• Do you like cars with racing stripes and a spoiler?
• Do you like cars that are better for highways or city driving?
• Do you like the boxy look or more streamline?
• Do you tell your significant other that you need a new car?

Building Façade Design Do’s & Don’ts

Here are 4 must DO’s to help you to avoid scrambling to somehow fit the louver you need into the building while keeping your aesthetics in mind. The worst thing is when you do not understand the performance or allow enough area for the louver that is required, and you are forced to use something that the client did not want to use.

Let me guess, when you bought your last car, I bet you researched all the options and reviewed your needs to make a practical decision. If you are single, then you do not need a minivan. But when you have kids then you probably will consider one.
So why are louvers often selected based on the last job you completed or what’s in your canned specification instead of the current needs for that project? Afterall it’s a hole in your façade.

1. 1. Make sure that the criteria for the louver code comes directly from the ME or façade consultant specifically for this job. Avoid using your firm’s DATA BASE specification as gospel. It’s there as an initial guideline, not there as a default for every project. Please spend a few minutes discussing the code requirements to make sure you understand the requirements. If you do not, then you might get a louver that is ugly and expensive.
   2. Call your local louver representative to discuss ways to blend the louver into the building façade based on the known performance. There are many items that are not shown on websites and with a little effort, some magic may occur!
   3. Once the code and performance is understood, make sure your specifications match your drawings. Remember that specifications prevail, so if your specification describes the wrong performance, then that is what you will get despite what your drawings show.
   4. Compare the specified louver to what was figured into the project during earlier budgeting rounds. This will avoid any surprises later when VE ideas come to the table.

Building Louvers We Have Helped Specify

Facades are getting a lot of attention these days from rainscreens to birdproof glass. Architectural Louvers are also an integral part of the building’s façade and HVAC function so let’s not forget to spend ample time to get it right. Afterall, it’s a hole in your façade.

We consult on architectural facades used in NJ, NYC and in many other major cities in the US. We also specialize in louver panels, architectural screens for cloaking mechanical equipment and other exterior building products used for commercial applications. If you need expert advice when specifying the right products, just send us a message by clicking this button.