Birdseye view of a pool with Retracting Awning

The latest in Garden Design: The Louvre and Awning Roofing

Posted on Posted in IQ Awning Retractable Roof, IQ Louvre Roof

Two state of the art roofing options in garden design, what are they and what do they do?

Louvre roof above a set of table and chairsWithin the last year, the use of the UK garden has increased roughly 84 minutes per month, up from the 2019 average of 114 hours annually. Utilising home and garden space and having a visually appealing environment has become a priority to many, as more of us than ever are working from home.  Despite the need to maximise space, the unpredictable weather can leave the garden unusable.

 

 

 

poolside seating spaces for relaxing covered by retractable outdoor roofs

The Louvre Roof and Awning roof are designed with the unreliability of the British weather in mind, both roofing types were created to give you control over your patio. Wind, sun or rain, you are able to create the atmosphere you want, with fully automated roofing. The Louvre roof uses a 140-degree rotation design to prevent water damage to garden furniture or allow as much sun as you require, whereas the Awning roof works by retracting and folding. Both roofing types allow ventilation, possess a water-tight seal with an integrated drainage system and are fire-resistant.

The versatility of these garden roofs means that whether you’d like to create an outdoor bar, a tanning area or a shaded area to relax and read a good book, the   interchangeable roofing style means you are able to with ease.

The Similarities and Differences:

The main similarities of these garden roofs are the aluminium framing and that they come with an array of different design options.

al freco dining area with an aluminium louvre roof, outdoor blinds and stunning coastal viewsdesign options for both roofs include:

  • Roofing can be freestanding or wall-mounted
  • There is no limit to roofing fields, you can use as many
    as you desire to cover the designated garden space.
  • Choices of colour, both the aluminium framing and roofing material. Finish any RAL Colour / Corten.
  • RWGB (Red, White, Green, Blue) dimmable LED Strip Lighting available fo
    r the outer edges of the roof structure
  • Frameless Glass Sliding Doors can be attached to the structure to provide further weather protection
  • Aluminium Framed Sliding Glass Doors can be added to the structure for protection

Differences:

Although, as mentioned above these designs have some similarities, there are several differences that may influence your choice dependent on your garden’s specific needs.

One of the main differences is the materials used to create the opening roof, the Awning roof uses a waterproof fabric and has an array of different options, both with fabric and colour. The Louvre roof has an Aluminum roof, that also has a variety of options available. The difference in material is determined by the functionality of the designated automated system (folding/rotation).

freestanding aluminium louvre roof in a luxury garden for a modern outdoor seating area

The amount of natural light you require will be a determining factor on the most suitable roofing, as each one permits a different amount of light. The Awning roof allows more light overall as it is fully retractable, rather than the Louvre roof which rotates but, cannot be fully removed. When rotated the light penetrates through the apertures of the Louvre providing a controlled pattern of shade. The Awning also has the option of wind, sun and rain sensors to open and shut automatically dependent on the weather.

Superficial lighting is an important part of creating your perfect garden atmosphere, and one of the benefits of the Awning roof is the lighting options. The LED stripping can run across the folding retractable roofing and along each side of the aluminium frame, opposed to the Louvre’s lighting that runs along each side of the aluminium frame. There is also the option of LEDs spotlights on the Louvre.

The final difference is the ability to integrate the Louvre roofing onto a                                                                                                                                         pre-existing building, however, both designs are able to be wall-mounted or freestanding.

The Technical Specifications also slightly differ:

The Louvre:

  • Maximum Size per Roof Field 4500mm x 6000mm
  • Louvre Rotation 4 angles between 0 and 1400
  • Leg Structures 150mm / 150mm (for a roof structure with additional protection such as vertical screens) / 150mm x 100mm (for a roof structure without vertical additions)
  • Roof Structure 120mm x 220mm
  • The Louvre can be Building Integrated

The Awning:

  • Maximum Size per Roof Field 5500mm x 7000mm
  • Leg Structures 150mm x 150mm
  • Roof Structure 150mm x 320mm

The Louvre roofing and Awning roofing’s main function is maximising garden space, but both have unique features that can provide character and weather protection for any garden. If you are interested in the products discussed in this article, please contact us at IQ Outdoor.

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