Commercial Louvers: Everything You’ll Need to Know

Commercial louvers improve modern buildings by balancing functionality with design, and they are integral pieces in regulating airflow, protecting against environmental elements, and contributing to the overall energy efficiency of a building.

Want to learn more about commercial louvers? What else can they do? And the different types?

Keep reading!

What Are Commercial Louvers?

Commercial louvers are a set of angled blades or slats that are designed to facilitate airflow and safeguard HVAC systems debris and pests.

Typically, these louvers are installed on a building exterior, and their placement is dependent on their purpose or element of design.

In short, commercial louvers must either blend seamlessly with a commercial building's facade or provide a deliberate feature to the building’s functionality.

Common Applications of Commercial Louvers

Commercial louvers are found in a wide range of building types, from warehouses to high-rise office buildings, and as such, they have a variety of applications.

In unconditioned spaces—such as warehouses or shop floors—louvers are used to control the flow of outdoor air, improve air quality, and provide a natural breeze.

However, in buildings that use forced air systems, louvers ensure HVAC systems are proper effectively. Here’s why:

HVAC systems deliver conditioned air to interior spaces, but louvers are the components that allow fresh air to enter these systems and thus be circulated throughout the building.

Types of Commercial Louvers

But there are also several different types of commercial louvers that are used within these spaces. Here are some of the most common:

Fixed Louvers

Fixed louvers live up to their name. They are a type of commercial louver that have stationary blades, which are ideal for applications requiring continuous, unchanging airflow. They are often used where buildings require consistency and reliable protection against weather.

Adjustable Louvers

Adjustable louvers feature movable blades that can be opened or closed, which provides them a bit of adaptability—especially in buildings where airflow requirements change based on environmental conditions.

Brick and Flood Vents

In environments prone to flooding, brick and flood vents allow proper drainage and ventilation, but these louvers are installed within the building's foundation rather than in walls or roofs. Their purpose? To maintain airflow while preventing water damage during extreme weather.

Combination Louver/Dampers

Combination louver/damper units offer a hybrid solution that combines adjustable louvers with fixed louvers. As a result, they are able to offer commercial buildings the best functionality while also providing elements of design.

Materials Used in Commercial Louvers

It’s also important to remember, however, that the strength and durability of commercial louvers is largely dependent on the materials used to manufacture them. Here are some of the materia; used to make them:

Aluminum

Aluminum is a popular choice because it is lightweight and resistant to corrosion—not to mention long lasting. Plus, it is particularly useful in that it does not rust or deteriorate no matter how much rainwater it is exposed to. Additionally, aluminum is a sustainable material, which makes it an excellent choice for buildings focused on energy efficiency and environmental impact.

Steel

For more demanding applications, steel offers enhanced strength and durability, and louvers composed of steel are typically meant for industrial facilities, where structural integrity is a main concern.

Specialty Materials

Other materials such as stainless steel, or specialty metals, may be used for louvers depending on specific requirements. However, these materials are mainly used to increase design, enhance strength, or improve resistance.

Advantages of Commercial Louvers

Commercial louvers offer a number of benefits that make them a valuable addition to almost any commercial building. But the primary benefits include:

Efficiency

Louvers also contribute to the energy efficiency of a building, and this is typically because commercial louvers reduce the overall energy consumed. How do they do this? By regulating airflow and minimizing the need for artificial cooling.

Design

In addition to their functional benefits, louvers enhance the design of commercial buildings. With a variety of styles and materials available, louvers can be created to fit the needs of architectural buildings, which allows them to provide visual elements to the building's structure.

Get The Best Commercial Louvers from United Enertech

Because commercial louvers are an important component of a building design’s design and function it’s also important to select high-quality commercial louvers for your project, especially those from United Enertech.

We customize our louvers for all commercial buildings so that they buildings stay well-ventilated, energy-efficient, and visually appealing.

Need a commercial louver for your building design?