External louvres - shading solution

[actionjackson]

On our renovation project the exposed west elevation will incorporate adjustable external louvres to combat solar gain in an office (above garage), master bedroom and living area - as per this image.

 

It would be great to hear others experiences and what features to consider and how they got on with sourcing and installation.

 

I have started a discussion with Sunshield Unique Louvers- their website is a rich resource and their systems look great but I haven't found any client reviews online. 

 

 

[Andehh]

It's a strong look for sure... Based on zero experience at all, have you looked at external roller blinds, and squaring off the windows at the top? 

[ToughButterCup]

 

What a lovely design you have there.... 

 

This what we have done.

The 'louvres' are just  4 by 2 bits of Siberian Larch - now contraband - bolted to the roof at the top and RSJ at the bottom . The photo was taken in the late afternoon and shows the amount of shadow cast by the slats ( thats what I call them - most people call them louvres)

 

They make a significant difference.  As you can see we sit outside in front of our kitchen window : the slats enable the corner to fill with light and provide some shade too.  They also shade that corner of the house a little from the rain. Our dog chooses to  lie out there in almost any weather.

 

The plan is for SWMBO to fill that area  with apprpriate plants to provide what Kevin WhatsHisface calls a Breeze Corridor. Yes, the area does overheat a bit , but we're hopeful that appropriate planting will smoothe out the temperature variation and provide some degree of air conditioning too. 

 

Looking at your design, my suggestion would be to consider moving the louvre assembly forward a little (more) to create a bigger buffer between the window and the glazing.  

 

Before i forget - window cleaning ... if the space between the house and the louvers is tight .......

[sgt_woulds]

Have you seen the shading design guide - downloadable here:

 

BBSA and GHA launch new shading for housing design guide

 

 

I'm a big fan of roller shutters having used them at my parents in law's house in Hungary.  They add both shade and security.

 

Roller shutters have different options for use, including a stage where they are almost shut but still let a little bit of light through slits.  However, I've got to say that the louvres / slats shown in the pictures above are much better aesthetically.

 

In Europe, most windows open inwards so cleaning is less of an issue even with close fitting louvres.

[-rick-]

14 hours ago, Andehh said:

It's a strong look for sure...

 

It feels of another place. Not common British style but we should have more variety in this country. So long as it suits its immediate surroundings.

 

27 minutes ago, ToughButterCup said:

 

This what we have done.

 

Lovely.

[Bramco]

It looks like the windows don't go up into the pointy bits at the top - so have you thought about setting external venetians into the top cill? These are very effective. A bonus is that in the winter when it's sunny, you get a lot of solar gain but in the summer, the blinds cut out all the solar.

 

We've done this:

 

 

 

 

Note to self, must get some photos done with the drive completed - it's only been 3 years!!!

 

There are a few people who have the same type of external blinds - our supplier was Hallmark Blinds (I think they are actually made in eastern europe)