How to weather-proof windows for hot and humid climate
Insulating, shading and weatherproofing your house can save you up to 45 per cent on your current energy bills while increasing the comfort and value of your home. Minimizing the need to heat and cool your home from the extremes of our summer and winter weather will also reduce your contribution to global warming.
Shading to the window in hot climatic regions is very important due to the thermal property of the glass. When the glass permits the solar radiations inside the building, the radiations are absorbed by the surrounding materials and thus increase the internal temperature. However, the heat radiated out from the heated surface is of low wavelength thus they can’t be transmitted through the glass.
Because of this property of glass, the glass with low e value should be used in places where solar radiations are quite high. The shading devices on a window can be provided internally, externally and in between the glazing. The externally provided devices are found to be best effective.
With the increasing apartment culture, it is not in our hands to set the orientation of the window write. However, the other two factors can be taken care very easily.
Louvers
The ready to install louvers are a smart solution for the hot and humid climate. They can be fixed or moveable. They can be adjusted according to the solar projection and also facilitates the air movement.
Fixed chajjas:
This traditional type of shading device helps in protection from the sun and rain. Porches can shade windows in certain seasons and prevent the home from overheating.
Commonfloor recommends:
Overhangs should fully shade south-facing windows during the summer months, and allow full sun on windows during the wintertime. For hot climates, design overhangs for a long season of full shade on the south glass.
