Aurae Blog

We’ve been working on something pretty exciting, and it’s finally time to share our latest innovation! As architectural louvre and facade specialists, we saw a gap in the market for rigorously wind tested decorative screens that could be used on residential homes and properties. Our new range of perforated screens ‘dapple’ have been designed to enhance the exterior of a home, all while showcasing a choreography of light.

Trends come and go and every year we see an array of bold new house design trends emerge. 2020 saw some big changes in the way we live with many people spending more time at home than ever before. Some people are still working from home so their haven has also become their make-shift office. This newfound affinity with our homes has had many of us re-evaluating how we’re using our homes, how functional the spaces are, and even the design and colour choices that have been used.

Louvre blades are a common fixture among many facade and outdoor shading systems – shutters, pergolas and opening louvre roofs to name a few. Commonly used to provide protection from the elements and for ventilation, they can also act as a unique design feature, with the ability to drastically enhance the exterior design of a home.

There are many different types of louvre blades now available in all different shapes and sizes, giving you plenty of choice when it comes to choosing the louvre blades that are right for your current or future project.

While 2020 certainly had its challenges, the team here at Aurae feel lucky to have had the opportunity to work on some fantastic louvre and facade projects this year. From practical spaces to truly mesmerising designs, we had a lot of standouts this year which is why we wanted to share a few of our favourite projects with you.

Motorised louvres are becoming increasingly popular in facade design due to their flexible nature. While motorised louvres still serve the same purpose as more traditional fixed louvre blades, by providing shade and privacy to the exterior of a property, the louvre blades in motorised systems are operable.

People want convenience and flexibility with many aspects of their home and the exterior is no different. A versatile and motorised shading solution is a simple way for homeowners to take control of their shading and privacy, all while becoming less reliant on in-home heating and cooling solutions. 

Sliding shutters are a common fixture on the exterior of many New Zealand homes and are a popular choice for many new builds due to their aesthetic appeal and practical benefits. While sliding shutters were traditionally only manually operable, advances in technology have resulted in sliding shutters that can be moved along the side of the home with the touch of a button.

If you’re considering sliding shutters for your next home or project then it’s important to know what your options are when it comes to sliding shutters so that you can choose the system that’s just right. To give you some guidance, we’ve outlined some basic information around sliding shutter systems including how they operate and the different shutter infill options available.

If you’re looking for a stylish feature to add to the front of a new build or future housing development, then you can’t go past an awning or an entrance canopy. Both awnings and entrance canopies have the ability to enhance the look and feel of a property, all while adding valuable protection from the elements like the harsh sun, wind and rain.

While similar in nature there are some small differences between awnings and entrance canopies and just how these would be used on the outside of a property to provide protection from the elements.

No matter the time of year (or the type of weather), a louvre opening roof system can be a great addition to the outdoor area of any property. Designed to be used all-year-round to make the most of a deck, outdoor room or patio, there are now a range of different options available when it comes to choosing an opening louvre roof that’s right for your property or project. And as technology has advanced, so too have the options you have to control an opening louvre roof.

On the 24th of May 2020 the New Zealand government announced changes to the Building Act which means that a number of smaller home improvements and renovations would be exempt from costly consents. Low-risk building projects like sleep-outs, sheds, carports and verandas can now be undertaken without the need to go through the process of obtaining a consent – these projects must still comply with the Building Code, however.

These recent changes have made it a lot easier for Kiwis to complete smaller building and renovation projects like adding sun shading systems to their properties. So, you may be wondering where does a pergola fit in with the Building Act, and do I need building consent for a pergola?

As a company that specialises in the design, manufacture and installation of architectural louvres and facade products, there are some common questions that are directed our way when it comes to louvre products, and more specifically, how these are installed.

To make things easier, we’ve put together a handy blog that covers off some of the most frequently asked questions we receive from our customers. Take a look below.