Perfect for eco-friendly indoor-outdoor living, this fully retractable sail system is easy to use and forms part of your passive design strategy
Set in the lovely coastal suburb of Aldinga Beach, about 40km south of Adelaide, this stunning home is the epitome of relaxed yet contemporary design. With a focus on sustainability, the home features a structural timber frame and uses natural materials and finishes throughout.
A highlight of the home is the west-facing terrace which is accessed from the open-plan living space via sliding doors. Uninterrupted floor tiling, a large expanse of glazing and the continuation of the structural timber to form a contemporary pergola ensure the ideal indoor-outdoor living experience.
A large, overhanging mono-pitch roof reduces the sun’s impact on the west-facing glazing below. The roof also provides some protection to the terrace when the sun is high in the sky, but as the sun gets lower in the afternoon, the amount of shade gradually reduces, exposing both the terrace and the glazing. This can result in unwanted solar heating of interior living spaces and make the outdoor entertaining area uncomfortable to use. To combat this, two manually-operated Shaderunner® Retractable Sail Systems were installed within the existing pergola.
The Shaderunner® is the perfect solution for shading entertaining areas, providing easily controlled shade on demand. As well as protecting outdoor spaces from the harsh sun, the Shaderunner® can be used as part of a comprehensive environmental design strategy.
Good environmental design employs passive solar control strategies to reduce the need for mechanical air conditioning and heating systems. Passive design involves reducing unwanted solar gains during summer while maximising solar gains through winter. Put simply, this means shading glazed areas in summer and allowing sunlight exposure in winter — a scenario easily accomplished with the Shaderunner® Retractable Sail System.
During the hotter parts of the day and in the warmer months, the Shaderunners® can be extended to shade the outdoor terrace and glazing, especially when the sun is at lower angles. This has the combined effect of reducing solar gains, thereby limiting the use of mechanical air conditioning, and providing a comfortable, shaded outdoor living space. When the weather cools, the Shaderunners® can be retracted, exposing the west-facing glass. This provides welcome solar heating and reduces winter usage of mechanical heating.
By choosing Shaderunner® Retractable Sails, the homeowners now have a fully usable outdoor terrace with the added benefit of being able to control the sun’s impact on the living spaces within the home.
The Shaderunner® Retractable Sail System is ideally suited to a variety of applications around the home, from outdoor entertaining spaces and patios to swimming pools and courtyards. With a wide range of fabrics and colour options available, the Shaderunner® complements all architectural styles, from contemporary suburban homes to traditional country residences.
The Shaderunner® Retractable Sail is constructed using the most durable marine-grade yacht fittings and Ronstan ball bearing pulleys, ensuring years of trouble-free shading with minimal maintenance. The system can be manually operated using a simple endless cord system, or you can opt for remote-controlled Somfy motorised operation.
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