Slatted timber screens have grown in popularity over the last few years. Many modern homes today seem to feature them prominently on the exterior façades.
They often protect large, glazed windows and doors or screen an outdoor space. But are they a fad or are there great benefits to incorporating slatted timber screens into your home?
For houses in the tropics, it is critical to keep them cool. Direct sunlight entering or impacting your home, increases the indoor temperature.
Hence, it is a good idea to use strategies that reduce the amount of direct sunlight that enters your home. Slatted timber screens are a great way to do this while still allowing some natural light in.
The spacing and size of the slats are important. These factors can reduce or even eliminate the direct sunlight that impacts your home. Less sunlight enters when the spacing is closer and the slats are deeper.
Whether you install the slats horizontally or vertically will also determine their performance. Horizontal slats are more effective on the north and south-facing walls while east and west-facing openings may benefit more for vertical slats.
However, slatted screens will reduce some direct sunlight, regardless of the dimensions or orientation.
Another drawback of large, glazed openings or any large openings in our homes is the lack of privacy they provide.
Slatted screens can help create privacy in your home. They provide a partial or total visual barrier from persons who are outside.
When creating sun-shading or privacy screens for your window and door openings, it should not sacrifice natural ventilation.
Air can pass through the spaces between the slats. This will allow cooling breezes to continuously flow through your home.
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