MicroShade has presented a new online tool for simulating shading solutions called SimShade^®, which can be used to determine the right choices of shading and glazing solutions. Here you find out how this works.

The free online simulation tool from MicroShade caters to the needs of architects, engineers, contractors, glass manufacturers and building owners alike by providing a more holistic view of the impact, which individual choices of shading and glazing solutions make on the overall performance of the structure.

The reports generated in SimShade^® provide an overview of technical data, economics (incl. TCO), environmental specifications as well as reference pictures. The input needed for the SimShade^® calculation is simple information about the glazed area of the façade, the type of glazing and shading used as well as information about the site and orientation. In return, the simulation tool will provide accurate information on the number of over-temperature hours and daylight conditions expressed as spatial Daylight Autonomy (sDA) in the building as well as the weighted view out.

The objective is to provide accurate component and building data for typical building structures similar to the majority of the office buildings found in European countries.

Accurate and easy to use

The externally validated calculation tool uses the same set of operating conditions for simulation of thermal performance as it does for simulations of daylight and view-out data. This enables transparent comparisons of simple and complex façade solutions using a coherent and well-defined set of operating conditions for the façade components.

According to MicroShade’s CEO, Eik Bezzel, this is only the beginning as a second release of SimShade^® is expected soon. With just a few the tool will provide fast and reliable building data - and a direct comparison of the effect of different shading solutions on various typical building types.

CEO Eik Bezzel: “SimShade^® is designed in such a way that it is easy to use and at the same time provides relevant and accurate data with which different shading solutions can be compared, right down to the cost of these measures.”

By Matthias Rehberger / GLASSWELT 08.2019 (translated)