VERTICAL SHADING DEVICE

FIXED VERTICAL LOUVRES MOVABLE VERTICAL LOUVRES VEGETATED VERTICAL SCREEN PERFORATED METAL SCREENS:
MASHRABIYA
Fixed/Movable: Fixed Fixed/Movable: Fixed
Daylight: Blocks direct sun from Daylight: Dappled light depending on
east/west; allows ambient daylight plant density
Heat Gain: Reduces heat from low-angle Heat Gain: Natural insulation and
sun
shading
View: Moderate view out (depends on
View: Partial, depending on planting
spacing/angle)
Privacy: Medium—filters lateral view Privacy: High
from outside Advantages: Eco-friendly, improves air
Advantages: Simple, low maintenance, quality, cooling
effective on east/west facades Disadvantages: Requires maintenance,
Disadvantages: Less adaptable to plant survival issues
changing sun angles Where to Use: Offices, institutions,
Where to Use: East & west façades of housing
buildings

Fixed/Movable: Movable (manual or Fixed/Movable: Both available

automated) Daylight: Filters and diffuses daylight
Daylight: Adjustable to optimize daylight beautifully
Heat Gain: High control which can block Heat Gain: Significantly reduces solar
sun entirely or let in winter sun radiation
View: Maintained when open View: Partial, decorative filtered view
Privacy: Can be controlled as needed Privacy: High—traditional function
Advantages: Dynamic control of light, Advantages: Culturally rich, aesthetic,
heat, privacy
cool interiors
Disadvantages: Mechanism requires
Disadvantages: Limited outward view
maintenance; higher cost
Where to Use: Cultural buildings, homes
Where to Use: Intelligent façades, office
in hot-arid regions
buildings
 HORIZONTAL SHADING DEVICE
OVERHANG CANOPIES LIGHT SHELVES LOUVRES
Fixed/Movable: Fixed Fixed/Movable: Both available
Daylight: Allows diffuse daylight; blocks Daylight: Reflects soft daylight deeper
direct high-angle sun indoors, reduces glare
Heat Gain: Reduces solar gain from Heat Gain: Blocks direct sun and keeps
north/south sun in tropics solar heat off occupants
View: Preserves horizontal views; limits View: Clear outward view; shelf is above
upward sky view eye level
Privacy: Low unless paired with vertical Privacy: Slight; may obscure
elements upward/downward views
Advantages: Passive control, low Advantages: Improves daylight quality,
maintenance, improves comfort reduces lighting energy use
Disadvantages: Ineffective for east/west Disadvantages: Dust accumulation,
sun; no seasonal adjustability design-sensitive, costly if movable
Where to Use: Tropics; Where to Use: Offices, libraries,
residential/commercial, north/south façades classrooms, deep-plan tropical/composite
buildings

Fixed/Movable: Fixed Fixed/Movable: Fixed/ Movable

Daylight: Allows daylight indoors with Daylight: Softens glare while allowing
some shadow near openings filtered daylight
Heat Gain: Reduces direct high-angle Heat Gain: Blocks direct high-angle sun;
solar heat over small areas reduces cooling loads
View: Unobstructed outward views; View: Partial—depends on fin spacing
blocks sky when underneath and angle
Privacy: Minimal; offers no side-view Privacy: High—obstructs direct external
screening views
Advantages: Simple, cost-effective, Advantages: Durable, low-maintenance,
protects from rain and sun balances light, air, and privacy
Disadvantages: Limited shading
Disadvantages: Inflexible; poor design
coverage; ineffective for full façades
may block too much light/view
Where to Use: Over entrances,
Where to Use: Urban façades, offices,
walkways, and outdoor seating in warm
schools in tropical zones
climates
 HORIZONTAL SHADING DEVICE
PARGOLA BALCONIES & SLABS RETRACTABLE PARGOLA AWNING
Fixed/Movable: Fixed Fixed/Movable: Movable
Daylight: Softens glare while allowing Daylight: Offers full sun, partial shade, or
filtered daylight filtered light
Heat Gain: Blocks direct high-angle sun; Heat Gain: Reduces heat gain when
reduces cooling loads closed; adjustable for seasonal use
View: Partial—depends on fin spacing and View: Unobstructed sky view when open;
angle horizontal views remain clear
Privacy: High—obstructs direct external Privacy: Minimal—mostly overhead
views shading; add-ons needed for side privacy
Advantages: Durable, low-maintenance, Advantages: Flexible shade/rain control,
balances light, air, and privacy improves outdoor usability
Disadvantages: Inflexible; poor design Disadvantages: Costly, mechanical
may block too much light/view upkeep, limited lateral privacy
Where to Use: Urban façades, offices, Where to Use: Patios, gardens, cafés,
schools in tropical zones restaurants, rooftop lounges

Fixed/Movable: Fixed Fixed/Movable: Both available

Daylight: Allows indirect light; may Daylight: Softens daylight; blocks harsh
reduce brightness if deep sun
Heat Gain: Blocks direct overhead sun; Heat Gain: Reduces direct solar gain on
reduces cooling demand façades and openings
View: Clear horizontal views; shaded View: Maintains outward views; blocks
from above overhead sky when extended
Privacy: Good—blocks views from Privacy: Low—minimal overhead
above or nearby buildings privacy only
Advantages: Durable, low-maintenance, Advantages: Flexible, protects from
structurally integrated shading sun/rain, lightweight, affordable
Disadvantages: Fixed; adds structural
Disadvantages: Fabric weathers over
load; no adjustability
time, wind-sensitive, maintenance needed
Where to Use: High-rise façades,
Where to Use: Windows, balconies,
podiums, terraces, setback zones
shopfronts, patios in warm climates
 EGG-CRATE SHADING DEVICE
AWNING

Fixed/Movable:
Usually fixed; some advanced systems semi-adjustable
Daylight:
Blocks direct sun from multiple angles; allows soft, uniform
daylight
Heat Gain:
Highly effective—shades from both overhead and low-angle sun
View:
Partial—can limit oblique and upward views depending on depth
Privacy:
Moderate to high; helps screen from nearby buildings
Advantages:
Combines horizontal and vertical shading, low maintenance,
improves comfort
Disadvantages:
Non-adjustable, may reduce openness, requires periodic cleaning
Where to Use:
South, southwest, and west façades in tropical/subtropical
offices, schools, and cultural centers