Reflections. The home of tomorrow

Protecting a home from the cold? We can, observes marketing coordinator Femke Desmet of Nokere-based BUILDING SHUTTERS. "Insulation has long been ingrained. But the reverse thinking is not yet evident: how do we keep the heat out so that it remains comfortable even in summer? After all, extremely hot and long summers appear to be the new normal. Let's make the thinking about shading as standard when building the house of tomorrow," Desmet argues.

"At the start of a construction project, the architectural is of utmost importance. Large glass windows, they provide a sense of space and a sleek, contemporary look. Here, of course, smart design is already considered in order to achieve a pleasant temperature in the most natural way possible, for example through the orientation of the house. Windows and doors, however, remain a weak spot in the building envelope. Logically, they cause heat loss in the colder months. Large windows, on the other hand, make it possible to take equal advantage of the incoming winter sun during the day. Thus, occupants or users enjoy the extra heat that stays inside and will require less heating." 

"The east and west sides of a house or building are most affected by overheating. On hot summer days, exterior blinds, such as screens or shutters, then provide protection from the intense heat at the glass surface. Consequently, less energy will be needed to cool the living space. Indispensable nowadays, as an air conditioner consumes a huge amount of electricity." 

"To build the home of tomorrow, the thinking begins today. It makes sense to consider blinds during the design phase so that everything can be integrated nicely. For example, recessed screens can be chosen that are completely concealed in the cavity. BUILDING SHUTTERS has the Lockscreen® INTEGRATED in its product range for this purpose, which is executed in a compact box that is accessible from the outside for service. Such a built-in screen is the most stylish answer for outdoor shading in new construction projects. With a maximum width of up to 6 meters, it is a perfect solution for large window areas." 

"Of course, there are also renovation solutions for retrofit installation. For this, the Lockscreen® FRONT range from BUILDING SHUTTERS offers a ready-made answer. The front cabinets are compact and always finished seamlessly. After all, with as few visible lines as possible, the image remains clear. With screens, pure design is a must anyway. With our Lockscreen® technology, we go for a special welding process, where the zipper is fully integrated into the screen fabric. As a result, the fabric sits nicely in the side guides at all times and no welding seams are visible. Finally, within the Minirol® range, BUILDING SHUTTERS offers the necessary alternatives with shutters for both new construction and renovation." 

"When starting a construction project, budget is often a game-changer, but solar shading should not be overlooked. With a climate of heat waves, this investment pays for itself through energy bill savings and a comfortable living situation." 

"With exterior solar screens or shutters, occupants or users of a home or building score favorably in terms of applicable energy requirements. Thus, large areas of glass can be enjoyed, as long as they are compensated with additional shading to save on energy costs. On top of that, installing shutters or screens in Belgium qualifies for a number of government incentives. Nice touch and an extra push to commit to solar shading." 

"In short, everything starts with smart design," Femke Desmet concludes her talk. "Is there large window areas? How is the orientation of the home or building? At the same time, consideration must be given to how a pleasant indoor climate can be achieved and - very importantly - how home or building can be made energy efficient. The home of tomorrow, which will be built with good insulation to keep the cold out in winter and the heat in, but also with exterior blinds as an armor against overheating. Those who think about it in time will be completely 'summer-proof' for the coming heat waves."