Window and light
"I want more light."
Light is essential for our body. Solar gain is therefore an important factor to consider when choosing your windows, French doors, glass walls, sliding doors, and entrance doors. Solar gains are measured using the solar factor (Sw), which ranges from 0 to 1. The higher the value (closer to 1), the more natural light your home will receive.
FOCUS ON
SOLAR GAINS
HOW ARE SOLAR GAINS MEASURED ?
Solar gains are measured using the solar factor (Sw), which represents the percentage of energy entering the home compared to the incident energy flux (reflected + re-emitted). The higher this value (ranging from 0 to 1), the more the home will benefit from solar energy.
Mobile protection absent or raised (Sw)
Closed exterior mobile protection (Sws)
HOW TO INTERPRET SOLAR GAINS ?
The Sw factor depends on the ratio between the glass surface and the frame surface. Large windows will therefore always have a better solar factor than small ones. Solar gains are also directly related to orientation. For a fully north-facing window, with no direct sunlight, solar gains will be minimal or nonexistent. For a fully south-facing glass wall, solar gains will help heat the home for free in winter (measured by SWE, the winter solar factor). In summer, with appropriate solar protections (blinds, roller shutters, etc.) combined with the glass wall, you can reduce the need for air conditioning (measured by SWC, the summer solar factor).
HOW TO INCREASE THEM ?
Favor optimizing the glass-to-frame ratio as much as possible:
Large window sizes and the thinnest possible frames. Our Alizéa sliding doors offer some of the slimmest profiles on the market, making them an excellent way to maximize solar gains.
For renovations, opt for a full removal of old frames rather than installing new ones over them, to maintain maximum glass surface
HOW TO REDUCE THEM ?
Solar control glazing:
These glazing solutions help reduce solar gains. However, be sure to carefully assess their impact, as part of the energy flux is reflected and no longer enters the home. This means you will lose free heating in winter.
Solar protections:
Venetian blinds (available as an option on M3D window ranges and M3D.s glass walls) or roller shutters are the best way to adjust solar gains according to the season. When combined with automation systems (such as solar sensors), they help optimize your home's energy performance.
