Selecting Blinds for

Glare Control
 OPENNESS FACTOR

Amount of light that is able to pass straight through the blinds

VISIBLE LIGHT TRANSMITTANCE VLT

Total amount of light allowed to pass through the blinds into the space.
Includes both direct and diffuse light.
 SOLAR REFLECTANCE (Rs)

Amount of solar energy reflected by the blind.

SOLAR ABSORPTANCE (Ra)

Amount of solar energy absorbed by the blind

SOLAR TRANSMITTANCE (Rt)

Amount of solar energy transmitted through the blind

The above 3 items add up to 100%

VIEW CLARITY INDEX

Predict view clarity through the fabric using OF and VLT.

Darker fabrics with higher OF generally

achieve higher clarity scores

Followed by light coloured fabric with high OF

and VLT

Dark coloured with low OF is next

Light coloured with low OF is the worst

 EN 14501: Blinds and Shutters. Thermal and Visual comfort:
Performance characteristics and classification
-Framework for assessing the blinds’ ability to control glare

Direct transmittance: solar radiation that goes directly through the holes in the blinds.
Openness factor is a proxy.

Diffuse Transmittance: transmittance through the yarns and it determines the brightness
of the blind itself when illuminated from outside
Influence on visual comfort
Class
0 Very small effect
1 Small effect
2 Moderate effect
3 High Effect
4 Very high effect
For Glare control and daylight: Venetian Blinds are better
 What have we recommended so far?

Criteria East/West North/South

Openness 5% 5-10%
Factor
VLT Max 10% Max 30%
View out Yes Yes
ability

But the values are probably too high

Should go for lower OF and lower VLT (darker fabric)