Good evening everyone!
We are currently about to submit the building notification in Bovenden, just north of the city boundary of Göttingen (Lower Saxony), and we just had our architectural meeting with the architect from our home builder FIBAV.
During the meeting, the topic of roller shutters briefly came up, and we said that we do not want any.
The response was that we should or must consider an alternative type of sun protection.
For us, the issue was settled: we currently live in a rental apartment owned by a Göttingen housing cooperative, first occupied in 10/2014, without roller shutters.
However, afterwards I felt somewhat concerned and asked by email.
The very quick reply was:
“Summer heat protection according to DIN 4108 Part 2 is mandatory and is calculated by [...].
This shows which rooms must be equipped with shading.
Provisions for possible later shading systems can be integrated into the façade either before or after construction.
Please discuss this with your construction manager. He can then coordinate it with the trades.”
It’s good to know that summer heat protection according to the standard is mandatory—also to prevent the majority of people from retrofitting energy-intensive air conditioning later, no question.
But is summer heat protection also a legal or otherwise mandatory requirement, or can we omit it without facing any sanctions—worst case, a forced retrofit?
If summer heat protection is somehow a sanctionable obligation: does it have to be an external shading system?
My wife cannot live without curtains, so we already have some form of interior sun protection—of course less effective than external shading, but present.
We will not install an air conditioning system later...
Regardless of whether it is mandatory: What are the most cost-effective options for reasonably effective heat protection?
Or is that already provided by curtains?
Best regards,
Christian
We are currently about to submit the building notification in Bovenden, just north of the city boundary of Göttingen (Lower Saxony), and we just had our architectural meeting with the architect from our home builder FIBAV.
During the meeting, the topic of roller shutters briefly came up, and we said that we do not want any.
The response was that we should or must consider an alternative type of sun protection.
For us, the issue was settled: we currently live in a rental apartment owned by a Göttingen housing cooperative, first occupied in 10/2014, without roller shutters.
However, afterwards I felt somewhat concerned and asked by email.
The very quick reply was:
“Summer heat protection according to DIN 4108 Part 2 is mandatory and is calculated by [...].
This shows which rooms must be equipped with shading.
Provisions for possible later shading systems can be integrated into the façade either before or after construction.
Please discuss this with your construction manager. He can then coordinate it with the trades.”
It’s good to know that summer heat protection according to the standard is mandatory—also to prevent the majority of people from retrofitting energy-intensive air conditioning later, no question.
But is summer heat protection also a legal or otherwise mandatory requirement, or can we omit it without facing any sanctions—worst case, a forced retrofit?
If summer heat protection is somehow a sanctionable obligation: does it have to be an external shading system?
My wife cannot live without curtains, so we already have some form of interior sun protection—of course less effective than external shading, but present.
We will not install an air conditioning system later...
Regardless of whether it is mandatory: What are the most cost-effective options for reasonably effective heat protection?
Or is that already provided by curtains?
Best regards,
Christian
If the budget doesn’t allow for motorized shutters, it’s better to choose manual shutters with a strap than none at all.
Originally, we didn’t want shutters at all, but we’re really glad we changed our minds. We only use the shutters during the height of summer during the day for heat protection, and if it really gets as cold as –20°C (–4°F), also at night. For that, the strap is sufficient for me. However, if you want a fully sealed room every evening, you should definitely opt for motorized shutters with a central control switch.
By the way, I find straps more comfortable than crank handles. With a crank, you have to stand there forever while the shutters go up and down. With a strap, it only takes about 2 seconds per window. Since we finally agreed on curtains as well, the straps are visually hidden too.
Originally, we didn’t want shutters at all, but we’re really glad we changed our minds. We only use the shutters during the height of summer during the day for heat protection, and if it really gets as cold as –20°C (–4°F), also at night. For that, the strap is sufficient for me. However, if you want a fully sealed room every evening, you should definitely opt for motorized shutters with a central control switch.
By the way, I find straps more comfortable than crank handles. With a crank, you have to stand there forever while the shutters go up and down. With a strap, it only takes about 2 seconds per window. Since we finally agreed on curtains as well, the straps are visually hidden too.
The argument "it’s only a few euros" can be stretched endlessly and applies to many things here. These small amounts add up, and before you know it, the construction becomes more and more expensive. I preferred to stay firm within my budget and therefore ended up well below the price often mentioned here. Regarding comfort, in my old renovated apartment, I had roller shutter switches installed right next to the window (retrofitted). Honestly, whether I operate the switch next to the window or just grab the strap directly makes no difference to me. I didn’t build a passive house or install a central control system—just a simple, standard 42cm (17 inches) brick house, so the straps are just part of the “charm.” It might not be considered modern construction but more like a 1970s style, but I can afford it, and I like it.
Bava schrieb:
To be honest, whether I operate the switch next to the window or simply take hold of the strap, it makes no difference to me.We had these Astro timers in our old house.
However, we eventually turned them off because they controlled our daily routine too strictly.
But I have to admit: it would be nice if the blinds in our secondary rooms went up and down automatically.
But what’s not affordable isn’t.
Instead, we stand by the window and enjoy the view as we pull the strap.
H
HilfeHilfe24 Jun 2019 16:09Bava schrieb:
The argument "it's just a few euros" can be stretched endlessly and comes up with so many things here. The costs add up, and the construction gets more and more expensive. I preferred to stick firmly to my limit and therefore ended up well below the price often mentioned here. Regarding comfort, I had roller shutter switches right next to the window in my old renovated apartment (retrofitted). Honestly, whether I operate the switch next to the window or simply pull the strap by hand makes no difference to me. I didn’t build a passive house, I don’t have central control, etc., just a simple standard 42 cm (17 inches) brick house, and then the straps are just part of the “charm.” Maybe it’s not enough “new build” but rather “1970s,” but I can afford it and I like it.Well, sure, the costs do add up. But roller shutters in general are indisputable for me. The type of drive, analog or mechanical, can be debated.
HilfeHilfe schrieb:
Well, of course, the costs add up. But roller shutters in general are non-negotiable for me. The type of drive, whether manual or mechanical, can be discussed.I would never do without roller shutters either. I just don’t have them on my “arrow slit windows” in the WC, utility room, technical room, and bathroom (north and east sides). Otherwise, especially with the current temperatures, I really feel how important roller shutters are, and I would never consider cutting costs there. To add: I work as a teacher, and at our school, there are no roller shutters, only an external “privacy screen” and curtains inside. For a full-day school, this is unacceptable. It’s incredible how much a well-insulated house can heat up, and by late morning, the upper floor is nearly unbearable. I would strongly recommend investing in roller shutters.
H
hampshire24 Jun 2019 20:45This discussion can only be subjective. Window blinds, Venetian blinds, or roller shutters are of course not absolutely necessary.
Subjectively: I love the atmosphere when muggy heat at midday brings a touch of lethargy to the usual daily hustle. When people find it too tiring to get upset over every little thing. When evenings on the terrace can be long and/or the early warm mornings promise a great day ahead and you’ve already “accomplished something” before breakfast. At times like that, I don’t want to sit in a dark house, but rather open all the windows and enjoy the atmospheric warmth.
Cooling is certainly important, but I find some alternatives to shading more appealing.
Subjectively: I love the atmosphere when muggy heat at midday brings a touch of lethargy to the usual daily hustle. When people find it too tiring to get upset over every little thing. When evenings on the terrace can be long and/or the early warm mornings promise a great day ahead and you’ve already “accomplished something” before breakfast. At times like that, I don’t want to sit in a dark house, but rather open all the windows and enjoy the atmospheric warmth.
Cooling is certainly important, but I find some alternatives to shading more appealing.
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