Solinear’s Solex™ Brise Soleil Range

Solinear’s exclusive Solex™ brise soleil range has been a popular solar shading choice over the years for thousands of happy clients throughout the UK – catching the attention of prominent main contractors, specifiers and architects. Versatile, robust, reliable and aesthetically pleasing, it has proven to be a huge success for Solinear. 

Why is it called Solex™?

Solinear’s Solex™ brise soleil range takes its name from the Spanish ‘Sol’ meaning sun and ‘ex’, the Latin, meaning ‘out’, ‘out of’, ‘away’, ‘out of the way’. It is pronounced ‘səʊ-leks’/sew-leks.
Continuing the Spanish theme…the Solinear team would describe the Solex™ range as very effective or ‘muy eficaz’ in Spanish.

What is the purpose of the Solex™ range?

As the name suggests, Solex™ products are primarily designed to mitigate the impact of solar gain during warmer months therefore maintaining a comfortable and pleasant environment for the occupants of a building. Conversely, during winter months Solex™ screens can be used to maximise solar heat gain and daylight entry to the internal space thus reducing internal heating demands. As weather becomes more unpredictable, Solex™ brise soleil has assisted in taking the headache and guesswork out of interior heating/cooling making it a pleasant, uncomplicated, passive means of climate control.

How does the Solex™ range work?

In simple terms, Solex™ brise soleil systems consist of a series of equally spaced, angled fins or blades arranged in a configuration that controls the amount of sunlight and solar heat entering a building.
In more technical terms, Solinear’s exclusive Sol-TRAC computer software assists the design team in establishing the optimum solar shading specification to a building façade and through calculation of ‘shadow masks’ produced from the various shading structures available, Solinear can offer the most practical and cost-effective solar shading solution, taking into account the varying conditions and requirements of each specific project.

What materials are used to produce the Solex™ range?

The Solex™ brise soleil range can be manufactured from a range of materials including extruded aluminium, stainless steel, and galvanised mild steel as well as fabric and mesh. For a more sustainable, organic product it can also be manufactured from FSC timber or an innovative natural composite material that has the appearance of wood.

Where is the Solex™ range manufactured?

All Solinear products, including the Solex™ range, are manufactured at Solinear’s UK-based manufacturing facility. There is no reliance on imported products which means that Solinear has complete autonomy over production, timescales and quality control. Products do not leave the manufacturing facility without thorough checks.

How versatile is the Solex™ range?

Depending on preference and requirements, Solex™ brise soleil systems can be fitted as horizontal, cantilever design ‘canopy’ projections or vertical ‘hanging’ screening systems and offered as operable/motorised as well as static brise soleil solutions meaning that it’s incredibly versatile and hassle free. Additionally, Solinear’s Solex™ systems can be manufactured and installed to completely bespoke and unique specifications.

What are the benefits of the Solex™ range?

As mentioned, Solinear’s Solex™ brise soleil systems serve an important function offering long-term, efficient solar protection during summer months whilst maximising solar heat gain and daylight entry during winter months allowing beneficial natural daylight to the bathe the room and its occupants.
Solinear’s Solex™ brise soleil systems can also be used to provide a visually dynamic building feature or as a means of screening, perhaps concealing an ugly or dated façade therefore increasing the kerb appeal and subsequent value of a property. In some cases, decorative Solex™ brise soleil panels have even been used internally as a feature or screen.

Can installing Solex brise soleil help the environment?

The answer is yes. Sustainability and passivhaus technology are vital constituents for modern living and working environments and Solinear’s Solex™ brise soleil can help to reduce the carbon footprint of a building. It lessens the need for artificial internal cooling and heating methods thus saving time, money and resources. It is extremely low-maintenance and cost-effective especially when compared to internal methods of shading including blinds and curtains and, in comparison with other heating and cooling methods including central heating and air condition units – reducing the reliance on artificial methods of climate control.

Are there any examples of Solex™ projects available?

There is a dedicated case study page on the Solinear website which is very popular with potential clients who prefer to see examples of real-life projects that feature the products they are interested in.

Below is just a small selection of case studies, from the many, featuring the Solex™ brise soleil range:

• The phenomenal Plot 6 Mercia project highlights a vast and technically sophisticated bespoke Solex™ Halo 400 motorised system.
• The Majestic building is an iconic feature of Leeds city centre, with its magnificent classical façade, but had been neglected – Solinear helped to rejuvenate this incredible building with a bespoke Solex™ system finished in a warm bronze colour.
• Birmingham’s Washwood Heath Academy where Solinear installed a significant volume of striking bespoke Solex™  brise soleil finished in six colours reflecting Washwood’s signature colours.
• In Rest Bay, Wales, Solinear installed a tailor-made Solex™  system finished with a marine grade powder coating at Porthcawl Watersport Centre creating a comfortable space inside without interrupting the stunning views of the bay.
• Solinear creates stunning bespoke coloured Solex™ system to complement the modern construction of the multi-million pound, Lister House Health Centre building in Essex.

Want to know more about Solinear’s popular Solex™ range?

More in-depth and technical questions can be answered by talking to one of Solinear’s friendly and helpful team or visit the dedicated Solex™ web page for more information.