A louver, also spelled louvre, is a window blind or shutter with horizontal slats that are angled to admit light and air, but to keep out rain and direct sunshine. Louvers are used in various applications, from regulating the temperature of a room to controlling the amount of oxygen that gets into an incubator. Louvers can be made of various materials such as aluminum, metal, wood, or glass. They may be adjustable or fixed, and can be opened and closed with a metal lever, pulleys, or through motorized operators.
Louvers are part of the HVAC system that allows airflow into the building but blocks the rest of nature from getting in. They are used to control natural light, temperature, and airflow in a building. Louvers help regulate heat gain or loss by preventing unwanted solar heat gain while allowing fresh air to enter the building. Louvers can be found anywhere there’s an HVAC system in place, such as schools, residential homes, hospitals, offices, restaurants, and other commercial buildings.
Louvers are also used in buildings wherever there is a need for creating resistance to rainwater, excessive noise, hurricane-type winds, or a combination of these. They can also be used as a simple yet effective screening solution for buildings to hide unsightly equipment or to provide an aesthetically pleasing yet economical design element to the façade. Louvers can be utilized in a range of performance types, including drainable, non-drainable, wind-driven rain resistant, combination, thin-line, acoustically rated, adjustable, and even extreme-weather resistant.
Louvers are made functional by fixed or operable blades installed on a frame. The number, size, and design of the blades depend on the type of ventilation and protection required from the louver. Louvers serve multiple purposes, all centered around enhancing the comfort and functionality of a building. Some of their primary roles include ventilation, improved aesthetics, storm protection, and noise reduction. Louvers contribute to maintaining a fresh, cool environment within a building by allowing fresh air to enter and pushing out hot, stale air, supporting the HVAC system and creating a more comfortable atmosphere.
In summary, a louver is a window blind or shutter with horizontal slats that are angled to admit light and air, but to keep out rain and direct sunshine. Louvers are used in various applications, from regulating the temperature of a room to controlling the amount of oxygen that gets into an incubator. They are part of the HVAC system that allows airflow into the building but blocks the rest of nature from getting in. Louvers are used to control natural light, temperature, and airflow in a building, and they serve multiple purposes, all centered around enhancing the comfort and functionality of a building.
