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Daylight

just as important as the air we breathe

Sunlight cheers us up – surely that’s something we’ve all experienced. But even without the sun itself, natural daylight makes a noticeable difference to our wellbeing. Scientific studies have shown that human health and wellbeing are influenced by daylight far more than previously thought: Light is an elixir of life. But as with so many things in life, it’s a question of getting the right amount. Solar protective glass and shading systems provide protection from the negative consequences of too much exposure to the sun.

Natural sunlight reduces ‘sick building syndrome’

Previous ‘lighting engineering’ mainly focused on optimising artificial lighting. The aim was to eliminate the dynamics of daylight as far as possible. But we now know that our need for light was underestimated. Artificial lighting in the workplace is one of the most common causes of what is known as ‘sick building syndrome’; natural daylight, on the other hand, has a positive effect on wellbeing, even when it brings with it less desirable aspects such as additional heat and glare.

The new standard for daylight: DIN EN 17037

The European standard DIN EN 17037 requires much more daylight in rooms than before. The calculation is complex, because it is based on the actual illumination of the room. But there is one simple rule of thumb, namely the ratio of window area to floor area, that gives us an approximate answer: With a window area 20 to 25 percent the size of the floor area, the requirements of the daylight standard are met in the vast majority of cases. That is roughly twice as much window area as that provided in previous building regulations.

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Maximum daylight thanks to minimal frame

In planning practice, this means more attention will have to be paid to the amount of incident daylight in all future considerations. Windows, doors, facades and fixed glazing consisting of heavy-duty steel profile systems help to optimise this, as the minimal area occupied by the frame maximises the area of glass. This creates bright and inviting rooms that promote health and wellbeing.

Tested steel profile systems for light structures

Jansen provides steel profile systems that make it possible to manufacture light structures in a reliable and economical manner. Windows, doors, facades and fixed glazing made up of Jansen steel profile systems have been tested and approved with regard to tightness against driving rain, air permeability and wind load resistance. With CE labelling according to EN 14351-1, the same degree of security can be provided for special window shapes, such as bay windows or skylights. In facade construction, components measuring up to twelve square metres can be produced without any problems in terms of heat and fire protection.

Solar control

Rooms that let in a large amount of daylight can be blighted by glare and also overheating in the summer. This is where solar control and insulation glazing and/or solar control systems come in. They minimise unwanted heat input and therefore ensure room temperatures that are beneficial to health. At the same time, they also keep energy consumption for air conditioning low. However, the solar control measures should not significantly reduce the incidence of daylight or obstruct the view out of the building. Solar control and illumination of rooms must therefore be carefully balanced and planned.

Reliable heat input through insolation

DIN 4108-2 describes a simplified method for determining the permissible solar transmittance value (S perm). The g value (total energy transmittance of the glass) and the reduction factor for solar control systems (Fc) need to be taken into account. These may be affected by the use of solar control glass or sun-shading louvres. EN 13363 Parts 1 and 2 describe methods for calculating the values.

Structural solar protection on buildings

Special insulation glass provides effective protection against unwanted solar irradiation. Jansen therefore tests its window and facade elements in combination with various types of solar control glass from renowned manufacturers. The range includes a special anchor for attaching external sun shading systems to the facade, which allows currently available systems to be secured safely and attractively to the steel profile.