Reducing Energy Costs in Office Buildings with Exterior Shades
Researchers estimate that 30% of a building’s heating and cooling energy is lost through its windows, making them a major contributor to energy waste in commercial office buildings. However, improving energy efficiency doesn’t necessarily mean replacing your office building’s windows. Solutions like solar screens can reduce heat gain by up to 70% and are handy for large commercial windows and glass doors that receive regular direct light.
Whether you’re a business owner looking to lower cooling costs or have employees complaining about excessive heat, installing exterior energy-efficient window coverings can reduce energy costs.
Rollac’s high-quality products, including solar screens, rolling shutters, and retractable awnings, have many applications, including reducing energy costs and making them wise investments for office buildings.
Keep reading to discover more.
Types of Window Covering Solutions for Offices
Rolling Shutters
Our rolling shutter inventory includes a model specifically designed for office buildings and businesses: the ShopGuard commercial shutter. This state-of-the-art rolling shutter features a sleek, single-wall design that rolls compactly, requiring minimal installation space while providing unmatched security. Customizable punch patterns offer a range of visibility options and enhance energy efficiency by controlling the amount of natural light that enters your windows.
Retractable Shades
Exterior retractable shades can be installed on office windows, offering versatile sun protection and enhancing energy efficiency. Various retractable shading options include compact retractable awnings and vertical window shades. These exterior coverings provide significant energy efficiency, whether motorized and featuring a valance or a full cassette enclosure.
Solar Screens
Solar screens, like our ZipShade, are made from UV-resistant fabric. They are an excellent shading solution for office buildings, filtering sunlight while maintaining outdoor visibility. They can reduce glare and heat gain, creating a more comfortable work environment, preventing excessive screen glare and helping maintain indoor temperatures.
How Can Exterior Shades Reduce Energy Costs?
As a business owner, you may wonder why you’re even considering investing in motorized awnings or a vertical drop screen for your office. Isn’t it more cost-effective to purchase interior window shades and save on the installation expenses of exterior rolling shutters?
From a drop-arm awning to a customized roller shutter, exterior shades offer tremendous benefits for an office building, specifically energy efficiency.
High-Grade Energy Efficiency and Heat Reduction
Commercial shading systems like exterior rolling shutters can be thermally insulated. Therefore, they block sunlight before it enters the building, substantially reducing heat gain and helping to maintain lower indoor temperatures. This lowers cooling costs and enhances indoor comfort, making them more effective than indoor shades, which filter light only after it has passed through the glass.
In the winter, the rolling shutters’ thermal insulation traps warmth inside, reducing heat loss through windows and lowering heating costs. That’s energy efficiency year-round!
Glare Control without Sacrificing Views
Unlike indoor shades, which need to be closed entirely to block window glare, exterior office building awnings or shades allow natural light while reducing harsh reflections on screens and glass surfaces. This can directly improve office productivity while providing superior solar protection, which can help lower energy costs by minimizing the reliance on artificial lighting.
Better HVAC performance and Cost Savings
Exterior shades help minimize heat loss during the winter and prevent direct sunlight from overheating office spaces in warm months. Reducing temperature fluctuations eases the workload on HVAC systems, leading to lower energy costs and longer-lasting equipment.
Protection Against UV Damage
Exterior energy efficient window coverings prevent harmful UV rays from penetrating interior office furniture, flooring, and electronics, minimizing fading and wear over time.
Automation and Customization
Modern exterior shading systems can be motorized and automated to adjust based on sunlight intensity, time of day, and temperature. They provide optimal light control while increasing energy efficiency and convenience, synchronizing with the growing trend of smart awnings and coverings that enhance sustainability and building aesthetics.
Choosing the Right Solution
So what should you consider when selecting exterior office window coverings? Choosing the best commercial awning for your business will ensure energy efficiency, but other factors must be considered.
Light Control
How much light control do you need for your office space? Do you want to adjust your light levels throughout the day to suit your different needs, or do you only need one option?
Privacy
What level of privacy do you require? Besides light control, privacy and view control are important considerations. Yes, having fantastic views is always a good idea, but sometimes you want to obstruct them either partially or entirely. Suppose you’re trying to maintain the complete concentration for your employees, visiting clients or stakeholders during a meeting. The correct exterior window covering can provide adequate privacy and view control.
Maintenance
Another fundamental requirement of any exterior window treatment is that it shouldn’t be easy to maintain and clean. Whether you’re a small business owner handling maintenance or managing a larger office space with multiple windows, easy-care exterior treatments will save you time and money.
Durability
Durability and sustainability are two additional factors that should be considered when investing in exterior window coverings. Buying shades for the outside of your home is a worthwhile investment, but it’s also costly. To maximize your return, it’s important to choose options that stand the test of time. Regular maintenance, fabric repair, and timely replacement can extend their lifespan. If issues arise, such as retractable awning problems, addressing them promptly can prevent further damage. Knowing when to repair or replace your awnings ensures long-term functionality and cost-effectiveness.
Rollac: Helping to Reduce Energy Costs
Investing in exterior window coverings is a strategic way to enhance energy efficiency, reduce costs and improve the overall comfort in office buildings. Whether you choose rolling shutters, retractable shades, or solar screens, these solutions help regulate indoor temperatures, reduce HVAC strain and protect your office’s interiors from UV damage.
With over 40 years of experience in the window covering industry, Rollac can help you select the most suitable exterior covering for your office building. Contact us today, to learn more.