Fixed sunshades are elements integral to a facade which are designed to save energy in a building by limiting the amount of sunlight that penetrates the perimeter windows. They can take many different forms, including screens, slats, lattices, or fins, as well as irregular shapes.

Sunshades which can be raised and lowered, or opened and closed, are listed as movable sunshades rather than fixed.

The shading elements remain fixed in place. Different forms can perform the same function, but an element designed to open, close, rise, or lower belongs to movable sunshades.