Louver

Louver

:"For the French museum, see the Louvre"A louver (American English) or louvre (British English), from the French "l'ouvert"; "the open one") is a window, blind or shutter with horizontal or, less often, vertical slats, which are angled to admit light and air, but to keep out rain, direct sunshine, and noise. The angle of the slats may be adjustable, usual in blinds and windows, or fixed. As building management services has improved and technology has quickly changed, these louvers have been automated to save on overall cost while providing a pleasant living environment inside buildings.

Louvers originated in the Middle Ages as lantern-like constructions in wood that were fitted on top of roof holes in large kitchens to allow ventilation while keeping out rain and snow. They were originally rather crude constructions consisting merely of a barrel. Later they evolved into more elaborate designs made of pottery, taking the shape of faces where the smoke and steam from cooking would pour out through the eyes and mouth, or into constructions that were more like modern louvers, with slats that could be opened or closed by pulling on a string.

More modern louver windows comprise slats of glass, opened and closed with a metal lever, or they may be shutters of wood or other material.

ee also

* Jalousie window
* Window shutter

References

*Henisch, Bridget Ann (1976), "Fast and Feast: Food in Medieval Society" ISBN 0-271-01230-7


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  • Louver — Lou ver, Louvre Lou vre, n. [OE. lover, OF. lover, lovier; or l ouvert the opening, fr. overt, ouvert, p. p. of ovrir, ouvrir, to open, F. ouvrir. Cf. {Overt}.] (Arch.) A small lantern. See {Lantern}, 2 (a) . [Written also {lover}, {loover},… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • louver — ● louver verbe transitif (de louve 2) Soulever avec la louve. ⇒LOUVER, verbe trans. Creuser une pierre pour y introduire une louve; soulever une pierre avec une louve (v. loup II B 2). Louver une pierre (Ac.). Prononc. et Orth.:[luve]. Att. ds Ac …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • louver — [lo͞o′vər] n. [ME luver < MFr lover < MDu love, gallery (in a theater), akin to OHG louba: see LODGE] 1. an open turret or lantern on the roof of a medieval building 2. a) a window or opening furnished with a series of overlapping,… …   English World dictionary

  • Louver — Lou ver, n. To supply with louvers. [PJC] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • louver — also louvre, early 14c., domed turret like structure atop a building to disperse smoke and admit light, from O.Fr. lovier, of uncertain origin. One theory connects it to M.L. *lodarium, which might be from a Germanic source (Cf. O.H.G. louba… …   Etymology dictionary

  • louver — louvered, adj. /looh veuhr/, n. 1. any of a series of narrow openings framed at their longer edges with slanting, overlapping fins or slats, adjustable for admitting light and air while shutting out rain. 2. a fin or slat framing such an opening …   Universalium

  • louver — or louvre noun Etymology: Middle English lover, from Anglo French Date: 14th century 1. a roof lantern or turret often with slatted apertures for escape of smoke or admission of light in a medieval building 2. a. an opening provided with one or… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • LOUVER — v. a. Faire un trou dans une pierre, pour y mettre la louve. Louver une pierre. LOUVÉ, ÉE. participe …   Dictionnaire de l'Academie Francaise, 7eme edition (1835)

  • LOUVER — v. tr. T. d’Arts Faire un trou dans une pierre pour y mettre la louve. Louver une pierre …   Dictionnaire de l'Academie Francaise, 8eme edition (1935)

  • louver — A slotted opening in the structure that acts as an inlet of air. The amount of air may be controlled by opening or closing the openings in the louver …   Aviation dictionary

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