Learn how to turn boring, square louvers into works of art.
Louvers have many different uses. They can allow air to pass in or out of a building or protect its interior spaces from rain and severe weather conditions. Louvers can also enhance a building’s aesthetic.
Architectural Louvers
Architectural louvers are only meant to enhance aesthetics, and don’t serve the typical functions of a louver. For the purposes of air movement (intake and exhaust), these louvers are considered non-functional. However, architectural louvers can be connected to intake or exhaust louvers to extend the louver past the opening. But architectural louvers aren’t the only way to make your building look good.
Looking for more? Are you more focused on the louver's function over its form? Learn more about louver style with these other Newsstand articles:
Hidden and Recessed Mullions
For many standard louvers, you can choose a recessed or hidden mullion option. These options can remove the visible divisions between louvers, creating the same continuous lines for louvers linked together.
A recessed mullion has a support member hidden behind the conjoined blades. This style still shows a small bit of mullion, which may be noticeable as a viewer gets closer to the louver. A hidden mullion will have supporting members behind the conjoined blades. Hidden mullions are entirely hidden behind the blades of the louver, but this design may affect the louver's wind load capabilities. The blade supports will not have the same structural integrity of a standard frame louver, and thus will be affected by high winds.
Consider where your louver will go and what will be required of that louver before making your choice. And if you have any questions, you can always consult the manufacturer.
With recessed and hidden mullions, a series of intake louvers can look like a single unit. And even better, these changes won’t affect the louver’s air performance.
Custom shapes
With custom shapes, you can make your louvers fit your design; not the other way around.
There is one important thing to consider when creating a custom shape louver. Changes in louver shape will alter the louver's performance. AMCA's standardized test methods only account for square or rectangular louvers. The data and ratings from these tests will not apply to custom shape versions.
For instance, if you have a louver with an AMCA's rating seal for air performance, this seal will not apply to the louver if it is built in any shape square or rectangular.
In general, wind driven rain and hurricane louvers are not available with these options. Because of their specific purpose – to withstand heavy storm conditions – their design cannot be changed. But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck forever with a bare-metal severe weather louver. There are other ways to spruce up a louver.
Finishes and Color Options
If you don’t see a color you want, you can also request a color match to achieve that perfect shade for your building’s accents.
Your building’s aesthetic is important. Your louvers don’t have to be square, metallic eye sores on your building. You have a variety of options available. Make them work with your design!
Looking for louvers? Arrow United Industries can help. We build stationary louvers with a variety of options, including custom shapes and finishes. Start your next project with excellence, experience, and versatility. Contact Arrow United today.
Louver aesthetic is important. Should the louvers match the project or is it better if they clash? What would you add to your louvers? Tell us in the Comments section. MCDLG wants to know what you think!
Are you starting a project and need advice on louvers? Do you need help meeting requirements? We can help! Contact MCDLG today and let's work together on your next project.