Construction Specialties - C/S advises architects, designers and property owners to ensure their architectural louvres are correctly specified for the particular building.
For instance, specifying architectural louvres on free area alone can cause problems. Though the primary reason for using louvres is to move air, how can one be sure if the louvre specified for the application will actually deliver the air volume sought by the engineer?
According to Construction Specialties, sizing and specifying louvres on free area alone can cause problems for both architects and owners. The reality is that other factors also impact airflow. For example, louvre frames add resistance to airflow while mullions, structural supports, bird screens and insect screens will also reduce airflow.
A more efficient specification solution for architectural louvres is based on the needs of the building.
Construction Specialties recommends that the following factors be considered when specifying louvres: site location and exposure; severity of local (site) weather conditions; location and exposure of louvres on the building; airflow rate and direction through the louvre; maximum acceptable pressure drop; degree and depth of water penetration; and aesthetic of the building.
