Which Louvre Size is Best for Your Home’s Windows?
Louvres – the horizontal slats that can be adjusted to let different levels of light and air in – are one of the key parts of any shutter. But which size should you buy? The Bespoke Shutter Company, who provide high-quality made to measure shutters in Essex, Hertfordshire and London. Here we look at the history of the louvre, and offer some advice on which type you should buy.
The History of Louvres
Louvres first appeared in kitchens in the Middle Ages as lantern-type constructions made out of wood. Some later designs were made from clay and shaped like peoples faces - not too dissimilar to the gargoyles you still find on many churches to this day.
With all of these early designs, the principle was the same - to allow smoke and smells out of the kitchen, while not allowing any rain, snow and any other weather-related elements in. The same principle has been used ever since in belltowers too, allowing the beautiful sounds of church bells to ring out, while protecting the bells themselves from the weather.
Fast forward to our current age, and you will find them on top of each of the three lights of many traffic lights. This allows you to see each colour more clearly, avoiding accidents. They are also used in flood defence systems to allow some water in to equalise pressure on walls and minimise structural damage to buildings. They are even used on certain types of spacecraft.
But the most common place you will see louvres today is on window shutters, and these can be fitted in a variety of different sizes.
Small…
Small louvres are best for rooms where the maximum amount of privacy is required. For example, in your bathroom, or to a lesser extent, in a utility room or walk-in wardrobe. It is important to bear in mind though that although these size of louvres provide optimum privacy, the amount of light in the room will be less than with a larger variety.
…Medium…
Medium louvres are the perfect middle ground when it comes to letting enough air and sunlight through, while also not being so big that people will be able to see through. This makes them the ideal choice for use in downstairs living spaces, in rooms with south-facing windows, as well as in conservatories.
…and Large
Large louvres suit larger windows with wide single panels or where the window runs from the floor to the ceiling. Larger louvres don’t just have the potential to let a lot more light in, they also allow you to see what is outside more clearly. This makes them perfect for rooms with a great view, where you want to draw people’s eyes to what's outside.
They are also a good choice when it comes to Georgian-style windows with relatively small panes. This is because smaller louvres can make Georgian style windows look very ‘busy’ and cluttered.
Made to Measure Shutters from the Bespoke Shutter Company
The Bespoke Shutter Company offers four different sizes of louvred shutters – 114mm, 89mm, 76mm, and 63mm – which we have fitted to homes and businesses in Hertfordshire, Essex and London. Thes options can cater to virtually any size or shape of window, so we can come up with the perfect solution whatever your requirements.
If you would like any more information about our selection of made to measure shutters. you can give our experienced and professional team a call on 020 3131 3155 or fill out our contact form by following this link. You can also ask more during one of our free, no-obligation consultations.
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