A louvre door is a door whose panel consists of a series of angled, overlapping slats. Air can flow freely through the door, while you cannot see through it and no direct light passes. In Dutch it is called a louvredeur or lamellendeur.
The slats are angled downwards. That angle is functional: looking from above you see the top of the next slat, and any dust or water runs outwards rather than inwards.
Where it is used
- Boiler and washing machine cupboards — appliances that give off heat or moisture need an air supply
- Meter cupboards and service cupboards
- Wardrobes and walk-in closets — prevents stale air and mould in textiles
- Utility rooms, cellar and understairs cupboards — spaces with no ventilation of their own
- Outdoors — as a shutter or sliding panel for shade and privacy
Advantages and limits
| Advantage | Limit |
|---|---|
| Continuous ventilation without a grille | Almost no sound insulation |
| Hides the contents from view | Dust settles on every slat |
| Light in weight | Painting is laborious |
| Classic, familiar appearance | No fire-resisting function |
Practical tips
- Ventilation needs two openings — a louvre door only extracts if there is also a supply. A boiler cupboard often needs a grille low down as well as high up; always check the appliance manufacturer’s required free area
- Gas appliances — for open-flued appliances the ventilation requirements are strict and covered by regulation. Have that assessed by a registered installer; do not block or alter openings yourself
- Painting — spray it if you can; with a brush you will never get the slat edges covered without paint pooling behind them. Take the door off and lay it flat
- Cleaning — an old paintbrush, or a cloth over a filling knife, works faster than a duster alone
- Material — solid timber lasts better than MDF with applied slats; in a damp room MDF is a risk
Related terms
- Louvre
- Louvre board
- Internal door
- Window frame
- Shutter catch
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