History of Windows

Wednesday, February 01, 2017

"The history of architecture is also the history of windows" said Le Corbusier, the Swiss-French pioneer of modern architecture. The modern window does not only consist of glass and frame, it is a complex structure which provides more than only views. Modern architecture is influenced by technological possibilities of window production, meaning that innovations in the window and façade technology open up opportunities for architects in the design of buildings. While ancient China, Korea and Japan widely used paper windows, the Romans were the first known to use glass for windows around 100 AD. In England animal horn was used

Do your Windows comply? - Update

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

'Safety is not a matter of good luck'    The Building Ministers' Forum (BMF) recognises that the issue of non-conforming / non-compliant building products (NCBP), whether domestically manufactured or imported, is important and complex. It can have economic, health, legal, safety, and social consequences, not to mention, life and death consequences. A non-complying product can pose serious risks to the building itself, people on the construction site and ultimately those who live in it. Non-conforming building products are 'products and materials that claim to be something they are not; do not meet required standards for their intended use; or are marketed

Residential Scorecard for Victoria

Monday, November 28, 2016

The Victorian Government has been moving ahead with the development of a Residential Efficiency Scorecard (the Scorecard). While the Scorecard is targeted at existing homes, it can also be used to assess new homes. The Scorecard is a web based tool that will enable a trained assessor to identify and record information about the fabric of a home (including fixed appliances) where it affects the energy or hot weather performance. The Scorecard tool will then produce a rating for the home, a hot weather rating, rate individual home features and provide recommendations on upgrade options. The Scorecard is currently being

Low VOC finished Windows for Health

Sunday, November 13, 2016

Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs, contribute negatively to air pollution (e.g. smog), and forms ground level ozone which can irritate the eyes and lungs, and can result in breathing problems. Ozone can also harm vegetation, crops and trees. VOCs contribute negatively to indoor air quality through emissions, during and after curing, and as a result impacts on individual health and wellbeing. Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) looks at reducing the amount of volatile organic compounds released into the internal atmosphere by building materials, typically through solvents, paints and adhesives. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short

Wood: Australia's most loved material

Sunday, October 23, 2016

Wood continues to grow as the most loved material among Australians. In a recent survey WoodSolutions found that most Australians are likely to choose wood over other materials for various uses. Wood remains the most loved material and is unmatched on attributes relating to aesthetics and sustainability. Wood is seen as far more natural, warm, timeless, uplifting and versatile than other materials.    Almost half of consumers love wood (47%), compared to 25% for the closest competitor (modified wood), 9% love steel, 7% aluminium and only 2% plastic. Advantages of using timber Wood has unique characteristics and offers several environmental advantages:

Paarhammer joins Passive House Association

Thursday, September 22, 2016

With excellent energy efficiency ratings, Paarhammer products are a perfect fit for passive houses. We have now joined the Australian Passive House Association. On their website: ‘The Australian Passive House Association is an independent, not-for-profit organization which aims to promote Passive House principles as a way of providing superior indoor comfort and air quality while reducing energy use and carbon emissions from Australia’s buildings. Passive House (or PassivHaus) was originally developed in Germany and has since spread throughout Europe (and the rest of the world – authors note). The standard continues to evolve and is now finding popularity in diverse

U-values, European versus Australian

Monday, September 12, 2016

U-value calculations are not the same the world over. Australia has decided to follow the American NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council) system when making calculations for the Window Energy Rating System – WERS. U-value measures how well a product allows heat to pass through. It is a measure of the rate of non-solar heat loss or gain through a material or assembly. The lower the U-value, the greater a window's resistance to heat flow and the better its insulating value. The whole window assembly is tested which includes the effect of the frame, glass, seals and any spacers. What does

Uncover the Secrets of lift-slide Sliding Doors

Monday, August 08, 2016

For making an architectural statement, or for opening the home to entertaining areas, nothing beats the versatility and style of Paarhammer Lift-Slide Sliding Doors. In addition to a double layer of seals, they feature retractable carriages as part of the German hardware, which allow the door to be sealed airtight to increase energy efficiency and stops drafts. This function also allows the door to be stopped in any open position. Lift-slide sliding doors have a number of carriages recessed into the bottom of the sliding door panel as part of the technologically advanced hardware. These carriages lift up the door

Draft proof your home for savings and comfort

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Draft is the enemy of energy efficiency. Drafts or air leakages are year-round issues: in winter, they allow valuable warm air to escape and unwanted external cold air to enter; in summer, the reverse occurs. Seal your building and you will save money on annual heating and cooling costs, and the size of your heating and cooling system, while improving the health and comfort of occupants. Air leakages occur in many parts of the building envelope but we are taking a look here specifically at windows. Air leakage of windows is measured in litres of air per second per square

Wood-Alu, the best of both worlds

Monday, May 02, 2016

The energy efficient Wood-Alu range of windows and doors feature the warmth of timber on the inside, and low maintenance aluminium on the outside. Get the best of both worlds with the natural beauty and energy efficiency of timber, with no exterior painting. With all the standard features including quality design, the highest degree of craftsmanship and German hardware, Paarhammer Wood-Alu products are custom made to your specifications. Double or triple glazed and a variety of glass options and timbers, including FSC certified, are available. The engineered exterior aluminium framing is powder coated, with a wide range of colours to

Window News at Fensterbau Expo in Germany

Tuesday, April 05, 2016

With around 1300 exhibitors in 17 interconnecting halls, the Fensterbau and Holz-Handwerk in Nuernberg, Germany, is certainly the most important window fair in Europe, if not the world. 110,000 visitors ensured the exhibitors were kept busy. Some larger exhibitor stands were double story with a full restaurant to woe their customers, while even at smaller stands beer and pretzels were popular. If our I-phone is to be believed we walked more than 16km within the expo on the first full day. All to see the ever more intriguing window hardware on display, invisible hinging mechanisms and step-less thresholds with integrated

Hardware - no longer just a hinge and a lock

Wednesday, March 09, 2016

The quality of window and door products is enhanced by hardware which seals against the elements, making the products easy to operate, while at the same time discouraging burglars. The tilt andturn hardware fittings feature the flexibility of two opening positions. The sash will swing inward - casement style - when opened in the turn position. Alternatively, hinges at the bottom and a tilting arm at the top allow it to open inward at the top like a hopper window (tilt). Both actions are activated by the turn of the handle, a smooth operation which controls all the mechanics within