Wisconsin Solar Design’s highly-refined framing systems, combined with the latest glazing technology, are often all that’s needed for a comfortable glazed structure. For increased control of your space’s interior conditions, though – or for existing glazed structures - WSD has an array of options, including shading systems and heat retention curtain systems.
From a simple, small, hand-pulled or attach-it-and-forget-it shade to large, complicated, motorized and fully-automated systems, WSD will work with you to identify the best solution for you.
Shades are a very effective way to reduce excessive solar heat gain and/or control light levels in a space.
WSD provides a range of shade materials and opacity. Depending on your needs and how your structure is built, shades and shade systems can be either internally- or externally-mounted. Virtually any surface and configuration can be shaded, and shades can be operable, seasonal, or fixed.
Providing heat can often be as much a concern as cooling a glazed structure. While heating systems are one means, another option is simply retaining and making maximum use of the heat is already present.
WSD can equip your glazed structure with heat retention curtains. While they can provide a measure of shading, heat retention curtains are constructed of materials that trap warm air and reflect radiant heat back into your space. They are installed internally and are also often installed horizontally, at eave height, to focus heat where it’s most needed.
There are several ways to operate WSD’s shading and heat retention curtain systems.
The most basic approach is manual operation: shades/curtains can be adjusted at any time by hand, either directly or via cord & pulleys. If only needed on a seasonal basis, shades/curtains can be manually attached and left in place for the season.
A slightly more advanced approach is motorized operation: shades/curtains can be adjusted at any time via a switch that raises/lowers the system or places it in a preset intermediate position. Shades/curtains can be controlled by a single switch or can be split into separate zones as desired.
The most advanced approach is to pair motorized operation with an automatic controller. This can be a basic thermostat, or it can be an intelligent computerized controller that senses and accounts for a large number of environmental inputs. In this scenario, your space will maintain preselected criteria without any action required by the occupants.
