Perfecting Indoor Outdoor Flow A Specifier’s Guide to Aluminium Louvre Roof Solutions
Aluminium louvre roofs are a highly versatile solution when creating outdoor rooms. Either motorised or manually operable they can easily be opened or closed depending on weather conditions or climate.
Introduction Across Australia, median lot sizes are declining - in Sydney they have dropped from 520sqm to 380 sqm in the nine years 20102019.1 At the same time, house sizes have increased - almost 30% in the last 30 years2 - which has ultimately reduced the amount of usable outdoor space in residential properties.3 This is a contributing factor in the growing trend towards indoor outdoor living in Australian residential spaces. The other is the temperate climate the majority of the country enjoys almost year round. Marrying the desire of Australian homeowners to have outdoor lives with the reality of shrinking land sizes is a task that architects, designers and specifiers must navigate with regularity. Now, every square metre of a home must be purposeful and efficient - and designing innovative, functional and visually pleasing outdoor rooms is an essential part of this. There are many components to designing an indoor/outdoor space that meets all of these criteria. In terms of functionality, specified solutions must make the space usable year-round by embracing the elements, but also provide shelter in inclement weather. Technology solutions such as retractable covers may serve to increase versatility in this regard. Visually, any solutions within the space should provide a range of finishes that will allow the new space to add to the overall aesthetic of the residence. This is particularly important in cases where these solutions are part of a renovation or retrofit. Aluminium louvre roofs are a highly versatile solution when creating outdoor rooms. Either motorised or manually operable they can easily be opened or closed depending on weather conditions or climate. Advanced technology like retractable roofs serve to provide an added layer of choice. They are strong yet lightweight, corrosion-resistant and available in different blade shapes and ranges, making them suitable for high-wind applications. They offer a wide variety of finishes, from powder coats to heat bonded wood grain finishes, allowing them to fit within any design scheme. From a practical standpoint, they are straightforward to clean and maintain, making them a costeffective solution throughout their lifecycle. This whitepaper will take an in-depth look at aluminium louvre solutions for indoor/outdoor living. It will examine and provide information on a number of key characteristics and considerations of relevance to designers and specifiers in this space.
Considerations when specifying aluminium louvre roofs Material properties
Drive systems
Aluminium is an ideal material for indoor/outdoor louvre solutions. It is high strength which makes it durable even under high wind velocity. This also makes it suitable for use in creating structures that will house the louvres. At the same time as being strong, it is incredibly lightweight, making it easy to install, It also means that for motorised louvres or retractable roofs, there will be less wear on the motor - prolonging its lifespan. In addition to being naturally corrosion resistant, aluminium can also be anodised which will further increase its durability. Importantly, anodised aluminium will not fail structurally from corrosion unless there is a design flaw.4 If loss of light is an issue it is worth considering a translucent louvre roof containing an infill panel of hi tech acrylic which also offers UV protection.
Where possible, specifiers should opt for drive systems that provide maximum range of motion with minimal stress to the motor. Innovative spiral pivot systems utilise custom designed spiral bearings to provide up to a 180 degree range of motion to louvres (in applications where that is practical). These work with a single hexagonal axle running parallel to the louvres themselves to provide equal force across the louvres at a low gear to create slow, steady movement. In certain configurations this means that the gears and drive system can be fully hidden from view, creating the cleanest lines possible. These drive systems can be manually powered by way of a detachable stainless steel crank, or powered by a tubular motor. Motorised operation and automation
Range of finishes One of the primary considerations for specifiers in these applications is to balance functionality with design aesthetic, and ensure (particularly in retrofitting scenarios) that whatever is specified has enough visual versatility to complement the look of the space overall. Aluminium louvres come in a range of finishes to match any design. Powder-coated finishes are incredibly long-lasting and can be found in a broad range of colours. Textured woodgrain coated finishes on aluminium can provide the sought-after luxury look and feel of hardwood with a number of added benefits - aluminium is more cost-effective and more structurally stable than wood, and will not shrink, expand or warp in extreme weather. Anodised finishes provide the metal with additional durability while providing the visual appeal of metals such as black, silver or bronze. These finishes change with reflection, which can be a desirable visual element in many designs. Maintenance Aluminium louvre roofs are easy to clean and require little specialised ongoing maintenance. Louvres should be cleaned periodically with a wet sponge to remove loose dirt and grime, then wiped with a mild house-hold grade detergent solution and rinsed with clean water. This will prolong the lifespan of the louvres themselves, and preserve the visual impact of the finish too. Some suppliers may offer maintenance programs which can be useful for homeowners. These can be arranged for intervals that suit the client, and at a minimum should include basic cleaning, testing of motorised components and checking of seals and general wear and tear. Packages may also include replacement costs for any components that require repair, but this should be confirmed in line with supplier warranties in advance.
Electrically powered louvre blades provide specifiers with a range of options from simple open/close switches to full home automation packages, depending on needs and budget. Controls can be directly wired to louvres or operated by remote, which may be a more convenient solution in instances where there are multiple sets of louvres around the house. Both direct and remote operated systems can also be fitted with rain and wind sensors, providing a level of basic automation that can drastically increase safety and shelter. Many systems also offer apps as well, providing an added layer of technological convenience by allowing users to control louvres from anywhere - ideal to protect from weather, or to allow in additional sunlight while they are not at home. Compliance Depending on the structural components that house the louvres, a number of Australian Standards may be applicable. The AS/NZS 1664 - Rules for the use of aluminium in structures suite is the flagship standard for the creation of aluminium structures in Australia. Structures must also be tested in line with AS/NZS 1170.2 - Structural design actions: Wind actions which provides the minimum requirements for wind load and performance in different scenarios. At the very least, all aluminium louvres must be compliant with AS/NZS 1866:1997 - Aluminium and aluminium alloys and AS 3902 - Quality Systems for Production and Installation. As with all compliance concerns, specifiers should not just assume all products are compliant and suitable for all applications.
Aluminium louvre roofs are easy to clean and require little specialised ongoing maintenance. Louvres should be cleaned periodically with a wet sponge to remove loose dirt and grime, then wiped with a mild house-hold grade detergent solution and rinsed with clean water.
By rotating motorised louvres to a vertical position louvres can retract back to one or both sides of the structural frame. This allows for approximately 75% of totally open space above.
Retractability In louvred roof applications, being able to retract the blades can create an added feel of spaciousness and airiness. By rotating motorised louvres to a vertical position louvres can retract back to one or both sides of the structural frame. This allows for approximately 75% of totally open space above. These systems can also be used in vertical systems, where the louvres function as a window or door cover. Retract systems also contain innovative technology such as obstacle detection systems to ensure louvres do not become damaged by any blockages during the opening process. Multiple Shapes Aluminium louvre roof blades are available in a range of shapes which have different technical and aesthetic benefits. Louvres designed specifically for opening roofs generally come in trapezoidal or semi-elliptical
shapes with a flat underside and will also feature a curved lip on one side which hooks over the edge of the next louvre. This serves to make the roof weatherproof. Rectangular louvre roof blades are suitable for outdoor roof applications and create a contemporary design aesthetic. Again, the rectangular louvre roof blades will offer interlocking shapes in order to preserve weatherproofing. Airfoil shape louvres are ideal for wall applications as they are shaped to be aerodynamic which makes them highly functional in high-wind scenarios. At the same time their shape creates a luxurious, softer aesthetic & curved texture that is ideal for modern designs but also lends itself to a more traditional style villa, Queenslander or bungalow. Rectangular louvres provide a modern aesthetic and a design alternative to conventional shaped louvres. Louvres when used as wall applications can be motorised, hand operable or fixed in place.
Louvretec Louvretec offers a wide range of innovative Opening Roofs, Retractable Roofs, Retractable Sun Louvres, Sun Louvre and Shutter systems, Sliding Glass Doors, Outdoor Blinds, Gates, Fences & Screens. These solutions are ideal for specifiers seeking to maximise the efficiency of livable outdoor space in a residence and to create weather-resistant, durable indoor/outdoor rooms that can be used by occupants year-round. Louvretec offers innovative motorised and manual-operation opening roof and sun louvre systems custom made to precise design requirements. The company’s louvre solutions provide extremely high functionality along with stunning aesthetic appeal. Louvres are available in more than 100 powder-coated finishes, along with wood grain and anodised metallics to suit any design. Louvretec’s products are complementary of each other, meaning that their Opening Roof systems work seamlessly with their sun louvres, glass doors and other ranges, providing flexibility and peace of mind for both specifier and client alike. All Louvretec products are fully compliant with relevant standards and the company offers warranties, as well as multi-year maintenance packages.
REFERENCES 1
Urban Development Institute of Australia. “UDIA State of the Land 2020”. Accessed 2 June 2020. http://udia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/State-of-the-Land-2020_web.pdf
2
Commsec. “Commsec Home Size Trends Report”. 16 November 2018. Accessed 2 June 2020. https://www.commsec.com.au/content/dam/EN/ResearchNews/2018Reports/November/ECO_Insights_191118_CommSec-Home-Size.pdf
3
Hall, T. “What Has Happened to the Great Aussie Backyard?”. The Conversation. Published December 21, 2011. Accessed June 2 2020. https://theconversation.com/what-has-happened-to-the-great-aussie-backyard-4506
4
Furneaux, R. “Weathering of Anodised Aluminium”. Qualanod.net. Published 3 August 2011. Accessed 2 June 2020. https://www.qualanod.net/weathering-of-anodized-aluminium.html?file=files/qualanod/downloads/weathering%20of%20anodized%20aluminium%20110803.pdf
All information provided correct as of June 2020