LOUVERS FAQs
Answers to your most Frequently Asked Questions about Greenheck louvers.
Q:
Q:Can I get a 20-year warranty on paint finishes for Greenheck louvers?
A:
A:Yes…on 70% Kynar/100% Fluoropolymer paint finishes applied on aluminum louver products. Our standard 70% Kynar/100% Fluoropolymer paint finish warranty is 10 years, but we do offer an extended 20-year warranty on 70% Kynar/100% Fluoropolymer paint finishes applied on aluminum louver products at additional cost.
Q:
Q:Can I get an extended material and workmanship warranty on Greenheck louvers?
A:
A:Yes. Our standard material and workmanship warranty period is one year, but we do offer extended material and workmanship warranties up to five years at additional cost.
Q:
Q:Do all louvers with a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance and/or Florida Product Approval meet all requirements of the Florida Building Code or the Hurricane Prone Region?
A:
A:Not necessarily. A manufacturer may obtain Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance and/or Florida Product Approval without meeting all of the IBC or FBC building code requirements. Most recent editions of the IBC and/or FBC require that all intake and exhaust louvers comply with the AMCA 550 High Velocity Wind Driven Rain test if located in the Hurricane Prone Region. The Hurricane Prone Region spans the entire Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coasts and includes all of Hawaii. Additionally, the IBC and FBC require that, if located within 30 ft. of grade, louvers must comply with the AMCA 540 standard for debris impact. While Greenheck manufactures a considerable line of hurricane rated louvers, only a few select products have both the AMCA 550 and 540 Listing. Models EVH-302, EVH-302D, EVH-501D, EHV-550, EHV-550D, EHV-901D, EHV-901, EVH-660D, ESD-635D/VCD-40, ESD-635DE/VCD-40, EACA-601D and EHH-601D/VCD-40 are all AMCA 550 and 540 Listed. Please note, the AMCA 550 Listing for models ESD-635D/VCD-40, ESD-635DE/VCD-40, EACA-601D and EHH-601D/VCD-40 is only applicable with the operable damper blades in the closed position.
Q:
Q:Does Greenheck manufacture "FEMA 361" louvers?
A:
A:Yes. Greenheck offers a FEMA 361 louver. Greenheck louver model AFL-501 is a UL Classified Wind-Storm Rated assembly that meets the requirements indicated within FEMA 361. This mode l retains extremely high wind load ratings while also passing the ICC 500-14 standard for debris impact testing (15 lb. 2 x 4 traveling at 100 MPH).
Q:
Q:Does Greenheck manufacture louvers for data center applications?
A:
A:Yes. The most commonly applied louver type for data center application considers both high performance rain rejection with low airflow resistance. Greenheck vertical blade wind driven louver model EVH-501 is a preferred choice offering high free area, low airflow resistance and exceptional wind driven rain performance. If a horizontal blade louver is preferred Greenheck horizontal blade wind driven rain louver models EHH-501 or EHH-601 are an excellent choice, although a vertical blade product is best from a function perspective.
Q:
Q:Does Greenheck manufacture Miami-Dade or Hurricane rated louvers?
A:
A:Yes. Greenheck offers a complete line of Miami-Dade or Hurricane rated louver products. All Greenheck “Hurricane Rated” louvers have AMCA 540 Listing for debris impact and several have AMCA 550 Listing for High Velocity Wind Driven Rain.
Q:
Q:Does Greenheck manufacture operable louvers for warehouse or distribution center applications?
A:
A:Yes. Greenheck manufacturers a complete line of operable blade louvers. Both single adjustable blade and combination louver/dampers are available. Our best value adjustable blade louver is model EAD-635 and our best value combination louver/damper is model EACA-601. Adjustable blade and combination louver/dampers are frequently supplied with factory adjusted electric actuators (pneumatic and manual actuators are also available).
Q:
Q:Does Greenheck manufacture wind driven rain louvers?
A:
A:Yes. Greenheck EHH (horizontal blade) and EVH (vertical blade) series louvers are all AMCA Licensed for AMCA 500-L Wind Driven Rain. Greenheck also manufactures louvers that are AMCA 550 Listed for High Velocity Wind Driven Rain, which is a requirement of the Hurricane Prone Region.
Q:
Q:Does Greenheck offer custom colors and, if so, do custom colors cost more than standard?
A:
A:Yes. Greenheck offers 27 standard colors available in baked enamel or Kynar or Fluoropolymer paint and 6 standard “Mica” Kynar colors, however; we also offer custom color matching at additional cost.
Q:
Q:Does Greenheck offer expedited production for louver products?
A:
A:Yes. Nearly all Greenheck louver product finishes (mill finish, paint finish or anodize) are available on our Quick Build program. Many mill finish products are available in one working day while many painted or anodize products are available in five working days.
Q:
Q:Does Greenheck provide hidden mullions for continuous blade appearance on multi-section wide louver assemblies?
A:
A:Greenheck models ESJ, ESK, EHM are all provided with hidden or recessed vertical mullion joints for continuous blade appearance when configured multi-sections wide. Specific product types like drainable louvers, wind driven rain louvers or others as shown on product submittals are provided with visible vertical mullions for proper water drainage.
Q:
Q:Does Greenheck provide on-line selection software for louver products?
A:
A:Yes. You may access eCAPS or from the eCAPS web page. Using eCAPS to make your louver selections provides the best value selection for your application needs. eCAPS allows you easy download of product details, submittals and customized equipment schedules.
Q:
Q:Does Greenheck provide sound or noise data on louver products?
A:
A:The only product type that offers sound or noise data is our acoustical line of louver products (AFJ & AFA). All Greenheck acoustical louvers have AMCA Certified sound performance. Please note that the test standard for sound does not consider air velocity through the louvers.
Q:
Q:Does Greenheck supply additional structural reinforcing for louvers if required?
A:
A:Unless specifically noted by Greenheck as included by Greenheck additional structural reinforcing is not in our scope of materials supplied.
Q:
Q:Does the published airflow performance results for louvers include the effects of bird screen or insect screen?
A:
A:No. AMCA Certified Ratings consider only the “raw” louver product and do not consider accessories such as bird screen or insect screen. As a rule, a bird screen typically adds approximately 15% additional airflow resistance while an insect screen adds approximately 20% additional airflow resistance.
Q:
Q:How do I know if I need additional structure reinforcing for my louvers?
A:
A:This depends on the type of louver, overall opening size and the required wind load. A rule of thumb says if the louver opening requires a multi-wide and multi-high louver section assembly, additional structural reinforcing is required. If the overall louver opening size requires a multi-wide, but single high louver section assembly and the louver section height is greater than 84 in., additional structural reinforcing may be required. There are exceptions. The best course of action is to contact your local Greenheck sales rep or contact Greenheck.
Q:
Q:What finishes are available on Greenheck louvers?
A:
A:The default finish is “mill” or no finish, however; Greenheck offers a wide variety of high performance paint and anodize finishes for our louver products. Paint finishes available include Baked Enamel, 50% Kynar/Acroflur and 70% Kynar/Hylar paint. All are available in a wide variety of colors. The most commonly specified paint finish type is 2-coat 70% Kynar/Hylar. Greenheck also offers clear, bronze and black anodize finishes.
Q:
Q:What if I forgot to order my louvers with bird screens, insect screens, installation clip angles, sill extensions, front flanges or even actuators for operable blade louvers?
A:
A:Greenheck offers “accessory only” items that may be ordered directly from Greenheck CAPS for most louver products. The accessory only items are configured to meet the exact size of the previously ordered louvers.
Q:
Q:What is "mill" finish aluminum?
A:
A:Mill finish aluminum is raw or unfinished material. This material is commercially smooth and substantially free from blisters, inclusions, voids, slivers and kinks. Slight discontinuity resulting from flow and die lines inherent in the extrusion process will exist. Occasional discontinuities removed easily making the surface suitable for finishing operations are acceptable. Although aluminum is naturally resistant to corrosion, its appearance will change because of weathering and aging. Coloration and sheet will vary over time. Mill finish products may have a non-uniform surface appearance resulting from oil, heat and oxide discoloration that is inherent in the manufacturing process.
Q:
Q:What is "pressure drop"?
A:
A:With respect to louver products, pressure drop is a measure of airflow resistance typically displayed as inches of water gauge at specific free area velocities. Free area and the aerodynamic properties of the louver product are among items that play a part in determining pressure drop. Lower pressure drop is generally considered more advantageous. Note that high free area is not necessarily synonymous with low-pressure drop. AMCA 500-L prescribes the method for determining louver pressure drop.
Q:
Q:What is a "drainable blade" louver?
A:
A:A drainable blade louver, such as Greenheck series ESD or EDD, incorporates horizontal drain gutters on the front or leading edge of the louver blade. The intent of a drainable blade louver is to mitigate the cascading of water down the face of the louver. Water that collects in the horizontal drain gutters channels to the vertical downspouts located in the louver jambs (sides). Once water reaches the vertical downspouts, gravity takes effect and the collected water escapes at the louver sill (bottom). Drainable blade louvers provide good water rejection properties, but lend little defense against wind driven rain.
Q:
Q:What is AMCA 500-L Water Penetration?
A:
A:The AMCA 500-L Water Penetration standard is a static water test for louver products. The test standard simulates rain falling straight down in front of a louver test specimen at a rate of 4 in./hr. A fan attempts to pull water through the louver from a fully enclosed chamber behind the louver. The free area velocity whereby 0.01 oz of water per square foot of louver free area is measurable in the chamber behind the louvers is the Beginning Point of Water Penetration. It is always advisable to size conventional intake application louver comfortably below the Beginning Point of Water Penetration.
Q:
Q:What is AMCA 500-L Wind Driven Rain?
A:
A:The AMCA 500-L Wind Driven Rain standard is a dynamic water test for louver products and is not to be confused with AMCA 550 High Velocity Wind Driven Rain, which is a requirement of the Hurricane Prone Region. The AMCA 500-L Wind Driven Rain test simulates horizontal driving rain by positioning a wind-generating fan that simulates either a 29 MPH or 50 MPH external wind. Between the wind-generating fan and the louver test specimen water spray nozzles drive either 3 or 8 in. rain/hr. at the louvers (29 MPH/3 in. rain/hr., 50 MPH/8 in. rain/hr.). A fan attempts to pull water through the louver from a fully enclosed chamber behind the louver. The louver is given a letter grade rating at specific escalating inlet velocities, which defines the percentage of water rejection (A = 99%, B = 95% - 98.9%, C = 80% - 94.9%, D = <80%).
Q:
Q:What is AMCA 500-L?
A:
A:AMCA 500-L is the publication that defines louver test procedures and how manufacturers portray performance for louver Air Performance, Water Penetration, Wind Driven Rain, Air Leakage and Sound Performance.
Q:
Q:What is AMCA 511?
A:
A:AMCA 511 is the Certified Ratings Program. Relative to louver products, if the louver manufacturer has tested their product(s) in accordance with any or all of the AMCA 500-L test procedures the louver manufacturer may elect to have AMCA certify their performance in accordance with the AMCA 511 Certified Ratings Program and display the AMCA Seal on product literature or the product itself. Keep in mind the AMCA 500-L test procedures are not “pass/fail”. AMCA Certified means that AMCA concurs the product was tested appropriately and that AMCA endorses the displayed product performance.
Q:
Q:What is AMCA 540?
A:
A:AMCA 540 is the Test Method for Louvers Impacted by Wind Borne Debris. The International Building Code and the Florida Building Code dictates that louvers installed within 30 ft. of grade in the Wind-Borne Debris Region of the Hurricane-Prone Region need to comply with AMCA 540. The AMCA 540 standard subjects a louver to the impacts of a 9 lb. 2 x 4 traveling at either 34 MPH (Missile Level D) or 55 MPH (Missile Level E). While Missile Level D is required for most commercial construction, Missile Level E is required for all critical or enhanced facilities and should be specified as such. The louver must show that the 2 x 4 does not pass through the louver and that the louver components maintain connectivity. Complete cosmetic destruction is acceptable.
Q:
Q:What is AMCA 550?
A:
A:AMCA 550 is the Test Method for High Velocity Rain Resistant Louvers and is not to be confused with AMCA 500-L Wind Driven Rain. The International Mechanical Code and Florida Mechanical Code dictates that all intake and exhaust louvers located in the Hurricane Prone need to comply with AMCA 550. The AMCA 550 standard subjects a louver to 35, 70, 90 and 110 MPH external wind while spraying horizontal driving rain at a rate of 8.8 in./hr. The louver must show that no more than 1% of the total sprayed water volume is measurable in the water collection apparatus positioned in the test chamber behind the louver.
Q:
Q:What is AMCA Listed?
A:
A:With respect to louver products, the AMCA Listing Program is reserved for the AMCA 540 debris impact test and the AMCA 550 High Velocity Wind Driven Rain test. Unlike the AMCA 500-L test procedures, AMCA 540 and AMCA 550 are “pass/fail” criteria test procedures. By displaying the AMCA Listing label AMCA is certifying that the louver product(s) in question have passed the AMCA 540 and/or AMCA 550 standard. The AMCA 540 and/or 550 standards are requirements for the Hurricane Prone Region as defined by the International Building Code.
Q:
Q:What is AMCA?
A:
A:AMCA is the Air Movement and Control Association International. The mission of AMCA International is to promote the health and growth of the industries covered by its scope and the members of the association consistent with the interests of the public. AMCA develops industry related test standards for air movement and control products while independently certifying product performance to ensure reliable and accurate product performance. For more information about AMCA please visit .
Q:
Q:What is Greenheck's standard lead-time for louver products?
A:
A:Our average lead-time for standard catalogued products is 4 weeks for mill finish product and 5 weeks for painted or anodize product. Production lead-times may fluctuate depending on order size, seasonality and/or backlog. Orders that require special design requests (SDR’s) will have longer than average lead-times.
Q:
Q:What is louver "free area"?
A:
A:Free area is the available open area of a louver that is not impeded by the louver components. Louver frame depth, component profiles, louver blade spacing and louver blade angle all play a role in determining the louver free area. AMCA publication 500-L prescribes the method for determining louver free area. A far too often used rule of thumb is “50% free area”. The percentage of free area is not consistent from size to size. This holds true for all manufacturers. As an example, Greenheck model ESD-403 offers 50% free area based on a 48 in. x 48 in. size. The same louver offers only 30% free area for a 12 in. x 12 in. size. The very same louver offers 54% free area for a 120 in. x 120 in. size. Greenheck does not recommend specifying louvers based on an assumed percentage free area.
Q:
Q:What maximum intake velocity does Greenheck recommend to reduce the likelihood of rain infiltration through louvers?
A:
A:No louver may be considered 100% waterproof or stormproof. Depending on the louver type, application and configuration Greenheck recommends sizing conventional intake louvers at or around 75% of the products capacity with the capacity defined as the “Beginning Point of Water Penetration”. As an example, Greenheck model ESD-635 has a Beginning Point of Water Penetration of 1077 FPM free area intake velocity. Greenheck recommends sizing model ESD-635 around 800 FPM for intake applications to reduce the likelihood of nuisance weather infiltration during ambient weather conditions. Regardless of how conservatively or aggressively the louvers are sized Greenheck always recommends provisions to manage water infiltration.
Q:
Q:What options or accessories are available with Greenheck louvers?
A:
A:This depends on the louver model. But the following options are available with most Greenheck louver products: front flanged frame, glazing frame, a variety or bird or insect screens, filter racks, filters, blank off panels, hinged frames, security bars, sill extensions, sill pans, installation clip angles, a variety of paint or anodize finishes and electric or pneumatic actuators for operable blade products. Many louver products are available with factory sleeved damper products for ease of installation.
Q:
Q:What type of wind driven rain louver works best? A horizontal blade (EHH) louver or a vertical blade (EVH) louver?
A:
A:A vertical blade (EVH) style louver typically offers the best water rejection and the lowest airflow resistance.
Q:
Q:When would I use a 4 in. deep louver, versus a 2 in. deep or 6 in. deep, etc...?
A:
A:Generally, (there are exceptions) a deeper louver offers more free area, lower airflow resistance and a higher velocity before water penetration. In many cases, the louver height required will dictate that a product with a shallower frame depth be used. Additionally the building substrate depth may prohibit the use of deeper louvers. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this common question. Fortunately, Greenheck offers a wide variety of product depths that can meet the requirements of nearly any application.
Q:
Q:Where are Greenheck louvers manufactured?
A:
A:Greenheck has three domestic US manufacturing facilities that manufacture louver products. Our headquarters and manufacturing facility is located in Schofield WI. We also have a manufacturing facility in Shelby NC. These are strategically located manufacturing facilities allowing us to service our customers more efficiently based on territory while flexing manufacturing capacity to maintain competitive production lead-times.