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Green Building Bible, Fourth Edition
Green Building Bible, fourth edition (both books)
These two books are the perfect starting place to help you get to grips with one of the most vitally important aspects of our society - our homes and living environment.

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    • CommentAuthorowlman
    • CommentTimeFeb 28th 2010
     
    As many of you will be aware these are almost a standard fitting on many Continental houses, especially in Germany. Incorporated at the build stage, hidden away in lintles, and with tracks/runners incorporated into the reveal masonary, all operated from inside. Do they really offer anything to overall insulation or are they mainly for security?
    • CommentAuthorPeter Clark
    • CommentTimeFeb 28th 2010 edited
     
    Posted By: owlmanIncorporated at the build stage, hidden away in lintles, and with tracks/runners incorporated into the reveal masonary,


    Any pics of details?

    Peter
    • CommentAuthorecohome
    • CommentTimeFeb 28th 2010
     
    They are bound to have some thermal properties as they are a physical barrier - will improve air-tightness & reduce convection. Some of them I recall have slats which can be left open for ventilation. I suspect they are mainly there to prevent overheating & facilitate successful siestas!
    • CommentAuthormarktime
    • CommentTimeFeb 28th 2010
     
    The cavity containing the roller can be a problem in compromising the insulation envelope. It can be overcome but it needs someone paying attention to design and installation. In Andulucia they are are a favourite entrance point for the red American cockroach.
    • CommentAuthorRobinB
    • CommentTimeFeb 28th 2010
     
    For pics search "Tapparella" in google images.
    • CommentAuthoraa44
    • CommentTimeFeb 28th 2010
     
    I always thought that they were for security. When fully closed, the slats fit tightly against each other. They are designed so that there is several millimetres of slack between each pair of slats. This means that when you start to raise it, the top slat will rise by several centimetres before the bottom slat starts to rise (as the gaps open up). In this position, you have a small ventilation gap between all the pairs of slats so that you can safely leave the windows open at night. Obviously, the windows have to open inwards! I never got the impression that they would do a lot for insulation, more security and storm-proofing.
    • CommentAuthorRobinB
    • CommentTimeFeb 28th 2010
     
    I suppose if the slats were foam filled like garage door panels they might insulate a bit.
    • CommentAuthorJonti
    • CommentTimeFeb 28th 2010
     
    In Switzerland most buildings have these or the old fashioned wooden shutters. They do offer some thermal protection and are very good in summer for keeping the building cool. Also in summer they shut out the light much better than curtains which where I am now in northern Scotland is probably a good thing. Many people in Switzerland don't use curtains because of shutters giving the inside of rooms a less cluttered feel.
    • CommentAuthorowlman
    • CommentTimeFeb 28th 2010
     
    Posted By: Peter Clark; Any pics of details?

    Hi Peter,
    Google "Fenster Rolladen": Lots of firms producing them both in PVCu and aluminium, one or two companies have english language versions. I suppose what intrigued me was our constant search for ever more technical glass combinations when more simply glazed windows, in conjunction with shutters "might" provide a better solution at least during darkness hours; and during daytime perhaps we need the solar gain, but we also have the option of shading, with added security thrown in. No need for curtains too, ouch,- sorry dear. I don't think the Germans would consider a bespoke build without them, maybe it's cultural. I'm surprised people like, CATNIC haven't produced something.

    Mike
    • CommentAuthorBrianR
    • CommentTimeFeb 28th 2010
     
    External shutters are used in Austria too. There must be a definite insulation advantage, a bit like pulling a windproof hood over your head when it is cold and windy.

    Definitely agree with adding an extra layer of insulation at night and still keeping solar gain at day. For south facing windows there may be even further gains by making these shutters motorized.
  1.  
    Thanks for this owlman,

    Posted By: owlmanI suppose what intrigued me was our constant search for ever more technical glass combinations when more simply glazed windows, in conjunction with shutters "might" provide a better solution at least during darkness hours; and during daytime perhaps we need the solar gain


    Yes, windows are expensive, but I guess blinds and shutters are as well.

    Peter
    •  
      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeMar 1st 2010
     
    There are insulated ones that claim reasonable U-values (0.7-0.8 area). Sorry, don't remember any links. As marktime says, there are also poorly engineered ones that make huge thermal bridges and where the control gear compromises the airtight barrier. Caveat emptor.
    • CommentAuthormalakoffee
    • CommentTimeFeb 16th 2019
     
    Topic started 2010 : . . . . .

    I'm beginning to consider external roller shutters as a solution to :-
    - too much solar gain during hot summer weather
    - a solution to nuisance outdoor lighting ( recently installed by a new neighbour )

    This would be retrofit - meaning roller boxes fitting on the external walls.

    Has anyone any UK experience of these rollers ?
    • CommentAuthorCerisy
    • CommentTimeFeb 17th 2019
     
    Our solar powered shutters, retro-fitted on the first floor of our French new build, are classed as insulated and attracted a tax rebate (daft on a house so well insulated).

    We installed them primarily to cut out the mid-day sun as we have a problem with over heating. If we get round to doing the ground floor then, yes, they will add considerably to the security, although we can't have one on the front door of course.
  2.  
    Posted By: CerisyOur solar powered shutters, retro-fitted on the first floor of our French new build, are classed as insulated and attracted a tax rebate (daft on a house so well insulated).


    Do you know if your shutters are available in the UK and would you recommend them.
    •  
      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeFeb 18th 2019
     
    Things seem to have improved in a few years. A quick search for 'insulated roller shutters domestic' returns several credible hits now. For serious insulation, there are also sliding shutters to be considered as well.
    • CommentAuthorowlman
    • CommentTimeFeb 18th 2019
     
    It does beg the question, how long before retro fit insulated shutters in combination with fairly standard 2G can give a better result than state of the art technical 3 or even 4G alone.
    Maybe the future is one where the window and shutter, come complete, as one, with reveal runners, solar motorised, ready to build in and power up. It can't be that difficult.
    •  
      CommentAuthorDamonHD
    • CommentTimeFeb 18th 2019
     
    Simply adding and correctly using thick lined curtains can add as much as a pane of glass according to Historic Scotland, IIRC.
  3.  
    I'm a big enthusiast of using both internal roller blinds set close to the glass and thick curtains set well back from the glass, to stop air convection over the pane and create a warmish air gap.
    I admit it only works for the hours when the curtains are closed though.

    Not convinced whether [blinds+curtains] gives better or worse condensation than just curtains.

    In the summer we use the same blinds as blackouts as it is only dark 4 hours here.
    • CommentAuthorsam_cat
    • CommentTimeFeb 19th 2019
     
    WillInAberdeen - Thats exactly the same as we do.

    The south side of our house bedrooms suffer from massive solar gain, which includes the bedroom the boy has. Tried various solutions over the last few years, and in the summer we run thermal blackout blinds close (~3cm or so) from the windows with the top and bottom windows hooked onto vent. The heat rises and escapes. Heavy blackout curtains mounted over the window opening (~10+ cm from the glass). Works really well.

    In the winter we get a LOT of condensation on those windows, but if the blinds are left a bit up its greatly reduced. Windows are all put on vent in the day and closed up/curtains shut when we get home from work.
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