Louvre frames feature an anodising thickness up to 25 microns for locations where durability and longevity are important.
Louvre Frames
Louvre frames feature an anodising thickness up to 25 microns for locations where durability and longevity are important.
Louvre Windows
SafetyLine Jalousie louvre windows are delivered fully glazed and assembled for quick and easy installation.
Best Practice in Specifying Louvres
It’s not uncommon to see louvres attached to the outside of a modern office building, hospital or hotel. They have become a popular addition to the design, often for very practical reasons; sometimes merely to enhance the appearance.
In crude terms, a louvre can be described as a sort of external venetian blind, the multiple blades allowing light into the building while shielding it from direct sunlight and uncontrolled solar gains.
But very often louvres are included as an afterthought; a forgotten product that must be sourced and installed quickly. Insufficient thought is given to the purpose of the system and what it should achieve. According to John Park-Davies, the choice of louvre system should reflect the design requirements and performance expectations.
Park-Davies, of course, has an axe to grind: he is managing director of Ikon Aluminium Systems, a Birmingham-based manufacturer of architectural aluminium building products for the façade market.
“Poor specification can lead to poor performance not just of the system but across the entire building, from rainwater ingress and restricted ventilation to wasted energy,” says Park-Davies. “Louvres can improve the energy efficiency of a building by increasing air flow and optimising natural ventilation but if they are incorrectly specified or located, behind a perforated panel for example, this can increase resistance to airflow and cause an increase in the power needed to circulate air around the building.”Up until now, the design of louvre systems has hinged upon their ‘free area’, which is calculated by measuring the clear distance between the blades and multiplying it by the width of the louvre panel, or the height if the blades are arranged vertically.
But this method has its limitations, especially when additional requirements, such as improved weather protection, are factored-in, says Park-Davies. “Free area can be affected by bird and insect mesh, structural supports and most importantly, it doesn’t factor-in how air flows through the louvre,” he explains.
Factors such as the location and exposure of the louvres, site orientation, prevailing weather conditions and the potential of wind-driven rain should be balanced with the required airflow, acceptable pressure drop and level of water penetration, says Park-Davies. Only then should the building’s exterior design and the aesthetics of the louvres be considered.
Park-Davies says that pressure drop is a key factor in establishing the right louvre and is a credible alternative to free area. Pressure drop (expressed in Pascals) is the pressure difference between one side of a louvre and the other; it is the result of resistance to air flowing through the louvre. “An increased pressure drop can impact on the performance of ventilation equipment, forcing it to work harder to draw the air through,” says Park-Davies. “The result is often overheating inside the building.”
While aesthetics must be considered, Park-Davies insists that performance should never be compromised. “Louvres are often hidden behind more aesthetically pleasing features, such as perforated panels, but this can restrict air flow. By acknowledging louvres early in the specification process, they can be designed into the building envelope for optimum performance and work with the fabric of the building,” he says.
Having said that, louvres can be specified purely for aesthetic reasons. Screening louvres, for example, offer a neat solution for disguising rooftop plant such as air-conditioning units, where good airflow is essential but water penetration won’t cause too many problems.
Similarly, barrier louvres provide both functional and aesthetic benefits. Designed for installation where there is a risk of falls from height they are a practical yet attractive solution.
“They are particularly popular on medium-rise buildings including hospitals and student accommodation,” says Park-Davies.Ikon has recently completed just such a contract at The Cycle Works, a new purpose-built student accommodation block for Coventry University. Here, Worcestershire-based installer Campbell-Mason has installed 280 of Ikon’s IKL505 barrier louvres in the window apertures and stairwells.
The barrier louvre, sometimes called a grill, negates the need for windows and doors to have restrictor systems which are prone to tampering and breakages. They are a cost-effective, safety solution with security. “The barrier louvre limits the risk of falling or items being thrown out of windows from height onto the area or people below. It is essentially, a safety barrier,” says Park-Davies.
Reference: https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/not-just-a-pretty-face
Louvre Window Integrated into North Sydney Apartments to Address High Density Living Challenges
Louvre Window Integrated into North Sydney Apartments to Address High Density Living Challenges
All of these factors were critical in the decision to incorporate Safetyline Jalousie louvres in the design of Polaris, with the product addressing the aesthetic requirements as well as safety and functional challenges.
Being balustrade compliant and offering floor to ceiling capabilities and spans of 1.4 metres wide, Safetyline Jalousie louvres were able to deliver plenty of natural light to the main corridors and complement the overall glazing and its crystalline theme. Beyond the aesthetics, the louvres also functioned as a smoke relief solution in compliance with Australian Standards as they were fitted with fire rated drives. In the event of a fire, smoke sensors will trigger the louvres to open and naturally evacuate smoke from the building, enabling residents to have better visibility to access the fire stairs as well as lower the risk of smoke inhalation.
Builder Parkview Constructions had successfully used louvre windows in previous projects, and was confident about using them again. In addition to aesthetics and smoke protection, these louvres also stood out for their performance, which was an essential requirement in high rise towers.
The advantages of this louvre windows include best in class ratings of 800Pa water penetration and wind ratings of 9500 ULS/ 4000 SLS; ability to provide up to 87 per cent free air, making them the perfect ventilation solution for tall buildings; louvre blades made from laminate glass will not break into little pieces when damaged, increasing safety in high rise towers; and strength testing to 550kg of force, helping meet all safety and security factors required in tall and super tall structures.
Louvre Windows Perfect for High-Rise Apartments
Wide spans, strict RailCorp regulations and an impressive acoustic performance were three of the main reasons Architectural firm PTW recommended Safetyline Jalousie louvre windows to Meriton for their Luna Apartments project in Lewisham, NSW.
Architect Michael Yip was particularly impressed with the neat look of the larger span and the ability to customise the width to suit the overall building aesthetics.
Strict DA conditions were imposed to protect the railway lines adjacent to the apartments from items being dropped from the building. Safetyline Jalousie’s ability to limit the opening size of the window was key to meeting those conditions.
The close proximity to the railway line also meant that windows with a strong acoustic performance were required. Safetyline Jalousie louvre windows achieved a weighted sound reduction index of Rw (C;Ctr) = 32dB (0;-1) in tests carried out at the National Acoustic Laboratories, in accordance with Australian Standard AS 1191-2002.
Aqua Apartment Bondi Junction
Safetyline Jalousie louvre windows have also recently been specified for the Aqua Apartments in Bondi Junction, NSW.
Designed to maximise sun, air and views, architects KANNFINCH in association with DC Studio and interiors by Koichi Takada Architects selected louvre windows to complement the overall glazing component of the building, achieve efficient cross flow ventilation and meet regulatory safety standards.
Key features of Safetyline Jalousie louvre windows are:
- Spans - extra wide spans up to 1.4 metres
- Security - inbuilt & impenetrable
- Seals - weatherproof with superior acoustic, wind & water performance
- Screens - removable, internal screens
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