Louvre opening roof systems by Louvretec Australia have been revolutionising outdoor living in Australia for a long time. LouvreTec systems allow you to make the most of the outdoors in any weather condition, helping maximise the use of the outside space for entertaining and family activities.

The LouvreTec Room, for instance, comes complete with roof, shutters, or sliding doors, creating a liveable space similar to any room inside your house. You can build the outdoor room to your needs by retrofitting products over time. Start with a deck, add an opening roof and then close in the sides; alternatively, install all of them in one go.

Covered outdoor areas provide shade when you need it. Sun exposure is a constant risk for everyone but especially for youngsters. According to a World Health Organisation estimate, up to 80% of a person's lifetime exposure to UV is received before the age of 18.

While Australia is a sun smart nation, we still have a long way to go when it comes to protecting ourselves against excessive sun exposure. A study into Victorian emergency department presentations for sunburn during the summer months of 2018-19, revealed that:

  • One in two (53%) hospital presentations for sunburn were children and adolescents aged 0-19 years of age. 
  • Of the total 296 sunburn presentations reported, one in three (32%) were adolescents aged 10-19 years.
  • One in five (21%) were children under nine years of age.

These findings are alarming, especially when epidemiological studies confirm that frequent sun exposure and sunburn in childhood are linked to high rates of melanoma later in life.

Australians love to spend time outdoors, especially in summer with their family. While basic precautions such as covering up in protective clothing, hat and sunglasses, using a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 15+, and limiting time in the midday sun are typically followed, creating a shady area in the outdoor space is an excellent way to enjoy the day without fear of sunburn or overexposure.

LouvreTec retractable roofs are increasingly popular with Australian families who want to spend time outdoors but not in direct sunlight. An opening roof allows them to control how much sun comes into the covered area. During the hours when the sun is at its strongest, they can easily create a shaded area that allows them to safely enjoy the outdoors.