Solarfin
Colt Solarfin is a fixed or controllable external solar shading system that may be installed either vertically or horizontally in front of the façade.
It may be combined with other Colt products such as rooflights and glazed facades.
A Solarfin shading system can reduce solar heat gain, lower air conditioning running costs, and lessen glare whilst maximising the use of natural daylight.
With over 20 standard profiles, fins are available as one-piece extrusions in widths up to 400mm and as multiple clipped together extrusions in widths up to 1050mm.
Controllable versus fixed fins
A fixed solar shading system may only truly be effective on a south facing building.
Although a solar shading system may enhance the appearance of a building, their function in controlling heat and light energy has to be taken into consideration in order to conform with Approved Document L2.
Controllable solar shading systems can better optimise the flows of heat and light energy than fixed solar shading systems. Since the louvres are designed to follow the path of the sun, daylight levels may be optimised whilst radiation levels reduced to a minimum. The likelihood of overshading or undershading that frequently occurs with fixed solar shading is reduced, since the louvres are always set to optimum shading angle (see below).
On dull days, light sensors operate to fully open the fins to allow the occupants full vision to the outside at all times. Controllable solar shading is also effective when fitted to glazed rooflights.
An additional benefit is that when closed, Solarfin can provide additional security and can help reduce winter heat loss.
The Solarfin system
The Colt Solarfin system comprises a series of extruded aluminium fins mounted into a support frame. The fins may be fixed at any angle and can rotate under motorised control. Fins are available as one piece extrusions in widths up to 400 mm and as multiple clip together extrusions in widths up to 1050 mm. Spans can be up to 6m without intermediate support and up to 10m with intermediate bracing rods. Fabricated and perforated fins are also available.
Colt has a wide range of standard profiles but bespoke profiles and designs can be developed on larger projects.
All principal components are manufactured from extruded aluminium alloy type 6063 T6 with stainless steel fixings. Controllable fins can pivot through 120 degrees and can be controlled by astronomical data operating the actuators to track the path of the sun.
Sunfax is a specially designed computer program that evaluates the effectiveness of a solar shading system. With this program Colt can assess a system design and provide a bespoke solution to meet all aspects of a project.
Backed by an experienced technical support team, Colt can work with the customer from the earliest stages of the project to design an aesthetically pleasing, high performance solar shading system.
Bespoke systems
Colt realise the importance of creativity and individuality when designing a building and offer many bespoke solar systems in such materials as perforated aluminium, wood, terracotta clay, and translucent acrylics.
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