Walk into any Bangalore showroom and you will hear fluted panels and louvers used for the same product. Online listings mix the words too. They overlap, but they are not quite the same thing, and the difference shows up clearly once the panels are on your wall.
This guide explains what each term means, how the two look in a room, where each works best, and what they cost.
Quick answer: louvers have raised fins or slats that stand proud of the panel, like Century DEUCE's 26 mm box fins, so they throw deep, sharp shadow lines. Fluted panels have rounded or grooved channels cut into the face, like E3 MABEL or Advance Flutes, so the effect is softer. Both are fixed the same way and cost from about ₹104 per sq ft.
What are louvers?
In buildings, a louver is a set of angled slats that lets air through while keeping rain out. In interiors, the word now mostly means a decorative wall panel with parallel fins or slats. The fins stand out from the base of the panel, which creates strong vertical lines and deep shadows, especially under side light. Examples we stock: Century DEUCE (26 mm twin box fins), Century SOLE (25 mm square fins) and Century TROIKA (15 mm ribs).
What are fluted panels?
Fluting is an old architectural term for rounded grooves running down a column. A fluted wall panel has channels cut into its face, or a series of rounded ribs, so the surface ripples rather than steps. The shadows are softer and the panel sits closer to the wall. Examples: E3 MABEL 20mm with rounded flutes, Century Kyra with fine reeds, and the Advance Flutes charcoal range.
Fluted panels vs louvers, side by side
| Feature | Louvers | Fluted panels |
|---|---|---|
| Profile | Raised fins or slats, square or box-shaped | Rounded grooves or reeds in the face |
| Typical depth | 15 to 26 mm | 8 to 20 mm |
| Shadow lines | Deep and sharp | Soft and even |
| Look | Architectural, bold, modern | Calm, refined, works in small rooms |
| Best for | TV walls, large living rooms, reception walls, LED wall-wash | Bedrooms, small rooms, curved and soft interiors |
| Examples | Century DEUCE, SOLE, TROIKA | E3 MABEL, Century Kyra, Advance Flutes |
| Panel price | ₹189 to ₹255 per sq ft | ₹104 to ₹188 per sq ft |
Prices are for the examples above, from louverstudio.com on 1 November 2026. Many panels sit between the two styles; see every profile we stock in our guide to louver panel shapes.
Which should you choose?
- Choose louvers when the wall is large, seen from a distance, or lit from the side or above. Deep fins are what make a TV wall look built-in rather than stuck on.
- Choose fluted panels for bedrooms, small rooms and walls you see up close, where deep fins can feel heavy.
- Mix them on one wall: deep louvers behind the TV and a softer fluted panel on the side walls, in the same colour family.
- Think about cleaning. Rounded flutes wipe clean more easily than deep box fins, which collect dust in the corners.
Do they cost or install differently?
Not really. Both are sold per piece and fixed the same way: on a flat, dry interior wall with silicone adhesive, about one ₹230 tube per 8 sq ft, with labour at about ₹60 per sq ft. Deeper louvers simply cost more per sq ft because there is more material. See our fluted panel price guide and installation cost guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Louvers have raised fins or slats that stand proud of the panel and throw deep shadows. Fluted panels have rounded grooves or reeds in the face, giving a softer texture.
They are closely related and often sold under either name. The difference is the profile: fins for louvers, grooves or reeds for fluted panels.
Deep louvers like Century DEUCE or SOLE give the strongest look behind a TV, especially with LED lighting. Fluted panels suit a softer, more minimal TV wall.
No. WPC is a material; fluted is a profile. Fluted panels come in WPC, charcoal and other materials.
Fluted panels usually cost less per sq ft because they are thinner. In our range, fluted panels start at about ₹104 per sq ft and deep louvers go up to about ₹255.
See both on the wall
Profiles are much easier to judge in person. Visit our Dommasandra showroom on Varthur Main Road, open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm, to see full-size louvers and fluted panels side by side.
Planning your wall? Tap what you need and we will reply on WhatsApp:
- Get design help: send your wall size and a photo.
- Get a panel quote: prices and stock for the panels you like.
- Book a carpenter in Bangalore: our team installs the panels for you.
- Book a free consultation: a 1:1 with a designer at our Dommasandra showroom, or use our contact page.
