Which approach helps minimize heat gain and glare in spaces with large glazed areas?

• A. Install blackout curtains and allow full sun during peak hours.
• B. Use shading devices, low-emissivity glazing, reflective surfaces, and daylighting controls.
• C. Remove glazing to prevent heat gain.
• D. Increase artificial lighting to compensate for daylight.

Answer: (B)

The main idea is to control solar radiation entering through large glazed areas while preserving daylight and comfort. The best approach combines shading, low‑emissivity glazing, reflective surfaces, and daylighting controls.

Shading devices intercept direct sunlight before it hits the interior, which lowers heat gain and minimizes glare. External louvers, fins, or overhangs are especially effective because they block high-angle sun during peak hours while still permitting daylight.

Low-emissivity glazing uses a special coating to reduce heat transfer and solar heat gain while letting visible light through. This keeps interiors cooler and reduces the need for artificial cooling, without sacrificing daylight.

Reflective or light-colored surfaces help distribute the incoming daylight more evenly and reduce harsh glare by preventing excessive brightness in hotspots. They also help avoid strong contrasts that can cause eye strain.

Daylighting controls adjust artificial lighting to complement natural light, dimming or turning off electric lights when daylight is sufficient, which lowers heat output from lighting and maintains comfortable levels of illumination.

Options that block daylight or remove glazing, or relying on more artificial lighting, either defeats daylighting benefits or increases heat and glare, making them less effective.