Estimate louver and vent free area for sheet-metal panels
Plan louver fields, punched slots, and perforated vent zones for enclosure doors, covers, guards, and airflow panels. Use effective free area to start the RFQ conversation before FortiFab reviews tooling and geometry.
Free-area results
Updates as you edit. The layout shown is approximate.
Approximate layout — margins and edge distance are reviewed by FortiFab.
Effective free area
11.88 in²
5.5% of the vent field · -12.12 in² vs target
Estimated price
Small-batch rate$129.40
Mild steel (CRS) · 16 ga (0.0598") · Instant estimate — FortiFab confirms final pricing.
- Quantities of 10 or fewer carry the shop small-batch rate; unit price drops at 11+.
Excluded from this estimate and priced on FortiFab review: formed-louver tooling, plus any screens, grilles, or filter media.
If free area is low
Increase opening count, opening size, or vent field size, or move to a perforated panel pattern with a higher open-area percentage.
- Free area
- 11.88 in²
- Open area
- 5.5%
- Target delta
- -12.12 in²
Vent inputs
All dimensions are in inches. The estimate updates live as you change the vent field, openings, and airflow targets.
Vent style
Planning free-area estimate for formed louvers; final airflow depends on geometry and tooling.
Vent field size
Width
Height
Opening size (each)
Width
Height
1–10 pcs price at the shop small-batch rate; unit price drops at 11+.
Rows are derived from the count and columns.
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Vent layout and pricing breakdown
The geometric opening area is 24 in² inside a 216 in² vent field. Estimated pitch is about 9 in horizontally and 2 in vertically before edge-distance review.
Price breakdown (each)
3.75 lb · 108 in cut · 13 pierces
- Material
- $2.34
- Laser cutting
- $0.28
- Louver forming (12 bends)
- $42.00
- Welds
- $0.00
- Finish (powder coat)
- $0.00
- Shop subtotal + 45% markup
- $64.70
- Small-batch rate (qty 1–10)
- × 2
- Estimated each
- $129.40
Instant estimate — FortiFab confirms final pricing. Excluded from this estimate and priced on FortiFab review: formed-louver tooling, plus any screens, grilles, or filter media.
If free area is low
Increase opening count, opening size, or vent field size, or move to a perforated panel pattern with a higher open-area percentage.
What FortiFab reviews
Material thickness, louver tooling, minimum spacing, edge distance, finish direction, deburring, and whether screens or filters restrict airflow.
Planning output only. FortiFab confirms final material, tooling, bend deductions, hardware, tolerances, finishes, and manufacturability during quote review.
Your vent summary
Attach or paste this summary with your RFQ so FortiFab can review the vent field, airflow target, and fabrication details quickly.
- Style
- Formed louvers
- Vent field
- 18" × 12" (216 in² gross)
- Material
- Mild steel (CRS) · 16 ga (0.0598") · 1 pc
- Openings
- 12 at 4" × 0.5" each
- Layout
- 6 rows × 2 columns · ~9" × 2" pitch
- Screen
- 10% grille / screen restriction
- Free area
- 11.88 in² effective
- Open area
- 5.5% of the vent field
- Target delta
- -12.12 in² vs 24 in² target
- Estimate
- $129.40 (1 pc)
- Pricing notes
- Quantities of 10 or fewer carry the shop small-batch rate; unit price drops at 11+. Excluded from this estimate and priced on FortiFab review: formed-louver tooling, plus any screens, grilles, or filter media.
Louver vent airflow guide
Estimate free area before quoting louvered or perforated vent panels
Use this page to compare louvers, slots, and perforated openings for enclosure doors, covers, guards, and airflow panels. FortiFab reviews free-area targets with material, thickness, tooling, spacing, margin, and finish requirements before production.
Common searches
- louver vent calculator
- free area calculator
- sheet metal louver panel
- vented enclosure panel
Best buyer use cases
- Cooling vents for enclosures and equipment guards
- Louvered panels that need airflow and weather considerations
- Perforated or slotted ventilation patterns for quote review
Ready to turn this into a reviewed fabrication quote?
Send drawings, sketches, material, thickness, finish, quantity, and any fit-up requirements so FortiFab can review manufacturability.
Louver and vent free-area FAQs
Use this calculator for early airflow planning before detailed louver or perforation review.
Below target
$129.40 · 11.88 in²