Daylighting System Performance Specifications
In support of the design of effective daylighting systems utilizing the LightLouver Daylighting System, LightLouver LLC staff have developed the following minimum performance specifications for the architectural elements that are part of an integrated lighting (daylighting and electric lighting) design solution. Adhering to these minimum performance specifications, and the manufacturer’s product application guidelines, will help ensure proper illumination, visual comfort and long-term energy savings.
Architectural and interior design products that meet these minimum performance specifications are listed on the complying products page
Daylighting Design Challenges
Design teams face numerous challenges when designing for the use of daylighting in buildings, including the following:
Glare – Visual discomfort due to large amount of sunlight in the occupants’ field of view, typically in combination with a high contrast ratio between the daylight entering the space and the surrounding window frame or wall surfaces.
Poor daylight distribution – Excessive daylight levels near the windows and inadequate daylight levels deeper in the space result in non-uniform illumination levels.
Improper selection of electric lighting fixtures and lamps – Selecting electric lighting fixtures, ballasts and lamps that will effectively integrate with the daylighting system.
Ineffective electric lighting system “daylight harvesting” controls – Improper design or selection of the electric lighting system controls can reduce the amount of “daylight harvesting” and thus the energy savings derived from dimming or turning off electric lights.
Ineffective interior window treatment – During periods of direct sun on fenestration, excessive daylight and sunlight patches on work surfaces, or excessive shading / blackout, due to improper selection of interior window treatment.
Inappropriate interior design and furniture selection -- Choice of wall colors, ceiling color / reflectance, partition height and color, furniture placement, and other interior design decisions can have a detrimental impact on daylighting system performance.
Daylighting Design Goals
During the Programming Phase of the Architectural Design Process, project-specific daylighting design goals should be developed by the design team and approved by the client. We suggest the following general daylighting design goals as a starting point for establishing project-specific goals:
Quantity
Daytime ambient lighting provided by daylight for the majority of the year for all daylit spaces
Quality
Uniform distribution of daylight to reduce uncomfortably high brightness ratios, and increase “daylit” area
Elimination of direct sunlight onto to work surfaces to reduce glare and visual discomfort
Solar heat gains utilized to reduce heating loads when beneficial
Usability
Ensure access to adequate daylight for all occupants
Ensure views / visual connection to the outdoors for all occupants
Building Integration
Fully integrate daylighting with the architectural design
Fully integrate daylighting with the electric lighting system
Synergistic with other building systems – mechanical, electrical, life safety, etc…
Economics
Integrated with daylight responsive electric lighting controls to maximize “daylight harvesting” and energy savings
Minimize first costs to reduce payback period from energy savings
Daylighting Performance Specifications
The following daylighting system performance specifications have been developed with the daylighting design challenges and the daylighting design goals in mind.
To achieve an effective, integrated daylighting design solution in new and existing commercial / institutional buildings, design teams must consider numerous site and building-related factors. A few of these factors are addressed in the following minimum material / product performance specifications. Selecting components and products that meet these minimum performance specifications will not guarantee optimal performance, but will put the design team on the path to an effective, integrated daylighting design solution.
Access to Sunlight
“Daylight windows” (windows where the LightLouver units are to be located) should ideally have unobstructed access to sunlight throughout the day. Exterior overhangs or other architectural features must not shade these “daylight windows”, and any exterior window shading devices should be located below the “daylight windows”.
Fenestration Specifications
Most commercial buildings in various climates benefit from windows with a low U-value (low heat conduction) and a low Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (reduced solar heat gain). This essentially translates to an insulated glazing unit (IGU) with a low-emissivity coating.
As an optical daylighting and solar control product, LightLouver units are recommended for east, south and west facing facades ( in northern latitudes, >20oN ) to redirect incident sunlight deep in the space to provide ambient lighting while eliminating glare and direct sunlight on work surfaces.
When using LightLouver units, the “daylight windows” (windows where the LightLouver units are to be located) should also have a high visible light transmittance and a low exterior reflectance to maximize daylight collection. Obviously, glazing design conditions will vary for the design of a new commercial building versus the redesign of an existing commercial building.
The ideal glazing performance specifications for “daylight window” and “view window” fenestration glazing in new construction are as follows:
Daylight Window Glazing -- New Construction
Visible Light Transmission ( VLT, Tvis ) > 65% ( 75% Tvis recommended )
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient ( SHGC ) < 0.40
Light to Solar Heat ( LSG ) Gain Ratio > 1.8
Exterior Reflectance < 13%
U-Value < 0.31
NOTE: Scenarios/design conditions in cold climates may benefit from use of a higher SHGC (lower LSG)
View Window – New Construction
Visible Light Transmission ( VLT, Tvis ) No minimum performance specification for “view window” glazing Tvis is specified, as the SHGC and LSG ratio requirements will be the governing factors in “view / vision” glazing selection.
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient < 0.30
Light to Solar Heat Gain > 1.8
Exterior Reflectance < 20% (As appropriate, match the “daylight” glazing exterior reflectance, or contrast the “daylight” glazing with a higher exterior reflectance glazing.)
U-Value < 0.31
For existing buildings, when the windows will not be replaced, the fenestration design (window setbacks, overhangs, orientation, and self-shading) and window glazing properties will determine the viability of incorporating the LightLouver Daylighting System. Special conditions, such as the need for added solar control, may suggest the use of LightLouver units even if the glazing does not meet the minimum performance specification. Additionally, the layout of the spaces to be daylit will influence the applicability of the LightLouver Daylighting System. The new construction fenestration performance specifications presented above represent the preferred conditions for the use of the LightLouver Daylighting System in existing buildings; however, glazing replacement in a renovation project is not always a feasible or viable option, and thus other design conditions may be acceptable.
Daylight Window Glazing -- Existing Buildings
Visible Light Transmission ( VLT, Tvis ) > 50% ( 65% Tvis preferred )
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient < 0.45
Light to Solar Heat ( LSG ) Gain Ratio > 1.2
Exterior Reflectance < 13%
Ceiling Reflectance Specifications
Reflectance > 80% (> 90% preferred)
Specular Reflectance < 2%
Surface Finish - smooth, matte finish with no heavy patterns, texture, or protrusions that would act as a "light dam", blocking daylight distribution across the ceiling surface
Wall / Partition Reflective Specifications
Wall diffuse reflectance > 40% below 7' AFF or > 70% above 7' AFF
Partition height < 60"
Fenestration Shading Specifications
Effectively shade the "view window" during the spring, summer, and fall months without shading any portion of the "daylight window"
Interior Shading Specifications
Effectively blocks direct sunlight from entering through the "view window", allowing not more than 3% of this direct sunlight to strike critical work surfaces
Electric Lighting Fixture Specifications
Source Efficacy > 60 lumens / watt
Luminaire Efficiency > 80%
Indirect component 10 - 30%
Electronic Programmed Start Ballasts
Zoning / Circuiting - Ability to control (dim or turn off) electric lights in daylit spaces in response to daylight. Typically locate rows of lighting fixtures parallel to the windows
Daylight Responsive Controls Specifications
Any photosensor control based system – open or closed loop acceptable
Known spatial sensitivity with a broad symmetrical sensitivity curve
Any photosensor control based system – open or closed loop acceptable
Open Loop
Sensitive from 50 – 8,000 footcandles
Durable, UV stable and resistant to yellowing and cracking, etc...
Programmable control algorithm
Photometrically calibrated sensor preferred
Closed Loop
Sensitive from 0.5 – 500 footcandles
Sensor shielded from seeing any LightLouver units
Programmable sliding setpoint control algorithm
To Download a PDF file of these Daylighting System Performance Specifications, please click the following link:
