Discover the Benefits of Sliding Panels for Summer Comfort

With the arrival of summer, homes are exposed to sunlight for extended periods, significantly heating up the interiors. This leads to a substantial use of electrical energy to power air conditioning and refrigeration systems necessary for staying inside a building. Sliding panels with sunshade screens offer an effective solution to protect indoor environments, reducing the unwanted heating effect and cutting energy costs.

What are sliding panels? Sliding panels are structures that combine the shading function of Novowood Infinity sunshades with an extremely durable external aluminum frame and a sliding system. These panels move along a track, offering mobile solar protection for balconies and terraces while also enhancing the aesthetics of building facades. The structure, made up of slats, repels sunlight, keeping living spaces cool and comfortable.

A bit of history Since ancient times, various cultures have developed solutions to control sun exposure. The ancient Greeks used curtains to shade homes, while in the Middle East, musharabiyas were employed for passive cooling. In Japan, “sudare” made of reeds countered direct sunlight, and in India, jalis, perforated stone panels, mitigated the sun's effect. These historical practices inspired the innovation of fixed sunshade panels and later sliding panels. In contemporary architecture, the renowned architect Le Corbusier was among the first to use fixed sunshade screens, which are still appreciated today for their combination of functionality and design.

Advantages of sliding panels Sliding panels offer numerous benefits:

• Solar control and shading: They protect buildings without depriving them of air and light.
• Thermal comfort: They keep interiors cool in summer and reduce the effect of cold wind in winter.
• Energy savings: They help reduce energy consumption by controlling the internal temperature.
• Weather resistance: Made from durable materials, they last long without the need for maintenance.

The Novowood sliding panel: composition and types

• Frame System: Combines the strength of painted aluminum with the elegance of Novowood Infinity profiles, creating distinctive geometries and effective solar protection.
• Hidden Frame: Ideal for those who love minimalist design, with a recessed aluminum frame ensuring visual continuity. The Infinity sunshades, supported by customizable upper and lower guides, dominate the scene.

Components of a sliding panel A sliding panel consists of three main parts:

1. Panel: The central shading body.
2. Upper part: The sliding mechanism.
3. Lower part: Guides that keep the panel in line.

Types of sliding panels

• Horizontal sunshade
• Vertical sunshade

Types of sliding mechanisms

• Intrados: The panel slides below the contact surface.
• Extrados: The panel slides in front of the contact surface.

Installation of sliding panels To install a sliding panel, it is necessary to consider:

• Type of installation: Intrados or Extrados.
• Dimensions: Width and height of the surfaces to be shaded.
• Sliding length of the individual panel.
• Type of lower guide.

Features of Frame and Hidden Frame panels Frame and Hidden Frame panels can be made with Infinity Plus 30, 60, 75, and 90 sunshades, internally reinforced with special aluminum tubes. Each Novowood sliding panel is custom-made with high-precision CNC machines and represents an example of ecological engineering. The sunshade slats are made of Novowood WPC (Wood Plastic Composite), composed of natural fibers, polymers, and additives, while the frame consists of aluminum frames. This innovative mix ensures durability, resistance to weather and UV rays, and is also ecological and fully recyclable.