The timeless brilliance of open roof louvre systems

The New Zealand climate can be unpredictable, wherever you are in the country. The varied weather systems that affect Aotearoa can often mean torrential rain at 11am is followed by the emergence of a roasting sun at 1pm, beaming down harsh UV light to dry the soaked ground.

This unpredictability can often throw off backyard entertaining and gatherings — rain will dampen everything including the mood, and scorching, direct sunlight can get unbearably hot in the height of summer.

With the simple addition of a louvre system, however, these problems can be eliminated altogether. And with opening roof systems, users can tailor their louvres to precisely suit the conditions, allowing for as much sun or shade as necessary in the moment.

As a specialist in opening roof louvre systems, NZ Louvres is a leader in the market. The company designs, manufactures and installs aluminium systems — and is wholly owned and operated in New Zealand, with all products constructed right here in Aotearoa.

With the entirety of its operations remaining onshore, NZ Louvres managing director Steffan Haua says since the company’s inception, it has always understood the meteorological needs of outdoor shelter throughout New Zealand.

“Our opening roof systems are complex, premium systems that require focus and considerable development to ensure the perfect balance of form, function and durability,” says Steffan.

“We design our systems to suit each unique location, maximising the benefits of each solution to suit the location, individual client needs and expectations.”

As the company’s flagship product, the Opening Roof System aims to provide an entire turnkey solution to year-round outdoor entertaining. Fully automated, the product has built-in rain detectors that sense even the slightest touch of rain — instantly and automatically closing the roofing system, so the user doesn’t have to.

“When it comes to the Opening Roof System, we believe in only offering a premium product for this market,” says Steffan. “Our specifications, design and execution of fabrication and installation reflect this belief so you can be assured you are buying the best without the confusion of offering low spec products that fail to perform in NZ’s unique and challenging conditions.”

The product’s materiality and construction design combine to optimise the desired effects. For example, NZ Louvres’ Opening Roof System has one of the widest opening roof blades on the market. This extra width means more open space — offering more light when you need it.

Meanwhile, the materiality itself maximises strength and structural integrity, and provides an immaculate finish — concealing and protecting motors within the structural beams and very few visible fixings.

“The structural beams are our own unique design, extruded locally in T6 Structural Grade aluminium,” says Steffan. “Competitors typically use standard T5 non-structural extrusion for their beams and have adapted systems to suit. In many cases their motors and mechanisms are exposed, sometimes on top of the structure.

“This is not ideal in New Zealand conditions.”

New Zealand conditions are also taken into account when it comes to the coating of the locally-sourced aluminum. Coated in New Zealand by Dulux Approved applicators, all NZ Louvres aluminium blades are under the Dulux 10 Year Warranty, and coastal sea spray areas are automatically upgraded to provide for a 20 year warranty.

Steffan explains that in its effort to cater for all Kiwi weather conditions, NZ Louvres’ opening roof blades are especially heavy — in many cases 40% more material than its competitors, in order to maximise structural integrity and weather tightness.

“Our louvre opening roof blade also Incorporates a special seal,” says Steffan. “It’s like standard window rubber, but this product retains its flexibility longer, will not harbour any moisture and is much more resistant to mould and mildew.”

When it comes to essential building materials like aluminium, it’s easy to turn a blind eye to the environmental concerns. NZ Louvres is aware of this and ensures it doesn’t fall into the trap. With aluminium being the primary material used in its louvre construction, the company has chosen to go down the green route for the metal.

NZ Louvres’ main aluminium supplier is the only extruder in NZ to carry the Toitu Carbon Reduce Certification — as well as the only extruder that has its own foundry. This means they commit to producing aluminium with at least 30% of recycled material.

It also means NZ Louvres has total control of the composition of the aluminium. “This means we have absolute confidence that the right specifications are provided for the right job,” says Steffan.

NZ Louvres is also a member of the Sustainable Business Network and Members of Buy NZ Made, and it re-uses all of the packaging it receives from suppliers — dramatically reducing the need to buy new packaging materials.

Learn more about NZ Louvres and its offerings.