Compliance: Insights and Pathways

Thursday, April 18, 2024

The integrity and compliance of building components are paramount to ensuring health, safety and sustainability in the evolving landscape of the building industry. Among these components, windows play an essential role in the structural and environmental performance of buildings. Poorly manufactured or standard windows lose more heat in winter and gain more heat in summer than any other surface in a building. This whitepaper delves into the multifaceted dimensions of window compliance within Australian standards and regulations, highlighting the economic, legal and social implications of non-conforming and non-compliant building products. It underscores the importance of rigorous independent testing and certification processes

Glazing - Latest Trends

Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Would you like thermal comfort, natural acoustics and safety and protection, or all in one? Glazing companies have now developed glazing to suit highest energy efficiency and comfort: Viridian Viridian has released a new type of glazing: Vista Tech and Vista Tech XP. Both are triple glazed Insulating Glass Units (IGU’s) with either 1 coat of Low-E or 2 coats of Low-E coating, and a warm edge spacer. Viridian mentions that there are minimum sizes of 600mm x 400mm to maximum sizes of 5000mm x 3100mm, subject to component, spacer and weight limitations, and the maximum unit area permitted under

Why is airtightness so important?

Friday, March 18, 2022

The size of an average Australian house is 250m2 – or about 625m3 of volume - and most homes require heating or cooling for a large part of the year. If the building is not airtight – meaning if there are draughts – the home requires a fortune on energy costs just to keep it feeling comfortable. Why? Air leakage is defined as uncontrolled flow of air in and out of a building due to pressure differences across the building envelope. This means that the air of an average Australian home is unintentionally exchanged between the inside and the outside

Difference in U-value Calculations

Wednesday, October 06, 2021

Windows around the world get tested and certified using different criteria: Australia uses the North American NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council) system, Europe uses ISO 10077-2 and ISO 15099, then there is the Passive House Criteria and ift Rosenheim Directive WA15/2. How do you know you get the best window for your build? One thing is clear: the lower the U-value, the better your window. But if the outcomes of the different methods are not the same, can you compare apples with apples? Is an Australian U-value of 1.1 worse than a European U-value of 0.8? Or is it better or

Claiming energy stars

Monday, November 09, 2020

In a recent article in ‘The Conversation’ some builders are said to use the star rating system in a way that could mislead customers. The same can be said of the window industry. If you are looking for highly energy efficient windows, do not believe claims like ‘best energy efficient windows in Australia’ if this claim cannot be independently proven.WERS – Window Energy Rating Scheme – is the Australian rating system that gives windows stars for cooling and for heating. It also rates windows for their U-value and air-infiltration. The lower the U-value, the higher the energy efficiency of the

Australians like to buy local

Thursday, May 28, 2020

The number of Australians saying that they are more likely to purchase Australian made products has risen to 90% as per a recent study by Ray Morgan. This is a great sign for local manufacturers, including the window industry. Advantages of locally made windows and doors: Knowledgeable advice and reliable customer service right here and easily accessible Outstanding quality products Ethically made under safe working conditions and with decent wages for staff Continued development of skills Less transport reduces carbon footprint Long warranties as members of an Australian Industry Association Meeting and exceeding all Australian Standards Benefits all Australians through

Advantages of tilt & turn Windows

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Turn your four walls into a home with noticeably high room comfort. Custom made tilt & turn windows by Paarhammer feature several locking points around the window and, together with rebated framing and compression seals, provide high energy efficiency, sound protection and security. While outward opening windows – whether awning or side opening – have issues with space when combined with external roller shutters, they are also difficult to clean from the inside. In this situation flyscreens must be mounted on the inside, and also hinder the cleaning process. Sliding and double hung windows are notoriously draughty even when closed,

New Windows for your Renovation

Thursday, January 09, 2020

Increase energy-efficiency, security and sound protection in existing buildings. Windows play a very important role in buildings. They let in light but at the same time protect the home from wind, rain and cold, as well as noise and emissions. If your windows don’t perform well anymore it might be time to think about replacing them. Modern double or triple glazed products can save up to 75% of heating bills, or even up to 84% of cooling costs. The warmer months are the best time for renovations, including to change over windows and doors. Some companies have long waiting lists,

Compliance and Industry Updates

Thursday, September 05, 2019

Recently the first national conference for members of the newly merged Australian Glass and Windows Association (AGWA) took place at Darling Harbour. A multitude of informative seminars on a variety of topics kept delegates busy, while there were many exhibitors showing their wares. The stand-out topic to take home for us was compliance and the upcoming changes to the industry through the National Construction Code (NCC). Housing Industry of Australia (HIA) gave an overview and outlook of the housing market in all states and territories of Australia, and while detached housing will experience a small drop, it is apartments which

FREE Expert Window Advice

Monday, September 02, 2019

Not just suppliers of beautiful windows and doors, with nearly 30 years of manufacturing windows and doors in Australia you can turn to Paarhammer for expert advice and innovative solutions for your build. Visit the factory and showroom in Ballan to discuss your project and see what Paarhammer can do for you. There is also the opportunity to visit the new 360 degree interactive showroom on the website and organise a virtual meeting via Facetime or Skype. With a Masters in cabinetmaking and joinery, and almost 40 years’ experience – of which 29 are in Australia – Tony is a

AusFenex19 - Exhibition

Tuesday, August 06, 2019

Paarhammer will take part in the expo of AGWA - Australian Windows and Glazing Association - at the ICC Darling Harbour 28th and 29th of August 2019. The latest in window and glazing technologies, AusFenEx19 brings together Australia’s leading suppliers, showcasing emerging global trends and product innovations. Over 100 exhibitors from boutique window companies to global corporations provide a forum for attendees to learn more about this industry. This is the largest-ever window glass exhibition event and is part of the 3-day Australian Windows and Glass Conference. Paarhammer will display the very popular lift-slide door in the Wood-Alu Range (the

New lower U-values

Thursday, July 11, 2019

   The Window Energy Rating Scheme (WERS) enables windows to be rated and labelled for their energy impact on a whole house, in any climate of Australia. Paarhammer recently had some of their windows and doors re-tested with different glazing options and achieved excellent results. A Custom Rating on WERS provides an exact rating for a window product, based on its exact materials and specifications for frame, glazing and other components. Weather tightness is based on reported air infiltration data obtained according to the AS 2047 performance test. WERS is independent of any one manufacturer and acts as a fair,