Louvre blades explained

Posted by Mitchell Stewart on Jan 20, 2021 2:59:03 PM
Mitchell Stewart
Find me on:

Louvre blades explained

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.

In this blog article we take a closer look at louvre blades and what makes them unique. We also dive into the Aurae range of louvre blades including the different designs and profiles available.

What are louvre blades?

Louvre blades are essentially thin, flat strips of wood or metal that are positioned at regular intervals in a screen or shutter. Their position is fixed, open or operable (moving) to allow light or air to pass through the louvre blades. They’re most commonly used for interior or exterior shade control and ventilation. More commonly now though we see louvre blades also used on the exterior of a home for design purposes, privacy and to make an architectural statement.

With advances in technology, many people now choose operable louvres due to their flexibility and the ability to make the movement of the louvres motorised. Occupants of a home simply open up the louvre blades in something like an opening roof or close them off should they wish to, all with the press of a button. Operable louvre roofs are particularly suited to modern living and the often varying weather conditions we experience here in New Zealand – they can be fitted with rain sensors, which will automatically close the louvre blades, if it starts raining.

Types of louvre blades available

We’re lucky that there are now many different types of louvre blades available, suited to various different applications and homes. So whether you’re considering fixed louvre blades for sliding shutters, or perhaps you’re after an opening louvre roof, there are an array of louvre blades available, suited to certain applications.

Here we detail our range of Aurae louvre blades available for common louvre and facade designs.

Fixed louvre blades

Fixed louvre blades are the perfect choice if you need to provide extra shading to the exterior of your property, privacy or a design statement. It’s important to note that fixed louvre blades are just that, fixed in place. If you’re considering fixed louvre blades then you’ll want to make sure that they’re positioned in the right place, for your needs.

There are several louvre profile shapes available for our range of fixed louvre blades. These are the Aurora, the Solaris, the Caldera, and the Zenith louvre blade.

Aurae fixed louvre blades
Aurora louvre blades were used on the exterior of these windows for extra sun-shading.

Operable louvre blades

Operable louvre blades are the best way to provide versatile shading, privacy or a unique architectural statement to a property. The louvre blades can be rotated freely – leave them open to let light and air in, or close them off to keep the bad weather out. With our range of operable louvre blades, the rotating action can be either manual or motorised with wireless controls available. Our motorised operable louvre roof systems contain concealed motors ensuring design aesthetics are unimpeded by functionality. Louvre blade profiles available for operable louvres are the Aurora, the Solaris, and the Caldera.

Aurae operable louvre blades
Operable louvre blades feature on the exterior of this home for weather control, privacy and an architectural statement.

Opening louvre roof

Our Aurae opening roof louvre is the ultimate compliment to any outdoor living area, giving you lots of flexibility for your outdoor entertaining area. With an opening louvre roof, you have the ability to open your roof to take advantage of natural sunlight and ventilation, coupled with the option of closing it to provide a weatherproof shelter when required.

The opening roof is available with two louvre blade profiles – the Aurora, or the Solaris.

Aurae opening louvre roof
An opening louvre roof features over this balcony making the space usable all-year-round.

Louvre shutters

Sliding, bi-fold or hinged louvre shutters are an excellent way to achieve functional and architectural benefits for a home. Shutters can be put on the sides of your outdoor area to provide greater control of your outdoor living experiences and keep unfavourable weather out. They can also be used to cover windows for privacy, or added to the side of a home for a unique architectural statement.

Shutter infill options include fixed louvre blades and manually operable louvre blades. Shutters can also be fitted with aluminium swaged grating or perforated screens – both are great decorative options should the shutters be used for purely aesthetic purposes.

Aurae louvre sliding shutters
Sliding shutters make a statement on the exterior of this modern home.

Louvre blade profiles

Our louvre blades are available in a range of different louvre profile shapes. Here we outline the differences between the different louvre blades available, along with dimensions and fixing details.

Aurora louvre blades

The Aurora louvre blade is an aerofoil shape with blade sizes available from 75mm to 600mm. The fixing details include motorised or manually operable, clasp bracket fixed, end fixed and cable mounted.

Solaris louvre blades

The Solaris louvre blade is a rectangle shape with excellent span capability. Blade sizes available for the Solaris range from 110mm up to 1000mm. Fixing details include motorised or manually operable, clasp bracket fixed, end fixed, rear channel mounted and cable mounted.

Caldera louvre blades

The Caldera louvre blade is a parallelogram shape with blade sizes available from 88mm to 390mm. Fixing details include motorised or manually operable, end fixed and clasp bracket fixed.

Zenith louvre system

The Zenith is a modular overhead louvre canopy system. The Zenith is available in panels between 620mm to 1500 deep, and 250mm to 3400mm long. Multiple panels can be connected together if you require a wider canopy. This louvre system is supported by tapered side brackets or tie rods.

Aurae louvre blade profiles
Aurae louvre blade profiles.

All louvre blades are manufactured to ASNZ standards and producer statements are available on request. Louvre blades are aluminium and finished in a powder-coat colour of your choice. For technical information on specific louvre blades, please see our technical data sheets and DWG files.

If you can’t find the technical information you require or need some assistance deciding which type of louvre blade is right for your project, we’d love to help. Simply get in touch with our team here.

Learn more about our louvres here

Topics: Residential louvres, Louvre

 

 

 

Get expert advice from Aurae on your design plans.

Get new articles straight to your inbox

Recent Posts