Louvers have numerous functional and architectural applications in commercial and industrial buildings. Louver blades can be made from a wide variety of materials, with wood, PVC, metal, and acrylic being most common in commercial applications. Is there any reason to opt for wood louvers in commercial buildings? If so, what are the benefits? Keep reading to explore the answers to these questions.
Benefits of Wood Louvers in Commercial Buildings
What Are Louvers? What Purpose Do They Serve?
A louver can best be described as a blind or shutter with horizontal blades (also called slats), positioned to allow for proper ventilation and to let light in.
The most well-known application of louvers is window blinds. In this case, the blades are positioned at an angle that allows those inside a building to get a view of the outside world, while preventing outsiders from seeing in for privacy reasons. Window louvers usually have adjustable angles that allow users to allow light in or block it.
This isn’t the only application, though — in commercial buildings, louvers are a practical and aesthetically-pleasing way to hide HVAC and other unsightly systems. Commercial louvers can increase ventilation, allow for greater temperature control, and block rainwater and debris that would otherwise cause damage over time. These louvers may be stationary or operable. In the second case, the angle can be adjusted. Specialized hurricane louvers also exist, and may be required in some areas.
When May Wood Louvers Be the Right Choice in a Commercial Building?
All types of commercial and public buildings use louvers as design elements. These include restaurants, hotels, schools, hospitals and medical clinics, manufacturing facilities, retail buildings, warehouses, and large commercial office buildings. The use of louvers is often so extensive that they greatly impact the overall aesthetic of the building.
Wood louvers — which are also called timber louvers — won’t be the right choice in many cases. This natural material may be less durable than the more popular PVC, metal, and acrylic blades often used in commercial applications.
You would be forgiven for thinking that wood louvers are only suitable for smaller commercial buildings such as restaurants or retail facilities, but that’s no longer true. Timber louvers are rising in popularity even in the context of large commercial buildings.
Although timber louvers are not suitable for industrial applications, they are versatile and have many benefits. They may be the right choice even for large-scale commercial buildings that include shopping malls, hospitals, and office buildings.
What Are the Benefits of Wood Louvers?
Wood louvers have numerous benefits:
- Wood louvers are cheaper to produce than aluminum louvers, the other budget-minded option, and could therefore lead to significant savings.
- Wood louvers produce a uniquely warm look that appeals to modern consumers, who are extremely concerned about the environment.
- Wood louvers don’t require nearly as much maintenance as you may suspect; they are easy to care for.
- Wood, as a natural material, provides more natural cooling (in summer) and heat retention (in winter).
- Wood louvers have a beautiful natural look. This can have a significant impact on employee well-being, as being surrounded by natural features is proven to boost mood and production.
- Wood louvers are versatile. If you have special architectural features in mind, it is possible to order bespoke wood louvers that create the look you want.
All in all, it is quite surprising that we don’t see more timber louvers in commercial applications. That is set to change, but for now, wood louvers give you one final advantage — they’re innovative and unusual, which can help draw people to your building.
Are You Considering Wood Louvers for Your Commercial Building?
Wood louvers can be arranged in a great variety of styles, producing a rustic, eco-friendly, modern, or traditional look. It’s helpful to explore the ways in which other commercial buildings have incorporated timber louvers. This process will give you plenty of ideas to discuss with architects, who can use your ideas to design a custom solution that optimally works for your building.
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