Performance and Design Benefits of Vertical Architectural Louvers
November 29, 2023
Vertical blade louvers offer notable performance and design advantages over horizontal models for building ventilation and weather resistance. Their continuous blade geometry optimizes rain defense, intake volumes, structural integrity, and visibility control.
Enhanced Rain Resistance
During precipitation events, vertical blades channel water down the louver face, using gravity to avoid intake cavity penetration. Horizontal blades allow rainwater accumulation which can overflow into intake areas when exceeded drainage rates are exceeded. Properly engineered vertical louvers can achieve water penetration resistance up to 20 psf, enabling excellent weather resistance. Vertical louver models can achieve AMCA-550 compliance without an additional row of blades.
Airflow Optimization
The continuous vertical blade profile maximizes free intake area for smooth, high-volume ventilation. Horizontal blades present a fraction of the effective area due to truncated width. Vertical orientation facilitates laminar airflow with less turbulence. The parallel blades prevent vortex generation, sometimes observed with horizontal louvers. For exhaust duties, vertical models mitigate back pressure for up to double the efflux capacity, improving smoke control and condensation prevention.
Structural Benefits
Vertical blades with integrated frame joints better resist mechanical fatigue and joint separation versus multi-piece horizontal designs. Continuous extrusions avoid added vibration susceptibility from blade connections. Robust vertical louvers are engineered to withstand extreme wind loads exceeding 2100 psf. Comparable horizontal models often require exterior bracing.
Creative Visibility Control
Vertical louvers can be installed behind perforated facades for hidden ventilation. Their performance persists despite limited visibility. This is expanded upon further in our hidden louver blog post.
Conclusion
Vertical blade louvers deliver measurable performance benefits for air intake/exhaust and rain defense. Contact manufacturers to order thermally broken vertical louvers designed and tested for project ventilation needs.