Sun Protection for Tomorrow's Windows

What Will Matter Most in Future Planning and Product Selection

Climate change is drastically altering the requirements for windows and sun protection. Warmer summers, tropical nights, heavy rainfall, and higher wind loads call for new solutions for comfort, energy efficiency, and sustainability. Warema develops sun protection systems that respond to these developments and contribute to a future-proof building envelope.

When it comes to product selection, this means that sun protection systems are no longer evaluated solely on the basis of their sun protection performance. Factors such as resistance to wind and driving rain, the material’s resistance to heat and UV radiation, integration with the window, automation, and ease of installation—especially in renovation projects—are becoming increasingly important.

Properly adjusted outdoor sunshades are one of the most effective measures against overheating. Research conducted by Ingenieurbüro Prof. Dr. Hauser (IBH 4) on behalf of the RTG shows that the number of hours with indoor temperatures above 26 °C decreases significantly when exterior sunshades are used. With conventional operation, this drops from 2,781 to 512 hours per year. With automatic control, this is further reduced to 212 hours, and in combination with nighttime ventilation, it drops to as low as 39 hours.

For optimal energy efficiency, windows and sunshades should be considered as a single system. The total energy value (gtot) is determined by the combination of glazing and sunshades. This not only reduces the need for cooling in the summer but also minimizes heat loss in the winter. Closed roller shutters significantly reduce energy loss through existing windows and still provide measurable energy savings even with modern triple-pane glazing. At the same time, exterior venetian blinds, screens, and roller shutters enhance living comfort by providing an optimal balance between natural light, views, privacy, and protection against glare.

Furthermore, the consequences of climate change call for a different approach to material selection and detailing. Higher temperatures, more intense UV radiation, heavier wind loads, and heavy rainfall place greater demands on the stability, durability, and surface treatment of sunshade systems. Therefore, aspects such as material expansion and the choice between aluminum and plastic should also be considered as early as the design phase.

Energy-efficient renovation of existing buildings offers significant opportunities. By modernizing windows and sun protection as an integral part of the building envelope, buildings can be better prepared for future climate conditions and climate goals can be supported. In practice, flexible, easy-to-install systems that are suitable for a wide range of renovation scenarios and minimize installation time are essential. The Warema product line includes surface-mounted systems, shaft-mounted solutions, exterior venetian blinds, roller shutters, and screens. Additional modules, such as the SecuKit for manual emergency operation and the SolarKit with integrated solar power supply, enhance safety and simplify renovations without the need for extensive wiring. The VisioNeo Sun railing system and integrated insect screens also contribute to comfort and functionality.

In addition to choosing the right product, automation is the key factor in determining the ultimate effectiveness of sun protection. Intelligent control systems automatically respond to solar radiation, temperature, and weather conditions, protect the systems, and optimize the building’s energy consumption. Additional savings are possible by tailoring the control system to a building’s actual usage, for example, using occupancy detection and schedules for workdays, weekends, and vacation periods. In this way, automated shading not only contributes to a comfortable indoor climate but also to a sustainable and future-proof building envelope.