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

Advantages of Australian Made Windows

Thursday, February 29, 2024

A 2023 Ray Morgan study found that 73% of Australians saying they are willing to pay more for Australian Made over imported products. What do you get for the extra money?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 AssociationEasier service options Meeting and exceeding all Australian Standards Benefits all Australians through a positive effect on the economy and job growth International products are readily available but Australian

Window Trend for 2024

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Large expanses of glass are definitely the trend for 2024. To achieve this modern look and the connection to nature while still creating a comfortable indoor environment, the thermal performance is important with double or triple glazing and high-performance frames. Expanse of glazing Views, space, light, glass, natural, sun etc. are words that show people’s aspirations when building or renovating, and real estate sites mention the same. Large, glazed areas ensure an indoor-outdoor feel of openness and connection to the environment which boost our mood, health and wellbeing. It also let’s natural daylight in to make a room appear larger and enables

Award winning Projects featuring Paarhammer Windows

Friday, December 01, 2023

Over the years a number of architects, builders and suppliers received awards for projects that feature Paarhammer windows and doors. From new builds to renovations and additions, residential as well as commercial, see some examples here: Beach Retreat Winner of 2023 MBA Regional Building Awards, category Additions and Alterations, with the builder Davis Builders, also being awarded Young Builder of the Year and Residential Builder of the Year by Master Builders Association Regional Awards. This project is set on a steep slope at the edge of bushland with stunning views of the sea; the renovation and addition came with a fair share

NCC - Energy Efficiency & Livability

Thursday, May 18, 2023

The new National Construction Code (NCC) which came into effect on the 1st of May 2023 (start date has to be adopted by each State and Territory) includes higher energy efficiency regulations and provisions for dwellings to better meet community needs including for the elderly or those with mobility limitations. Paarhammer products meet and exceed these new regulations. Today we look at new dwelling access regulations: Clear OpeningAccess to dwellings now require entrance doors (or 1 universal access point/door) with a clear opening of a minimum of 820mm, not including the frame or door leave. Step-free access is also a must

Summer can equal Bushfire Danger

Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Bushfires are a threat we have to live with in Australia and other countries around the world. Planning controls apply to many aspects of how land can be used and what has to be considered when building. A large component of building in bushfire prone areas are windows and doors and strict regulations apply.Different BAL-Levels6 levels of severity of Bushfire Attack Levels: BAL-low, BAL-12.5, BAL-19, followed by BAL-29, high BAL-40 and extremely high BAL-FZ (Flame Zone). If your planned building is in a Bushfire Prone Area, you will need a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessment. Each BAL-level measures a buildings

National Construction Code (NCC) changes

Wednesday, October 05, 2022

The NCC 2022 has recently been released. The new edition will become effective on the 1st of May 2023 with a transitional period which may vary in each State. About the NCC: The NCC is Australia’s primary set of technical design and construction provisions for buildings. As a performance-based code, it sets the minimum required level for the safety, health, amenity, accessibility and sustainability of certain buildings.’ Changes: NCC 2022 introduces a considerable amount of change both in terms of the number and complexity of the reforms, particularly with the introduction of the new Livable housing requirements and residential energy

Window Installation

Wednesday, September 28, 2022

As per the Australian Glass and Windows Association (AGWA), weatherproofing of openings, specifically flashings to windows and doors, have been added to the National Construction Code (NCC) in 2019. A membrane should also be used to cover gaps between the window and the building envelope. This could be wrapping or sisalation. In essence, wall insultation should not be compromised where a window or door meets the rest of the building envelope.Paarhammer windows and doors are made with or without reveals (lift-slide doors always have reveals), and reveals are costed separately. This way you can chose to specify your products delivered

NEW product: 30min BAL-FZ

Monday, September 12, 2022

Paarhammer recently had new BAL-FZ windows tested, well exceeding minimum requirements of the AS1530.4 test. These are 30-minute products (-/30/-) which are allowed to be used in Flame Zone without shutters as per the 2018 Australian Standard for Building in Bushfire Prone Areas with limitations. Two Options: AS1530.4 products (-/30/-) can only be used in BAL-FZ without shutters if there is ‘... a minimum setback distance of 10m from the edge of the classified vegetation’.  The Australian Standard (AS) states that ‘In circumstances where the 10m setback distance between the building and the edge of the classified vegetation cannot be achieved, those elements

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

Paarhammer at Bushfire Conference 2022

Monday, June 06, 2022

Now in its eighth year, the Australian Bushfire Building Conference is on again this year. Date: 14-16 September 2022 Place: Fairmont Resort & Spa Blue Mountains, Leura, NSW. Paarhammer will again have a display of our BAL-FZ windows at the Conference, and our experts will be there to answer all your questions. Warringtonfire, NATA-accredited third party, tested Paarhammer products, first a range to BAL-40, and then Paarhammer developed and patented BAL-FZ windows and doors without the need for shutters. These have been tested and are approved and compliant to AS1530.8.2-2007, and also to AS3959-2009 and AS3959-2018. Matching products for lower

2x Passive House Tradesperson

Tuesday, February 08, 2022

Paarhammer is proud to have 2 certified Passive House Tradespeople on staff and congratulates Thomas Paarhammer (Paarhammer Windows) and Andrew Ferguson (Siegware - Architectural Innovations) to the successful completion of their course. ‘A PHI Certified Passive House Tradesperson (CPHT) is equipped to implement the Passive House building standard. They have passed the accreditation exam issued by the international Passive House Institute, and they are in a unique position to work with design teams that have targeted Passive House certification as a project goal.’ is stated on the Australian Passive House website. Passive House is a holistic construction certification standard, that