Finding the best balance between airflow and usage of energy is crucial for creating a sound HVAC and exhaust system, and this is where custom louvers come into play. No building out there is truly complete without them, but it is crucial to know that the way they are created and installed will dictate just how well they will work. Read on to learn all about free space with your property’s louvers and how they can help!
What Is Free Space in Relation to Your Louvers?
The free space is known as the minimum area through which air can pass through the louver. It is essentially the total opening spot that is unobstructed by blades and frames. Typically, a higher free area refers to improved and enhanced airflow, but it also allows for better penetration of rainwater and debris.
Calculating Your Free Space
To calculate free space, take the total open area (remove obstructions, blades, and frames out of the equation), then divide the figure by the overall wall opening. This helps give you a comparison of the louver openings to the wall openings. Free space is typically around 35 to 60% of a wall opening. Typically, a larger percentage is better since a lot more air could enter through small wall openings, potentially reducing the overall costs. However, this has to be balanced against water penetration that a higher free area will probably bring. A well-designed louver set maximizes free space while also minimizing water penetration.
How Other Louver Factors Will Impact Your Free Space Performance
It is important to remember that free space differs by size, screens, shape, and louver models. These different factors could have a severe impact on the free space you get, so make sure you’re considering all these factors while choosing the louvers for your property. A louver that is about four feet wide by eight feet high may not have the same free area as a louver that is around eight feet wide by four feet high. Every louver model is different, with blades and spaces especially, so they carry free space for a given size of a louver. If you would like to learn more about louver-free space and the free area before installation, our team at Hercules Custom Louvers is more than thrilled to tell you about it!
QUALITY LOUVERS FROM HERCULES CUSTOM LOUVERS
When you are ready for quality louvers, the professionals at Hercules Custom Louvers are ready to help. For more information and to learn how we can meet your custom louver needs, contact Hercules Custom Louvers online or giving us a call at 1-800-331-2590. We will ensure your investment serves your property for years to come! For updates and to see projects we’re working on, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, Twitter, YouTube, and Pinterest.