Are you thinking of renovating your home property to upgrade its market value? Or do you want a simple room extension construction in your house? If the work requires an upgrade on the roofing design and material, it is best to consider louvered roofs because not only are they aesthetically appropriate, but they are also durable and highly functional. Curious about these innocuous construction add-ons? Find out more about its history here.
Louvers got their romantic-sounding name from their origins in the Middle Ages when they were used for outdoor kitchens or large kitchens that needed ventilation. It was designed with overlapping slats to allow airflow while still maintaining rain and snow out. Unlike its modern counterparts, the original louvered roofs were crude at best and were simply made of discarded wood slats or barrel wood. It wasn’t until later that they evolved into more elaborate and stylish designs.
Let’s jump back to the 50s
American homeowners dived into the groove of louvered roof pergolas when they embraced indoor-outdoor living. Everybody had patios, terraces, backyard gardens, weekend barbeque hotspots, poolside areas, and all manner of “outdoor” living and dining areas. Most of these homeowners sought out the clever and simple design of louvered roofs because they saved on space and material but still did the job of covering and providing shade to any designated area.
The louvered roof systems were perfect for keeping the summer heat out and were wisely marketed in that way. They were solid and durable and provided excellent shade while still allowing for maximum ventilation in outdoor areas. Over the next couple of years, backyard architecture saw a lot of significant evolution in terms of aesthetics, material, and landscape design.
The 80s
Some of the first manufactured louvered roofs were produced in 1984 using steel coils with a pivot louver, still in keeping with its namesake. The strong steel structure allows for a variety of slope and angle designs in the roofing system, while still keeping its durability and function.
This was when designs and materials for louvered roofs really took off. Some were made with fabric or aluminum awnings, while some made use of solid wood covers, pergolas, and some combination of aluminum and fabric to offer better protection and structure. The custom louvered pergola became a hit with many homeowners due to its offer of shade and protection, but its inherent aesthetic design as well.
Now unto the late 2000s
Modern advances in construction have paved the way for louvered roof systems that are motorized, integrated into the gutter system, with 180-360 degree rotations, built-in sensors, integrated LED lighting systems, and all other clever features you can think of. Let’s take, for example, the retractable louvered pergola, a smart outdoor element with a state-of-the-art motorized system for on-demand shade in your outdoor living area. Isn’t this just the perfect addition to your space? The retractable louvers are now one of the best and highly recommended items in home design.
We want to talk more about our patio designs and louvered roofs with you. Contact our professional team, at Outside Wholesale, with more than a decade of experience with outdoor living spaces, so we can talk with you about our luxury louvered roofs and other roofing products that can be customized to fit your needs and budget and something ideal for residential or even commercial use.