which can help your business save some money. Similarly, in winter, window film works as insulation to better retain heat.
Window films are an unobtrusive option, as they simply adhere to your existing windows, and can be installed quickly and easily. Although you can apply window film yourself, it’s definitely better to leave it to the professionals!
Solar gain protection from window film
As window film specialists, we offer a simple and cost-effective way to minimise excess solar heat gain and glare, leading to a more comfortable working environment – not to mention reducing your energy costs!
With summer rapidly approaching, there’s no better time to upgrade your windows – get in touch with the OVAGLAS team.
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