Smartlouvre Technology
Smartlouvre Technology is a UK-based specialty manufacturer of KoolShade micro-louvre bronze metal fabric solar shading systems, selling custom hardware globally through direct enterprise sales and a network of 17 channel partners across 10+ countries for commercial, residential, and public sector building applications.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersHavant, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Smartlouvre Technology does
Smartlouvre Technology Limited is a UK-based specialty manufacturer of micro-louvre metal fabric solar shading systems, operating from its headquarters and manufacturing facility in Havant, Hampshire. The company produces KoolShade®, an angular-selective solar shading fabric woven from paper-thin bronze micro-louvres (1.55mm total thickness) set at precise angles to block up to 100% of solar heat gain while maintaining 80% open area for visibility, daylight, and natural ventilation. The technology traces its lineage to 1930s research by John Grebe at Dow Chemical; Smartlouvre acquired the dormant weaving machines after the original US factory was destroyed by a 1989 hurricane and relocated manufacturing to the UK, where Managing Director Andrew revived production with computerized precision equipment.
The company's product portfolio includes framed KoolShade Screens tensioned in aircraft-grade aluminium, KoolGlass laminated glazing with integrated micro-louvres, MicroLouvre Fire Screens for bushfire and high-rise fire regulation compliance, FHA Screens for UK buildings over 18 meters, cable facade systems, custom-shaped applications, and lighting anti-glare inserts. The firm sells exclusively B2B through a combination of direct enterprise field sales for major projects and a structured two-tier channel partner program with 17 authorized distributors spanning the UK, Mexico, Israel, Singapore, USA, Switzerland, Australia, and UAE. Customer segments span commercial/industrial, residential, public sector (healthcare, education, government), facades and building envelopes, roof lanterns/skylights, fire protection, Passivhaus buildings, and lighting applications. Revenue is generated through custom project-based hardware sales with bespoke sizing, RAL color options, and technical consultation, supplemented by metal fabric sales by the roll for integration into customer projects. The company holds ISO 9001:2015 certification and its products carry multiple third-party validated performance credentials from Fraunhofer, BRE, Berkeley Lab, and CSIRO.
Smartlouvre Technology firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Smartlouvre Technology
- Legal name
- SmartLouvre Technology Limited
- Website
- https://smartlouvre.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Smartlouvre Technology is a UK-based specialty manufacturer of KoolShade micro-louvre bronze metal fabric solar shading systems, selling custom hardware globally through direct enterprise sales and a network of 17 channel partners across 10+ countries for commercial, residential, and public sector building applications.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Smartlouvre Technology industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Solar Shading Systems
- NAICS
- Blind and Shade Manufacturing (33792), Broadwoven Fabric Mills (313210)
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Fabricated Textile Products (2390)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Window Treatments & Shading Systems (Blinds, Shades, Awnings) (IMADAIAN)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Coated & Laminated Industrial Fabrics (Tarpaulins/Awnings/Inflatables/Architectural Membranes) (IMAOADAI)
Keywords
Where Smartlouvre Technology is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Havant
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Smartlouvre Technology business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- KoolShade Solar Shading Systems: Custom-manufactured solar shading screens sold as finished products. Screens are tensioned metal fabric in aircraft-grade aluminium frames, available in various sizes, configurations, and RAL colours. Pricing is project-specific based on specifications.
- Metal Fabric Sales: Sale of KoolShade metal fabric by the roll for integration into customer projects or by authorized partners. Fabric sold in standard widths (1250mm, 1555mm, 1872mm) and roll lengths (20-30m).
- Partner Program / Distribution: Distribution through global network of authorized partners who purchase products for resale and installation. Partners receive technical training, marketing materials, and access to trade pricing.
- Custom Architectural Solutions: Bespoke solutions for unique applications including custom shapes, gable ends, doors, roof lanterns, skylights, cable facades, and in-glass laminations. Engineering services for complex configurations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Custom Project-Based Pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Smartlouvre Technology product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SmartLouvre Technology manufactures and sells the KoolShade® angular-selective solar shading system, consisting of paper-thin bronze micro-louvres (1.25mm × 0.30mm) woven into a 1.55mm metal fabric that is supplied as raw fabric, framed screens in aircraft-grade aluminium, cable-facade kits, custom-shaped screens, fire/wildfire-rated screens, lighting inserts and laminated KoolGlass architectural glazing. The product blocks up to 100% of solar heat gain while preserving 80% open area for vision, daylight and natural ventilation, and is custom-manufactured per project at the company's Havant, UK facility and sold globally through direct field sales and authorised partners.
Product overview
Smartlouvre Technology offers a portfolio of solar shading and building envelope solutions anchored by the KoolShade® system. KoolShade® is an angular-selective solar shading fabric using micro-louvred bronze metal (1.55mm total thickness) that blocks over 99% of solar heat before it reaches glazing while maintaining 80% open area. The core KoolShade® Screens product tensions this fabric in aircraft-grade aluminium frames for facade installation. Applications span Roof Lanterns & Skylights, Cable Facades, and bespoke Gable Ends/Doors/Any Shapes configurations. Related product lines include MicroLouvre® Fire Screens & Shutters (wildfire/bushfire protection achieving BAL-40 compliance), MicroLouvre® FHA Screens (UK fire regulation-compliant attenuation screens), and MicroLouvre® Lighting Inserts (anti-glare light control). KoolGlass integrates laminated micro-louvres into architectural glass. All products are manufactured in the UK to ISO 9001:2015 standards.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- KoolShade: Proprietary brand name for the company's solar shading metal fabric product
- MicroLouvre
- MicroLouvre KoolShade
- Koolglass
Products and services
- KoolShade® Solar Shading System The flagship angular-selective solar shading system using paper-thin bronze micro-louvres (1.55mm total thickness) to block up to 100% of solar heat before it reaches glazing, while maintaining 80% open area for unobstructed vision, natural daylight and ventilation. Sold to commercial, residential, public-sector and architectural customers as the umbrella product covering fabric and screen offerings.
- KoolShade® Framed Screens Framed solar shading screens constructed from KoolShade® fabric tensioned in aircraft-grade aluminium framing for external facade installation. Available in multiple standard sizes up to 1800mm × 3000mm, with BRE-tested wind resistance exceeding 100mph/160 kph/46 m/s and Cat 2 Hurricane rating, supplied to commercial, residential and public-sector customers.
- KoolShade® Metal Fabrics Woven metal fabric substrate made from 90% CuZn15 (C230) commercial bronze and 10% CUSi3Mn1 (C655) silicon bronze, 1.55mm thick with louvres spaced 1.2mm apart and weighing 1.1kg per square metre. Sold by the roll in standard widths (1250mm, 1555mm, 1872mm) and 20–30m roll lengths for integration into customer projects and by authorised partners.
- KoolShade® Roof Lantern & Skylight Screens Specialised KoolShade shading solution configured for roof lantern and skylight installations, blocking excessive heat and glare before it reaches glass ceilings in conservatories, atriums and spaces with overhead glazing while preserving natural daylight and ventilation.
- KoolShade® Cable Facade Systems Cable fixing system for secure, tensioned support of KoolShade screens on building facades, using stainless steel cables, turnbuckles and anchors. Suitable for industrial, commercial and domestic installations including curved or irregular surfaces.
- KoolShade® Custom Shape Screens (Gable Ends, Doors & Any Shapes) Custom-shaped KoolShade solar shading screens cut and configured to fit any fenestration geometry, including square, round, triangular or irregular shapes, for gable ends, doors, roof lanterns and bespoke architectural applications.
- MicroLouvre® Lighting Inserts Anti-glare light control inserts using micro-louvre technology for directing light, minimising glare, stopping light spill and trespass, and balancing natural and artificial light in lighting systems. Available as OEM or retro-fit inserts for lighting manufacturers, architects and lighting designers.
- MicroLouvre® Wildfire & Bushfire Screens Wildfire and bushfire protection screens using the micro-louvred metal fabric to protect buildings from flying ember attack and radiant heat, achieving 49.4% heat attenuation (CSIRO tested) and compliant with AS3959 bushfire standards up to BAL-40 and BAL-FZ. Supplied to buildings in Australian bushfire-prone areas and US wildfire zones.
- MicroLouvre® FHA Fire Screens (High-Rise) Fire attenuation screens meeting UK Building Regulations for high-rise buildings over 18m/4 floors, combining A1/A2-s1,d0 fire rating (BS EN 13501-1) with solar shading in one window covering system, supplied to UK high-rise residential and commercial projects.
- KoolGlass Laminated Glazing Solar shading system comprising ultra-thin bronze micro-louvres laminated into glass for integration into architectural glazing. Reduces solar heat gain while maintaining natural light and outward visibility, available in natural bronze or any painted/printable colour, supplied to architects and facade specifiers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 100% solar heat block; 0.0 gtot on Glazing Classifications A-E
- +9 more outcomes
Companies that use Smartlouvre Technology
Customer profileNamed customers16 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Smartlouvre Technology technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Smartlouvre Technology partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- KAPRAcoreMexico-based authorized partner for KoolShade solar shading products. Provides local sales, specification support, and installation services for Mexican market.
- ALUKALcoreIsrael-based authorized partner distributing KoolShade solar shading systems. Handles local project specification and installation for Israeli market.
- INNIVATEcoreSingapore-based authorized partner providing KoolShade solar shading solutions for Singapore and Southeast Asia markets.
- OAKLEIGH WOODWORKScoreUSA-based authorized partner specializing in architectural solar shading installations. Provides specification support and installation services for American market.
- FAHRNIcoreSwitzerland-based authorized partner for KoolShade products. Handles project specification and installation for Swiss architectural market.
- GREENE FIREcoreAustralia-based authorized partner specializing in fire-rated and bushfire protection solar shading. Provides wildfire/bushfire screen solutions alongside general solar shading.
- R&T CONSTRUCTIONcoreUSA-based authorized partner for specialty construction projects involving KoolShade solar shading systems.
- SOLAR CONTROLcoreSwitzerland-based solar shading specialist and authorized KoolShade partner providing technical specification and installation services.
- LOUVLUXcoreUAE-based authorized partner distributing KoolShade solar shading systems throughout the Middle East region.
- POWELL BLINDScoreUK-based authorized partner for KoolShade solar shading products. Part of UK partner network for domestic residential and commercial installations.
- LOVE YOUR BLINDScoreUK-based blind and shading specialist authorized to supply and install KoolShade products. Serves domestic residential market.
- BEAUTIFULLY SHUTTEREDcoreUK-based partner specializing in architectural shutters and shading solutions including KoolShade products.
- THE SCOTTISH SHUTTER COMPANYcoreUK-based shutter specialist operating throughout Scotland. Authorized KoolShade partner for Scottish market.
- SOLAR SHADE UKcoreUK-based solar shading specialist and authorized KoolShade partner providing technical specification and installation services.
- COOLGLASScoreUK-based authorized partner specializing in glass and shading solutions including KoolShade solar shading products.
- CREATIVE CURTAINScoreUK-based window treatment specialist authorized to supply and install KoolShade products alongside other curtain and shading solutions.
- SOLAR-SHIELDcoreUK-based solar shading specialist and authorized KoolShade partner. Part of UK network for residential and commercial installations.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Smartlouvre Technology competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Solskärm Stockholm (Solskydd): Sweden-based external solar shading specialist offering facade screens and external blinds for Nordic commercial and residential buildings. Comparable to SmartLouvre on external solar shading category with regional European focus.
- Talius: Canadian manufacturer of exterior solar screens and rolling shutters focused on wildfire protection and energy efficiency in North America. Comparable to SmartLouvre's fire/wildfire screen product line and direct competitor in the NA market.
Broad incumbents
- Hunter Douglas: Global market leader in window coverings and architectural products, offering both interior and exterior shading solutions including exterior roller screens and metal blinds. Comparable to SmartLouvre on end-use but operates at vastly broader scale across categories.
Direct peers
- Warema: Germany-based Warema is one of Europe's largest manufacturers of external solar shading systems, including external venetian blinds, roller shutters, and textile screens — overlapping directly with KoolShade's external solar shading category for commercial and residential facades.
- Phifer Incorporated: US-based manufacturer of solar screening fabrics (Suntex, Tuffscreen) and insect screening, supplying woven shade fabrics into the residential and commercial external-shading channel. Comparable woven fabric substrate manufacturer to SmartLouvre's KoolShade metal fabric.
- Markilux: German premium manufacturer of awnings, conservatory awnings, and external sun protection systems — direct competitor in the external solar shading category with strong brand recognition in Europe.
- Roma Rolladensysteme: German family-owned manufacturer of external roller shutters, external screens, and external venetian blinds. Directly comparable to SmartLouvre on product category and project-based specification sales model in the DACH region.
- Griesser AG: Swiss manufacturer of external sun protection (roller blinds, venetian blinds, screens) for residential and commercial buildings. Serves the same European architectural specification channel as SmartLouvre and shares Switzerland distribution via the FAHRNI partnership.
Emerging players
- Serge Ferrari: French manufacturer of technical textiles and architectural membranes including Texyloop and composite shading fabrics. Adjacent to SmartLouvre on architectural coated/louvred fabrics, with broader focus on tensile architecture and solar protection membranes.
- View (View Inc): US-based smart glass manufacturer producing electrochromic dynamic glass that controls solar heat gain — competes with SmartLouvre's value proposition (passive solar heat blocking) but in a higher-cost, technology-intensive adjacent category.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Smartlouvre Technology social profiles
Digital presenceSmartlouvre Technology compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance7 records
Smartlouvre Technology financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Smartlouvre Technology leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Smartlouvre Technology funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Smartlouvre Technology M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Smartlouvre Technology
What does Smartlouvre Technology do?
SmartLouvre Technology manufactures and sells the KoolShade® angular-selective solar shading system, consisting of paper-thin bronze micro-louvres (1.25mm × 0.30mm) woven into a 1.55mm metal fabric that is supplied as raw fabric, framed screens in aircraft-grade aluminium, cable-facade kits, custom-shaped screens, fire/wildfire-rated screens, lighting inserts and laminated KoolGlass architectural glazing. The product blocks up to 100% of solar heat gain while preserving 80% open area for vision, daylight and natural ventilation, and is custom-manufactured per project at the company's Havant, UK facility and sold globally through direct field sales and authorised partners.
Is Smartlouvre Technology a public or private company?
Smartlouvre Technology is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Smartlouvre Technology founded?
Smartlouvre Technology was founded in 1989. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Smartlouvre Technology based?
Smartlouvre Technology is headquartered in Havant, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Smartlouvre Technology make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. KoolShade Solar Shading Systems are the primary driver. The others are metal Fabric Sales, partner Program / Distribution and custom Architectural Solutions.
Who are Smartlouvre Technology's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Solskärm Stockholm (Solskydd) and Talius. Hunter Douglas is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are Warema, Phifer Incorporated, Markilux, Roma Rolladensysteme and Griesser AG. Emerging players are Serge Ferrari and View (View Inc).
Does Smartlouvre Technology have an API?
No public API is recorded for Smartlouvre Technology.
What industry is Smartlouvre Technology in?
Smartlouvre Technology's product category is Solar Shading Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMADAIAN, Window Treatments & Shading Systems (Blinds, Shades, Awnings), with a secondary code of IMAOADAI, Coated & Laminated Industrial Fabrics (Tarpaulins/Awnings/Inflatables/Architectural Membranes). Its NAICS code is 33792 and its SIC code is 2390.