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Awnings, Canopies & Solar Screens Add Points To LEED Projects
The U.S. Green Building Council does not provide LEED certification for specific products, only for overall projects. However, the use of Markilux commercial awnings, canopies, window awnings and vertical drop exterior solar shades can add significantly to the LEED points of a project under the U.S. Green Building Council LEED guidelines:
Interior Environments Are Enhanced By Commercial Awnings & Canopies
There are number of factors for Interior Environmental Quality that are analyzed during LEED certification. Several can be improved through the use of retractable Markilux commercial awnings, canopies, window awnings and exterior vertical drop solar shades:
- Increased Ventilation: The appropriate use of Markilux retractable awnings, canopies, window awnings and exterior vertical drop solar shades can reduce or eliminate the need for air conditioning during warm days, allowing for the design-in of opening windows to increase natural air ventilation
- Controllability of Systems – Lighting: Markilux retractable awnings, canopies, window awnings and exterior vertical drop solar shades can be sensor controlled and automatically extended during high sun periods to reduce direct and ambient light, and automatically retracted during less sunny periods to provide controllable, natural light.
- Controllability of Systems – Thermal Comfort: Markilux retractable awnings, canopies, window awnings and exterior vertical drop solar shades can be sensor controlled and automatically extended during high sun periods to significantly reduce solar heat gain, and retracted during less cooler periods to provide controllable, natural heating.
- Daylight and Views: Markilux retractable commercial awnings, canopies, window awnings and exterior vertical drop solar shades can be sensor controlled to automatically extended to block unwanted sunlight and solar gain through windows, glass walls and openings without blocking views – allowing a higher ratio of glass to opaque building materials in projects without creating inherent light and cooling management problems.
Awnings & Solar Shades Reduce Thermal Gain & Optimize Energy Performance
Optimization of Energy Performance is the highest single area for achieving LEED points on a project. Utilizing Markilux awnings, canopies, window awnings and exterior solar screens can reduce solar gain up to 90% - by stopping the sun’s rays from ever touching the glass. This is far superior to simply using thermal-pane glass and/or window tints and coatings.
Reducing Heat Flow Through Windows (from buildinggreen.com)
Windows are the weak link, thermally speaking, in most commercial building envelopes. Modern windows are much better 
than old single-pane windows and store-fronts, but they still represent a compromise—we accept their mediocre thermal performance because we want the daylight, views, and ventilation they offer.
Windows and glazing systems allow unwanted heat flow in several ways. They tend to have cracks and gaps around their edges that allow air to leak in or out. They allow heat transfer via conduction across the glass and frames. And they allow heat to radiate through, both as visible light and as invisible, infrared radiation. This solar gain is the biggest source of cooling loads in buildings with large areas of glass.
In the 1950s and 1960s, designers began using tinted glass to reduce solar gain, but that approach reduces visible light transmittance, affects the appearance of the glass, and impairs views.
Markilux awnings and exterior solar screens stop the sun from hitting the glass - the very best solution to stop unwanted solar gain through windows.
Commercial Awnings Reduce Heat Island Effect In Non-Roof Areas
USGBA guidelines call for 50% of a site hardscape (including roads, patios, sidewalks, courtyards and parking areas to have shade, paving materials with a Solar Reflective Index of at least 29, or open grid pavement systems.
By using a Markilux commercial awning or canopy over a patio, courtyard or parking area, the reflected heat is reduced significantly in that area.
For more information about retractable awnings, exterior solar screens, LEED Certification, or any of our complete line of solar shade solutions, please call us 650/685-6888, or email us at info@markiluxawnings.com.
