What are louvers, fluted panels and rafters - are they the same thing?
Short Answer
YES - louvers, fluted panels and rafters are three different names for the SAME product: decorative panels with vertical grooves running their length.
Different brands and designers use different terms:
1. LOUVERS - most common technical name.
2. FLUTED PANELS - same product, named after the 'flutes' (grooves) on the surface.
3. RAFTERS - vernacular term used by some carpenters and builders.
All three describe vertical-groove panels typically 2400x300 mm in size, with U-shaped or V-shaped grooves running the full length of the panel.
Available in multiple materials:
1. MDF / HDF - premium interior.
2. PVC - wet areas.
3. WPC - exterior.
4. Polystyrene - budget.
And in multiple looks:
1. Wood-look (walnut, oak, teak, smoked oak).
2. Solid colours (cream, sage, charcoal, black).
3. Metallic (brushed brass, copper, oxidised).
4. Stone-look.
Currently the #1 panel category at Material Depot (4,600+ SKUs) and the dominant feature-wall trend in modern Indian interiors.
Different brands and designers use different terms:
1. LOUVERS - most common technical name.
2. FLUTED PANELS - same product, named after the 'flutes' (grooves) on the surface.
3. RAFTERS - vernacular term used by some carpenters and builders.
All three describe vertical-groove panels typically 2400x300 mm in size, with U-shaped or V-shaped grooves running the full length of the panel.
Available in multiple materials:
1. MDF / HDF - premium interior.
2. PVC - wet areas.
3. WPC - exterior.
4. Polystyrene - budget.
And in multiple looks:
1. Wood-look (walnut, oak, teak, smoked oak).
2. Solid colours (cream, sage, charcoal, black).
3. Metallic (brushed brass, copper, oxidised).
4. Stone-look.
Currently the #1 panel category at Material Depot (4,600+ SKUs) and the dominant feature-wall trend in modern Indian interiors.
Detailed Explanation
One of the most confusing things in the panel category is that the same product has three different names - and buyers often don't realise they're shopping for the same thing. So to be clear: LOUVERS, FLUTED PANELS, and RAFTERS are all the same product.
Different terms used:
1. LOUVERS - the most common name on architect and designer drawings. Borrowed from the architectural term for slatted ventilation panels.
2. FLUTED PANELS - the descriptive term, named after the 'flutes' (the vertical grooves running down the panel). Used by interior designers and on Pinterest.
3. RAFTERS - vernacular term used by some carpenters and builders in India. Less common in catalogues but you'll hear it on site.
Material Depot uses 'Louvers' as the official sub-category name (because that's the term used on most architect drawings), but the products you see filed under any of these three names are interchangeable.
What the product is:
Vertical-groove decorative panels, typically 2400x300 mm (8 ft x 1 ft) in size, with U-shaped or V-shaped grooves running the full length of the panel. Installed in long vertical runs to create a fluted/slatted feature wall.
Available in multiple materials (covered in detail in our material Q&As):
1. MDF / HDF - premium interior feature walls.
2. PVC - bathroom and wet-area feature walls.
3. WPC - exterior facades, balconies, soffit ceilings.
4. Polystyrene - budget interior, DIY projects.
Available in multiple LOOKS:
1. Wood-look - walnut, smoked oak, washed oak, teak, weathered (the most popular).
2. Solid colours - cream, sage, charcoal, deep green, navy, black, terracotta.
3. Metallic - brushed brass, copper, oxidised steel, rose gold.
4. Stone-look - limestone, slate, marble (less common but available).
Available in different PROFILES (the cross-section shape of the flute):
1. Square / rectangular flutes - modern, sharp.
2. V-shaped flutes - classic, slightly traditional.
3. U-shaped (rounded) flutes - soft, organic.
4. Half-round / pencil flutes - fine, detailed.
5. Deep flutes (15-22 mm depth) - dramatic shadow.
6. Shallow flutes (5-10 mm depth) - subtle, textural.
Why louvers/fluted panels are the #1 panel trend right now:
1. Visual depth and rhythm without colour clutter.
2. Easy to install - just glue panels vertically onto the wall.
3. Hide cable management and wall imperfections.
4. LED strip lighting between flutes creates dramatic effects.
5. Available in every interior style - modern, traditional, luxe, minimal.
6. Currently the most-saved Pinterest feature-wall element.
Material Depot has 4,600+ louver SKUs - the largest range in India - across all materials, looks, profiles and sizes.
Different terms used:
1. LOUVERS - the most common name on architect and designer drawings. Borrowed from the architectural term for slatted ventilation panels.
2. FLUTED PANELS - the descriptive term, named after the 'flutes' (the vertical grooves running down the panel). Used by interior designers and on Pinterest.
3. RAFTERS - vernacular term used by some carpenters and builders in India. Less common in catalogues but you'll hear it on site.
Material Depot uses 'Louvers' as the official sub-category name (because that's the term used on most architect drawings), but the products you see filed under any of these three names are interchangeable.
What the product is:
Vertical-groove decorative panels, typically 2400x300 mm (8 ft x 1 ft) in size, with U-shaped or V-shaped grooves running the full length of the panel. Installed in long vertical runs to create a fluted/slatted feature wall.
Available in multiple materials (covered in detail in our material Q&As):
1. MDF / HDF - premium interior feature walls.
2. PVC - bathroom and wet-area feature walls.
3. WPC - exterior facades, balconies, soffit ceilings.
4. Polystyrene - budget interior, DIY projects.
Available in multiple LOOKS:
1. Wood-look - walnut, smoked oak, washed oak, teak, weathered (the most popular).
2. Solid colours - cream, sage, charcoal, deep green, navy, black, terracotta.
3. Metallic - brushed brass, copper, oxidised steel, rose gold.
4. Stone-look - limestone, slate, marble (less common but available).
Available in different PROFILES (the cross-section shape of the flute):
1. Square / rectangular flutes - modern, sharp.
2. V-shaped flutes - classic, slightly traditional.
3. U-shaped (rounded) flutes - soft, organic.
4. Half-round / pencil flutes - fine, detailed.
5. Deep flutes (15-22 mm depth) - dramatic shadow.
6. Shallow flutes (5-10 mm depth) - subtle, textural.
Why louvers/fluted panels are the #1 panel trend right now:
1. Visual depth and rhythm without colour clutter.
2. Easy to install - just glue panels vertically onto the wall.
3. Hide cable management and wall imperfections.
4. LED strip lighting between flutes creates dramatic effects.
5. Available in every interior style - modern, traditional, luxe, minimal.
6. Currently the most-saved Pinterest feature-wall element.
Material Depot has 4,600+ louver SKUs - the largest range in India - across all materials, looks, profiles and sizes.
Shop on
Video Call
Video Call