How louvre roof systems work?

Well, louvre roof systems (aka open roof systems) have been rising in popularity over the last few years, transforming outdoor living spaces into versatile areas that can be enjoyed year-round. Following Covid-19, many people are looking to utilise their outdoor space even more, valuing the comfort and serenity that a well-designed outdoor environment can provide. A louvre roof system allows you to easily control light, shade, and ventilation, making it an ideal addition to enhance your pergola, patio, or gazebo.

Whether you’re hosting gatherings with friends and family or simply seeking a quiet retreat, these systems offer the flexibility to adapt to various weather conditions. If you would like to find out how louvre roof systems can help you convert your outdoor area into a comfortable, all-seasons retreat that you can enjoy no matter the weather, then check out our blog post how to create an all-seasons outdoor area using louvre roof systems for detailed insights and inspiration.

What is a louvre roof system and how does it work?

A louvre roof is an adjustable roofing system made up of a series of parallel slats (or “louvres”) that can be tilted, opened, or closed to control sunlight, shade, ventilation, and weather protection. Typically constructed from durable materials like aluminium, these systems are designed to seamlessly integrate into outdoor spaces such as patios, decks, pergolas, or verandas. The defining feature of a louvre roof is its adaptability— at the touch of a button or a manual adjustment, you can customize your environment to suit the moment, whether that’s basking in the sun, enjoying a cool breeze, or staying dry during wet weather.

–Material: Louvre roof systems are made from lightweight and durable powder-coated aluminium, making them ideal for harsh Australian weather. At Modern Roofs, we use high-grade aluminium and reinforce the structure with larger posts, beams, and louvres, along with galvanized steel parts, ensuring it lasts a lifetime.

-Louvre operation: Essentially, a louvre roof system works like plantation shutters with individual louvres on common rails. These can be operated manually with a crank handle or automatically with an electric motor. At Modern Roofs, we offer electronically operated louvre roofs that can be controlled with the touch of a button using a remote or a smartphone app. You can also add a rain sensor that automatically closes the louvres when it detects rain. In limited sizes, we can now also do manual models.

-Water drainage: The louvre roof system has a built-in gutter that collects water when the louvres are closed. Rainwater is drained through PVC pipes often hidden in the posts, which allows you to direct or connect the storm water to a suitable location, such as a stormwater drainage pit. In some models, there is no PVC Pipe, a separate section in the posts acts as a drainage pipe and water flows out down all the posts into the garden area.

-Structural options: common options include free standing structures that can be bolted to a concrete slab if needed. This is the easiest option, as the structure can be placed next to the house to cover your pergola, patio, BBQ area, or serve as a gazebo. You can also choose a partial free standing design with one side attached to a suitable wall. Common shapes are rectangular or square, but they can also be customized for triangular or curved areas, though this can be more expensive. For more details on what designs our products can support, refer to Pergola Design section. Please check with your local council about building regulations and permit requirements.

Check out our blog post on why you should install a louvre roof system to find out about some of the reasons why motoriszed louvre roof systems make such a great addition to your outdoor area.

You can find further details about our DIY Louvre Roof kits on the Louvre Roof product page. If you need help with right DIY louvre roof systems (open roof systems) then don’t hesitate to reach out to us for free consultation or quote using our contact us form.