Retractable Awnings Reduce Thermal Gain, Optimize Energy Performance

Feb. 26, 2010 - PRLog -- SAN FRANCISCO, CA, February 26, 2010/Press Release – For decades, awnings have been a central part of shade and heat control for Europe’s buildings. Increasingly in the USA, retractable awnings are seen to provide an ideal balance between environmental function and stylish design.

Use of retractable awnings and exterior solar screens can reduce solar gain by up to 90% by stopping the sun’s rays from ever reaching exterior glass. This far out-performs the use of thermal pane glass and window tints and coatings. With Optimization of Energy Performance a core component for a project’s LEED certification, retractable awnings can be an important contributor of LEED points.

Retractable awnings and exterior solar screens also address four other factors for Interior Environmental Quality that are analyzed during LEED certification: Increased Ventilation, Controllability of Systems—Lighting, Controllability of Systems—Thermal Comfort, and Daylight and Views. Retractable awnings can also provide substantial shade over site hardscape.

Markilux Awnings, winner of several prestigious design awards, bring renowned German engineering to a complete line of commercial awning and exterior solar screen products. Full cassette awnings enclose the retracted awning completely into a sleek cassette that blends into the building’s exterior. Automatic, sensor-controlled operation provides optimum thermal performance and efficiency. With over 200 unique, high-tech awning fabric selections, including Sunsilk Nano-Clean, these awnings can make a perfect design statement.

Markilux Awnings can provide specification guides and CAD files to architects and designers for design-in projects, along with professional assistance from concept through installation. To learn more, go to http://www.markiluxawnings.com/Green-Commercial-Awnings-a....

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Markilux is the largest and most renowned German manufacturer of retractable awnings and awning fabrics, and the second largest folding arm awning manufacturer in the world. Markilux manufactures over 55,000 retractable awnings, retractable canopies, window awnings and exterior solar screens annually.