Internal Louvre Doors: Ventilated Storage Solutions
Internal louvre doors are a versatile and functional addition to the home, instantly recognisable by their open slat design. Commonly known as “shutter” doors, they are the industry standard for areas that require consistent air circulation, such as airing cupboards, boiler rooms, and kitchen pantries.
Most standard internal louvre doors feature a thickness of 21mm and an open design that leaves a small gap (typically around 5mm) between each slat. This construction offers a balance of privacy and breathability, ensuring contents remain hidden while preventing the stale odours associated with closed storage.
Shop Louvre Doors by Finish & Style
When selecting a louvre door, the material quality and construction are paramount. We specialise in high-grade unfinished timber, giving you complete control over the final look.
Clear Pine Louvre Doors (Unfinished)
Clear pine doors are typically manufactured from high-grade timber, such as Pinus sylvestris, chosen for its fast growth and lack of knots.
- The “Blank Canvas” Advantage: These doors are supplied in a natural, unfinished state. This makes them the perfect choice for custom renovation projects, as they are ready to be painted, stained, varnished, or waxed to match your existing skirting boards and architraves perfectly.
- Durability: The solid construction makes them ideal for high-traffic areas. Unlike pre-finished options, a natural timber door can be sanded down and re-treated years later, ensuring longevity.
- Eco-Friendly: Many pine louvre doors are sourced from responsibly managed forests (FSC certified), making them a sustainable choice for your home.
Bi-Fold & Sliding Systems
Louvre doors are not limited to traditional hinged applications. They are frequently installed as bi-fold systems or on sliding tracks. This is particularly effective in tight spaces, such as walk-in wardrobes or small pantries, where a standard door swing would obstruct the room.
Why Choose Open Louvre Doors?
Superior Ventilation & Airflow
The standout feature of a louvre door is the angled slats. By allowing air to circulate freely, these doors prevent the build-up of condensation, damp, and mould. This is critical for airing cupboards (to keep linens fresh) and boiler cupboards (to allow heat to disperse safely).
Cost-Effective Renovation
Compared to solid oak or panelled doors, louvre doors are a cost-effective alternative for refreshing a room. They are lightweight, making them easier to hang, and offer a high-impact aesthetic update without the price tag of solid hardwood joinery.
Versatile & Customisable
Beyond storage, these doors are highly adaptable. Because they are unfinished, you can modernise them by applying bold paint colours (such as charcoal grey, navy, or matte black) to create a contemporary feature. Their lightweight nature also makes them safe and easy for children and the elderly to operate.
Where to Use Louvre Doors
- Boiler & Airing Cupboards: Essential for safety and hygiene, allowing heat to escape and air to dry out damp towels or bedding.
- Kitchen Pantries: Keeps dry food goods aerated, preventing them from sweating or developing stale odours.
- Wardrobes: Allows clothing to breathe, reducing musty smells during long-term storage.
- Bathrooms: Ideal for creating chic storage for toiletries that need to be kept dry in a humid environment.
Technical Specifications & Sizing
Understanding Engineered Stiles
High-quality louvre doors are often built using engineered stiles. This manufacturing process involves bonding thin strips of wood together in opposing directions and encasing them in a veneer. This creates a structure that is stronger than a single piece of wood, significantly reducing the risk of the door warping, bowing, or splitting when exposed to temperature changes in airing cupboards or kitchens.
Standard Sizes
Louvre doors come in a vast range of sizes to fit non-standard cupboard openings.
- Heights: Common UK stock heights include 1981mm (78″), 1829mm (72″), and smaller “cafe style” heights like 457mm or 610mm.
- Support Bars: It is standard for doors 1676mm and taller to feature an offset horizontal bar across the centre to provide additional structural stability.
Trimming & Modification Advice
While these doors can be trimmed, the engineered construction imposes strict limits to avoid damaging the internal dowels.
- Height: You can typically remove a maximum of 10mm from the top and 10mm from the bottom (20mm total).
- Width: You should remove no more than 4mm from each side (8mm total).
- Warning: Trimming beyond these limits can expose the internal core or weaken the door structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can louvre doors be trimmed to fit?A: Yes, but with caution. Manufacturers recommend removing no more than 10mm from the top/bottom and 4mm from the sides. Removing more may expose the internal dowels or compromise the engineered stiles.
Q: Are louvre doors suitable for bathrooms?A: Yes. The open slat design is excellent for bathrooms as it promotes airflow, which helps keep towels dry and prevents humidity from getting trapped inside cupboards.
Q: Do I need to paint unfinished pine louvre doors?A: It is highly recommended. Unfinished pine is supplied ready to paint, stain, or varnish. Applying a finish seals the timber, protecting it from moisture, dirt, and grease.
Q: Can louvre doors be used externally?A: Generally, standard pine louvre doors are designed for internal use only. While they can be used externally if heavily treated with exterior-grade primer, manufacturers often do not recommend it due to the high risk of warping in weather conditions.
Q: What are engineered stiles?A: Engineered stiles are a construction feature where the vertical frame of the door is made from laminated timber strips rather than a single piece of wood. This ensures the door remains straight and resistant to warping, even in humid environments.
