Investing in New Windows and Doors

Purchasing new windows and doors can be a significant investment. The good news is, with our double glazed windows and double glazed doors, it's an investment that adds value and can pay for itself in just a few years by:

• Improving appearance through curb appeal and increasing property resale value.

• Reducing heating and cooling costs, saving you money every year.

• Increasing the comfort of your home by reducing temperature extremes.

• Meeting and exceeding the requirements set out in BASIX legislation.

A study by the Australian Bureau of Statistics examined about 5,000 homes sold in the ACT between 2005 and 2006 and found that, on average, where the energy performance of a house improved by one star, its market value increased by about 3 percent (2.5 percent in 2005 and 3.8 percent in 2006) .

From May 2011, state governments have rolled out legislation requiring anyone selling or renting out a house to first obtain an assessment to measure energy efficiency and get a star rating from an accredited assessor. How will your home perform? Installing double glazed windows is an excellent way to insulate your home, as windows can contribute up to 40% of a home's energy loss.

What Makes a Window Energy Efficient?

Choosing Low-E glass contributes to energy efficiency by deflecting heat to its source. Insulated spacers between the panes of glass reduce heat transfer and condensation. A low U-value (less than 2.0) is crucial. A properly designed window frame helps minimize thermal transfer through the window.

Window technology has improved dramatically in recent years, allowing all our clients to benefit from new advancements.

Multiple layers of glazing improve the energy efficiency of a window or door. Double glazing insulates almost twice as well as single glazing. Adding a third or fourth layer further enhances performance. Some windows use only glass, while others use thin plastic films as the inner glazing layer.

The thickness of the air space is another important factor. In double glazed windows, the air space between the panes significantly impacts energy performance. A thin air space does not insulate as well as a thicker one due to conductivity. However, if the air space is too wide, convection loops occur. The maximum effective airspace for our double glazed windows and doors is 24mm, achieved by combining 4mm glass layers.

The edge spacer holds the panes apart and provides an airtight seal in an insulated glass unit. These spacers are hollow aluminum channels filled with desiccant beads to absorb moisture.

Energy Loss Through Windows and Doors

Our double glazed windows and double glazed doors boast U-values of 1.8 and dual seals for superior tightness against wind, water, and noise, exceeding the requirements set out in the Australian Standard AS2047, AS2048, and AS1248.

The multi-chambered profile used for frame and sash allows air to be trapped, improving insulation quality by reducing thermal transfer.

We also recommend using low-e glass and argon gas-filled insulated glass units to further enhance the energy efficiency of your double glazed windows and doors. By substituting denser, lower conductivity gas like argon or krypton for the air in a sealed insulated glass unit, heat loss can be significantly reduced. Most major window manufacturers offer argon-gas fill as an option in their popular windows.

Proper installation, which leaves no gaps, is structurally safe, and ensures all window mechanisms are fully functional, will allow you to enjoy the benefits of energy efficiency for many years. Our professional installers are fully qualified, but if you choose others for the installation, we offer consulting services for peace of mind.

According to the US Department of Energy, up to 25-50% of heat can be lost through poorly insulated or single glazed aluminum sliding windows. This means that even with a top-of-the-range air conditioner or heater, it can only operate at 50% capacity, with the rest of the performance advantage lost through your windows and doors. Would you buy an air conditioner or heater that functions at half its intended intensity? Double glazed windows and doors can make your energy consumption efficient, save 10-25% off your energy bill, reduce carbon emissions, and help achieve sustainable living.

The heat loss through windows and doors can be calculated as: Ht?=A×U×(ti?−to?) where

• Ht? = transmission heat loss (W)

• A = area of exposed surface (in m2)

• U = overall heat transmission coefficient (W/m2⋅K)

  • Standard aluminum windows have a U-value of 5.4, while our double glazed windows and doors have a U-value of 1.8

• ti? = inside air temperature (°C)

• to? = outside air temperature (°C)

This formula allows you to check how much you can improve your energy use by installing our double glazed windows and doors.