Melbourne, a bustling and diverse city in which the climate can change from blisteringly hot to frigid, offers many opportunities to homeowners and builders to improve the look and livability of their structures. One element of architectural design that carries a lot of weight is the window shroud. Often meant to be seen and using the same materials as the structure it's attached to, the shroud can accomplish something that few other architectural elements can—it can simultaneously improve the appearance of the structure itself and enable it to function better.
What do you mean by window shrouds?
The window shroud is an exterior window covering that can be made from various materials, such as aluminum, steel, or timber. It can be fixed or adjustable, and its design can range from minimalistic to intricate. In both form and function, the shroud contributes to the appearance of the building and can play a key role in the daylighting, solar control, and energy efficiency of the windows it surrounds.
Making something more 'energy efficient' means minimizing the 'energy waste' that can come from that thing. When we're talking about the energy efficiency of a whole house, for example, we might be talking about how much of the heat energy that is created in the house is lost to the outside, and how much (if any) electricity is being used to operate our "indoor climate control system." When our energy consumption is high, of course, the "cost of heat" is of concern: Are we heating way too much space (an old, 'energy inefficient' home might 'leak' as much heat outside as is generated inside it).
The main advantage of window shrouds is that they make energy efficiency much easier. Even in a country with a relatively mild climate like ours, it hardly seems necessary for every office worker to have an individual air conditioner blasting away for much of the year. But they do, and the problem is that sunlight pouring in through the windows is as big a source of indoor heat gain as anything else. Window shrouds do what energy efficiency is all about: They help keep the heat out during the summer and the heat in during the winter.
Keeping safe, and for a long time.
Melbourne's vulnerable to both heat and humidity. UV rays and the salty air do their part to shorten the life of outdoor surfaces like window frames and panes, which sit in the direct line of fire. One of the parts very much at risk is the wooden section of a window frame, either above or below the glass. When it's exposed to the weather, wood can warp and split. A life-extending window shroud can then keep these conditions from happening for a much longer period of time.
Maintaining personal space and managing the amount of light entering a room are two common issues that demand a solution when selecting a window treatment. When selecting window blinds, shades, or other window treatments, it's essential for homeowners to consider privacy as a design factor and not just as a convenience. Our society has increasingly treated privacy as a mere afterthought—something that is nice to have but not truly necessary. There appears to be a relentless drive to make everything in a person’s life more efficient, which often leads to a disregard for personal privacy. But individuals—whether they are working at home, cooking a meal, or simply sitting in their living room—can achieve the privacy they need and still enjoy the light filtering through sheer window treatments.
Privacy is a big problem in cities like Melbourne, where houses are built close together. You want to keep what's happening inside your house from being seen by people on the street. Also, you don't want the house next door to seem like it's right on top of you if you're someone who values their personal space and solitude, a socially awkward someone. Yet you do want some light and air to enter your house. And here, for the privacy seekers amongst us, interior window shrouding is a real opportunity.
In summary, it can be said that...
Individuals residing in Melbourne are incorporating window shrouds into the designs of their buildings because they see the numerous benefits these coverings offer. First and foremost, window shrouds help to make homes and commercial buildings more energy-efficient by preventing the sun's direct rays from entering the interior spaces. Second, window shrouds supply greater protection from the elements, especially when compared to the previously mentioned window fixtures. Third, window shrouds help to provide more privacy for the residents. Finally, the use of window shrouds simply looks a whole lot better! In a city as proud of its appearance as Melbourne, it seems quite logical that the designs of the part of the buildings that can't be seen (currently) would be subject to such careful consideration.