The shading coefficient measures a glass panel’s ability to insulate against solar heat. It is affected by factors such as color, thickness, and reflectivity. A lower rating means less solar heat is transmitted. Proper measurement is important for large buildings, but some structures may desire a lower coefficient for solar heat transmission.
In general, a shading coefficient is a measure of how well windows or glass panels are thermally insulated. This is particularly relevant to determining how well glass protects the interior of a building from the heat generated by direct sunlight. The coefficient measurement is affected by several factors, including the color, thickness and reflectivity of the glass.
Solar heat can be maximized or minimized by a glass panel, such as a window or skylight. The shading coefficient refers to the ability of a particular glass panel to minimize solar heat measured relative to a 0.13 inch (about 25 mm) thick clear glass panel. The coefficient is usually expressed as a number between zero and one. The lower the rating, the less solar heat is transmitted through the glass and the greater its shading ability.
The coefficient is influenced by several factors. One such factor is the color of the glass. Typically, darker colors or coatings on the glass increase the shading coefficient. This means that darker colored or tinted windows usually allow for less solar heat transmission into the area to be protected.
Another factor affecting the coefficient is the reflectivity of the glass. There are certain glazing materials that can be used to coat glass that give the exterior a reflective, mirror-like quality. This means that a part of the solar heat is reflected by the window, thus increasing the coefficient. The thickness of the glass can also affect its ability to transmit solar heat, and thicker glass will often have a higher shading coefficient, especially if a combination of tinting or glazing is used.
Properly measuring the shading coefficient of glass panels is especially important when dealing with larger buildings. Typically, a large building, such as a high-rise office building or indoor shopping mall, has a large amount of exposed glass in its construction. There is therefore a concern regarding the effect of solar heating on internal cooling. Unless the glass panels used have a high coefficient of shading, the interior of the building is likely to become incredibly difficult to keep cool, especially during the hot summer months.
There are times when a lower shading coefficient is desired. In other words, some structures, such as greenhouses or enclosed pool areas, try to use glass panels that transmit solar heat instead of blocking it. In such cases, glass is used that has an extremely low shielding coefficient in order to accentuate the solar heat that is generated.
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