GLASS LOUVRE SYSTEM SELECTOR
Compare glass louvre systems around the facade requirement.
Different facade briefs lead to different louvre architectures. The right starting point may be blade scale and transparency, insulated glazing and thermal separation, operating geometry, or the way the louvre needs to integrate with automation and building systems.
EBSA brings MP2, LF550, BT90 and G Series into one selection pathway so project teams can identify the right design territory before moving into detailed product specification.
Start with the facade brief. Select the louvre architecture from there.
MP2
LF550
BT90
G SERIES
ARCHITECTURAL EXPRESSION
Framed, frameless and system-specific glazed expressions selected around the facade intent
GLAZING + THERMAL
Single-glazed, insulated and thermally broken pathways for different envelope strategies
BLADE SCALE + GEOMETRY
Blade proportion, span, aspect ratio and operating geometry considered early
PERFORMANCE + AUTOMATION
Current test evidence, facade interfaces, actuation and building integration considered together
SELECTION LOGIC
Define the facade requirement before comparing product names.
A glass louvre is part of the building envelope and, where automated, part of the operating building system. Selection therefore needs to begin with what the facade must look like, how it must perform and how it needs to operate.
ARCHITECTURAL INTENT
GLAZING + THERMAL STRATEGY
LOUVRE SIZE + ASPECT RATIO
BLADE + OPERATING GEOMETRY
WEATHER + STRUCTURAL REQUIREMENTS
AUTOMATION + BUILDING INTERFACES
SYSTEM SELECTION
PROJECT DETAILING
ARCHITECTURAL EXPRESSION
Establish the desired blade rhythm, transparency, visible framing and relationship with the surrounding facade.
GLAZING + THERMAL STRATEGY
Determine whether the project requires a single-glazed architectural pathway or an insulated and thermally separated facade solution.
BLADE SCALE + GEOMETRY
Resolve the intended louvre dimensions, blade proportion, span and operating geometry early enough to influence system selection.
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
Bring wind actions, air infiltration, water penetration, glass behaviour and supporting-frame requirements into the selection process.
AUTOMATION + INTEGRATION
Define whether the louvre will operate for natural ventilation, smoke control, BMS coordination or another project-specific operating strategy.
The product family follows the facade requirement — not the other way around.
CORE GLASS LOUVRE SYSTEMS
Four louvre families for different facade design territories.
EBSA works with several architectural glass louvre architectures because different projects need different combinations of glazing, blade scale, thermal performance, appearance and operating geometry.
MP2
Large-format, thermally broken glass louvre system with insulated glazing options for projects requiring substantial blade scale and integrated facade performance.
Selection territory
Start with MP2 where large-format architectural louvres need to sit within an insulated and thermally developed facade strategy.
LF550
Large-format single-glazed end-pivot louvre with a frameless external appearance and concealed operating mechanism for bold all-glass facade expression.
Selection territory
Start with LF550 where large blade scale, transparency and a frameless external expression are central to the design.
BT90
Thermally broken double-glazed louvre system for projects where insulated glazing and thermal separation are central facade requirements.
Selection territory
Start with BT90 where the brief calls for a dedicated double-glazed, thermally broken louvre architecture.
G SERIES
Single-glazed centre-pivot louvre family with a range of framed, frameless and flush-blade expressions for commercial facade applications.
Selection territory
Start with G Series where the project needs a centre-pivot single-glazed pathway with flexibility in the visual treatment of the blades.
Understand the design territory first. Then compare the technical detail.
WHERE TO START
Use the project brief to identify the likely starting pathway.
LARGE-FORMAT + FRAMELESS SINGLE GLAZING
Likely starting pathway: LF550
Use where substantial blade scale, single glazing and a frameless external glass expression are leading design requirements.
LARGE-FORMAT + INSULATED FACADE
Likely starting pathway: MP2
Use where large-format louvre architecture needs to combine with insulated glazing and thermally broken construction.
DOUBLE-GLAZED + THERMALLY BROKEN
Likely starting pathway: BT90
Use where the project requires a dedicated thermally broken double-glazed louvre solution within the facade envelope.
CENTRE-PIVOT + SINGLE-GLAZED EXPRESSION
Likely starting pathway: G Series
Use where centre-pivot geometry and a choice of architectural blade expressions are appropriate to the facade brief.
These are starting pathways, not automatic product selections. Final selection depends on the project geometry, glass, performance requirements, facade interfaces and operating strategy.
GLAZING + THERMAL DESIGN
Let the envelope strategy narrow the louvre selection.
The glazing and thermal strategy changes the louvre architecture substantially. A single-glazed facade expression and an insulated thermally broken facade are not simply different glass options within the same design problem — they can lead to different product pathways from the outset.
SINGLE-GLAZED ARCHITECTURAL PATHWAY
LF550 and G Series provide the primary single-glazed pathways, with different blade scale, appearance and operating geometry.
INSULATED LARGE-FORMAT PATHWAY
MP2 provides a large-format thermally broken pathway with insulated glazing options where blade scale and envelope performance need to be developed together.
DOUBLE-GLAZED THERMALLY BROKEN PATHWAY
BT90 provides a dedicated thermally broken double-glazed architecture where insulated glazing is a central requirement.
FACADE CONTINUITY
Consider the louvre frame, blade holders, surrounding curtain wall or cladding, perimeter conditions and thermal strategy as one facade detail rather than treating the louvre as an isolated insert.
Choose the glazing architecture first where thermal performance is a primary project driver.
GEOMETRY MATTERS
Bring size, span and aspect ratio into the selection conversation early.
A louvre system cannot be selected from overall height alone. Overall width, blade span, blade height, aspect ratio, glass makeup, supporting mullions and operating geometry all influence how the completed assembly behaves.
OVERALL LOUVRE GEOMETRY
Establish the proposed width, height and division of the louvre field before relying on performance evidence from another configuration.
BLADE SPAN + GLASS MAKEUP
Coordinate blade span and glass selection with structural behaviour, visual proportion and the supporting frame.
ASPECT RATIO
Tall and wide louvre fields can place different demands on the same system architecture. Treat aspect ratio as an engineering input, not simply a drafting dimension.
OPERATING GEOMETRY
Consider pivot location, blade movement, opening angle, drive forces and clearances together with the surrounding facade.
MULLIONS + SUPPORT STRATEGY
Where intermediate support is required, coordinate the mullion and perimeter framing strategy as part of the system rather than adding it after product selection.
Geometry is part of the evidence. It is not just the size of the hole in the facade.
FULL-SIZE PERFORMANCE EVIDENCE
Compare tested configurations, not isolated headline numbers.
EBSA’s current 2026 evidence programme for LF550, MP2 and BT90 uses full-size operable glass louvre assemblies tested at ift Rosenheim in Germany to AS/NZS 4420.1 with AS 2047 performance requirements.
The test sequence examines serviceability and deflection, air infiltration, water penetration and ultimate pressure on the complete assembly. The resulting evidence therefore relates to the tested configuration — including geometry, glazing, frame, pivots, seals, mechanisms and perimeter installation — rather than creating one universal rating for every size and arrangement.
LF550 + MP2
The current programme includes both tall and wide full-size geometry territories, allowing project teams to compare evidence against the proposed louvre proportions rather than relying on one standard specimen shape. The LF550 programme also includes different laminated-glass makeups.
BT90
The current programme includes a full thermally broken double-glazed assembly tested as a complete louvre system for Australian requirements.
G SERIES
G Series remains part of the EBSA / Schneider louvre range. A new Australian-standard testing programme is planned; project requirements should be reviewed against the applicable current approved evidence during selection.
HOW TO READ THE EVIDENCE
01 — SERVICEABILITY
Does the tested assembly maintain acceptable geometry and behaviour under the relevant design pressures?
02 — AIR + WATER
Does the tested configuration provide evidence relevant to the project’s envelope-performance requirements?
03 — ULTIMATE
What does the complete assembly demonstrate under the applicable ultimate-pressure testing?
04 — CONFIGURATION RELEVANCE
How closely do the tested size, aspect ratio, glass makeup, framing and interfaces map to the proposed project condition?
05 — PROJECT GAP
If the proposed configuration falls outside the available evidence, identify the gap early and determine whether engineering assessment, revised geometry, glass selection, reinforcement or project-specific testing is appropriate.
The useful question is not which louvre has the biggest number. It is whether the evidence maps to the project.
AUTOMATED GLASS LOUVRES
Treat automation as part of the louvre selection.
Where the louvre is automated, blade movement, drive selection, controls, weather inputs and building interfaces should be resolved with the facade rather than added after the louvre geometry has been fixed.
GLASS LOUVRE
LOUVRE MECHANISM + DRIVE
FIELD WIRING
CONTROL SYSTEM
LOGIC + SENSORS
BMS / MECHANICAL / FIRE INTERFACES
COMMISSIONING
SERVICE
DRIVE + OPERATING GEOMETRY
Coordinate drive forces, movement, blade position and mechanical arrangement with the selected louvre architecture.
NATURAL VENTILATION
Integrate automated louvres into the required day-to-day ventilation, purge, environmental and weather strategy.
SMOKE CONTROL
Where the louvre forms part of the smoke-control strategy, coordinate the required operating sequence and fire-system interfaces with the control architecture.
BMS + MECHANICAL
Define building-system commands, status and coordination around the required project operation rather than adding interfaces as standalone features.
MAINTENANCE + ACCESS
Consider safe maintenance operation, system lockout, cleaning access, adjustment and long-term service requirements as part of facade coordination.
The louvre, drive and controls should be selected as one operating facade system.
SYSTEM TERRITORIES
A first-pass comparison of the four core louvre families.
MP2
Primary territory
Large-format insulated facade architecture
Glazing pathway
Insulated glazing options
Thermal architecture
Thermally broken
Design character
Substantial blade scale with integrated facade performance
Current 2026 full-size Australian-standard evidence
Yes — configuration-specific
LF550
Primary territory
Large-format frameless single-glazed architecture
Glazing pathway
Single glazed
Thermal architecture
Selected around the single-glazed facade pathway
Design character
End-pivot geometry with frameless external expression and concealed operating mechanism
Current 2026 full-size Australian-standard evidence
Yes — configuration-specific
BT90
Primary territory
Thermally broken double-glazed facade architecture
Glazing pathway
Double glazed
Thermal architecture
Thermally broken
Design character
Insulated louvre pathway where glazing and thermal separation are central requirements
Current 2026 full-size Australian-standard evidence
Yes — configuration-specific
G SERIES
Primary territory
Centre-pivot single-glazed architectural louvres
Glazing pathway
Single glazed
Thermal architecture
Selected around the applicable G Series configuration
Design character
Framed, frameless and flush-blade expressions within the G Series family
Current Australian-standard evidence
Confirm against the selected configuration; new testing programme planned
Use this comparison to identify the product territory. Use the current product information and project-specific requirements to make the final selection.
FROM PRODUCT TO FACADE
Resolve the louvre as part of the surrounding facade.
The selected louvre system still has to work with the building around it. Perimeter framing, waterproofing, support structure, curtain-wall or cladding interfaces, drainage, tolerances, access and installation sequence can all influence the final project solution.
PERIMETER + CURTAIN-WALL INTERFACE
Coordinate how the louvre frame connects to the adjacent facade and how loads and tolerances are transferred.
WATER MANAGEMENT
Resolve seals, drainage paths, surrounding waterproofing and interfaces around the complete opening.
STRUCTURAL SUPPORT
Coordinate mullions, perimeter supports and project structure with the louvre geometry and applied actions.
INSTALLATION + TOLERANCES
Plan access, sequencing, adjustment and realistic construction tolerances before the system reaches site.
SERVICE + CLEANING
Allow for access, cleaning, maintenance lockout, component replacement and long-term operability within the finished facade.
The best-fit product is the one that can be developed into the best-fit facade solution.
PROJECT PROOF
See how different louvre architectures resolve different project briefs.
MP2 — 151 CLARENCE STREET, SYDNEY
MP2 architectural glass louvres integrated into a commercial facade, demonstrating the insulated large-format product pathway in built form.
LF550 — FIRST BUILDING, BRADFIELD CITY CENTRE
LF550 frameless glass louvres integrated with CDC actuation and CPS-M controls as part of a coordinated operable facade system.
BT90 — MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL, SYDNEY
BT90 thermally broken glass louvres integrated into the completed building and coordinated with CPS-M controls for natural ventilation and smoke-relief operation.
G SERIES — QUAY QUARTER TOWER, SYDNEY
G Series louvres integrated with D+H actuation and CPS-M controls at the podium skylight, supporting natural-ventilation and smoke-relief operation.
SPECIFIER INFORMATION
Move from system selection into project specification.
Once the likely louvre architecture is identified, the next step is to compare current product information against the project geometry, performance brief, facade interfaces and operating requirements.
PRODUCT TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Review current approved product information, system configurations and project-specific design considerations.
TESTING + PERFORMANCE DATA
Access issued test information relevant to the selected product and configuration.
CAD + BIM
Use controlled drawings and digital resources to coordinate the louvre within the facade design.
SPECIFICATIONS
Develop specification requirements around the selected system, glazing, operation, interfaces and project responsibilities.
AUTOMATION + CONTROLS
Coordinate louvre actuation, control architecture and building-system interfaces where the facade is automated.
PROJECT REFERENCES
Review relevant completed projects to understand how the selected architecture has been applied in practice.
SELECT AROUND THE PROJECT
Bring the facade requirement to EBSA before the louvre system is fixed.
If the project team can provide the intended louvre size, glazing and thermal strategy, architectural expression, performance requirements and operating intent, EBSA can help identify the most appropriate product territory and develop the next level of facade and system coordination.