Are louvre roof systems watertight?

If you’re looking for ways to enhance the architecture of your building project, you’ve probably considered an opening louvre roof. These functional designs offer an incredible balance of weather protection and visual appeal, blurring the seams between indoor and outdoor spaces.

But louvre roofs are more than just an architectural or aesthetic feature; they also enhance shade control and protect against the weather. The question is — just how waterproof are they?

In this article, we delve into the specific considerations of installing a louvre roof and how to maximise weather protection. 

What is an opening louvre roof?

An opening louvre roof is an adaptable roof structure featuring operable louvre blades. These blades can be opened and closed as required to enhance shade control, weather protection, and ventilation.

Opening louvre roofs are an effective option for extending a home’s living space, optimising the outdoor area for liveability. This forms an outdoor room, ideal for entertaining and relaxing all year round. 

Louvre roof mechanisms

With operable louvre roofs, you can opt for manual operation or motorised blades. With an electronic louvre roof, you can easily control the blades with the touch of a button on a remote, smartphone, or wall switch. You can also incorporate rain sensors which is particularly beneficial for protecting your soft furnishings.  

Blade profiles

Most louvre roofs have different blade shapes to choose from, depending on the look you’re going for. Rectangular blades are the most popular, largely due to the flat surface they create when closed. However, aerofoil blades are also common in houses where the rippled look suits the character of the property.

Depending on the span and wind loads, our specialists can help you understand the best blades for your project.

Louvre Roof Systems NZ

At Aurae, we’ve been designing and optimising our louvre roofs for decades, tailoring them to New Zealand conditions. Standard configurations and designs are available, but we love customising as well. 

Due to the operable nature of a louvre roof, it is impossible to give a 100% guarantee of watertightness. However, they still offer exceptional rain protection. The following are some recommendations on how to maximise louvre roof rain protection. 

Flashings

Ensure flashings are included to stop water from dripping down between the building and the louvre roof frame. Often silicon is used to seal this gap, but this isn’t a long term solution. Over time the silicon will crack and annoying drips will develop. Flashing details when attaching to a soffit or directly to a wall are available here. 

Timing for flashing installation

When attaching the louvres to a building wall, it is important to engage the manufacturer early as the flashing needs to be tucked inside the building cavity (see below). This is the most effective way to direct water running down the cladding into the louvre roof gutter system. The flashing needs to be installed before the cladding is installed. 

Louvre roofs in a membrane roof opening

When installing a louvre roof into a roof opening (see example below), the most effective solution is to extend the roof membrane into the louvre roof gutters. This involves a two stage louvre install. The louvre gutter system needs to be installed before the membrane, with the membrane then installed down into the gutters. Once the membrane is complete, the louvres can be installed.

With this application also ensure there is a parapet preventing water from the roof draining onto the louvres and that the downpipe has sufficient fall back through the soffit. Square downpipes are recommended in this application as it increases the flow rate. 

Rain sensors

You can include rain sensors that automatically close the louvres when they detect rainfall. This takes the manual operation out of the equation and ensures the louvres are closed when it is raining, providing protection for your furniture. 

Gutters

An internal perimeter gutter system is incorporated into the louvre roof system. When the blades are closed, water drains into these gutters which direct the water into a downpipe.

Interlocking louvre blades

The louvres have an overlapping interlock system. The louvres do not have any gaps between them when they are in the closed position. This prevents water dripping between the louvre blades. 

Cleaning your louvre roof

To minimise the risk of leaks, ensure that the louvres are regularly cleaned. Ensure leaves and other debris are removed from the gutters and louvre drainage channels. 

Louvre roof NZ

Our opening louvre roofs are a great addition to any property, creating extra liveable space and adding exceptional weather protection. They also provide a unique design element to your building’s architecture, adding dimension to the exterior facade.

If you want your new building to stand out in all the right ways, an operable louvre roof is an effective solution. Browse the range on our website or download the free brochure below for all specifications and project inspiration.

Download the Opening Louvre Roof Brochure