In both residential and commercial construction, louvers help improve ventilation and protect HVAC systems without compromising the building’s exterior.
Have you ever noticed the angled slats built into the exterior of commercial buildings and wondered what they’re called? These architectural components are known as louvers, and they play an important role in modern building design. Typically installed along walls, rooftops, or mechanical enclosures, louvers are designed with angled blades that allow proper airflow while blocking out rain, debris, dirt, and other unwanted elements. In both residential and commercial construction, louvers help improve ventilation and protect HVAC systems without compromising the building’s exterior. Now that you understand what louvers are and why they matter, let’s explore the different types of louvers and how each one functions!
Louver Space and Free Space
Designing a high-performance louver system involves careful calculations and engineering. One of the most important measurements is the free area, which is determined by dividing the total unobstructed opening by the overall wall opening. During this calculation, components such as blades, frames, and other obstructions are excluded to determine how much air can truly pass through. In most commercial applications, the free area typically ranges from 35% to 60% of the wall opening. A higher free area percentage allows for greater airflow, which can improve ventilation efficiency and potentially lower overall HVAC and installation costs. However, proper louver design must strike the right balance—maximizing airflow while minimizing water penetration, debris intrusion, and unauthorized access. When engineered correctly, commercial louvers provide optimal ventilation without compromising building security or performance.
Water Performances
An important factor in louver design and performance is water penetration resistance. Every louver system has a specific threshold at which water can begin to pass through, and this is measured by calculating the air intake velocity at the point leakage occurs. In standard performance testing, controlled airflow is directed through the louver while a measured amount of water is introduced into the airstream to simulate wind-driven rain. As the test progresses, the air velocity is gradually increased until water penetration is observed. These evaluations help determine how effectively a commercial louver system prevents rain from entering a building while still maintaining proper airflow. By understanding these performance ratings, property owners can select louvers that provide the right balance between ventilation efficiency and weather protection.
Blockage of Airflow
Another critical evaluation in commercial louver performance testing measures airflow resistance, also known as pressure drop. This test determines how much obstruction is created when air moves through the louver system, especially when additional components like filters, coils, ductwork, or other building elements are involved. During testing, controlled air is pushed through the louver at varying velocities to calculate how much resistance the system creates. The level of airflow restriction depends on several design factors, particularly the blade shape, blade spacing, and angle. Understanding airflow resistance helps ensure your louver installation supports efficient HVAC performance without overworking your ventilation system.
QUALITY LOUVERS FROM HERCULES CUSTOM LOUVERS
When you are ready for quality louvers, the professionals at Hercules Custom Louvers are ready to help. For more information and to learn how we can meet your custom louver needs, contact Hercules Custom Louvers online or giving us a call at 1-800-331-2590. We will ensure your investment serves your property for years to come! For updates and to see projects we’re working on, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, Twitter, YouTube, and Pinterest.