What is a Louver? The Moffitt ventilation experts have the answer

What is a louver? A louver is a slatted, wall-mounted opening that lets air enter into a building. They facilitate positive ventilation by allowing fresh air to enter, which in turn pushes the warm air out. This increases total air flow throughout the entire building.

The slats, or blades, keep unwanted elements from entering the building. This includes large things like birds and other animals, to smaller things like dirt and rain. Many types of dampers are adjustable so they can be closed when airflow is not needed to create a total barrier to entry.

There are many types of wall louvers available, which is why it is important to know what makes them different. Models include industrial louvers, for heavy-duty environments, and non-industrial louvers like commercial louvers and architectural louvers, which generally are more aesthetically pleasing but not as tough.

Louver Sizes

Larger – Industrial Louvers are larger than commercial louvers. They come in all shapes in sizes, but they are generally larger than 5” wide. They also work in conjunction with one another. Dozens of units become placed in a row to create one long wall louver.

Steel mills, foundries, forges, and glass plants require industrial strength wall louvers. This unit is optimal for these environments because the durable construction ensures that they will stand up to the high heat and everyday wear and tear from heavy industry. Industrial louvers are available in several types of materials.

More Efficient – With the larger size of the unit, and the higher level of airflow required, industrial louvers are often more efficient than non-industrial units. For instance, a Moffitt LV9090 has a much greater free area than a standard, commercial louver. This means superior cooling at the building’s work floor.

If you want a louver that keeps your factory/warehouse cool and productive, choose an industrial louver.

For an industrial space, you need an industrial wall louver. Louvers, dampers, and valves designed for a commercial building just aren’t enough when it comes to industrial ventilation. Moffitt wall louvers are They are strong enough to stand up to the toughest industrial applications like steel mills and heavy manufacturing. Additionally, many of them can be adjusted to accommodate changing conditions. Read on to learn more about the advantages of industrial wall louvers.

Moffitt industrial louvers, however, are ideal for industrial environments. Each louver is unbending and non-corrosive construction stainless steel or aluminum. They also utilize heavy-duty gears, chains, and cranks to withstand breakages. Industrial louvers are generally larger as well. In fact, you can connect multiple units to form a single, larger louver bank. Multiple units, working as one, running down the entire length of a building. That’s something that’s simple not possible with an off-the-shelf commercial louver.

Louver Materials

Stronger – Industrial Louvers are much stronger than their commercial counterparts. They are made with a much thicker gauge material such as extruded aluminum or stainless steel. Unlike some commercial louvers an industrial louver is physically durable. It will stand up to the wear and tear of a heavy industrial setting.

• Stainless Steel – Most durable option. It can hold up to extremely hot temperatures while maintaining its durability.
• Aluminum – The aluminum wall louver is lower in cost, weight and easier to maintain. Also, it doesn’t rust or corrode. Not as durable as stainless steel but still suitable for most environments.
• Galvanized Steel – Steel with a coat of zinc for corrosion resistance and extra durability. Stronger than aluminum but will eventually rust.

Louver Angles

Different buildings have different blade angle requirements. A commercial building may only require minimal air movement and as a result, a 15˚ – 25˚ blade angle is sufficient. Hot, industrial plants however, require maximum air flow. As a result, blade angles the open 90˚ are often required. For buildings that need both enhanced air flow and weather protection, 30˚ or 40˚ fixed blades might be the best option. Moffitt can help you find the right blade angles for your building.

Moffitt Industrial Wall Louvers

The Moffitt research and development team is constantly innovating when it comes to our wall louvers. We’ve been designing air intake systems for over sixty years and have been learning every step of the way. For instance, several years ago we changed the game for 90˚ wall louvers. We developed the EcoStream 90˚ (ES90) wall louver to allow the louver blades to fully open without extending beyond the building frame. This allowed for easier navigation around the louvers without compromising air flow.

Additionally, we’ve learned which wall louvers work best in which buildings. Our design team will help you find the right wall louver ventilation solution for your applications. Call us today at 1 (800) 474-3267 to start on your new ventilation solution.