ᐅ Summer Heat Protection Building Permit / Planning Permission

Hello,
for our new house construction, for which the building permit / planning permission is currently being processed by the district authority, we received information from the structural engineer via our general contractor that the summer thermal protection in the living room unfortunately cannot be met due to too much window area in relation to the room size.

They pointed out that summer thermal protection is regulated in the thermal protection certificate according to the Building Energy Act 2020. This is a legal requirement and must be complied with. The recommendation is to install solar control glazing, which I find very unfavorable because it would make the room darker year-round.

The absurd part is that there is a huge oak tree on the south side of the property, so the living room windows will be in the shade for most of the day.
Another alternative would be roller shutters, costing around 3000€, for something we will never need for the reasons mentioned above.
The solar control glazing would be about 1000€ cheaper but would significantly reduce the living quality.

Is there any affordable way to meet the thermal protection certificate requirement? Due to the shady property, the risk of overheating the room is absolutely not expected...

I suggest early summer as a reference. There is still little foliage on the trees, but the sun is strong, and it gets warm. Use the roller shutters; you will be glad to have shading.

I agree with the previous speaker. Never underestimate a new build. We lived in a KFW55 house for 2 years, and you really can't imagine how much rooms heat up just from sunlight coming through the windows. Even in April/May already.

One year, we had a sunny spring and kept wondering why the living room was constantly at 28°C (82°F) while it was only 20°C (68°F) outside. That single oak tree probably won’t save you.

Paradiddel schrieb:

Hello,
for our new house construction, for which the building permit / planning permission is currently with the district authority, we received information from the structural engineer through our general contractor that the summer thermal insulation in the living room cannot be met. There is too much window area in relation to the room size.
They pointed out that the summer thermal insulation is regulated in the thermal insulation certificate according to the Building Energy Act 2020. This is a legal requirement and must be fulfilled. The recommendation is to install solar control glazing, which I find very unfavorable because it would make the room darker all year round.
The absurd thing is that there is a huge oak tree on the south side of the property, so the living room windows will be mostly in the shade during the day.
Another alternative would be roller shutters, costing around 3000€, for something we will never need for the reasons mentioned above.
The solar control glazing would be about 1000€ cheaper but would significantly reduce the living quality.
Is there any affordable option to meet the thermal insulation certificate requirements? Because of the shady property, overheating of the room is absolutely not to be expected...

Roller shutters on windows where you can nicely look outside? I find that unpleasant. If anything, blinds would be better.

Paradiddel schrieb:

Hello,
for our new house construction, for which the building permit / planning permission is currently being processed at the district office, we received information from the structural engineer through our general contractor that the summer thermal insulation in the living room cannot be met. There is too much window area in relation to the room size.
It was pointed out that summer thermal insulation is regulated by the thermal protection certificate according to the Building Energy Act 2020. This is a legal requirement and must be complied with. The recommendation is to install solar control glass, which I find very unfavorable, as it would make the room darker all year round.
The absurd thing is that there is a huge oak tree to the south of the property, so the living room windows will be mostly shaded throughout the day.
Another alternative would be roller shutters, costing about 3000€, for something we will never need for the reasons mentioned above.
The solar control glass would be about 1000€ cheaper but would significantly reduce living comfort.
Is there any affordable solution to meet the thermal protection certificate? Due to the shaded property, overheating of the room is absolutely not to be expected...

Maybe it would be enough if you make one window a bit smaller?
Otherwise, I would go for roller shutters; at least you can use them at night if you don't need them during the day.

The authority assumes that such a tree might eventually need to be cut down. Of course, I do not wish that for the tree, but I would plan my house to at least include the option of shading. Perhaps a roof over what is currently considered the "intended" terrace might be sufficient, which would then be built only "later."