By Dr. Behnam Razavi, PhD. & Frank Christiaens, MBA
In multi-family development, every design decision affects performance, occupant wellbeing, and long-term asset value. With energy codes tightening, climate resilience becoming a priority, and health concerns more visible than ever, architects and developers are rethinking how to manage solar control and indoor comfort.
Exterior screens are proving to be one of the most impactful upgrades you can specify. Unlike interior blinds, exterior screens intercept solar heat before it reaches the glass—transforming how multi-family buildings perform, look, and feel.
At Talius, we draw on German and Belgian engineering, and Canadian manufacturing expertise to deliver shading systems made for North America. Here’s why forward-thinking specifiers are choosing exterior screens over blinds.
1. Energy Efficiency Backed by Research
Independent studies confirm the significant energy-saving benefits of exterior shading:
- British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) demonstrated that exterior screens reduced peak cooling loads by up to 50% in multi-family applications .
- Esso research trials documented meaningful HVAC energy reductions during hot summer months.
- The University of Eindhoven projected that exterior shading delivers compounding savings as global temperatures rise.
For developers and building owners, this means:
- Lower operating costs across the life of the building
- Extended service life of HVAC systems under reduced strain
- Stronger alignment with LEED®, WELL™, and municipal energy requirements
Figure 1: Peak Cooling Load Reduction with Talius Exterior Screens (Source: BCIT Building Science Centre, 2024)
Figure 2: Annual HVAC Energy Use Savings per Unit (Source: Natural Resources Canada, 2024)
2. Designed for Longevity, Built for Value
Interior blinds are fragile—susceptible to damage from cleaning products, pets, children, or everyday use.
Talius exterior screens are engineered for the harshest North American climates. Customers have reported up to 29 years of operation without cleaning or maintenance .
This translates into:
- OPEX savings from fewer replacements and service calls
- CAPEX savings from longer lifecycle planning
- Uniform façades that protect both aesthetics and asset value
3. Healthier Indoor Environments with Zero Off-Gassing
Designing for occupant health has never been more important. Traditional blinds and shades are known to off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs), especially when new .
- PVC and vinyl blinds release phthalates, plasticizers, and solvents.
- Composite blinds can emit formaldehyde from adhesives.
- Fabric blinds often contain chemical coatings and flame retardants.
Talius exterior screens? Zero off-gassing. By moving shading outside the envelope, specifiers can eliminate a hidden risk to indoor air quality in multi-family housing.
4. Eliminating Disease Transmission Risks
Research shows that pathogens can survive on surfaces for hours, days, or longer, depending on humidity and temperature .
Interior blinds—with pull cords and touchpoints—are touched daily, making them potential vectors for disease transmission. By contrast, Talius exterior screens are fully automated, never requiring manual contact.
For developers and operators, this means healthier shared spaces and reduced liability.
5. Smarter Buildings Through Automation
The next generation of multi-family projects is defined by smart systems. Shading should be no exception.
Talius exterior screens can be:
- Networked across the building
- Driven by IoT sensors that track sun, wind, and occupancy
- Centrally managed for dynamic optimization
The result: maximum energy savings, consistent comfort, and a development that positions itself at the cutting edge of intelligent building design.
5.1 Sustainability and Environmental Impact
Dynamic exterior shading plays a critical role in meeting municipal climate action targets and aligning with green building certifications such as LEED® and WELL™.
A study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (2025) found that automated shading reduced AC energy consumption by 25–40% during peak summer months, significantly decreasing electricity demand and related greenhouse gas emissions.
For a typical 100-unit building, this equates to an annual reduction of 60 tonnes of CO2e—comparable to removing 13 cars from the road each year.
Figure 3: Annual greenhouse gas emissions reduction per 100-unit building when using Talius exterior screens.
(Source: ASHRAE Journal, 2025; Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 2025)
The Talius Advantage: German, Belgian & Canadian Expertise
At Talius, our identity is built on German precision, Belgian innovation, and Canadian resilience. We bring together:
- German and Belgian engineering heritage for uncompromising quality and performance
- Belgian design culture with its reputation for forward-thinking architecture and clean lines
- Canadian manufacturing tailored for North America’s toughest climates
Combined, these traditions ensure that Talius screens are not just products, but high-performance systems that deliver value for decades.
Elevate Your Next Project
Exterior screens are more than shading—they are a performance upgrade for every stakeholder:
- Architects achieve healthier, more sustainable designs.
- Developers reduce operating costs and extend asset lifecycles.
- Specifiers deliver code-aligned, future-proof solutions.
👉 Contact us today to see how our German, Belgian, and Canadian design heritage can elevate your next multi-family project.
About Talius
Talius stands as the foremost manufacturer of premium roll shutters and Habitat Screens in North America. Our roll shutters provide robust defence against vandalism, theft, and unauthorized entry, safeguarding schools and commercial buildings and residences. Talius’ Habitat Screens are designed to significantly diminish heat absorption in buildings during sunny periods and heatwaves, resulting in a notable reduction of up to 50% in air conditioning energy consumption. To best serve our consumer base, we have a distribution network across both North America, with Canadian manufacturing in Beautiful British Columbia.
Learn more about Talius at www.talius.com
Contact:
e. info@talius.com
p. 1-888-550-6205
