Want to improve your building's look? Need a louver for a small AC unit? Consider using thin line louvers, the lightweight option!
Thin line louvers are louvers less than an inch deep. These louvers are often built without a frame. They are often referred to by other names: architectural louvers, contour louvers, or PTAC louvers.
As architectural features, thin line louvers can be installed along any flat surface. Their ultra-thin design provides a louvered look to the contours of the building.
When installed, the louver will look like a collection of louver blades floating in place. Louver blades create straight lines that draw attention to certain features of the building’s face. Architects can use these lines to enhance the overall aesthetic of their design. But you can’t mount a heavy traditional louver onto the side of your building. This is where architectural louvers come in. Learn how louvers can add style to your building with this Condenser article.
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Architectural louvers have a thin, frameless design that makes them easy to mount to any surface. The louver's blades are supported by a vertical blade support or VBS. The VBS consists of several vertical support members affixed to the back side of the blades. When mounted, these blade supports will hold the blades in place without needing a frame. This design makes architectural louvers much lighter than traditional framed louvers. You can also choose to add a frame to a thin line louver if you plan to mount it in an opening, or you just want a nice solid outline around your louver blades.
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Thin line louvers are not designed for typical ventilation applications like standard depth louvers, but they can be utilized for smaller applications like packaged terminal air conditioners also known as PTAC units. PTAC units are common in hotels, where a single air conditioner will serve the individual room. Each PTAC unit will also require a small opening for air intake.
These openings will be too small for a standard louver. Each PTAC unit will also come with a small, thin line louver known as a PTAC grille. PTAC grilles are used to cover the smaller ventilation opening of the PTAC unit, allowing air to pass through while keeping unwanted elements out. PTAC units require much less airflow than larger-scale air conditioners. Therefore, they can use a thinner louver to cover the opening.
PTAC grilles are a lightweight and affordable option for these smaller air conditioning units and will often come packaged with the unit. You will need to install a standard louver for larger intake and exhaust openings.
Thin line louvers can be the perfect accent to any project. They can also provide ventilation for smaller air conditioning units. As architectural louvers, they can be assembled into a large group of louver panels or fashioned into custom shapes. And like any louver, thin line louvers can receive frames, flange attachments, and several finish types. Thin line louvers are a lightweight, customizable solution for enhancing your building’s aesthetic.
Looking for ways to enhance your next project? What do you think of thin line louvers as architectural features? Share your thoughts in the Comments section. MCDLG wants to know!
MCDLG also offers continuing education courses through our Campus Portal on AEC Daily! Learn at your own pace through our online courses or schedule a webinar for any course and take a more traditional approach. Learn important HVAC principles and earn continuing education credits from a variety of institutions, including ASHRAE and AIA.
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