A simplified tool to predict the shading effect of multifunctional surfaces and active coatings on the building energy behaviour

When applied on the surface of various building materials, very thin layers of functional films and advanced coatings are able to increase the bulk, and then the whole envelope performance. A large number of thin coatings have been developed in last decade, to offer a palette of selective behaviours towards the solar action, improving the optical or thermal material performances. Reliable design criteria are still unavailable for these materials, due to their relatively recent and limited market diffusion yet. The results achieved by our research on this topics are: - a detailed inventory of the market available coatings for building envelope materials. - a tool to simulate the shading effect and thermal performance of the functionalised material, for different coatings and different solar conditions The main result is a simplified energyprediction tool Based on the LT scheme developed by Cambridge Martin Centre (UK) to support the early design stage decision.