USE OF SUN SHADING DEVICES FOR THERMAL COMFORT IN RESIDENTIAL

BUILDINGS IN JOS NORTH AREA OF PLATEAU STATE.

BY

NANMAN NANFA GONGFA

UJ/2016/EV/0093

A PROJECT SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE, FACULTY OF

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF JOS, IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF

THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (B.Sc. HONS)

DEGREE IN ARCHITECTURE.

OCTOBER, 2021.

i
 CERTIFICATION

This work has been read and approved as meeting the requirement of Bachelor of Science (B.Sc)

Degree in Architecture, Faculty of Environmental Science.

________________________ ______________________
Arc. Okwoli Francis Peter Date
(Project Supervisor)

________________________ _____________________
Arc. E.T. Dassah Date
(Project Co-ordinator)

________________________ ______________________
Arc. (Dr) R.S. Lekjep Date
(Head of Department)

ii
 DECLARATION

I hereby declare that this project work titled USE OF SUN SHADING DEVICES FOR

THERMAL COMFORT IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS was written by me me under the

supervision of Architect. Okwoli Francis Peter and all material and results that are not original to

this work are fully cited and referenced.

_________________________ _____________________
Nanman Nanfa Gongfa Date

DEDICATION

This research work is dedicated to God Almighty for His unending grace and protection that saw

me throughout the period of my academic program, and also to my Parents, Rev. and Mrs.

iii
NANFA GONGFA VELLE for their relentless effort to my success in life and a source of

inspiration.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

My profound gratitude goes to God Almighty for granting me the grace, strength, good

health, resources and the ability to carry on through the period of my academic program.

iv
 Also, I am deeply indebted to members of my family, Rev. and Mrs. Nanfa Gongfa Velle,

Ponzing Nandir James, Nanfa Nanre Gongfa, Obadiah Peace Vongtau and Nanfa Nansim

Gongfa and Bango Shwarji for their support financially, morally and spiritually.

My special thanks go to my friends, course mates, and the entire students of the

department of Architecture.

This research will not be complete if I fail to appreciate my project supervisor, Arc. (Dr)

Okwoli Francis Peter for his tolerance, patience and support. And special thanks also to the

entire staff of the department of Architecture, University of Jos, Jos.

Contents
CERTIFICATION........................................................................................................................ii
DECLARATION......................................................................................................................iii
DEDICATION......................................................................................................................iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT....................................................................................................v

v
 ABSTRACT.........................................................................................................................xii
Introduction.........................................................................................................................vii
4.6 CASE STUDY 4................................................................................................................viii
Location: Legislative quarters ring road, Jos Plateau state.. . .Error! Bookmark not defined.
Section A (General Questions)................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY…………………………………………………………..1

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM………………………………………………………….3

1.3 OBJECTIVES…………………………………………………………………………………3

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS…………………………………………………………………...4

1.5 JUSTIFICATION OF STUDY……………………………………………………………4

1.6 RESEARCH APPROACH/METHODOLOGY…………………………………………..4

1.7 SOURCES OF DATA………………………………………………………………….....5

1.8 DEFINITION OF KEY CONCEPTS………………………………………………….....5

CHAPTER 2

2.1 LITERATURE REVIEW…………………………………………………………………7

2.1 THE IMPORTANCE OF THERMAL COMFORT IN BUILDINGS……………………9

2.3 HORIZONTAL SUN SHADING DEVICES…………..……………………………………21

2.4 VERTICAL SUN SHADING DEVICES FINS…………………………………………24

2.5 DESIGNING BETTER SUN SHADING DEVICES……………………………………28

vi
2.6 THE OUT-TURN OF USING SUN SHADING DEVICES IN BUILDINGS…….........29

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY………………………………………………………..32

3.1 RESEARCH DESIGN…………………………………………………………………...32

3.2 TYPES AND SOURCES OF DATA……………………………………………………32

3.3 ACTUAL FIELDWORK…………………………………………………………….…33

3.4 SAMPLING TECHNIQUE………………………………………………………….…..33

3.5 METHOD OF QUESTIONNAIRE ADMINISTRATION………………………...........33

3.6 METHOD OF ANALYSIS……………………………………………………………...33

CHAPTER 4
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………………………….34

4.1 PURPOSE OF CASE STUDY………………………………………………………......34

4.2 DESCRIPTION AND ASSESSMENT OF CASE STUDIES…………………………..34

4.3 CASE STUDY ONE……………………………………………………………………..34

4.4 CASE STUDY 2…………………………………………………………………………36

4.5 CASE STUDY THREE………………………………………………………………….38

4.6 CASE STUDY 4…………………………………………………………………………39

4.6 QUESTIONNAIRE DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS:…………………….41

CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 SUMMARY………………………………………………………………………………….59

5.2 RECOMMENDATIONS………………………………………………………………...59

vii
5.3 CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………………………..60

REFERENCES…………………………………………………………………………………..62

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1; Venetian blind in an interior space (google image)……………………………………

18

Figure 2; Sun Louvers on a building (Google images)……………………………………………

19

viii
Figure 3; Roller shades in an interior space (Google image)

……………………………………..20

Figure 4; Projecting Horizontal Balconies on a building (google image)

……………………......22

Figure 5; Canvas Awnings on a residential building (google image)

…………………………….23

Figure 6; Louvered wooden awnings on a building (google image)

……………………………..23

Figure 7; Overhang roof eaves on a residential building (google image)…………………………

24

Figure 8; Inset windows on a building (google image)

…………………………………………..25

Figure 9; Vertical fins on a building (google image)…………………………………………….26

Figure 10; Egg-crate shading device on a building (google image)………………………………

27

Figure 12; Trees used as shading device for a building (google image)

………………………….28

CHAPTER FOUR

Figure 1; One bedroom semi- detached bungalow, Opposite college of accountancy ring
road(Roof eaves-external shading device)………………………………………………35

Figure 2; One bedroom semi- detached bungalow, Opposite college of accountancy ring

ix
 road (window blinds-internal shading device)……………………………………………

36

Figure 3; Exterior of Postgraduate Hostel, University of Jos( Vertical fins, Window hoods-
external shading device)…………………………………………………………………37

Figure 4; Interior of Postgraduate Hostel, University of Jos(Window Blind-Internal

shading device)…………………………………………………………………………38

Figure 5; Exterior of Zion Hostel, University of jos (balconies- external shading device)………

39

Figure 6; Exterior of Zion Hostel, University of Jos (Inset windows- external

shading device)…………………………………………………………………………..40

Figure 7; Exterior of One bedroom semi-detached bungalow in legislative quarters (Roof

eaves- external shading device)………………………………………………………….

41

Figure 8; Interior of one bedroom semi-detached bungalow in legislative quarters (window

blinds- internal shading device)…………………………………………………………41

x
 LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: percentage of Male and Female Correspondents………………………………………42

Table 2: Age Range…………………………………………………………………………..…43

Table 3: level of Education………………………………………………………………………44

Table 4: Tone of Most used exterior wall color…………………………………………………45

Table 5: Tone of Most used interior wall color………………………………………………….47

Table 6: Frequency of the kinds of sun shading devices used…………………………………..48

Table 7: Frequency of the specific kinds of sun shading devices used…………………………49

Table 8: Respondents opinion on wheather shading devices adds to the visual appeal of the
Building………………………………………………………………………………….50

Table 9: Heat Levels During the day without Mechanical

cooling……………………………….51

Table 10: Heat Levels During the evenings even without Mechanical

cooling………………….52

Table 11: Spaces with highest amount of solar

radiation………………………………………...53

xi
Table 12: Spaces with least amount of solar radiation……………………………………………

54

Table 13: Space of low Radiation on Daily performance of activities…………………………..55

Table 14: Thermal comfort levels for different periods in the day………………………………56

Table 15: Overall thermal comfort

level………………………………………………………….57

ABSTRACT

This study, “The Use of Sun Shading Devices for thermal comfort in residential buildings in Jos

north” seeks to examine the effectiveness of employing some sun shading devices in aiding the

attainment of thermal comfort in buildings. The scope of this study will be within the Jos North

Residential Area, with selected case studies on residential housing units in Jos North, with in-

depth analysis on the effects of these devices on both the buildings and their occupants. The

research methodology for this study will be a meticulous analysis of the study area with the

gathered data from questionnaires as well as interviews. Conclusions for the study will be drawn

from the results gotten that imply that the thermal comfort in these selected buildings is on a

fairly satisfactory level. Improvements for higher thermal comfort levels will also be proposed.

xii
 CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Climate is according to the pattern of variation in temperature, humidity, atmospheric

pressure, wind, precipitation, atmospheric particle counts and other meteorological variables in a

given region over long periods. Simply put, it is a series of changes or alterations in nature

atmospherically that have happened over a long time (Planton Serge, 2013, Wikipedia).

The primary function of all buildings is to adapt to the prevailing climate and provide an

internal and external environment that is comfortable and conducive to the occupants(Oluwafemi

K. Akande and Michael A. Adebamowo, 2009). However, in this era of climate change and

global warming, providing comfort for the occupants of a building is quite challenging and very

fundamental. This is as a result of the growing range of challenges now facing designers to

provide buildings that will be fit and comfortable for the 21st century.

Thermal comfort basically has to do with the temperature that the resident considers as

comfortable to stay in, even though in Nigeria the idea of adapting to the hot indoor temperature

comes to play as the different social classes get used to the temperatures that exist in their homes.

Indoor thermal comfort is achieved when occupants are able to pursue without any hindrance,

activities for which the building is intended. Hence, it is essential for occupants’ well-being,

productivity and efficiency(ASHRAE 55:2004).

Thermal comfort is a conditions of mind that expresses satisfaction with the thermal

environment and is assessed by subjective evaluation. Due to its subjectivity, thermal comfort is

different for every individual. It is maintained when the heat generated by the human metabolism

1
is allowed to dissipate at a rate that maintains thermal equilibrium in the body (ANSI/ASHRAE

Standard 55).

Considering the climatic scope of this study to be written is restricted to the warm sunny

climates of the tropics basically. Emphasis is to be put on Tropical Climate, which Martin Clark

(1993) defined as “those in which heat is the dominant problem, and where, at least for a

substantial part of the year, buildings serve to keep the occupants cool, rather than warm and the

annual mean temperature is not less than 20°c”.

Since the invent of mechanical climate controlling equipment, some designers have

stopped seeing the need for achieving ventilation and thermal comfort without use of major

energy consuming machines (for example air conditioning system). This shouldn't be so. This

equipment is said to be most responsible for Ozone depletion by the so called 'green house gases'

they all emit (S. Solomon 1999).

Instead of these rampant non-considerate designs that involve the sucking of energy by

countless mechanical climate controlling equipment, to then reduce cost incurred by using this

various equipment, designing for thermal comfort by non-electrical or mechanical is a major

design consideration. For instance, places like Portugal, the government actually made laws and

building (e.g. The Law of Thermal Insulation) which obligate designing for thermal comfort

making most buildings there characterized by the use of sun shading device (IEA, Portugal

2006).

2
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

To a layman, the very obvious problem in this type of our region is that "there is too

much sun”. More technically put, the big challenge is the negative effect of solar radiation on

buildings in general (external surfaces and interiors) and humans occupying the buildings

themselves. This solar radiation creates a negative effect on thermally irksome environments.

Optimal design would be one that isn't solely based on these climate-controlling machines (air

conditioners) that are energy consuming and ozone depleting systems. As earlier stated in the

introduction, due to man's problem-solving nature and wanting to reduce incurred cost.

Architects try to find more natural and less energy consuming methods to eliminate the

negative effects of solar radiation. Although Olygay (1957) believed environmental elements had

their own limitations and that the solution to these problems can't be solely by natural means.

This study is aimed at looking into Some Sun Shading Devices that would assist in the designing

of residential buildings in ways that building occupants and users have maximum thermal

comfort ability without the need for cooling machines.

1.3 OBJECTIVES

The objectives will be:

1. To examine how important thermal comfort is to both the occupants or users and the

building itself.

2. To examine different methods or processes by which thermal comfort can be improved.

3. To identify the different kinds of sun shading devices and their modes of applications in

buildings.

3
1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

Every research topic needs thresholds; this is where asking these questions come to play. In

order to give this research an authentic scope, content and direction, the following research

questions are to be asked:

1. What really is the importance of thermal comfort in buildings relating to both the

occupants and the building itself?

2. Does the use of sun shading devices actually enhance the quality of thermal Comfort in

buildings? If so, by how much?

3. Asides thermal comfort, what other effects do sun shading devices has on buildings?

1.5 JUSTIFICATION OF STUDY

1. To the general public, this study is supposed to create a level of awareness on the topic '

thermal comfort' and how Sun Shading devices help in attaining this.

2. To other researchers, the study will either act as a basis for subsequent and improved

studies on this topic and related topics or increase their knowledge in this area.

3. To Architects, building designers and Architecture students, this study should be a

source of relevant information on how using Sun Shading devices help enhance thermal

comfort and its structural effects on buildings, while also, adding to available literature.

1.6 RESEARCH APPROACH/METHODOLOGY

In line with achieving the project's objectives, relevant literature from the Internet, textbooks,

and journals, published and unpublished theses will be considered. Some existing buildings will

be studied, in order to attain comprehensive and thorough information on the subject matter.

Physical surveys and evaluation of some existing buildings will also be conducted. Actual

4
fieldwork will involve interviews (sometimes oral) and questionnaires will be administered to

users to examine the performance of the buildings in relation to thermal comfort and the use of

sun shading devices.

1.7 SOURCES OF DATA

Data gathered will secondarily be from existing literature off the Internet, libraries,

textbooks, journals, related past projects, writing aids and architectural magazines. Since the

survey approach is to be taken in this project, the primary source of data would be from the

questionnaires and oral interviews with respondents on the subject matter of thermal comfort

enhancement by sun shading devices.

1.8 DEFINITION OF KEY CONCEPTS

Climate: Climate is a measure of the average pattern of variation in temperature, humidity,

atmospheric pressure, wind, precipitation, atmospheric particle counts and other meteorological

variables in a given region over long periods of time.

Building: A building is a man-made structure with a roof and walls standing more or less

permanently in one place. Buildings come in a variety of shapes, sizes and functions, and have

been adapted throughout history for a wide number of factors, from building materials available,

to weather conditions, to land prices, ground conditions, specific uses and reasons.

Thermal Comfort: Within building science, thermal comfort is defined as a heat transfer balance

between a person with his/her surroundings. Thermal comfort is the condition of mind that

expresses satisfaction with the thermal environment and is assessed by subjective evaluation.

Thermal neutrality is maintained when the heat generated by human metabolism is allowed to

dissipate, thus maintaining thermal equilibrium with the surroundings. "use main factors that

5
influence thermal comfort are those that determine heat gain and loss, namely metabolic rate,

clothing insulation, air temperature, mean radiant temperature, air speed and relative humidity.

Solar Radiation: Solar radiation is the radiation, or energy we get from the sun. It is the radiant

energy emitted by the sun from a nuclear fusion reaction that creates electromagnetic energy.

This radiation seemingly carries light and heat energy unto the earth.

Shading Devices: Shading devices are purpose-built devices to protect buildings from the

sunlight, from natural light, or screening them from view. It helps to improve users comfort

visually by controlling solar glare, which leads to, increased productivity and satisfaction.

Shading devices can form part of the facade or can be mounted on the building; they can be

fixed or operable.

6
 CHAPTER 2

2.1 LITERATURE REVIEW

Just like stated in the previous chapter, thermal comfort is a perception of the mind that

expresses contentment of a user with his/her immediate thermal environment (ANSI, ASHRAE

Standard 55). According to the ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals (1989), the environmental

factors that affect the quality of indoor environment are the thermal climate (which is determined

by wet- and dry-bulb temperatures, relative humidity or water vapor pressure, and air

movement), atmospheric components (that include gases and vapors) and air distribution or

mixing pattern of ventilation air. Satisfaction with the thermal climate of the environment is very

important because it influences health and productivity. Surveys worldwide show that office

workers who feel content with their immediate thermal environment are in the end more

productive than those who are not. Thermal discomfort, which is apparently the opposite of

thermal comfort, has also been known to cause sick building syndrome symptoms and reduce

productivity of the workers. Obviously, with the knowledge of these, thermal comfort should be

strived for. In this chapter, we would delve into what qualities actually makes a thermal

environment to be classified as satisfactory to the occupants and how buildings can be tweaked

from their default status into better ones by thermal comfort tactics, especially sun shading

devices. The primary factors that affect thermal comfort are the physical (characteristics of the

occupants) and environmental factors (conditions of the thermal environment). The physical

factors include metabolic rate and clothing level of the occupants. The environmental factors are

conditions like temperature, air movement and humidity.

7
Metabolic Rate

Metabolic rates of people vary always due to environmental conditions and activity levels

of each person. According to the ASHRAE 55-2010 Standard, Metabolic rate is the level or rate

at which chemical energy is transformed into heat and mechanical work by an organism's

metabolic activities, mathematically expressed in the terms of unit area of the total body surface.

Clothing Insulation

Thermal comfort is significantly impacted by the amount of clothing insulation a person wears,

because it influences heat gain/loss and ultimately the thermal balance. Layers of clothing

insulation prevents heat loss and can either lead to overheating or keeping a person depending on

the external temperature of the environment. In other words, the thicker the garment, the more

the strength of insulation capacity the garment has.

Temperature

This is described as the degree of heat intensity present in air. Briefly, it is the numerical

measure of hot or cold. The degree of hotness or coldness in a space is actually the most

important factor in determining if the occupants have thermal comfort or not.

Air Movement

Air movement is easily described as wind. The effects of difference in atmospheric pressure

(circulation and ventilation) and temperature (thermal buoyancy, stack effect, convection

currents) mostly cause wind. The action of wind is of utmost importance in attaining thermal

8
comfort as it helps reduce perspiration rate of occupants, ventilating the space and replacing

already heated air with cooler air.

Humidity

Humidity is the amount of water vapor content in the air. High humidity undermines the

effectiveness of sweating in helping to cool the human body and this result in thermal

discomfort. The human body is very responsive to humid air because the human body utilizes the

process of evaporative cooling as the primary mechanism used for regulating temperature. Under

very humid conditions, the perspiration on the skin evaporates at a noticeably lower rate. Some

people have breathing difficulties in high humidity environments. Some cases can be related to

respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, asthma, or might just be the product of anxiety.

Therefore, it is just pure wisdom to aim at reducing humidity levels of a building’s interior if

looking to attain thermal comfort for the occupants.

2.1 THE IMPORTANCE OF THERMAL COMFORT IN BUILDINGS

Thermal comfort is a very important aspect of the design process as the modern man is

said to spend most of the day being indoors (Joost van Hoof, 2010). Apparently, we cannot

undermine the importance of properly ventilated and thermal comfortable buildings. Occupants'

satisfaction levels on their qualities of living are largely influenced by the thermally comfort they

attain in their buildings. Thermally uncomfortable buildings caused a medical condition called

sick building syndrome which (Dictionary.com) defines as a condition which affects workers

marked by headaches and respiratory problems, attributed to unhealthy factors in the working

environment such as poor ventilation. From the early Egyptian civilization, their thermally

unfriendly desert-like climate had to be combated by their building designs. They had splayed

9
windows, which helped with admittance of light but still reduced amount of solar heat gain and

draught entering the spaces. They had uncomplicated open-air sections and flat roofs that had no

drainage issues. Their building walls were thickened to reduce the walk conduction of heat

during the day and also helped to retain some little heat that would have been gained during the

day when it becomes extremely cold at night. Buildings are designed for the comfort of the

occupants. When they do not meet the satisfaction needed by the prospective occupants, they can

be said to be design failures. Architects are to strive to attain thermal comfort in every design

they do without necessarily needing to call on electrical artificial tweaks to the designs. As stated

above, thermally uncomfortable buildings cannot be condoned by persons who live/work in these

thermally uncomfortable buildings. If a building then fails in comfort ability, these occupants

would then go any length in creating temporary solutions for their comfort states. These

'solutions' usually end up warping a well-thought low-energy design strategy of the architect

since they are usually not even cheap to purchase and use both cost-wise and energy-wise.

To prevent this, architects and designers would be implored to examine different methods

and tactics by which thermal comfort can be attained likewise attaining creative tactics for

designs that are still functional, aesthetically pleasing and still structurally stable.

Thermal Comfort strategies In Buildings

The idea of thermal discomfort cannot be attributed to just one or two causes. Thermal

discomfort is caused by various factors like; environmental factors, state of the building itself

and the physical characteristics of even the occupants themselves. Knowing this, thermal comfort

cannot just be achieved by single approaches. For effective fathoming of thermal comfort

problems, series of different tactics can be considered. Some of these strategies include:

A. In-Depth Knowledge of Proposed Site Environment

10
 B. Building Orientation

C. Building Massing and Configuration

D. Proper Ventilation and Avoidance of Artificial Lighting When Possible

E. Kinds of Building Materials and Finishes Used

F. Integrating Building Elements on Building design

In-Depth Knowledge of Proposed Site Environment

Before any design is instigated; there must be a proper physical analysis of the proposed site

and its environment. These forms of analysis are to acquire certain data on the site ranging

from its microclimatology which can be said to be the study of the weather and climatic

conditions within a well-defined relatively small area (the proposed site), the sun paths of

that region, looking also at the wind movement patterns of that area, the kind of vegetation

present on site to know those that would help noise and dust buffering, help ventilation and

to decide which trees would be retained or felled in the site and distinct landforms like

mountains, water bodies etc. if there are any present on the proposed site. Structures around

(not necessarily on the site) the site must be taken note of and also studied, as they are also

major influences on the eventual thermal comfort condition of the site. Getting in- depth

knowledge of the proposed site and its environment cannot be undermined as every little

detail would end up being of great importance in attaining thermal comfort eventually

Building Orientation

However the building is orientated is not of little importance. When orientating a building,

the sun path, landscape and wind pattern for the proposed site must be considered. Like stated

above, for optimal orientation, the designer must have gathered in-depth data or information on

11
the site's physical properties. Building orientation for thermal comfort is concerned with both

solar heat gain and natural ventilation. In terms of solar heat gain, the amount of heat gained

from the sun varies from facade to facade on the buildings. All around the world, the sun tends to

rise in the eastern part early in the morning, get directly overhead by noon and during the

evening, tends to set in the western part. Sun path around a building (google image)

It should be noted that;

A. The amount of sunlight deemed to be optimal for achieving natural day lighting is

often not optimal for amount of solar heat gained by the building.

B. The heat generated by the sun does not come from all directions; walls not facing the

sun's path at that given time get no heat gain, even though they are still able to get large

amounts of diffused light.

C. Unlike the sun's light that cannot be stored by thermal mass, the sun's heat can be

stored. This might end up useful for west-facing walls in buildings to store heat for the

nighttime. (Autodesk, 2014)

12
 In terms of natural ventilation, buildings are to be oriented to utilize the cooling breezes.

A"wind-rose' diagram can be used to study the prevailing winds of a site throughout the year and

then know which winds to be taken advantage of and be avoided.

Wind Rose diagram (Autodesk, 2014)

In most cases, when you choose to orient the building in such a way that the shorter axis

aligns with prevailing winds, natural ventilation is maximal, while when you choose to orient the

building perpendicular to prevailing winds, natural ventilation is minimal. (Autodesk, 2014)

However, good cross-ventilation cannot be achieved by only facing buildings directly into the

wind. The internal spaces and structural elements can be designed in manners to channel air

through all around the building in different directions. For buildings that have courtyards,

orienting the courtyard 45 degrees from the prevailing wind maximizes wind in the courtyard

and cross ventilation through the building.

13
 Buildings usually have their shorter sides in an east-west direction instead of north-south

direction, as by the sun path the eastern and western parts of the sites would be the hottest.

Building Massing and Configuration

The depth, area and shape of a building have a major effect on the heating and cooling impact

the building gets. In the tropics, with mostly hot conditions, buildings having larger footprints or

areas and a relatively large amount of floor space quite distant from the building's exterior will

need proper ventilation and heat removal in the interior zones for thermal comfort to be reached.

Designers are advised to position frequently used spaces in the buildings (like bedrooms and

living rooms) in close proximity to exterior walls of the building. For this to become feasible,

Buildings are configured to be narrower than they used to be and then they become seemingly

longer. This act of massing and configuration to attain thermal comfort should be considered at

the initial stages of the design. Not all interior spaces in residential spaces need to be exposed to

the exterior and designers would also put this into consideration.

Proper Ventilation and Avoidance of Artificial Lighting When Possible

Natural ventilation is arguably the cheapest way of achieving thermal comfort in buildings.

This tactic is concerned with creating proper avenues for natural ventilation and reducing heat

generation caused by excessive use of artificial lighting. Knowledge on wind movement patterns

previously earned from the proposed site's physical analysis comes into play here.

The building's orientation is also a major factor in placing ventilation outlets and inlets.

Windows serving as ventilation inlets are usually placed facing pre-vailing winds bringing cool

breeze into the site and helping achieve comfort. Natural day lighting should also be planned for

as it helps reduce heat gain through the use of artificial lighting fixtures.

14
Kind of Building Materials and Finishes Used.

The choice of kinds of building materials and finishes to be used when designing is a

determinant to how much thermal comfort can be attained. The smallest details like the texture

and color of paint used in finishing are to be considered also. Each building material or finish

used is said to have a given 'thermal characteristic'. This term is determined by the thermal

masses (ability to store heat) of these individual finishes and materials. Logically, lighter weight

materials (like plaster board, fiber cement, expanded polystyrene) would have lower thermal

masses since they should be able to lose heat at a faster rate, whereas the denser building

materials (like concrete, stones, bricks etc.) are heavier and would have higher thermal masses.

In summary, the heavier and denser the building materials are the more amount of heat they can

absorb. Since seasonal variation is inevitable, designers are advised to effectively combine use of

dense and lightweight building materials with thermally efficient colors too coming into play.

Timber

Timber when used as the main building material or a form of finish is considered to be

lightweight. It has quite a low thermal mass property meaning it absorbs and loses heat very

quickly and easily. Timber in the tropics, neglecting the risk of termite action would be very

reasonable as it is usually warm all-round the year and helps maintain thermal comfort as it loses

heat easily.

Concrete

In this part of the world, concrete is mostly used for residences. Concrete is categorized as a very

dense building material. It has high thermal mass and loses absorbed heat very slowly.

Statistically, concrete stores very high amount of heat energy compared to other commonly used

15
building materials. Concrete is compulsively used in the tropics due to durability, to counter its

heat absorbing properties bright colored paint and other forms of finishes are used.

Color

Color by general definition is a visual perception in relation to the human eye. Color of building

materials is the color shade, which the building envelope is painted or finished with. Studies

have shown that darker colors absorb greater percentage of so lar heat and hardly reflect any

of it. While, the brighter colors hardly absorb any solar heat and have very high reflectance rates.

Knowing this, most designers used very bright colors for building exteriors so as to minimize the

amount of heat entering the building.

Integrating Building Elements on Building Designs

In the course of designing for thermal comfort, some physical or structural changes have to be

made. These changes are to minimize the effect of solar radiation and also help in ventilation.

These building elements that are to be altered to aid thermal comfort include windows. Windows

are used to get light and ventilation into a building. At times, windows actually allow too much

solar glare into the interior space. In an attempt to combat this, tweaks like window coloration

and tinting are employed to reduce amount of light entering the interior space. In most cases,

these building elements also serve aesthetic and decorative purposes. Asides windows, these

building elements are mostly Sun Shading Devices. They are categorized into Internal Shading

Devices (e.g. venetian blinds, curtains and drapes) and External Shading Devices (e.g. window

hoods, eaves, fills, overhangs and sometimes vegetation in forms of shrubs and trees).

Sun Shading Devices

16
Solar radiation can be transmitted to any exposed building surface (walls, windows etc.). In a bid

to attain thermal comfort in the tropics, direct or indirect inflow of heat must be minimized. 'The

windows account for the greatest amounts of heat entering the building and therefore shading

them, offers the greatest protections". Knowing this, it is important for a designer to shade a

building's windows. Sun shading devices are not so complicated to implement. Some very

effective and easy to install ones exist.

Roof eaves, for instance, are often undermined. Notwithstanding, it is one often cheapest and

easiest ways to shade a building's envelope. Just that, building orientation, length of the eave

projection and the knowledge of the sun's path should be well considered for this shading system

with eaves to be totally efficient. Shading devices are of two major types based on their

placement on the building. This can be either on the building's exterior (External Shading

Devices) or inside the building (Internal Shading Devices). When using the internal shading

devices, most of the solar rays are absorbed, convected and reradiated into the room while the

external shading devices actually shade the window from direct radiation, hence, a large

percentage of the heat cannot get in.

Internal Sun Shading Devices

By the name, internal shading devices are incorporated within a building's interior. They

basically comprise of some forms of material covering the glare coming in from the window

openings. They function in various ways; some are brightly colored and reflect solar rays back

outwards of the building while some are even designed to absorb the solar rays. They are flexible

and administered time to time based on the wish of the occupants of the building. They include

drapes, venetian blinds, louvers, curtains, shutters etc.

17
Venetian Blinds

The venetian blind is a common used kind of window blind consisting of numerous horizontal

slats that are pivoted to be able to control the number of solar rays passing through. This shading

system can be likened to that of the Louvers but the horizontal layers are on a multiplied scale.

Venetian blinds add aesthetic value to the interior and are also functional. Adjusting the tilting

angle of the blinds efficiently controls the amount of light entering the interior spaces.

Depending on the angle, heat and light rays are either reflected away from the building or

transmitted into the interiors. In cases where the occupants would like a total view of the

outdoors and wouldn't want their line of vision to be hindered by the venetian blinds, draw cords

are provided. These draw cords help to completely raise the venetian blinds into a compacted

collapsed position where the venetian blinds pose no threat to the line of vision of the occupants

to the outdoors. (Wulfinghoff, D. R. 1999) They are finished with various patterns and colors

that usually have high reflectance values. In most cases, the main material they are made from is

aluminum. But, giving a feel of nature and luxury, naturally existing materials like wood have

been recently used in making venetian blinds also. These horizontal slats are high in number and

are usually made of thin strips of whatever material is being used (wood or aluminum).

18
Figure 1; Venetian blind in an interior space (google image)

Louvers

Louvers are usually used in door and window types. Louvers by definition have a set of angled

slats at regular intervals, which screen the amount of light, heat and air passing through into the

interior spaces. They can either be flexible or fixed. When flexible or operable, they are

engineered to be able to rotate through an approximately 180-degree axis. If the occupant

chooses not to totally reflect the light outwards of the building, the Louvers can be angled in a

way that the light rays are bouncing of its usually reflective material into the interior space.

When installed at fixed angles, the Louvers are engineered to reflect outwards the higher and

hotter sun rays and let the lower and less warm sun rays into the interior spaces. (D.R.

Wulfinghoff, 1999) Aluminum alloys are the most commonly used materials for making sun

Louvers. For longevity and durability of these materials, the alloys are usually powdered, coated

or even painted. These tweaks to its appearance also enhance its aesthetic effects on the

building's general outlook.

19
Figure 2;Sun Louvers on a building (Google images).

Roller Shades

This system is a little similar to the venetian blinds. They are also called 'roller blinds' or 'roll

down shades'. This system is highly operable by the roller shades are engineered to fit into the

window frame and are just like an extra layer of material entering the interior space. Roller

shades are created in a very wide variety of materials, weaves or fabrics. The most common

roller shades types are made of completely opaque materials are usually put in place to darken

rooms and attain maximum privacy. They act as insulators on small scale, block solar rays

entering the interiors and also help to trap air sometimes.

20
Figure 3; Roller shades in an interior space (Google image).

External Sun Shading Devices

Nominally, external shading devices are incorporated outside a building. They are found

attached to a building's envelope or fixed to exterior pans of windows. Knowledge of mechanics

of the sun's position and sun's path also come into play when using these shading devices.

External shading devices are usually preferred to internal ones and are deemed more effective.

They are of various forms, which are effective for different seasons and different building

orientations. The horizontal shading devices (roof eaves, overhangs, and other horizontal

elements), the vertical shading devices (fins and other vertical elements), the egg-crate shading

devices which implore both the horizontal and vertical shading elements simultaneously and the

natural shading devices (trees) For efficient shading, elements are sometimes inclined

downwards, upwards or even sideways and can either be fixed or moveable. Like almost

everything in life, the use of external shading devices in buildings also has its snags which

include; rigidity in functioning, difficulty in cleaning, difficulty in maintenance and liability to

debasement.

2.3 HORIZONTAL SUN SHADING DEVICES

Horizontal shading devices exist mostly in form of roof eaves and overhangs, canopies,

balconies and horizontal shelves and so on. They are best suited to the longer southern and

northern building elevations.

Projecting Horizontal Shelves and Balconies

This is a commonly used method of shading northern and southern building faces. They are of

little or no value on any other orientation. Horizontal shelves must be considered at the initial

21
stages of the design and built into the building's structure, by reason of this; they are limited to

new construction. For effectiveness, they should be a lot wider than the windows. As usual, they

are installed at levels above that of the windows. Shelves are installed along the whole span of

the northern or southern faces if the windows are in close proximity to each other. As for the

balconies; they usually produce the same effect as in the case of the horizontal shelves. They

provide considerable shading even when they are not facing a northerly or southerly direction.

Balconies help provide additional value as they can be utilized as spaces, aesthetic components

and as ambiance features. In the Figure above, the horizontal shelves also serve as balconies.

Figure 4; Projecting Horizontal Balconies on a building (google image)

Awnings

Awnings are downwardly projected building elements made out of canvas sheets or other

building materials attached to buildings' exterior walls serving as covering for windows and

other openings. Usually made up of canvas, polyester fabric, or sometimes cotton. They are

usually designed to be retractable. (D. R. Wulfinghoff, 1999) Awnings are usually supported by

22
smaller lighter structures of wood, aluminum or steel, which are also attached to the building’s

exterior walls. These support structures are either space frames, planar frames or even truss

systems at times. When the use of fabric awnings does not seem practicable, louvred aluminum

awning systems are commonly used. Awnings should be designed to be larger than the window

spaces, to prevent excessive amount of heat gain from the sides.

Figure 5; Canvas Awnings on a residential building (google image)

Figure 6; Louvered wooden awnings on a building (google image)

Overhangs and Roof Eaves

23
Overhangs are very widely used shading devices. By definition, they are usually horizontal

projections from the roofs or exterior walls above windows, doors and other openings.

Most scholars classify roof eaves as a type of overhang and some don 't. (Crosby, 1997) states

that fixed overhangs are the most durable but also the least flexible and efficient. When

designing in passive solar building designs, eaves can get extended to even two meters. Asides

helping in achieving thermal comfort, they help to reduce below-grade moisture problems and

protecting the wall paints or finishes.

Figure 7; Overhang roof eaves on a residential building (google image)

Recessed and Inset Windows

When inset windows are employed, it is the entire exterior walling that acts as a shading

device. This is a very rigid and non-flexible system. Apparently, to use this system, a designer

must have put it into consideration from the initial stages of the design. Unlike other rational

methods of actually trying to minimize solar heat gain, the use of recessed and insert windows is

most times for the aesthetic satisfaction. (D. R. Wulfinghoff, 1999) It is even considered a waste

of utilizable space and is very expensive to be designed. It also drastically reduces amount of

24
natural day lighting received by the building 's interior. Although, when this system is properly

thought about and designed, it can be one of the most effective sun shading systems.

Figure 8; Inset windows on a building (google image)

2.4 VERTICAL SUN SHADING DEVICES FINS

Fins are vertical sun shading devices placed on openings of a building. They are used to shade

building surfaces and interiors from the sun's intense solar rays as wisdom should demand, they

are usually placed on the pans of the building facing the eastern and western direction for

effective functioning. Depending on the type, these fins can be adjusted to tilt at different angles

at different times in the day. The effectiveness of these fins also depends on their depth. The

farther away the depth of the fin is from the building, the greater the shadow it casts hence,

increasing its shading effect. Like all other sun shading devices, they also add an aesthetic effect

to the buildings general outlook.

25
Figure 9; Vertical fins on a building (google image)

Egg-crate Sun Shading Devices

Like earlier stated, these egg-crate sun shading devices are invented when both horizontal and

vertical shading devices are implored at the same time intertwined with each other on the same

building. They can look like blocks, grills, and sometimes, depending on the designer's

creativity, they can take the form of decorative patterns like circles and different sizes depending

also on the designer's specifications. Similar to the fins, with knowledge of the sun path in that

region and the building's orientation, they are usually placed on the pans of the building facing

the eastern and western directions. The egg-crate sun shading devices might add the most

aesthetic values to buildings when considered they are the least flexible of the shading devices.

They are also expensive and have several complications in installation; this then discourages

their use in residential buildings.

26
Figure 10; Egg-crate shading device on a building (google image)

Vegetative/Natural Sun Shading Devices

Natural shading devices are the last types to be looked at. They actually perform quite a number

of functions when they are put in place. Unlike every other shading device earlier mentioned, the

use of vegetation (tree; and shrubs) as shading devices aids the whole ventilation process as they

create and aid the exchange of gases. These same trees provide shading for both the openings on

the buildings and even on the building’s exterior surfaces. How effective these trees are with

shading depends on the kinds of trees planted. Trees with thicker foliage will obviously provide

more effective shading effects than those with foliage that are not as thick. In selecting these

trees, special characteristics based on seasonal variations for these trees must also be considered.

Maintenance plans must also be made, as these trees will most definitely shed their leaves from

time to time.

27
Figure 12; Trees used as shading device for a building (google image)

2.5 DESIGNING BETTER SUN SHADING DEVICES

The design of sun shading devices is quite complex. A few people have even created computer-

aided sun shading device designers to ease the design process. But, in the presence of proper

knowledge of sun’s path and positions some manual methods can still be used. The aim when

designing sun shading devices is for the building to be shaded most of the hours in a day and

almost all round the year's duration. Also, as sun shading reduces daylight admittance by an

28
extent, the designer must ensure natural daylight entering the building is still very adequate for

the day’s activities(Donald, 2008).

Some of the major design considerations here are; the climate, the seasonal variations, window

protection, shadow angles and shading dimensions. (Donald Prowler, 2008) has a few steps to

help in designing sun shading devices, which are as follows;

 Limiting amount of east west glazing in buildings, as they are a lot harder to shade than

the north south oriented ones.

 Major consideration of day lighting, designing the sun shading devices to reduce heat

gain but still try to maximize natural day lighting admittance.

 Rule of the thumb; horizontal shades particularly, need exact knowledge of the sun path.

Each shading device then needs to be customized to the individual window orientations.

Eastern and Western oriented windows are advised to be covered with Vertical Sun

Shading Devices and Louvers mostly.

 In-depth study and understanding of the sun angles. Sun angles, sun path and sun

positions are very critical in designing sun shading devices as they affect building

orientation and even selection of types of shading devices to be used.

2.6 THE OUT-TURN OF USING SUN SHADING DEVICES IN BUILDINGS

In recent times, designing with integration of sun shading devices has become a norm. The

primary function of sun shading devices is to reduce amount of intense solar radiation hitting a

building's surface and even getting into the interior. Due to the complexity of the concept of sun

shading devices, apart from trying to achieve thermal comfort their use has quite a number of

29
other effects on the buildings outlook, the interior and a few other things. Some of the other

effects are:

Airflow Distribution;

Sun shading devices have a predominant effect on the airflow distribution in and out of a

residence. More interestingly so, the effect is even flexible based on whether the sun shading

devices are vertical sun shading devices or horizontal sun shading devices. The window leaves in

conjunction with the sun shading devices divide and deflect the incoming airflow. Air velocity is

reduced as the sun shading devices modify the shape of the incoming air stream. When the side-

ends of windows have vertical sun shading devices placed close to them, these vertical shading

devices will break the incoming air stream. Breaking of this air stream causes deceleration of

airflow. When attempting to counter this, the middle-positioned window leafs will be removed

and the vertical sun shading devices wouldn't be placed anywhere near the window's side-ends.

This allows more influx of airflow into the space. Likewise, at the windward side, these same

vertical shading devices help to break incoming winds. (Wong Nyuk Hien, 2003).

Building Outlook;

The general outlook of a building will definitely be altered by the use of sun shading devices. In

most cases, positive aesthetic changes sometimes turn out to be negative. The internal sun

shading devices multi-task as internal decorative features, so do the external shading devices for

the exterior walls of the building. In designs that are aimed at creating illusions of certain

conceptual forms, flexible sun shading devices are used to achieve this visual effect. On the

designer's part, to avoid negative aesthetic effects of sun shading devices, he/she is advised to

30
integrate them into the design of the building from the earliest stages so they won’t end up

looking like afterthoughts and mistakes (Donald Prowler, 2008)

Admittance of Daylight;

Sustainable architecture requires a great use of natural day lighting. Although sun

shading devices are used in hope of achieving thermal comfort, they can pose a challenge to the

provision of adequate natural day lighting, especially the rigid, non-flexible or user operate able

types. These sun shading devices reduce amount of day light illumination entering the buildings

interiors. Visual comfort might then be tempered with, since the excessive reduced admittance of

illumination and glare causes poorer natural lighting of the building’s interiors. So, it should be

noted that only in regions like the arid regions and tropics which have excessive supply of

radiant energy from the sun that sun shading devices should try to be integrated in the design

process. At times, direct solar radiation from the sun only helps to illuminate the immediate

regions close to windows, so the sun shading devices actually have little or no cause for the poor

interior lighting. (Wong Nyuk Hien, 2003)

External View;

Shading devices seem to create an interference of the occupants view of the exterior

surroundings. This happens when openings (windows) are excessively shaded. Some flexible and

operable shading devices can be withdrawn when the occupant is in need of a clear view of the

exterior surroundings, but when otherwise, the occupant is resigned to a poor view of the exterior

environment.

31
 CHAPTER THREE

3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

At this stage of this research, this is where information is gathered to carry out the project. Here,

I shall discuss the kinds of raw information (data) gathered, methods that will be used in

gathering and collecting such data and then the sampling techniques and methods to be used for

the analysis of this aforementioned gotten data.

3.1 RESEARCH DESIGN

This research design is aimed at identifying the sun shading devices used in residential house

units in Jos north and how they help to achieve thermal comfort for the occupants.

This research design involves the proving of the study area and in-depth analysis of data

acquired from the interviews and questionnaire to determine the relevant information needed

regarding the questions of the research.

3.2 TYPES AND SOURCES OF DATA

For the defined objectives of this project, two categories of data will be collected; the primary

data and the secondary data. The primary data involved data gathered by oral interviews with the

resource persons as respondents to the distributed questionnaire, to determine their comfort

levels experienced due to the presence of sun shading devices in the buildings they live in. There

are both open-ended and close-ended questions so as to get respondents' personal views and

allow for easy analysis. The secondary data is data gotten from past literature that were adjudged

to be relevant to the topic of the research enabling on to be acquainted with the topic and also be

able to properly define and address the questions of the research. They include architectural

magazines, related texts, journal articles, internet articles, related past projects (grey literature)

and writing aids (general encyclopedias, thesaurus and dictionaries)

32
3.3 ACTUAL FIELDWORK

The actual fieldwork was very basic. It involved interviews of occupants in the different housing

units by questionnaire and verbally when deemed necessary and collection of pictorial

illustrations of these units as case studies for analysis. These gotten data is included in the final

data analysis.

3.4 SAMPLING TECHNIQUE

The selection of the respondents will be done by the systematic random sampling technique, but

case study buildings were purposively selected.

3.5 METHOD OF QUESTIONNAIRE ADMINISTRATION

Possibilities of potential research samples are unlimited. Focus is on randomly selected

residential units in different towns in Northern Nigeria (Jos). The questionnaires are distributed

to the occupants of these randomly selected residential units in Jos North. Deductions are

therefore drawn from these administered questionnaires.

3.6 METHOD OF ANALYSIS

Data to be analyzed is based on replies from respondents the questionnaires were administered

to. Completed questionnaires are evaluated by simple statistical tables, which show frequencies

and data percentages. Furthermore, these evaluated frequencies are illustrated on charts.

33
 CHAPTER 4
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

INTRODUCTION

This chapter of this study involves analysis of collected data from the questionnaires and

oral interview of respondents. In addition, there are pictorial illustrations and theoretical

descriptions of the selected study area. Descriptive statistics (frequency tables and bar charts)

were used for analysis; this creates an avenue for easy deduction to be done.

4.1 PURPOSE OF CASE STUDY

The various case studies were carried out for the main purpose of generating a form of awareness

or familiarization of the selected buildings for study in relation to their thermal comfort status so

as to draw effective deductions from the completed questionnaires. Likewise, the case studies

help in making logical recommendations and conclusion.

4.2 DESCRIPTION AND ASSESSMENT OF CASE STUDIES

The case study area involved random residential housing units in North central Nigeria with the

major town being Jos North. They include residential bungalows, apartment blocks, university

campus hostels etc. It required physically visiting these locations, making observations, which

were both digital (taking of photographs of these selected buildings) and in forms of text and also

assessing these made observation's.

4.3 CASE STUDY ONE

Location: Opposite college of accountancy ring road, Jos Plateau state.

34
Description: It is a one-bedroom bungalow student housing apartment unit. The most prominent

building material used here is plastered sandcrete block painted with brown emulsion paint for

the exterior and Ash emulsion paint for the walls of the interior space selected for the study. Both

internal and external sun shading devices were incorporated as measures to enhance thermal

comfort.

Thermal Comfort Measures: As stated in the description, internal sun shading devices (window

blinds) and external sun shading devices (roof eaves) were incorporated to enhance thermal

comfort. The use of medium colored interior wall finish and light colored wall exterior finish is

to counteract the effect of high thermal mass property of the sandcrete blocks used for

construction.

Figure 9; One bedroom semi- detached bungalow, Opposite college of accountancy ring

road(Roof eaves-external shading device)

35
Figure 10; One bedroom semi- detached bungalow, Opposite college of accountancy ring

road (window blinds-internal shading device)

4.4 CASE STUDY 2

Location: Postgraduate Hostel, Bauchi ring road, University of Jos, Plateau State.

Description: This is an on-campus student’s hostel for both the post graduate and undergraduate

students of the University of Jos. The most prominent building material is the plastered sand

screed block painted over with textured paint (textcote) for the exterior walls and emulsion paint

for the interior walls. Both internal and external sun shading devices have been incorporated as

measures to enhance thermal comfort.

Thermal Comfort Measure: As stated in the description, internal sun shading devices (window

blinds) and the external sun shading devices (roof eaves, vertical fins, window hoods) were

incorporated to enhance thermal comfort within the structure. The use of medium colored

36
exterior wall finish and light interior wall finish is to counteract the effect of the thermal mass

property of the sandcrete blocks used in construction.

Figure 11; Exterior of Postgraduate Hostel, University of Jos( Vertical fins, Window hoods-

external shading device)

37
Figure 12; Interior of Postgraduate Hostel, University of Jos(Window Blind-Internal

shading device)

4.5 CASE STUDY THREE

Location: Zion Hostel, Bauchi ring road, University of Jos, Plateau State.

Description: This is an on-campus female student hostel for the students of the University of Jos.

The most prominent building material is the plastered sandcrete block painted over with White

textured paint for the exterior and interior space. Both internal and external sun shading devices

have been incorporated as measures to enhance thermal comfort.

Thermal Comfort Measure: As stated in the description, the interior sun shading devices

(window blinds) and the external sun shading device (balconies, roof eaves, window hoods) were

incorporated to enhance the thermal comfort within the building. The use of light coloured paint

for both the interior and exterior wall finish is to counteract the effect of the high thermal mass

property of the sandcrete blocks used for construction.

38
Figure 13; Exterior of Zion Hostel, University of jos (balconies- external shading device)

Figure 14; Exterior of Zion Hostel, University of Jos (Inset windows- external shading

device)

39
4.6 CASE STUDY 4

Location: Legislative quarters ring road, Jos Plateau state.

Description: It is a semi-detached one-bedroom bungalow student housing apartment unit. The

most prominent building material used here is plastered sand screed block painted with brown

emulsion paint for the exterior and blue emulsion paint for the walls of the interior space selected

for the study. Both internal and external sun shading devices were incorporated as measures to

enhance thermal comfort.

Thermal Comfort Measures: As stated in the description, internal sun shading devices (window

blinds) and external sun shading devices (roof eaves) were incorporated to enhance thermal

comfort. The use of medium colored interior wall finish and light colored wall exterior finish is

to counteract the effect of high thermal mass property of the sand screed blocks used for

construction.

Figure 15; Exterior of One bedroom semi-detached bungalow in legislative quarters (Roof

eaves- external shading device)

40
Figure 16; Interior of one bedroom semi-detached bungalow in legislative quarters

(window blinds- internal shading device)

4.6 QUESTIONNAIRE DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS:

Section A (General Questions)

1. Questionnaires were distributed randomly across both genders.

Table 1

GENDER FEMALE MALE

FREQUENCY 26 29

PERCENTAGE 47.00 53.00

(%)

41
Table

Percentage of male and female correspondents

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
FEMALE MALE

2. Age grouping percentages are in the frequency below

Table

Age Range 15-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50 and above

Percentage (%) 16.00 56.00 10.67 6.66 10.67

42
Table

Age Range
60

50

40

30

20

10

0
15-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50 and above

3. Level of education of the respondents is shown in the table below, most of them being

University of undergraduates.

Table

Level of Education SSCE Undergraduate B.Sc. M.Sc.

Frequency 4 30 12 9

Percentage (%) 5.33 66.67 16.00 12.00

43
Table

level of education
80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
SSCE Undergraduate B. Sc. M. Sc.

4. The frequency of respondents on the study areas are in the table below

Table

Residence Res.

Opposite college of accountancy ring road, Jos Plateau state. 2

Postgraduate Hostel, Bauchi ring road, University of Jos, Plateau 27

State.

Zion Hostel, Bauchi ring road, University of Jos, Plateau State. 21

Legislative quarters ring road, Jos Plateau state. 3

44
 1. Question to find out the most notable building material and finish used on the exterior

walls of these buildings.

Deduction: Almost every house in Jos north , Plastered sandcreteblock were used in construction

and in all but one cases coated with textured paint (textcote), in the exception, emulsion paint

was used for the exterior wall finish of that particular building.

1. Question to find out the most used colour tones for exterior wall finishes.

Table

Colour shade Light Medium Dark

Frequency 36 19 0

Percentage (%) 74.67 25.33 0

Table

Tone of most used exterior wall color

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
Light Medium Dark

45
Deductions: By the responses to this question, it is gathered than 74.670/0 of the respondents'

houses made use of light toned colors for their exterior wall finishes. Majority of these

respondents' in this category stated their thermal comfort level as 'satisfactory'. This then goes to

prove what was earlier stated about the use of light coloured finish to reflect solar radiation

which then counteracts the effect of using sand screed blocks with have very high thermal mass.

2. Question to find out the most notable building material and finish used on the interior

walls of these buildings.

Deductions: Like almost every house in the Northern part of Nigeria, Plastered sandcrete block

were used in construction and in all but few cases coated with textured paint (textcote), in the

exception, emulsion paint and glossy paint were used for the interior wall finish of some

buildings.

3. Question to find out the most used color tones for interior wall finishes.

Table

Color Shade Light Medium Dark

Frequency 38 17 0

Percentage (%) 64.00 36.00 0

46
Table

Tone of most used interior wall color

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
Light Medium Dark

Deductions: Just like in the case of the exterior walls, from the responses to this question, it is

gathered than 64% of the respondents' houses made use of light toned colors for their interior

wall finishes. Majority of these respondents in this category stated their thermal comfort level as '

satisfactory'. This then goes to prove what was earlier stated about thermal comfort being

enhanced by lighter colors.

4. Question to find out if there was any sun shading devices on the buildings.

All responses to this question were 'YES"

47
 5. Question to find out the kinds of sun shading devices present in these buildings

Table

Shading Device Internal External Both

Frequency 16 5 34

Percentage (%) 21.33 6.67 72.00

Table

Frequency of the kinds of sun shading

devices used
80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
Internal External Both

Deductions: Analysis of this data has shown the prominent use of both kinds of shading devices

in these buildings. Deductively, it can be said that the design for the occupant’s thermal comfort

was put into consideration at the initial stages of the design. Majority of the respondents that

used both kinds of shading devices appeared to be on a satisfactory level of thermal comfort. The

conjunctive use of both kinds of shading devices is the most effective by this data.

48
10b. Question to requesting precise listing of the sun shading devices present in the building

Table

Shading Device Frequency Percentage (%)

Window Blinds 59 32.41

Vertical Fins 18 9.89

Balconies 10 6.04

Window hoods 37 20.32

Vegetative Shading 3 1.64

Louvers 23 12.63

Roof eaves 26 14.33

Reflective Windows 5 2.74

Table

Frequency of the specific kinds of shading

device used
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Window Vertical fins Balconies Window Vegetative Louvres Roof Eaves Reflective
blinds Hoods Shading Windows

49
Deductions: Analysis of this data shows that the used shading devices are louvers and window

blinds as internal sun shading devices and vegetative shading, vertical fins, roof eaves, balconies,

window hoods and reflective windows as the external sun shading devices. The most commonly

used ones listed by respondents are the window blinds, window hoods and the roof eaves.

10c. Question to find out if sun shading devices add to the visual appeal in these buildings.

Table

Respondent Yes No

Frequency 51 4

Percentage (%) 81.33 18.67

Table

Respondents opinion on wheather shading

devices adds to the visual appeal of the
building
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Yes No

50
Deduction : The responses here have helped answer the research question of whether sun shading

devices actually have a positive visual effect on a buildings look.

6. Question to find out if the respondent’s residence is hot during the day, when no

mechanical cooling devices are used.

Table

Respondent Yes No

Frequency 35 20

Percentage (%) 53.33 46.67

Table

Heat levels during the day without

mechanical cooling
54

52

50

48

46

44

42
Yes No

Deductions: By this analysis, a little more than half (53.33%) of the respondents still Experience

a level of thermal discomfort during the day when no mechanical cooling devices are used. This

goes to show although the designers have put effort in incorporating shading devices in the

51
design to help aid thermal comfort, there are still some shortcomings. The figures show that the

shading devices have not been as effective as expected for one reason or the other.

7. Question to find out if the respondent’s residence is hot during the evening when no

mechanical cooling devices are used.

Table

Respondent Yes No

Frequency 31 34

Percentage (%) 41.33 58.67

Table

Heat levels during the evenings without

mechanical cooling devices
70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
Yes No

Deductions: By this analysis, a greater percentage of the respondents experience a good level of

thermal comfort in the evenings when no mechanical cooling devices are used. This goes to

52
show the designers efforts in incorporating shading devices in the design to help aid thermal

comfort are somewhat effective in the evenings.

8. Question to find out which spaces in the respondents residence experiences the highest

level of solar radiation.

Table

Space Frequency Percentage (%)

Lobby 9 15.71

Bedroom 24 48.5

Dining 7 10.00

Living room 15 25.72

Table

Spaces with highest amount of solar ra-

diation
60

50

40

30

20

10

0
lobby bedroom dining living room

53
Deductions: By this analysis, 72% of the respondents experience a level of discomfort in this

space with the highest amount of solar radiation. This is usually caused by either the building's

shape or simple neglect in knowledge of the sun's path and positions.

1. Question to find out which space in the respondents residence experience the least level

of solar radiation.

Table

Space Frequency Percentage (%)

Lobby 7 10.00

Bathroom 38 68.58

Store 10 14.28

Kitchen 5 7.14

Table

Space with the least amount solar radiation

80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
lobby bathroom store kitchen

54
Deductions: By this analysis, 68.58% of the respondents experience the least amount of solar

radiation in their bathrooms and 14 in their stores. Most likely daylight admittance here is poor

but cannot be determined until question sixteen is analysed.

2. Question to find out if the space said to experience the least level of solar radiation is

suitable for performing daily activities.

Table

Response Frequency Percentage (%)

Yes 48 64.00

No 27 36.00

Table

Space of low radiation on daily performance

of activities
70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
Yes No

55
Deductions: By this analysis, majority of the respondents feel comfortable in these spaces even

with the low amount of radiation. This shows effectiveness of sun shading devices and also

means no extra daylight admittance measures will be needed.

3. Question to find out the period of the day respondents are most comfortable in their

residences

Table

Frequency Percentage (%)

Morning 15 25.34

Afternoon 10 17.33

Evening 30 57.33

Table

Thermal comfort levels for different

periods in the day
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Morning Afternoon Evening

56
Deductions: By this analysis, majority of the respondents feel most comfortable in the evening. It

is generally cooler in the tropics and this is most likely the reason for this. The low percentage

(25.33%) of respondents comfortable in the morning shows a little level of ineffectiveness of

thee designed sun shading devices.

4. Question to find out the overall thermal comfort levels respondents give to their

residences.

Table

Frequency Percentage (%)

Unsatisfactory 14 32.00

Satisfactory 38 64.00

Very Satisfactory 3 4.00

Table

overall thermal comfort level

70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Unsatisfactory Satisfactory Very Satisfactory

57
Deductions: 64% of the respondents are averagely satisfied with their overall thermal comfort

levels and 34% are not, while just 4% are very satisfied. By the figures, this is a fair result for

how effective these sun shading devices have proven to be. Recommendations will be made on

how to try and improve them and create a higher level of effectiveness.

CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 SUMMARY

The whole point of this study is to explore the importance of thermal comfort strategies and how

they are used on residential building. When designing for occupants, the thermal comfort of the

spaces is equally as important as the structural stability, aesthetics and safety of the houses. This

study explored different methods, processes or strategies that can be employed when designing

to enhance residential buildings thermal comfort levels. They include:

a. In-Depth Knowledge Of Proposed Site Environment

b. Building Orientation

c. . Building Massing And Configuration

d. Proper Ventilation And Avoidance Of Artificial Lighting When possible

e. Kinds Of Building Materials And Finishes Used

f. Integrating Building Elements On Building Design;

The emphasis of this study was on the integration of building elements (especially Sun shading

devices) on the buildings. However, the mode of application and type of device used determines

how much comfort is derived. There was analysis of data from the study area, which were

58
randomly selected residential houses in a town in Northern Nigeria. There was visual inspection

and documentation, oral interviews and questionnaires.

5.2 RECOMMENDATIONS

By the analysis done, there is a fairly average level of satisfaction in the selected

residential units. As earlier stated in the study, attainment of thermal comfort by the occupants is

of very high importance. In the light of this, some recommendations to improve thermal comfort

in buildings are as follows:

In-depth knowledge of the site to be constructed on and its surroundings are very

important. Design preliminaries should be treated with high preference, they include; series of

site visitations and investigation, site's microclimatology, sun's path and positions over the site,

and gathering any other relevant information concerning thermal comfort. This knowledge in

conjunction with proper massing and configuration, proper ventilation and effective building

orientation will go a long way to aid designing for thermal comfort.

Choice of building materials is also of great importance to the thermal comfort levels of a

building. Designers should make effort and explore a wide choice of building materials, locating

and making good use of their yet undiscovered potential as well as researching different methods

by which their limits can be hurdled over and utilities maximized. This will help in reducing the

monotonous use of concrete that is heavy weight and of high thermal mass.

It is advised that building codes should be made that encourage the use of sun shading

devices like the "1990 Project of Thermal Insulation in Portugal" which encourages designers to

incorporate the use of shading devices. Even in the higher institutions of Architecture, design

schemes with obligatory use of sun shading devices should be incorporated into the educational

59
syllabus. This would make students realize the importance of thermal comfort oftheir occupants

during the design process.

5.3 CONCLUSION

Thermal comfort is a measure of an occupant's satisfaction with a building's thermal

environment. Like said earlier, it is deemed as important as the structural stability and safety of a

building's design. These considerations for thermal comfort must then be implemented in the

very early stages of design.

According to the analysis of the selected buildings, the integration of these sun shading

devices have more positive effects than negative on the thermal comfort levels of a building. For

better effectiveness rates of these sun shading devices, they should be done in conjunction with

proper building orientation, use of lightweight materials and they must be incorporated in the

design as early as possible as this is a very important consideration when a designer wishes to

produce a sustainable and reliable design.

60
 REFERENCES

BOOKS

ASHRAE Standard 55 (201 1). Handbook of fundamentals ' Thermal Comfort Standard
American society of heating, refrigerating and air-conditioning engineers

Olygay, A. ( 1957). Solar Control and Shading Devices New Jersey: Princeton University Press

Sue, R, David, C. and Fergus, N. (2005). Adapting Buildings and Cities for Climate Change.
UK: Elsevier, Architectural Press.
Charles, K.E. (2003). Fanger’s Thermal Comfort and Draught Models Canada: National
Research Council, Canada
Heerwageen, D. (2004) Passive and Active Environmental Controls: Informing the schematic
designing of buildings. 3rd Edition.
U SA: The McGraw-Hill publishers.
Koen, S. and MaryAnn, S. (2004). Environmental Diversity in Architecture
USA: Taylor and Francius Group, Spon Press.

JOURNALS
Wulfinghoff, D. R. (1999). Install external shading devices appropriate for each exposure of the
glazing
P. Raman, Sanjay Mande And V. V. N. Kishore (2000) A Passive Solar System For Thermal
Comfort Conditioning Of Buildings In Composite Climates
Ted Collins (2001). Low-Energy Building Design Guidelines
Donald, P. F AIA (2008).Sun Control and Shading Devices.
Retrieved from: http•„'/nationalinstituteforbuildin*.html (January, 2014)
Google images: egg-crate shading, vertical fills, vegetative shading, Louvers, venetian blinds
Retrieved from: http•j/googleimages.com (January, 2014)

61
6.0 APPENDIX

QUESTIONNAIRE ON THERMAL COMFORT,

DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE.

UNIVERSITY OF JOS.

Dear Respondent.

I am undertaking a research work on the ‘Thermal Comfort In Residential Buildings; A

Study of Effectiveness of the use of Some Sun Shading Devices’, as part of my B.Sc.

(Architecture) degree program requirement in the Department of Architecture at the University

of Jos, Plateau state. The study, if successfully completed will provide an insight into the use of

some sun shading devices with aim of achieving thermal comfort in residential buildings.

The information provided in this questionnaire will be treated confidentially and used for data

analysis only. Thank you very much for your cooperation.

Nanman Nanfa Gongfa

62
Please tick appropriately;

SECTION A: GENERAL QUESTIONS

1. Sex

MaIe ( ) Female ( )

2. Age

I5-19 ( ) 20-29 ( ) 30-39 ( ) 40-49 ( ) 50 and above ( )

3. Level of Education

SSCE( ) Undergraduate ( ) B.Sc( ) M.Sc( )

Ph.D ( ) Indicate if higher ( )

SECTION B: RESIDENTIAL INFORMATION

4. Current Residential Address

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

5. What is the most notable kind of building material and finish for your residence’s exterior
walls?(e.g. Plastered sandcrete block and emulsion paint)
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

6. What is the tone of the Colour on your residences exterior

Light ( ) Mediurn ( ) Dark ( )

7. What is the most notable kind of building material and finish for your residence’s interior
walls? (e.g. Plastered sandcrecte block and emulsion paint)
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

63
8. What is the tone o the colour on your residence‘s interior walls?

Light ( ) Medium ( ) Dark ( )

9. Is there any sun shading device used in your residence?

Yes ( ) No ( )

If yes.

10. What kinds of sun shading devices are used in your residence?

Internal sun shading device ( ) External sun shading device ( ) Both kinds ( )

Do specify/list the individual kinds (e.g. roof eaves, window blinds, window hoods, overhangs).
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

10b. Do these shading devices seem to add to the visual appeal of your residence?

Yes( ) No( )

SECTION C: THERMAL CONDITION INFORMATION

11. Without mechanical cooling devices (eg. Fan and A.C), is your residence usually hot in the
morning?

Yes ( ) No( )

12. Without mechanical cooling devices (eg. Fan and A.C ) is your residence usually hot in the
evening?

Yes ( ) No ( )

13. What space in your house experiences the most sunlight? (e.g. bedroom, living room,
bathroom)
_________________________________________

14. Does this high solar influx affect your comfort levels?

Yes ( ) No ( )

64
15. What space in your house experiences the least sunlight? (e.g. bedroom, living
room,bathroom)
__________________________________________

16. Is the daylight admittance in this space suitable for the days activities?

Yes ( ) No ( )

17. At what time in a day do you feel the most comfortable in your residence?

Morning ( ) Afternoon ( ) Evening/Night ( )

18. What do you believe is the general thermal comfort rating of your residence?

Unsatisfactory ( ) Satisfactory ( ) Very SaLisfactory ( )

65