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Shading & Daylight

Updated: Jan 29, 2024

Overheating in all building types, but especially housing, is gaining increased attention as our climate continues to change. A brand new building regulation, Part O, was issued by the UK government in December 2021, setting new standards for overheating in new residential buildings.



Part of the solution is limiting unwanted solar gains through windows; one design approach being the use of integrated shading systems.


ULS are part of the Good Home Alliance (GHA) steering group and supported the recently launched industry design guide focusing on shading for housing:



Whilst of high importance as part of efforts to tackle overheating, any well designed and effective shading strategy will also consider the associated potential to detrimentally affect daylighting, thereby unnecessarily increasing artificial lighting demand and negatively affecting health and well-being of occupants.


A well balanced approach is required to ensure these often competing priorities are equally addressed.


ULS has undertaken a comprehensive study of the 3 main fixed shading systems (i.e. overhangs/horizontal slats/vertical fins) and their effect on daylight.


Our study is based on the Spatial Daylight Methodology ("Climate Based Daylight Modelling") as set out in the latest BRE Guidelines (2022) and therefore the approach which is used for planning applications.


Our study considered both single and multi aspect living areas at a variety of orientations, with some perhaps surprising results.


In summary:


  • One system produced up to 55% reduction in annual daylight performance, altering otherwise very well illuminated living areas to poorly lit ones.

  • One system has very minimal effect to annual daylight performance, which is slightly increased in certain circumstances.

  • One system produced beneficial improvements to annual daylight performance in certain conditions, given it will reflect daylight into the room at certain times of the day/ year.

A summary sheet of the study is downloadable below, for more information please get in contact.



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