Investigation of the Effects of Glazed Balconies upon Thermal Comfort in Hot Tropical Region

Abstract

The balcony is responsible to a series of effects on the environmental behavior of a building, mainly in relation of thermal comfort and air distribution to their indoor spaces. Currently a very common practice in several metropolitan areas is the closing with retractable glass panels in balcony openings. This work analyzed the effects of glazed balconies upon thermal comfort in a hot tropical region. Environmental parameters were carried out in a flat alternating the conditions of retractable glass panels to balconies. Thermal simulations were performed considering closing or not the glass door that divides the balcony room; the building material used on the balcony sill; and the use of curtains or shading devices. The results show the maximum mean hourly temperatures recorded on the balcony during the period when the retractable glass panels were closed, reaching peaks between 31.7 and 39.2 °C, above the comfort range recommended by ASHRAE 55. All situations simulated show the thermal discomfort prevails in the use of the closed glass panels reaching DhTD of 94.55 °C/day. Thus, this practice of using most of the closed retractable glass panels in the balconies presents disadvantages and inefficiencies especially in hot and humid tropical climate regions.