Anyone have a brise soleil above their external window and doors?

[SwedishEdith]

Only discovered what these things were called a few months ago.

How much do they block the view internally? And are they effective at keeping the heat and glare out?

They must be effective as they are part of the latest low-energy houses called PassiveHaus.

Apparently, they reduce heat and provide shade in summer but don't block the light.

That's what I'm hoping but wondered if anyone has them. I know if I google and can see nice ones but, really, they look like a pretty simple idea.

goes off to Google brise soleil

We have them above our bifolds - but they are part of a new extension so I can't tell you if they made a difference or not.

I think it's weird they aren't included in many new houses - we have them at work to keep things cooler.

@EverNapping

goes off to Google brise soleil

Same

Ooh, I like!

Ha ha - I love the name. I can't have an awning as not enough space above door and a sail might get in the way of opening the doors. But these look simple.

@didireallysaythat

We have them above our bifolds - but they are part of a new extension so I can't tell you if they made a difference or not.

I think it's weird they aren't included in many new houses - we have them at work to keep things cooler.

Yes, have been in an office with them but didn't pay attention then to any effects on indoor gloominess.

We have a renson algarve above our bifolds, its south facing and gets really hot, the 'ceiling' is louvred and you can have it open to let in light or closed to keep the kitchen shaded (and the barbecue dry if it rains) had it closed all day today and it kept the kitchen cool and I sat under it this afternoon as it was the only spot bearable. When we built the house the architects said we'd need it and they were right!

iknowimcoming does it impact your light on days when sun/heat isnot an issue.

Back of my house faces SW and its absolutely baked.... need to do something like the Brise Soleil...

@SwedishEdith the canopy for us was part of the design so we don't have an industrial aluminium look, the architect incorporated them to the design so they are cedar to match some cladding. We're south east facing and the approx 50cm of shade is nice and cool.

I'd love one to hang my gymnastic rings off 😂

@colouringindoors ours have Louvre type blades that are on a remote control so on really gloomy days I open them to bring in some light (but honestly not often) it's also got a rain sensor so it closes automatically if it rains when it's open. And no I don't work for them! The product is very good but the company itself (or at least the service we received) was average at best. Photo from their website to show what I mean

Oh, these all look good. Had never heard of a renson algarve either- didn't realise sunshades had such exotic names.

I like the idea of the ones you can move. I know this have been added by architects for most people but, in theory, wooden ones shouldn't be too difficult to build for a decent joiner.

I've spec'd them on a few projects if we haven't managed to have overhanging eaves. Just looked but don't have any pictures on my phone unfortunately.
Adequate shading for high sun gain makes a massive difference especially as everyone wants huge windows for light.
Shading isn't considered on lots of new builds because they can get away with not doing it and it costs extra money that developers don't want to shell out. People only realise they want it once they've moved in and are sweltering.
As an architect, I look at the boring stuff like shading, insulation etc as part of my designs and will always try to steer clients to choices that work - so yes, you may have an amazing view to the south but if we just have a blank glazed wall of bifolds a you will bake unless we do something to mitigate the summer sun.

wonkylegs as an architect, if you lived in a house with Loads of South/South West facing glass, what would you spec/invest in to keep it cool (can't change glass)?

Preferably you want to stop the heat getting in so first line of defence is shading on the outside.
Brise soleil or shutters - there
However this isn't always practical as a retrofit solution so you need to look at blinds,shutters or films on the windows inside to reflect it back outside. It's not quite as effective but will help.
Obviously you will need to shut them when the sun is at full strength.
Shutting curtains will also help a bit but it depends on the material/colour as to how effective they are.
Quite a good basic explanation on here www.warmup.co.uk/blog/pros-and-cons-of-solar-gain