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Louvres enable architects to enhance a building's shade control, privacy, and architectural design. They come with multiple forms and names, including fixed louvre eyebrows, fixed louvre pergolas, opening louvre roofs, window shrouds, and vertical frameless louvres to name a few.
So just how much do louvres cost?
In this article, we provide industry expertise into the cost of louvres, showcasing a series of real projects to demonstrate the price factors.
What influences the price of louvres in NZ?
The cost of a louvre depends on a series of factors, both external and related to the design. Some of these are as follows.
- Aluminium supply — The cost of raw aluminium fluctuates based on the London Metal Exchange (LME), and smelter electricity costs. While we’ve seen a general stabilisation on the LME in recent years, the Chinese government has recently announced it is ending subsidies on all exported aluminium. We expect this to increase the price on Chinese imported aluminium. Here at Aurae, our aluminium is smelted at Tiwai point so we aren’t expecting this to significantly impact our pricing in the short term.
- Louvre blade profile and size — Aluminium is purchased by the kg. Therefore it isn’t complicated to calculate that the heavier and larger the profile, the more the louvre will cost. All our louvre span table documents and our louvre brochure have the kg per meter weights, so you can compare each profile.
- Blade centres — Similar to profile selection, the number of louvre blades in a panel impacts the overall volume of aluminium. The higher the blade centres, the less aluminium and the cheaper the louvre panel will be.
- Automation — Make the louvres operable, motorised, sliding, bi-folding or hinged, and this all impacts the cost.
- Powdercoat - There are multiple levels of powdercoat finish available. Premium finishes such as Dulux Electro and woodgrain powdercoat are more expensive than standard powdercoat finishes.
Fixed louvre pergola
A standard fixed-blade louvre is one of the most affordable aluminium pergola designs.
For example, this retirement village project features our Caldera 150 louvre profile in a fixed louvre pergola. Using aluminium enabled the architects to match the pergola colour to the roof and window joinery, while significantly reducing maintenance requirements compared to a timber equivalent. Depending on the blade centres, beam sizes and other factors, this product typically costs between $375 + GST and $650 + GST per square metre to supply and install.
Fixed blade louvres
This recent project on Remuera Road features the Solaris 110 louvre profile fixed to the facade using the clasp bracket fixing detail. We worked with Matz Architects to design and engineer this louvre solution. Depending on the blade centres and other factors, this product would typically cost between $400 + GST and $850 + GST per square meter to supply and install.
Sliding louvres
Sliding louvre panels are an excellent way to provide functional privacy in medium-density housing. Popular on balconies, sliding louvres enable the residents to switch between privacy and sunlight depending on their requirements.
This project in Milford Auckland, utilises the Caldera 88 profile fixed inside a frame with manually sliding hardware. Depending on the blade centers and other factors, a product like this typically costs between $750 + GST and $1200 + GST per square meter to supply and install.
The blades can be made manually operable and the sliding action can be automated, but this obviously impacts the cost further.
Aluminium louvres NZ
Louvres are both functional and visually pleasing, offering a powerful way to elevate your project. These innovative designs maximise shade control, weather protection, privacy, and ventilation, while also adding flair to your facade design. With Aurae, the opportunities are boundless, including:
- Fixed louvre panels
- Operable louvre panels
- Fixed louvre roofs
- Fixed and operable louvre roofs
- Sliding shutters
- A rear pivot louvre system
For specifications and technical advice, contact our team today for tailored insights. We can also share more innovative architectural solutions, including pergolas, sliding shutters, window shrouds, entrance canopies, perforated screens, grated screens, and bin screens.
For more inspiration, download your free copy of the Louvre Brochure, showcasing some of the best examples of our louvre designs. From townhouse developments to high-end homes, these elevated designs are sure to inspire.
