What Are Louvre Roofs?

An opening louvre roof system is a modern way to provide shading to the outdoor area of a home. This versatile solution comprises the best features of pergolas, retractable awnings, and outdoor blinds, in an innovative package. The louvre roof blades can open to allow the sun and breeze when the weather is fine, or close to shelter from elements when the clouds take over. 

Due to a high convenience of use, opening louvre roofs can turn the outdoor area into an additional lounge. It’s possible to furnish the area as desired since the retractable louvre roof will keep all the items weather-proof.

Louvre Roofs Advantages 

The louvre blades can be made of sheet metal, aluminium, fibreglass, glass, and polycarbonate. Apart from flexibility in use, the choice of material is one of the biggest advantages of retractable louvre roofs. For instance, aluminium is known to be durable, lightweight, rust-free and long-lasting. Maintenance is minimal or almost non-existing. 

Sustainable aluminium materials make retractable louvre roof energy efficient. Vertical sun louvres are a great way utilise that and save on power. Window panels prevent the heat from warming the interior in summer but help to keep it in during winter. Vertical louvres can be easily open to regulate the room temperature.

Opening louvre roofs can allow up to 85 per cent of airflow, more flexible than fixed louvres. The blades can operate in any angle, based on the requirements.

Finally, the louvre roof design is exceptionally modern and brings the home exteriors to a whole new level. 

Louvre Roofs VS. Pergolas  

Pergolas are shading structures placed over outdoor living areas, either freestanding or attached to the house. Their roof is filled with fixed horizontal beams, arranged with some space for sun rays in between. Pergolas’ aesthetic value is high, particularly in coastal areas, but they provide no protection from the rain. 

Pergolas and open louvre roofs share the same structure concept. Vertical poles hold a sturdy frame that supports the horizontal shading fragments. 

In a way, operable louvre roofs are an innovative upgrade of a traditional pergola. Horizontal members are now movable for more versatile protection and maximum control over the outdoor area.

Types of Louvre Roofs 

The opening louvre roof provides shelter from the elements for outdoor living areas. Horizontal rotation of the blades allows for versatile screening. Closed, they stop the rain from leaking in, but can also be immediately opened once the sun is back. Louvre roofs with rain sensors enable full outdoor comfort year-round: after detecting the conditions, the blades open and close automatically.

Fixed louvre blades are a versatile solution for shading and privacy. A large number of fixing details allows for a variety of styles and designs. 

Operable louvre blades offer improved shade management, with the ability to rotate and adjust. Each blade revolves over a vertical or horizontal axis, controlled either manually or automated. A change of inclination maximises both the shading effect and user experience.

Sliding shutters allow complete control of sun sheltering and privacy. This type of vertical louvres comprises shading panels that operate as a whole. 

Louvre Roofs Mechanism

Manual louvre roof control is not much different than any other retractable shading feature. It includes a manual winder to open or close the louvres per need.

Automated louvre roof system lets the user control the blades or panel adjustment with a touch of a button. It can be done through the remote controller or a fixed wall switch. Electrically operable louvre roofs allow for convenient additions such as rain sensors. 

Louvre Roof Design

Louvre roofs offer a certain level of customisation for every feature, from blade type, over support structure design, to operating mode. One of the first things to consider is the choice between multiple blade types. Rectangular blades create a flat surface when closed. Wind and snow loadings can also find their place in louvres designs, depending on the environment. 

Blade finishings come in a broad selection of hues, from powder coating and anodising to custom colouring.