Best louvres for low-cost sun shading

Are you looking for cost-effective sun shading for your terraced housing project? To ensure your next build is functional, attractive, and distinctive, it is important to choose the right products. We believe the best solution to ensure exceptional results is sun-shading louvres.

In this article, we share the best louvre products and sun shading solutions, focusing on medium-density housing. We showcase four of the most cost-effective solutions, including fixed louvre eyebrows, fixed louvre pergolas, window shrouds with louvre infill, and vertical frameless louvres.

Best sun shade louvres NZ

A louvre, or louver, is made of thin extruded aluminium blades which are arranged to form a shelter or screen. The slats can be fixed in position or adjustable to allow light and air to flow through. Louvres are most commonly used to improve shade control, privacy, ventilation, and architectural design.

1. Fixed louvre eyebrows

A fixed louvre eyebrow is a slimline frame with a fixed louvre infill, typically mounted above a window or door. The frame is supported with stainless steel tie rods or tapered side brackets and the angles and centres can be customised to suit your shading needs. Fixed louvre eyebrows are most commonly used to shade from overhead sun nuisance.

2. Fixed louvre pergola

A fixed louvre pergola has a large frame supported by posts, creating a shade roof and adding depth to the building. Pergolas can be much deeper than eyebrow louvres, doubling as a shelter for an outdoor patio. The louvre shape, centres, and angles are customisable to meet the brief aesthetically and functionally. We also have watertight motorised louvre roofs available.

3. Window shroud with louvre infill

A window shroud is fitted to the window and a louvre infill can be added for increased shade control. These can be customised with various louvre shapes, spacings, and angles. We can also increase the shroud depth to fit window sashes behind, allowing you to open the window and add a motor to the louvre for adaptability. 

4. Frameless vertical louvres

Frameless vertical aluminium louvers have brackets on the back of the louvres, achieving a sleek and modern look. During design, we can customise the angles, centres, and finish to suit your project and design vision. Multiple louvre profile sizes can be used.

Benefits of aluminium louvres

Durability

Compared to other materials, powder-coated aluminium is more durable, long-lasting, and needs minimal maintenance, which makes it the perfect choice for the harsh New Zealand climate. This tough material lasts for decades and has a large range of colours and textures available. 

Low maintenance

Compared to other materials like wood, which require sanding, staining, and sealing frequently, aluminium is extremely low maintenance. 

Sun protection

Louvres are a great way to add shade control to your building, both indoors and out. They can be added as an extension to your project’s outdoor living spaces or to protect the interior from harsh UV rays and unwanted heat.

Lower electricity bills

Adding louvre blades to the exterior of a building makes it easier to manage the internal temperature, reducing the energy your customers will spend on air conditioning. You can even choose from automatic and motorised systems to adjust the louvres according to the sun’s movement. 

Corrosion resistance

Aluminium is highly resistant to corrosion, making it ideal for buildings in coastal or other corrosive environments. This means fewer repairs are required over time, saving resources and costs. 

Lightweight

Aluminium is lightweight, making it easy and cost-effective to handle during construction. Its high strength-to-weight ratio means it can support heavy loads relative to its weight.

Recyclable

Aluminium is 100% recyclable and can be reused indefinitely without any loss in quality. Recycling aluminium uses 95% less energy compared to smelting the equivalent amount from new minerals. 

Customised designs

Louvres can be a unique architectural statement to an otherwise boring, boxy building. Our facade products can be easily attached to your new building, adding definition, shape, and an eye-catching layer of colour and texture. 

We offer a range of colours and finishes with our products, from arctic white to matt black, flat to textured, and even a wood grain powder coat. For inspiration, download our Style Guide or see our Ashwell Terraces project, featuring the Solaris 110 clasp-fixed louvres in a Light Manuka woodgrain powder coat finish. 

Louvered pergola NZ

Aurae has the widest range of sun-shading aluminium louvres and profiles available in New Zealand:

• Louvres
• Pergolas
• Sliding shutters
• Window shrouds
• Entrance canopies
• Perforated screens
• Grated screens
• Bin screens

Custom louvres

Can’t find what you need? We can customise a solution to meet your project specifications. Just contact us today and we’ll discuss your project requirements, share our recommendations, and discuss your options. 

Medium density architecture

We’re all about making houses look good, enhancing the architectural character of your project and providing a variety of practical benefits. With our aluminium products, you can have complete peace of mind knowing your building’s exterior looks good and has been designed and engineered to meet NZBC standards.

Download our medium-density housing brochure below for more specifications, products, and inspiration.