Australian homes face some weather challenges. Whether it's unpredictable climate swings or the brutal summer heat, getting your sun control right makes a big difference to how comfortable your home is.
Aluminium louvres have become a go-to solution for architects and builders because they solve multiple problems at once. Good louvre design gives you sun protection when you need it, lets air flow through when you want it, and can make buildings look fantastic in the process.
Here's what's working well for Australian residential projects right now, from louvre pergolas to motorised louvre roofs, and why these have become so popular with architects and builders.
Vertical Fixed Louvres: Simple and Effective
Vertical fixed louvre systems are still the most common choice, and there's a good reason for that. They work without any fuss, tend to be more affordable, and once they're installed, you don't need to think about them again. They just do their job, providing consistent shade and keeping air moving.
Fixed louvres are installed over windows to achieve shading in the rooms beyond, are used for privacy, or simply to give a building some aesthetic appeal.
Fixed Louvre Pergolas: Flexible Shading
Fixed louvre pergolas are a great option to provide sunshade over outdoor dining areas and living room doors/windows. The louvres can be fixed with various sizes, angles and spacings to provide optimal shading for the building.
Using the pergola orientation and property latitude, the sunshade percentages can be calculated so you know the amount of shade you will have throughout the seasons. Design your pergola louvres to achieve the shade you want. Talk to the Aurae team to explore more.
Want to achieve rain protection as well? No problem, add Aurae’s internal gutter system and acrylic or perspex roofing.
Louvre Roofs: Complete Control
A louvre roof is a premium option for people who want total flexibility. These motorised systems let you adjust the blade angles or open them completely, depending on what the weather's doing.
On nice evenings, you can open them right up and get an almost open-air feel while still having the roof structure for protection. When rain threatens, the blades close automatically (many systems have rain sensors). When it's windy, you can adjust the angle to reduce wind flow without losing all the natural light.
Operate the louvres with the touch of a button on your remote to achieve maximum outdoor living flexibility.
Sliding Screens and Shutters: Flexible Privacy Solutions
Sliding screens (or shutters) offer greater privacy and shading than traditional vertical fixed louvre systems. These systems can slide manually or be motorised, giving you control over when and where you need the screening. They work particularly well for balconies, outdoor living areas, and anywhere you want flexible privacy, sunshade or wind protection.
The screens can be made from louvre blades, perforated sheets, or aluminium grating, depending on your needs. Motorised versions are popular for difficult-to-access windows where manually sliding screens aren’t practical.
Dapple Screens: Decorative Perforation Patterns
Dapple screens are Aurae's range of perforated screens with varied patterns that create interesting light and shadow effects. These work particularly well as architectural feature walls, building facade elements, or anywhere you want privacy with visual interest. The perforation patterns can be customised to suit different architectural styles.
Standard louvre panels still have their place for straightforward privacy screens, utility area screening, and boundary treatments where airflow matters alongside visual screening.
Entrance Canopies: Front Door Impact
Entrance canopies might seem like a small addition, but they can completely change how a house looks from the street. Aurae's canopies come in various configurations, from simple front door shelters to extended canopies that run along building frontages.
These work particularly well for townhouse developments where consistent street appeal matters, or for individual homes where you want to make a strong first impression. The canopies can include integrated privacy screens for additional functionality.
Why Aluminium Works Best
Aluminium louvres dominate the market because the material handles Australian conditions so well. Unlike timber, aluminium doesn't warp, split, or need regular maintenance. Unlike steel, it won't rust, even in coastal areas where salt air is a constant issue.
Choosing What Works for You
The best louvre choice usually comes down to how you want to use them and where they're going. Outdoor entertaining areas benefit from the flexibility of louvre roofs or the consistent comfort of pergolas. Building facades needing sun control work well with fixed systems. Privacy concerns, whether indoor or outdoor, often point toward sliding screens or decorative dapple screens.
Your location matters too. Coastal homes might benefit from wider blade spacing to help with salt air circulation. If you're in a bushfire-prone area, there are specific requirements that will influence your design choices.
The key is matching the louvre type to what you actually need rather than just going with what looks good in photos. If you're ready to explore your options, view our full range of louvre systems below.
