Extend your living areas and optimise energy efficiency with outdoor awnings.
With summer just around the corner, along with the promise of long lazy days and backyard BBQs comes the challenge of keeping ourselves and our homes cool, especially on those days when cranking up the air conditioning feels like the only option. However, as energy costs and temperatures continue to rise, Australian homeowners are searching for more sustainable and cost-effective ways to keep their homes comfortable while enjoying all the advantages of alfresco living during summer.
Windows play a crucial role in optimising energy efficiency and, considering that up to 87% of a home’s heat gain in summer is through the windows[1], investing in the right window coverings and shadings can be key for homeowners looking to keep their homes cool and be kind to the environment at the same time. “During the day, your windows let in more radiant energy than gets out,” says Vera Meharg, Group Marketing Executive, Luxaflex Window Fashions. “Sunlight enters through the glass, but as the window is unable to let infrared radiation escape, your home will get warmer and warmer.”
Shading can significantly reduce solar heat gain through windows, reducing the need for air conditioning and ultimately leading to substantial energy savings. “Stopping the heat of the sun from entering your home in the first place is much better than letting it in and cooling it down afterwards,” Meharg continues.
Outdoor awnings offer an extension of your living space as well as advanced sun protection and airflow, while providing the added benefit of helping maintain your home’s internal temperature. The Australian made Luxaflex® Evo Awning range represents the latest in design and functionality and is available in six models. It is specifically designed for harsh UV and demanding Australian weather conditions and can reduce cooling energy costs by up to 60%[1]. The range comes in a selection of beautiful fabrics and smooth operating systems with various customisable options bringing all the benefits that summer shading provides to suit any house style.
Within this range, there’s also the option of the Luxaflex® Evo MagnaTrack® Awning*, a particularly sophisticated model which uses the power of rare earth Neodymium Magnets within the side channels to hold the fabric in place, making it Australia’s strongest straight drop awning that has been wind tested in Australia. Made exclusively with Luxaflex® Spectra Fibreglass Sunscreen fabric, it is an ideal choice for those looking to improve their home’s sustainability and energy consumption and can help eliminate up to 95%[1] of solar heat while accommodating widths up to 6.5metres, making it very well suited for large patios and windows.
Depending on the position, not all outdoor spaces need covering all of the time during summer, sometimes an awning that can simply be used during the middle of the day when the sun is at its brightest is a better option. The Luxaflex® Folding Arm Awnings** enable this level of flexibility and can be retracted or extended quickly and easily, to instantly transform an outdoor area.
When it comes to external coverings, the larger the awning, the more likely it is that you will want to invest in motorisation for ease and functionality. “By scheduling your awnings to lower as you leave for work in the morning, you can actively help maintain a cool indoor temperature in your home,” says Meharg. “This simple action will help reflect heat and UV rays to drastically reduce a room’s heat gain, as well as help protect furniture from sun damage and fading.”
As well as offering all-important protection from the sun, wind and rain, outdoor awnings can be a great way to give outdoor spaces like patios, decks or terraces a new lease of life, adding an element of sophistication and style. “When choosing the style and layout of your awning, it’s important to ensure it complements the look of any external window coverings you already have, as well as the general colour, look and style of your home,” says Meharg.
* Despite the Luxaflex Evo MagnaTrack Awning’s performance in high wind loads, it is recommended that all awnings be retracted during wet or high wind conditions.
** It is recommended that all awnings be retracted in wet or windy conditions.
[1] https://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/glazing
[2] Based on independent modelling conducted by White Box Technologies in conjunction with Peter Lyons & Associates June 2013. Savings vary based on location, home type and fabric used.
[3]See http://www.endurisglasscore.com/ for details.
For further information, visit www.luxaflex.com.au.
