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
Thank you all four of you for your answers and recommendations!
Currently, as briefly described above, we are living in a new build as well, first occupied in 10/2014, but not KFW 55 standard and without mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, only meeting the minimum energy saving regulations, and we don’t have major problems with the heat.
At least, if my wife keeps the bedroom windows closed during the day, which unfortunately isn’t always the case.
The children have also managed so far without serious issues; in summer it only gets really hot on a few days, that’s just how it is.
I don’t want blinds because I know the manually operated shutters from my parents’ house, where either the cord now looks terrible (torn) or the shutters sometimes get stuck or otherwise break down. I don’t want more devices to maintain in or on the house – and especially with the internally fitted and plastered or wallpapered blind boxes, a defect in the cord/motor/remote receiver/blind or anywhere else would mean a big hassle or huge effort – and that with 19 or at least 14 windows...
When I think about the costs for blinds and calculate a cheap motorized version, for 19 windows that comes to at least €3,000 (around $3,200) extra – in reality it will probably be significantly more. I don’t even dare think about KNX and similar systems; I once roughly checked the costs and almost felt sick, quickly reaching the five-digit range.
I am an IT specialist and currently think that my network sockets (and the cabling converging in the utility room) in the rooms are absolutely sufficient.
The only thing I had considered was a system that notifies you when a window is opened (electronic window contacts?), but I couldn’t find reliable prices and expect huge sums ;-(
I would like to avoid retrofitting shutters because I’m afraid of damaging the external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS / external wall insulation) and would possibly have the mounting points for shutters planned already during construction.
However, my wife could get used to shutters, which can also be a design feature – I fear in red, though.
I’m going to take a closer look at exterior venetian blinds now, maybe they are considerably cheaper...
But back to the main question: Is sun protection a legal requirement, meaning can we be held accountable if we leave it out or even forced to retrofit it? Or would we be violating building regulations or similar?
Currently, as briefly described above, we are living in a new build as well, first occupied in 10/2014, but not KFW 55 standard and without mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, only meeting the minimum energy saving regulations, and we don’t have major problems with the heat.
At least, if my wife keeps the bedroom windows closed during the day, which unfortunately isn’t always the case.
The children have also managed so far without serious issues; in summer it only gets really hot on a few days, that’s just how it is.
I don’t want blinds because I know the manually operated shutters from my parents’ house, where either the cord now looks terrible (torn) or the shutters sometimes get stuck or otherwise break down. I don’t want more devices to maintain in or on the house – and especially with the internally fitted and plastered or wallpapered blind boxes, a defect in the cord/motor/remote receiver/blind or anywhere else would mean a big hassle or huge effort – and that with 19 or at least 14 windows...
When I think about the costs for blinds and calculate a cheap motorized version, for 19 windows that comes to at least €3,000 (around $3,200) extra – in reality it will probably be significantly more. I don’t even dare think about KNX and similar systems; I once roughly checked the costs and almost felt sick, quickly reaching the five-digit range.
I am an IT specialist and currently think that my network sockets (and the cabling converging in the utility room) in the rooms are absolutely sufficient.
The only thing I had considered was a system that notifies you when a window is opened (electronic window contacts?), but I couldn’t find reliable prices and expect huge sums ;-(
I would like to avoid retrofitting shutters because I’m afraid of damaging the external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS / external wall insulation) and would possibly have the mounting points for shutters planned already during construction.
However, my wife could get used to shutters, which can also be a design feature – I fear in red, though.
I’m going to take a closer look at exterior venetian blinds now, maybe they are considerably cheaper...
But back to the main question: Is sun protection a legal requirement, meaning can we be held accountable if we leave it out or even forced to retrofit it? Or would we be violating building regulations or similar?
B
boxandroof21 Jun 2019 22:17Yes, it is required by the energy saving regulations if the window area reaches a certain size.
Before anyone inspects, you should have already upgraded yourself.
Compare the orientations and sizes of the windows of the house with those of your apartment. Maybe you have a nice garden on the north side, then it might be feasible. South-facing windows and large west-facing windows should definitely be properly shaded. In autumn, we don’t need to heat for a week if the sun shines strongly into the living room for two days.
Before anyone inspects, you should have already upgraded yourself.
Compare the orientations and sizes of the windows of the house with those of your apartment. Maybe you have a nice garden on the north side, then it might be feasible. South-facing windows and large west-facing windows should definitely be properly shaded. In autumn, we don’t need to heat for a week if the sun shines strongly into the living room for two days.
crion schrieb:
I will take a closer look at venetian blinds, maybe they are significantly cheaper after all...I'm afraid I have to disappoint you. Venetian blinds are quite a bit more expensive than roller shutters. That's why we chose a mix: venetian blinds in the living area and office, and roller shutters everywhere else.
Jo Raffstore is the most expensive, followed closely by aluminum shutters, and then manual roller blinds, which are much cheaper.
All three serve the same purpose; it’s a matter of automation and personal preference. I wouldn’t plan without some kind of shading solution.
All three serve the same purpose; it’s a matter of automation and personal preference. I wouldn’t plan without some kind of shading solution.
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