External
Venetian Blinds
For many years European architects
have been specifying Hunter Douglas
External Venetian Blinds as experiencehas shown to be the most efficientand most flexible form of solar andlight control.

External
Venetian Blinds

External Venetian Blinds

Complete Flexibility
DESIGNFUNCTIONALITY & COMFORTThe design, measurements, operation and motors of the newgeneration External Venetian Blinds are identical to the existing blinds. However, this new generation requires no special
conditions like deeper stacking, complicated installation or
special electronic components. The External Venetian Blinds
are available in a new project colour collection and in several
dimensions of slats, up to 100 mm width.

Tilting and raising/lowering mechanism is made of durable
maintenance free PVC. The positive tilting mechanism
prevents movement of the slats by wind load. A stainlesssteel tilting spring is enclosed in two different slat suspension rings for user friendly, smooth and exact operation.

EASY INSTALLATION
Hunter Douglas External Roller Blinds can be mountedvery easily. Depending on the local situation of the building, several mounting solutions are available to install theblinds to the façade.

CONTENTS

Page

Systems

2-3

Side guiding

4

System Properties

5

Size Limitations

6-7

Indoor Environmental Quality& Productivity

8

Energy & Light Tool

9

ENERGY & LIGHT
Hunter Douglas External Venetian Blinds are designed to improve indoor environmental quality and conserve energy. These systems help create built environments that are comfortable, healthy, productive, and sustainable. Our engineering and production
processes minimize embodied environmental impact while meeting the highest standards for commercial, hospitality, imdustrial,and commercial applications. In order to obtain the optimal shading performance for a building and its accupants we developed computer simulation and calculation tools. Our project support team can analyze, visualize and optimize Window Covering
Solutions with the Hunter Douglas Energy and Light Tool.

Innovative Products Make Innovative Projects

Systems
50 MM FLEXIBLE SLAT: 50F
The hardware system for tilting, lowering andraising is incorporated in the headrail.
• Operation by:- (K) crank with 45° or 90° feedthrough with cardan joint- (EL) motor• Side guiding:- (A) stainless steel cable

50

60 MM / 80 MM,
WITH BEADED EDGES
The hardware system for tilting, lowering andraising is incorporated in the headrail.
• Operation by:- (K) crank with 45° or 90° feedthrough with cardan joint- (EL) motor• Side guiding:- (A) stainless steel cable

60 / 80- (AS) standard side guiding channels- (ASS) push-on guiding channels- (ASK) guiding mounted with clamping
brackets• Optional:- 40° tilting angle- round side guiding channels with ASK- mounting systems on or between
the side track
60 MM / 80 MM,
FLEXIBLE SLATS: 60F & 80F
The hardware system for tilting, lowering andraising is incorporated in the headrail.
• Operation by:- (K) crank with 45° or 90° feedthrough with cardan joint- (EL) motor• Side guiding:- (A) stainless steel cable• Optional:- 40° tilting angle

2 External Venetian Blinds

60F / 80F

Systems
88 MM, WITH BEADED EDGES
The hardware system for tilting, loweringand raising is incorporated in the headrail.
Rolled-in insert made of LDPE (plastic) forsound absorption. Slats are shape in a “Z”
form, for optimal closure.
• Operation by:- (K) crank with 45° or 90° feedthrough with cardan joint- (EL) motor• Side guiding:- (AS) standard side guiding channels- (ASS) push-on guiding channels- (ASK) guiding mounted with clamping
brackets• Optional:- 40° tilting angle

88

100 MM, FLEXIBLE SLATS: 100F
The hardware system for tilting, loweringand raising is incorporated in the headrail.
• Operation by:- (K) crank with 45° or 90° feedthrough with cardan joint- (EL) motor• Side guiding:- (A) stainless steel cable• Optional:- 40° tilting angle

100

Project : The Bond
Architect : Bovis Lend Lease
Product : Exterior Venetian Blinds

External Venetian Blinds 3

X

X = distance from cable to wall
I
II
III

TYPE A: CABLE GUIDING
I

II

2727

X - Min.
27
67
124

X - Max.
73
133
173

18
18

Side Guiding

III
5151

WALL MOUNT BRACKETS
23,5
23,5

FLOOR MOUNT BRACKETTYPE AS: STANDARD SIDE CHANNEL GUIDING
L1 = 50 - 70 mm
L2 = 70 - 105 mm
L3 = 105 - 170 mm

2626

18

23,5
23,5

27

5

18

51

2626

44
44 18

23,5

50

18

18

L

26

36

23,5

TYPE ASS: PUSH-ON GUIDING SYSTEM

36

36,8

185

18,5

44

25
50

36,8

18

26

18

Ø4,2

18
18

”L”

18

36,8

26

36,8

7
9,5 9,5
19

36

36,8

max. 120

TYPE ASK: SIDE CHANNEL GUIDING WITH CLAMPING PIECE
36

36,8

36,8

18

18,5

42

18,5

18,5

42

5
”L”

4 External Venetian Blinds

All sizes in mm

36,8

90

10

70

40

18,5

10

42

42

18

Systems Properties
TYPE OF SLATSSLATS SUSPENSION• 50F mm
• 60(F) mm• 80(F) mm• 88 mm•100F mm

• 50F, 60(F), 80(F) and 100F mm types: UV and weather resistant woven
polyester ladder braid. Slats inserted between ladders.
• 88 mm types: UV and weather resistant woven polyester ball tapes. Slats
individually connected to the tape by special clips in the bead of the slat(available colour grey).

HEADRAILTILTING AND RAISING/
LOWERING MECHANISM

Rollformed zinc-plated steel U-shaped
channel 57 x 51mm.
Optional: Extruded aluminium profile, natural
anodized with cover and end caps.

BOTTOM RAIL
Extruded aluminium profile, natural anodizedor powder coated, adapted to the shape ofthe slats, with plastic end caps provided
with guiding pins or cable guiding rivets.

SLATS• All slats are pre-coated with Anorcoat®
conversation coating system. Colour coatedwith stove enameled polyester paint.
• 50 / 50F mm rollformed aluminium slats,
thickness 0.2 mm. Alloy AW5182, withpainted edges in the length of the slats.
• 60 / 60F mm rollformed aluminium
slats, thickness 0.4 mm / 0.45 mm. Alloy
HD5050, with painted edges in the length of
the slats.
• 80 / 80F mm rollformed aluminium slats,
thickness 0.4 mm. Alloy HD5050, withpainted edges in the length of the slats.
• 88 / 100F mm rollformed aluminium
slats, thickness 0.45 mm / 0.4 mm. Alloy
HD5050, with painted edges in the length of
the slats.

Made of durable maintenance free plastic. Positive tilting mechanism prevents
movement of the slats by wind load. A stainless steel tilting spring is enclosed
in two different slat suspension rings for smooth and exact operation. Duringlowering slats are fully closed, during raising slats are fully open. The optional
automatic tilting device pre-sets the slats at a 40° angle. The system is re-set
automatically during lifting of the slats.
SIDE GUIDING• 50F, 60F, 80F and 100F mm types: Stainless steel cable, Ø 3 mm with nylon
jacket, tensioned between headrail and guide cable bracket.
• 60, 80 and 88 mm types: Extruded aluminium profile with plastic insert fornoise reduction, natural anodized or powder coated. Slats supplied with guiding
pins at the extreme ends.
STRING TAPE
String tape consists of high tenacity polyester material (colour: black).
LIFT TAPE
Made of durable UV and weather resistant pre-shrunk polyster (6 x 0.33 mm).
Alternative: 88 KV-ELV types, made of durable UV and weather resistant
plastic(dymetrol), 15.2 x 1.27 mm (colour: black).
CONNECTION CORD
UV and weather resistant woven polyster cord connects slat suspension to themechanism. Provides quick release and adjustment of the slat stack.
OPERATION• Crank operation: With crank rod via universal joint to a self braking gearbox
incorporated in the headrail or located at the extreme end of the headrail.
• Electrical operation:
With electric motor ( 220/240V - 50 Hz) enclosed within the headrail. The motor
is thermally protected againts overheating and splash proof (IP54).
Blinds can be operated individually and/or linked together. They can also be
integrated in a fully automated central control system, by using group controls,solar sensors, anemometers, time switches and relays. Check the ‘HunterDouglas Intelligent Control System’ Brochure.

External Venetian Blinds 5

Size Limitations
EXTERNAL VENETIAN BLINDS
TYPE

K 50 A
EL 50 AK 60 AK 60 AFK 60 AS
K 60 ASS
K 60 ASK
EL 60 A
EL 60 AF
EL 60 AS
EL 60 ASS
EL 60 ASK
K 80 A*K 80 AF*K 80 AS*
K 80 ASS*
K 80 ASK*
EL 80 A*
EL 80 AF*
EL 80 AS*
EL 80 ASS*
EL 80 ASK*
K 88 AS*
K 88 ASS*
K 88 ASK*
EL 88 AS*
EL 88 ASS*
EL 88 ASK*
ELV 88 A-S
K 100 AF
EL 100 AF

Width ofthe slats

Type ofoperation(mm)(lift/tilt)

50
50
60
60 flexible
60
60
60
60
60 flexible
60
60
60
80
80 flexible
80
80
80
80
80 flexible
80
80
80
88
88
88
88
88
88
88
100 flexible
100 flexible

crank
motor
crank
crank
crank
crank
crank
motor
motor
motor
motor
motor
crank
crank
crank
crank
crank
motor
motor
motor
motor
motor
crank
crank
crank
motor
motor
motor
motor
crank
motor

Construction limits
Single installation
Group installation

Sideguiding

Width

cable
cable
cable
cable
standard sideguiding channels
push-on side guiding channels
channels with clamping brackets
cable
cable
standard sideguiding channels
push-on side guiding channels
channels with clamping brackets
cable
cable
standard sideguiding channels
push-on side guiding channels
channels with clamping brackets
cable
cable
standard sideguiding channels
push-on side guiding channels
channels with clamping brackets
standard sideguiding channels
push-on side guiding channels
channels with clamping brackets
standard sideguiding channels
push-on side guiding channels
channels with clamping brackets
lifttape inside guiding channels
cable
cable

Min.
(cm)

Max.
(cm)

HeightMax.
(cm)

Surface
Max.
(m2)

Width
Max.
(cm)

HeightMax.
(cm)

Surface
Max.
(cm)

45
51
45
45
52
50
56
51
51
58
56
56
45
45
52
50
50
51
51
58
56
56
52
50
50
58
56
56
62
45
45

400
400
500
500
500
300
500
500
500
500
300
500
500
500
500
300
500
500
500
500
300
500
400
300
400
400
300
400
300
440
440

400
400
450
400
400
250
400
450
400
400
250
400
450
400
400
250
400
450
400
400
250
400
400
250
400
400
250
400
350
400
400

12
16
12
12
12
7
16
16
16
16
7
16
12
12
12
7
12
16
16
16
7
16
10
7
10
12
7
12
10
12
16

800
800
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000
1000

400
400
450
400
400
250
400
450
400
400
250
400
450
400
400
250
400
450
400
400
250
400
400
250
400
400
250
400
400
400

16
20
12
12
12
12
20
20
20
20
20
20
12
12
12
12
12
20
20
20
20
20
10
10
10
16
16
16
12
20

WIND FORCES ON THE BEAUFORT SCALE OR IN M/SEC
Beaufort

Description

0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

Average wind strength
m/s

Scale
Calm
Light airLight breeze
Gentle breeze
Moderate windFresh wind
Strong wind
Very strong windGale
Sever gale
Storm
Severe storm
Hurricane force

0-2
0.3 - 1.4
1.5 - 3.4
3.5 - 5.4
5.5 - 7.4
7.5 - 10.4
10.5 - 13.4
13.5 - 17.4
17.5 - 20.4
20.5 - 24.4
24.5 - 28.4
28.5 - 32.4
>32.5

Effects on land

km/h
<1
1-5
6 - 1213 - 19
20 - 27
28 - 37
38 - 48
49 - 62
63- 7374 - 87
88 - 102103 - 117
>118

Smoke rises vertically
Smoke drift in the wind
Leaves rustle. Wind left on face
Small twigs in constant motion. Light flags extended
Dust, leaves and loose paper raised. Small branches move
Small tree sway
Large branches move. Whistling in phone wires. Difficult to use umbrellas
Whole trees in motion
Twigs break off trees. Difficult to walk
Chimney pots and slates removed
Trees uprooted. Structural damage.
Widespread damage
Widespread damage. Very rarely experienced on land.

The standards for external products are specified in the European Standard EN 13659

6 External Venetian Blinds

Size Limitations
WIND LOAD LIMITS EXTERNAL VENETIAN BLINDS
Width (cm)
150
200
250
300
400
500

Rollformed with side guides
(bft)
(m/s)
7
7
7
7
6
6

13.5 - 17.4
13.5 - 17.4
13.5 - 17.4
13.5 - 17.4
10.5 - 13.4
10.5 - 13.4

Rollformed with cable guides
(bft)
(m/s)
7
7
6
6
6
6

Flexible with cable guides
(bft)
(m/s)

13.5 - 17.4
13.5 - 17.4
10.5 - 13.4
10.5 - 13.4
10.5 - 13.4
10.5 - 13.4

7
6
6
6
5
5

13.5 - 17.4
10.5 - 13.4
10.5 - 13.4
10.5 - 13.4
7.5 - 10.4
7.5 - 10.4

Legend:For External Venetian Blinds the wind load limits to be used are dependent on the type of product.
Once the wind load limit has been reached the blind has to be retracted.
The values listed in the table apply to a distance of ≤ 10 cm between the slat and the façades,a slat gage of ≤ 0.4 mm and a blind height of less than 240cm.
Depending on the manfacturer’s recommendation, larger blinds (>200 cm) may be supplied withadditional side cables. For the following cases, the values in the table are to be decreased orincreased as follows:
1. For a distance between façades and slats of >10 cm to 30 cm the value of the table has to be
reduced by one Beaufort. With a distance of >30 cm to 50 cm reduce the value by 2 Beaufort.
For larger distance the table is not applicaple.
2. For a slat gage of less than 0.4 mm reduce the value by 1 Beaufort.
3. For slats with strong profiles the value may be increased by 1 Beaufort.
4. For heights between 240 cm and 400 cm and cable guides, the value should be reduced by 1
Beaufort; for heights over 400 cm reduce the value by 2 Beauforts.

External Venetian Blinds 7

Indoor Environmental Quality & Productivity
PRODUCTIVITY
Energy saving strategies and natural
resources like daylight, can create acomfortable and productive environment for
occupants. Smart, sustainable design thatprovides good indoor environmental quality
is a proven and profitable investment.
Seemingly small increases of as little as 1%
in productivity could result in a much higher
payback than the reduced cost of energy.
COMFORT
Comfort can be described as ‘the state ofmind that expresses satisfication with thesurrounding environment’.
Indoor environment quality has essentiallyfour dimensions:

Ther
ma
lc

rt
fo
m

t
for
om

Visu
al
co

1. Thermal comfort;
2. Visual comfort;
3. Acoustic comfort;
4. Indoor air quality.

Indo
or
air

ty
ali
qu

t
for
om

Personal
control

Acou
stic
al

c

It is an accepted fact that people prefer toexperience daylight through visual contact
with the outside world. This is therefore,
generally recognized as an important factor
in influencing people’s positive emotional
state.
Situations that cause visual discomfort canfrequently arise. The light, glare or reflectionlevels are just too bright and contrasts toolarge for optimal working conditions.

8 External Venetian Blinds

Workspaces which are comfortable, naturally lit and allow accupants to connect
with outdoor space can improve productivity and reduce absenteeism. Researchon the relationship between day lighting and productivity shows that the use of
daylight without glare resulted in productivity gains in the order of 4%. To fully
optimise the benefits of daylight, control systems can be integrated in the suncontrol solution.
SUSTAINABILITY & INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
The environmental footprint of a building includes such factors as the use ofenergy, water, materials and resources. Hunter Douglas Sun Control Systems andWindow Covering products can play an excellent role in reducing the environmental
footprint, whilst at the same time enhancing the thermal and visual dimensions ofindoor environmental quality.

Energy and Light Tool
outdoor °C
Temperature °C
The function of Window Coverings is to provide visual comfort and heat40
control. The primary function of interior window coverings is to reduce
Indoor temperature without solar control
glare levels and diffusing daylight. The primary function of External window 35
30
Coverings is heat control.
25

THERMAL COMFORT
External Window Coverings will prevent
excessive solar heat gain and reduce theneed for cooling in the summer.
Moreover, it will also reduce - if noteliminate - the high capacity of coolingequipment needed, resulting in a
reduction in the initial investment cost.
In colder climates, External Window
Coverings will enable the use of solar
energy to help heat the building in winter.
This is often overlooked when solar
control glass is selected for heat control.

indoor °C

The Hunter Douglas Energy Tool
helps finding an optimum solution
by quantifying the effects of various
External Window Coverings.
The pay-off will be reduced energy
costs and often reduced investment
cost. On top of that: greenhousegas emissions during the operation
phase of the building will be
reduced.

20

15

0

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

days in June

outdoor °C

Temperature °C

indoor °C

40

Indoor temperature with solar control

35

30

25

20

15

0

8

Thermal confort at a minimal
environmental impact calls for a carefulmatching of glazing, Sun Control and
HVAC equipment.

10

12

14

16

18

20

days in June

VISUAL COMFORTInterior Window Coverings enable theuse of free renewable daylight to the
maximum extent, so significantly reducing
the need for artificial lighting and avoiding
the associated cooling loads.
The accepted factor in creating visual
comfort states that the contrast within thefield of view should not exceed a factorof 10. The contrast between the central
visual task and its direct surroundings
should not exceed a factor of 3.
When designing an office space, questions
often arise around what measures should
be considered to guarantee the right levelof visual comfort?

The Hunter Douglas Light Tool
makes the assessment of visual
comfort tangible by calculating
luminance levels for a model
office with and without window
coverings. The amount and typeof glass, the orientation of the
façade, the geographical location,
weather, season and time of day
are all taken into account before
recommendations are made.
The Light Tool helps clients assess
which window covering provides
the aesthetic and performancelevels needed to create visual
comfort for their particular project.

1

3

10

10

3

1

Contrast factor 1:3:10

Light Tool calculations are based on Radiance (Lawrence Berkeley Laboratories). The scene model consists ofapproximately 20,000 polygons. Colours and reflection values were measured in an actual model office.

External Venetian Blinds 9

HUNTER DOUGLAS
For 50 years, Hunter Douglas has been dedicated to innovation. As the field of Sun Control grows, we
pride ourselves on leading the way as pioneers in the area.
We are working alongside architects and designers throughout the globe, discovering new, inventive methodsof managing heat, light and energy. We are committed to crafting products that meet the highest standards ofconstruction and performance using the best materials available. We aim to provide you with the tools and visionthat will create projects that inspire.

Innovative Products
Make Innovative Projects

Promoting sustainable
forest management
www.pefc.org® Registered trademark - a Hunter Douglas® Products Pats. & Pats. Pend. - Technical data subject to change without notice.
© Copyright Hunter Douglas 2009. No rights can be derived from copy, text pertaining to illustrations or samples. Subject tochanges in materials, parts, compositions, designs, versions, colours etc, even without notice. MX 911W00

10 External Venetian Blinds

ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES
We support our business partners with a wide range of technical consulting andsupport services for architects, developers and installer. We assist architects anddevelopers with recommendations regarding materials, shapes and dimensions,colours and finishes. We also help creating design proposals, visualisations
and mounting drawings. Our services to installers range from providing detailed
installation drawings and instructions to training installers and advising on thebuilding site.

FI/11/001

Printed on
EU Ecolabel
certified paper

Hunter Douglas products andsolutions are designed to
improve indoor environmental
quality and conserve energy,
supporting built environmentsthat are comfortable, healthy,
productive, and sustainable.

Our paint and aluminium melting
processes are considered to be
one of the industry standards
in terms of clean pro­duc­tion
processes. All aluminium
products are 100% recyclable
at the end of their lifecycle.

External Venetian Blinds 11

ChinaHong Kong
India

Window Coverings
Ceilings
Sun Control
FaçadesIndonesia
Japan
Korea
Malaysia
Philippines
Singapore
TaiwanThailand
Vietnam

Australia
EuropeLatin America
North America

Hunter Douglas Asia Operations
Tel: +603 5191 2020www.hunterdouglas.asia

12 External Venetian Blinds