Customizing Options
simple and versatile
Handle Options
Altair® Louver Handles to suit your situation.
For technical details please visit the Technical page.
Standard Handle
Designed to fit the contours of the human hand for easy use.
Low Profile Handle
Designed for installation within some bi-fold and sliding doors.
Slide Handle
Easily operate the louver when an inside screen is installed. Slide handles should not be used with a pole.
Ring Handle
For louvres out-of-reach and operated by a map rod. Scroll down to view map rod details.
Inside Handle
For inside screen access.
Standard Handle
Designed to fit the contours of the human hand for easy use.
Low Profile Handle
Designed for installation within some bi-fold and sliding doors.
Slide Handle
Easily operate the louver when an inside screen is installed. Slide handles should not be used with a pole.
Ring Handle
For louvres out-of-reach and operated by a map rod. Scroll down to view map rod details.
Inside Handle
For inside screen access.
6 inch Louver Handle Positions
Including Low Profile Handle, Ring Handle, Slide Handle and Altair Inside Screen Handle.
4 inch Louver Handle Positions
Including Low Profile Handle, Ring Handle, Slide Handle and Altair Inside Screen Handle.
The vertical position of handles may also cause occasional issues with access or operation. The handle position can often be changed by special request at order placement.
Sash Pole
Louver Blade Options
Blade Dimensions
Blade height
Altair Louver Windows are available with two blade heights: 4” and 6”.
Blade length
The length of the louvre blade is typically based on the bay width required for the window application and any length restrictions to comply with Building Codes. For more information see FAQ “How wide can my louvres be?”.
Blade thickness
The Altair Louver design has been optimised for 1/4″ thick glass and aluminum blades or 9/16″ thick wood blades. The use of other thicknesses will compromise the performance of the product and are not warranted by Breezway.
Blades for Stronghold
Blades that are mechanically retained by the Stronghold System (i.e. A high strength acetal pin that is inserted through the Stronghold clip, bearing and blade) are available for use with 1/4″ thick, 4″ or 6″ drilled glass or aluminum blades. For more information, visit the Stronghold System page.
and 6″ (152mm) available.
Blade Material
Glass Blades
Obscure, etched, grey, bronze, tempered for extra strength and safety, with a clear low e coating for enhanced energy efficiency, or good old sparkling clear glass! As long as it’s 1/4″ thick, almost every type of glass can be incorporated into an Altair Louver Window.
Wood Blades
Western Red Cedar wood blades let the breeze in and create privacy at the same time while reducing the amount of heat passing through the window. All woods can be stained to blend in with your home.
Aluminum Blades
Aluminum blades are virtually maintenance free, can’t rust and never need painting. Our aluminum blades are offered in white, clear and bronze. Custom colors can be ordered including Decowood for that eye-catching wood look.
Benefits Summary
Key consideration | Blade type | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Increased glass safety | Tempered Glass | Tempered glass is around 5 times stronger than un-tempered glass. Not only is it harder to break, but if it does break, it breaks into small fragments with square edges instead of razor-sharp shards of glass. Building codes will require tempered glass in certain situations in the building. Tempering all glass blades is an extra precaution that is available. |
| Wood and Aluminum | Wood and aluminum obviously do not shatter at all. | |
| Clear views and maximum daylight | Clear Glass | Clear glass will maximize these considerations. Tinted glass can also be very effective with only slight reductions in daylight. |
| Increased insulation | Clear low e Glass and Wood | Clear glass with a low emissivity coating and wood have insulating properties to reduce the heat transfer through the blade. |
| Protection from heat gain due to direct sunlight | Glass – tinted grey or bronze | Reduces the Solar Heat Gain when protection from direct sunlight is wanted. This will typically be a key consideration on western elevations (as windows facing the west are exposed to hot afternoon sun). |
| Wood and Aluminum | Wood and aluminum are solid blades and very effective in this role. |
|
| Heat gain from direct sunlight is desirable | Clear Glass | In colder seasons heat gain from sunlight is a very desirable benefit. North facing windows will typically be clear glass to get this free heating benefit from nature. |
| Privacy | Glass – satina | This glass is obscure to provide privacy while also letting in daylight while closed. |
| Aluminum and Wood | Aluminum and wood are solid blades that will provide complete privacy while closed, but need to be open to provide daylight. | |
| Color, visual impact | Aluminum | Aluminum blades are available in white, clear or bronze. Custom colors are also available (ex Australia) including decowood. |
| Wood warmth or look | Wood | Our Western Red Cedar blades provide the wood “look” and the insulated benefits of wood. |
| Aluminum – wood grain finish | Aluminum blades can be finished with wood look powdercoat. This provides the appearance of wood, with the low maintenance of aluminum. |
Restricted Blade Openings
Due to compliance laws you may need to restrict your louver openings to meet state or local government regulations. There are a number of reasons why you may need restricted openings including situations when using louvers for fall prevention, louvers adjacent to swimming pools etc. To find out more please visit our Compliance page. For more information about our standard and restricted opening product offer please download the design manual on the downloads page.
Altair® Louver Window Sizes
For technical details please visit the Technical page.
Heights
- Standard heights are based off the chosen blade height of 4″ and 6″ blades. *Recommended Option*
- Off Standard heights are available but will add cost to your window and result in a fixed louver blade to act as a filler piece.
- The type of window frame chosen will affect the standard heights.
Please note: No off-standard heights are available for 4″ Powerlouver Windows.
Widths
- There are no standard louver blade or louver bay widths.
- When determining the bay widths possible a rule of thumb is the higher the wind and water performance required, the shorter the blade should be (i.e. hurricane regions).
- Multiple louver bays can often achieve the desired frame width.
Please speak to your local window manufacturer for advice on your specific circumstances.
Altair® Louvre Standard Heights
| No. of Blades | Altair Louvers in Makani Window System Standard Heights | Altair Louvers in ios Window System Standard Heights | Altair Louvers with Breezway Weatherstrip Standard Heights* |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6" Blade | 4" Blade | 6" Blade | 4" Blade | 6" Blade | 4" Blade | |
| 2 | 13-19/32" | - | 13-5/8" | - | 13" | - |
| 3 | 19-3/32" | 13-3/16" | 19-1/8" | 13-7/32" | 18-1/2" | 12-19/32" |
| 4 | 24-19/32" | 16-23/32" | 24-21/32" | 16-25/32" | 24-1/32" | 16-5/32" |
| 5 | 30-1/8" | 20-9/32" | 30-5/32" | 20-5/16" | 2917/32" | 19-11/16" |
| 6 | 35-5/8" | 23-13/16" | 35-21/32" | 23-27/32" | 35-1/32" | 23-7/32" |
| 7 | 41-5/32" | 27-3/8" | 41-3/16" | 27-13/32" | 40-9/16" | 26-25/32" |
| 8 | 46-21/32" | 30-29/32" | 46-11/16" | 30-15/16" | 46-1/16" | 30-5/16" |
| 9 | 52-5/32" | 34-7/16" | 52-7/32" | 34-7/16" | 51-9/16" | 33-27/32" |
| 10 | 57-11/16" | 38" | 57-23/32" | 381/32" | 57-3/32" | 37-3/32" |
| 11 | 63-3/16" | 41-17/32" | 63-7/32" | 41-9/16" | 62-19/32" | 40-15/16" |
| 12 | 68-11/16" | 45-3/32" | 68-3/4" | 45-1/8" | 68-1/8" | 44-1/2" |
| 13 | 74-7/32" | 48-5/8" | 74-1/4" | 48-21/32" | 73-5/8" | 48-1/32" |
| 14 | 79-23/32" | 52-5/32" | 79-3/4" | 52-7/32" | 79-1/8" | 51-9/16" |
| 15 | 85-1/4" | 55-23/32" | 85-9/32" | 55-3/4" | 84-21/32" | 55-1/8" |
| 16 | 90-3/4" | 59-1/4" | 90-25/32" | 59-9/32" | 90-5/32" | 58-21/32" |
| 17 | 96-1/4" | 62-25/32" | 96-5/16" | 62-27/32" | 95-21/32" | 62-7/32" |
| 18 | 101-25/32" | 66-11/32" | 101-13/16" | 66-3/8" | 101-3/16" | 65-3/4" |
| 19 | 107-9/32" | 69-7/8" | 107-5/16" | 69-29/32" | 106-11/16" | 69-9/32" |
| 20 | 112-25/32" | 73-7/16" | 112-27/32" | 73-15/32" | 112-7/32" | 72-27/32" |
| 21 | 76-31/32" | 77" | 76-3/8" | |||
| 22 | - | 80-1/2" | - | 80-9/16" | - | 79-29/32" |
| 23 | - | 84-1/16" | - | 84-3/32" | - | 83-15/32" |
| 24 | - | 87-19/32" | - | 87-5/8" | - | 87" |
| 25 | - | 91-5/32" | - | 91-3/16" | - | 90-9/16" |
| 26 | - | 94-11/16" | - | 94-23/32" | - | 94-3/32" |
| 27 | - | 98-7/32" | - | 98-9/32" | - | 97-5/8" |
| 28 | - | 101-25/32" | - | 101-13/16" | - | 101-3/16" |
| 29 | - | 105-5/16" | - | 105-11/32" | - | 104-23/32" |
| 30 | - | 108-27/32" | - | 108-29/32" | - | 108-9/32" |
| 31 | - | 112-13/32" | - | 112-7/16" | - | 111-13/16" |
Altair® Powerlouver Standard Heights
| No. of Blades | 6" | 4" |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 14-19/32" | NA |
| 3 | 20-1/8" | 14-7/32" |
| 4 | 25-5/8" | 17-3/4" |
| 5 | 31-5/32" | 21-5/16" |
| 6 | 36-21/32" | 24-27/32" |
| 7 | 42-5/32" | 28-3/8" |
| 8 | 47-11/16" | 31-15/16" |
| 9 | 53-6/32" | 35-15/32" |
| 10 | 58-11/16" | 39-1/32" |
| 11 | 64-7/32" | 42-9/16" |
| 12 | 69-23/32" | 46-3/32" |
| 13 | 75-1/4" | 49-21/32" |
| 14 | 80-3/4" | 53-3/16" |
| 15 | 86-1/4" | 56-23/32" |
| 16 | 91-25/32" | 60-9/32" |
| 17 | 97-5/16" | 63-13/16" |
| 18 | 102-13/16" | 67-3/8" |
Altair® Powerlouver Standard Heights
- Maximum width = 157-15/32″ (frames over these dimensions will need to be coupled on site or at a window fabricator’s factory)
- Minimum bay width for 2-9 blade high windows = 15-3/4″
- Minimum bay width for 10-18 blade high windows = 19-11/16″
- Standard heights only
- Up to 6 galleries (bays) can be included in a single surround frame
- Combination louver and picture window bays are available
Screens and Security Bars
For technical details please visit the Technical page.
Screens
- Screens can improve the insulation and shading properties of the window.
- Breezway offers the ios Window System or Powerlouvre in the Easyscreen Window System with integrated housing for screens.
- Altair Components can be installed into other window manufacturer’s frames with screening capabilities.
- View screen deductions for your Powerlouver.
- Breezway manufactures insect screens at our factory in Oahu, or high quality hurricane proof security screens are available from Prowler Proof.
- Visit our Where To Buy page to find your closest window manufacturer.
Stronghold System
- High performance acetal pin is inserted through the clip, bearing and a hole drilled into the tempered glass or aluminum blade.
- gain the benefits of full ventilation whilst providing added safety to the entire window opening.
- View the Stronghold Page for more information.
Colors & Finish Selection
For technical details please visit the Technical page.
Selecting the Right Aluminum Finish
The aluminum components of Altair Louver windows are available in two different surface finishes: anodized and standard powder coating.
Powder coatings are polyester coatings from leading powder suppliers applied to a thickness of 50µm and anodized finishes are to a thickness of 25µm. Over time, weathering of powder coated surfaces should be expected, resulting in a gradual change in appearance. This will be evident in loss of gloss, chalking, color change and erosion of the powder coatings. Selecting the right finish for the atmospheric conditions of the site and correct maintenance will be critical to the ongoing appearance of the finish.
Note: Industry accepted color variation can occur during the aluminum anodizing process.
Standard Aluminum Window Color Chart
Some colour variation between aluminum and plastic can occur.
Please Note: Powdercoated and plastic finishes may vary. Equivalent non-standard USA finishes are ex-Australia and may have a different finish.
To learn more about how to care for your aluminum finishes, please visit the Care & Maintenance page.
Altair Strip Hardware Standard Aluminum Window Color Chart
| Finish | Color Code* | Handle & Clips at Standard price |
|---|---|---|
| White Powder Coat | RAL9003 | White |
| Clear Anodized 25 micron | - | Misty Gray |
| Dark Bronze Anodized 25 micron | - | Black |
- RAL and Munsell are color space systems, used to describe part colors. These are manufactured to an agreed industry standard color specification.
- These standard colors are for product supplied from our Hawaii Service Centre. Equivalent Non-standard USA finishes are ex-Australia and may have a different finish.
Note: Industry accepted color variation can occur during the aluminum anodizing process.
ios Window System and Makani Window System Standard Finishes
| Finish | Color Code* | Handle & Clips at Standard price |
|---|---|---|
| White Powder Coat | RAL9003 | White |
| Clear Anodized 25 micron | - | Misty Gray |
| Dark Bronze Anodized 25 micron | - | Black |
- RAL and Munsell are color space systems, used to describe part colors. These are manufactured to an agreed industry standard color specification.
- These standard colors are for product supplied from our Hawaii Service Centre. Equivalent Non-standard USA finishes are ex-Australia and may have a different finish.