MicroLouvre® metal fabrics and architecural mesh

Woven in the UK, MicroLouvre™ is the world’s thinnest and lightest louvre system

MicroLouvre® metal fabric is only 1.55mm and each louvre measures only 1.25mm x 0.30mm. The fabric has an open area of 80% and weighs just over a kilo per square metre.

Multiple performance benefits

Its multiple performance benefits operate simultaneously, making it the best shade, light and glare solution for a multitude of sectors from sun control to lighting.

The micro louvres can be angled between 0⁰ - 16⁰ but for solar shading uses, the fabric is woven at an optimum 17⁰.

Control solar
heat gain
Unobscured outward
visibility
HVAC savings
LED glare control
Beam control and light direction
Lightweight and easy to install or retro-fit
Fire proof and non combustible
Hurricane and wind proof
Bespoke configuration
Insect and pest control
No maintenance / easy to service
Directional privacy

How it works

Our technicians weave metal wire and louvres to create a high-performance metal fabric. The louvres are micro fine, and angled at a level to ensure optimum light in, and visibility out, whilst blocking heat, glare and even external viewing in. It’s known as angular selective technology.

How it’s made

MicroLouvre® is woven from corrosion-resistant, non-combustible, recycled copper alloys (bronze), making it a highly durable and long-lasting, environmentally friendly product. Whether your project is for solar shading, privacy, or lighting, MicroLouvre® comes in a wide variety of colours, sizes, and installation options to fit your specific requirements.

MicroLouvre® sample

Request a sample of MicroLouvre® and see the benefits for yourself

Metal fabric key information

Metal fabric

Copper alloy
Bronze
Aluminium

Dimensions (coated)

Fabric thickness O/A: 1.55mm (0.061)
Weight (nominal): per Sq m 1.1kg (2.43lb)

Fire rating

A1/A2-s1,d0 : BS EN 13501-1:2007 +A1:2009

Metal fabric standard widths

1250mm (49 3/16”)
1555mm (61 ¼”)
1872mm (73 11/16”)

Standard roll lengths

20 – 30 mtrs (67-100’) nominal

Clear open area by volume

80%

Openness factor

0.67

Datasheets and drawings

To access the datasheets, drawings and other technical documents, visit our resource centre where you can read in depth further product information, technical data and installation guides

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Main Applications

Credentials and certifications

Certified in efficiency and efficacy

When tested at Fraunhofer, results confirmed MicroLouvre® as the most comprehensive solution for Thermal and Visual Comfort in one system.

The Berkeley Lab included MicroLouvre® in a major research project for PG&E. With MicroLouvre®, daily cooling loads were reduced by 68% on sunny days when compared with dual pane, high performance solar control glass with an internal blind.

The IFC Group have confirmed MicroLouvre® to be A1/A2-s1,d0 : BS EN 13501 Fire Rating, making it one of very few passive and dynamic external sun and solar heat gain blocking systems compliant for use on high rise buildings.

Building Research Establishment (BRE) wind tunnel tested MicroLouvre® screens from different angles and proved it to be indestructible at winds exceeding 100mph/160 kph/46 metres per second.

Smartlouvre Technology Limited is an ISO: 9001 2015 Accredited Quality Management company.

MicroLouvre® has been extensively modelled using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in SimScale.

Test certifications

Download and read all our credentials and certifications from our resource centre.

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Victory Boulevard
Use cases

Victory Boulevard

Our MicroLouvre® ultra-thin metal fabric louvres were integrated into the units and permitted optimum light transfer, ensuring high energy efficiency, which is key to any lighting strategy.

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Frequently asked questions

Commonly asked questions about Microlouvre

More FAQs
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Why is MicroLouvre the best in class for Solar Shading, Thermal, Visual and Environmental Comfort?

Our solar shading system stops solar heat gain and glare before it reaches the window, working nonstop to disperse the sun's heat and energy without obstructing view, natural daylight, ventilation and enhancing the thermal, visual and environmental comfort of a building's occupants. MicroLouvre delivers 100% shade and heat block, saving up to 68% on air conditioning expenses. It also provides perfect vision for the outside and outperforms all other sun shading systems on the market.

What ongoing maintenance does each type of solar shading system need?

Dynamic solar shading by its nature presents the most risk of faults occurring. Moving parts, motors and reactive functions can be costly to repair or replace and warranties are typically short and limited.

Manual solar shading brings the increased risk of human intervention and misuse, especially those that are internal.

MicroLouvre® screens are fixed to the building facade, window frame, mullions or direct to glass. They are light and quick and easy to install. They do not need to be removed for maintenance or window cleaning. Glass can be cleaned through screens (by simple pressure wash). For those buildings that better suit the option of moveable/removable screens, we offer a number of simple engineered solutions including simple lift in/out options or screens fitted in channels to slide in/out of position.

Does dynamic solar shading work better than a manual or fixed solution?

Dynamic solar shading uses technology to automate and control external and/or internal solar shading by means of an intelligent building control system.

When blinds are deployed due to need (excessive light or glare), the occupants then have no view to the outside.

Manual solar shading requires human intervention which can increase risk of damage to the system. Both dynamic and manual solar shading are subject to faults due to their moving parts and in some cases, motors.

Fixed solutions require no intervention and usually little to no maintenance. MicroLouvre® was designed as a solar shading fixed window screen, consisting of a fine bronze alloy mesh, comprising 700 tiny ‘bris soleil’ fins per metre of fabric, measuring only 1.5mm in depth. It is installed on a frame external to any windows, allowing heat to accumulate on the surface of the metal and then dissipate to the outside before it reaches the window.

MicroLouvre’s durable metal fabric, with micro fine metal louvres, woven with precision, angled and spaced to ensure optimum light in and visibility out, whilst protecting from the sun’s heat and glare.

Why do I need a solar shading system if I have solar control glass or a window film?

Even the most recent advances in glazing technology won’t block all the sun’s heat and they reduce the levels of daylight and the view out.

So, what is the answer? How do you block the sun’s heat, get optimum daylight distribution, visibility to the outside world, protection from glare AND the opportunity for ventilation?

You stop the sun’s energy before it hits the glass, with a metal fabric, with micro fine louvres woven in to dissipate the sun’s heat and neutralise glare, but not block natural daylight, natural ventilation or vision out.

How does each type of solar shading work?

Solar energy from the sun streams through glass, heating everything inside the building. Unable to escape back through the glass, the heat can build up to unbearable temperatures. This is what’s known as the greenhouse effect.

Internal blind systems protect the room from a minimal amount of heat gain. They trap the heat and re-radiate it into the room, also known as the radiator effect.

Solar control glass and window films will reduce a good amount of heat gain but they block the sun’s light, leaving the building occupants in the dark and increasing the need for artificial lighting and therefore, energy consumption.

External solar shading is the most effective protection against heat gain, blocking the sun’s energy from reaching the glass. However, external blind systems reflect the sun’s energy whilst still allowing heat to pass through to the glass and therefore the room. Large louvre systems (Bris Soleil) work by deflecting the sun’s light but only during peak sun hours.

MicroLouvre® works totally differently. It neutralises solar heat gain and glare before it reaches the window, working non-stop like a heat exchanger dissipating the sun’s heat and energy into the atmosphere. It doesn’t diffuse daylight, it provides all the benefits but not the negative impact of excessive heat gain and glare. The louvres are micro fine, and angled at a level to ensure optimum light in and visibility out, whilst protecting the building occupants from the heat, glare and even external viewing in. It’s known as angular selective technology.