The (outdoor) roof over your head

With our (mostly) temperate climate, low population density and world-renowned scenery, it’s not surprising that we Kiwis love to spend time entertaining outdoors. The fact that we can do so pretty much all year is a great bonus.

Over the years, the humble deck has gradually been replaced by fully functioning outdoor rooms, complete with fireplaces, dining and lounge areas and even kitchens. Making these spaces suitable for year-round gatherings has also become more sophisticated, with clever louvre roof systems that allow us to close them down during inclement weather and open them up to take advantage of the sunshine.

“Al fresco dining and entertaining has long been embraced by Kiwi families but today, the possibilities surrounding outdoor living go a lot further,” says Nick Giblin, Project Manager for Locarno Louvres.

“Many homes now feature an outdoor room or loggia to extend interior living spaces into the outdoors. Locarno louvre systems let you control your environment, allowing you to enjoy your outdoor room through summer and beyond. Outdoor space is an extension of indoors and deserves the same consideration.

“Locarno Louvres designs, manufactures and installs premium aluminium louvres in a wide range of customised applications for the residential market. With significant experience on high-end architectural projects, we work closely with architects, builders and homeowners to design a bespoke product that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.”

Locarno Louvres’ products are proudly designed and manufactured right here in New Zealand, says Managing Director, Murray Giblin.

“Ensuring our commitment to quality and sustainability—along with our mission to support local suppliers—all products, with the exception of superior European motors and control systems, are sourced locally.

“Our aluminium louvre profiles are manufactured and extruded in New Zealand, using aluminium sourced in New Zealand. We are not reliant on imported aluminium.

Nick adds that this commitment to supporting local means that Locarno Louvres is able to offer reasonable lead times.

“Turnaround is typically around 10–12 weeks as all of the louvre systems for each project are custom manufactured in our factory and workshop in Auckland. This also means that we have the right product for your needs, thanks to our proprietary profiles, all of which are available in custom sizes.”

Established in 2004, Locarno Louvres specialise in custom, overhead louvre systems and typically work with architects and designers on new builds and renovations, although Nick says the company will work directly with homeowners on retro-fitted projects.

Systems designed and manufactured by Locarno Louvres include operable, vertical and horizontal options, all designed to the highest specifications.

“None of our systems is ‘standard’, each always includes some level of customisation,” says Nick. We work within the engineered span tables that have been designed for our louvre profiles and the Locarno proprietary aluminium beam structure to cover the various wind zones and snow loadings to meet the NZ building code.

“Our systems can either be powder coated or anodised. Powder coated finishes are available in the full Dulux powder coat colour range, often chosen to match existing joinery or roof colours. All the powder coating is done by a Dulux accredited applicator so we offer the full 10–15-year Dulux warranties. Anodising is available in natural, various bronze and black anodised finishes, which I can best describe as being comparable to a stained timber look.”

Sustainability is also a priority. Because Locarno Louvres manufactures to order, waste is kept to an absolute minimum and all products are sent out in recycled packaging. Aluminium itself is highly recyclable and the hydro powered Tiwai Point facility has a reputation for being one of the greenest smelters in the world.

Locarno Louvres’ products are available directly from the company or via a nationwide distribution network.

Learn more about the different louvre roof systems available for your next project.