Hi everyone, we're in the process of drafting floor plan for our new home in inner west of Melbourne and we're very conscious about energy efficiency.
Our new home is north facing backyard, hence our living area is right at the back with big window facing north as well as two small windows facing east.
Our two small bedrooms are on the west side in which we’ll have highlight windows.
The theatre on the west side will have two small windows.
Another bedroom is at the front of the house which is south facing but we’ll use this room as a study.
We’ll build to max of 60% of the land area so that we can’t have eaves extended right across the house.
http://imageshack.us/f/35/gs7.gif/
We’ll have insulation R2.5 on the wall and R4.0 on the ceiling and double glazing on all windows. However, we’re not sure what would be the good sizes for our windows. Therefore, we need your suggestion (especially Ed from EcoClassic):
1. The appropriate correct size/shape of all windows
2. How to keep the north facing window in the living area cool in summer? Are we allowed to build a pergola (as a fixed shading) there? We only have about 3.0m left at the back.
3. What kind of double glazing windows are cost effective? uPVC or aluminium?
4. Should we consider double glazing sliding door as well?
5. Would anyone be able to give us an estimate of how much they will cost altogether?
6. As we haven’t finalised our floor plan so we still have time to consider changing it to suite our needs. So we’re open to any idea/suggestion.
Thanks.
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Browse Forums Windows & Doors Re: Windows design suggestion 2Aug 08, 2013 3:04 pm  newstart2dayHi everyone, we're in the process of drafting floor plan for our new home in inner west of Melbourne and we're very conscious about energy efficiency. Our new home is north facing backyard, hence our living area is right at the back with big window facing north as well as two small windows facing east. Our two small bedrooms are on the west side in which we’ll have highlight windows. The theatre on the west side will have two small windows. Another bedroom is at the front of the house which is south facing but we’ll use this room as a study. We’ll build to max of 60% of the land area so that we can’t have eaves extended right across the house. http://imageshack.us/f/35/gs7.gif/ We’ll have insulation R2.5 on the wall and R4.0 on the ceiling and double glazing on all windows. However, we’re not sure what would be the good sizes for our windows. Therefore, we need your suggestion (especially Ed from EcoClassic): 1. The appropriate correct size/shape of all windows 2. How to keep the north facing window in the living area cool in summer? Are we allowed to build a pergola (as a fixed shading) there? We only have about 3.0m left at the back. 3. What kind of double glazing windows are cost effective? uPVC or aluminium? 4. Should we consider double glazing sliding door as well? 5. Would anyone be able to give us an estimate of how much they will cost altogether? 6. As we haven’t finalised our floor plan so we still have time to consider changing it to suite our needs. So we’re open to any idea/suggestion. Thanks. Hi Can you forward your plans including elevations? Your theatre room has full height windows but you may consider using the same windows as your bedrooms (i.e. 600 high rather than 2000 high). Shading is the most practical method of controlling heat gain, but low-E is an option too. I will give you more info when you send the plans. Thanks Ed "ECOECO" At 'EcoEco', we design windows, we design the best windows, we do it for you, so that when you’re happy we are happy. Tel. 1800 326 326  13 May 2013 21 VIC Junior Member Re: Windows design suggestion 3Aug 08, 2013 4:29 pm ed @ ecoclassic newstart2dayHi everyone, we're in the process of drafting floor plan for our new home in inner west of Melbourne and we're very conscious about energy efficiency. Our new home is north facing backyard, hence our living area is right at the back with big window facing north as well as two small windows facing east. Our two small bedrooms are on the west side in which we’ll have highlight windows. The theatre on the west side will have two small windows. Another bedroom is at the front of the house which is south facing but we’ll use this room as a study. We’ll build to max of 60% of the land area so that we can’t have eaves extended right across the house. http://imageshack.us/f/35/gs7.gif/ We’ll have insulation R2.5 on the wall and R4.0 on the ceiling and double glazing on all windows. However, we’re not sure what would be the good sizes for our windows. Therefore, we need your suggestion (especially Ed from EcoClassic): 1. The appropriate correct size/shape of all windows 2. How to keep the north facing window in the living area cool in summer? Are we allowed to build a pergola (as a fixed shading) there? We only have about 3.0m left at the back. 3. What kind of double glazing windows are cost effective? uPVC or aluminium? 4. Should we consider double glazing sliding door as well? 5. Would anyone be able to give us an estimate of how much they will cost altogether? 6. As we haven’t finalised our floor plan so we still have time to consider changing it to suite our needs. So we’re open to any idea/suggestion. Thanks. Hi Can you forward your plans including elevations? Your theatre room has full height windows but you may consider using the same windows as your bedrooms (i.e. 600 high rather than 2000 high). Shading is the most practical method of controlling heat gain, but low-E is an option too. I will give you more info when you send the plans. Thanks Ed Hi Ed, not sure how to forward a pdf file. Can you show me how? Thanks. 19 Sep 2013 11 NSW Junior Member Re: Windows design suggestion 7Sep 19, 2013 9:55 am Hi Matergabiae, My post is too late to help with the original question but some advice for the benefit of people reading this thread later... Aluminium window frames are cost effective and low mainenance, but they actually reduce the energy efficiency of glass. Aluminium is a great conductor of heat (think frypans etc). That's why they introduced thermally-broken frames, where there is a section of plastic or other material to separate the inner and outer sections of the aluminium frame. Wooden frames are actually quite energy efficient, but do require regular painting maintenance over the life of the house. uPVC - plastic frames have quite good energy efficiency, but different people have different views on their look and feel. If you want a good energy efficient window, always ensure it has a Low-E coating, and in more challenging environments, go for double glazing with a Low-E. Ensure there is external shading for windows exposed to summer sun & dont be afraid to use different glass for different orientations. Eg having solar control (tint) in the glass for windows facing West for example Hope this helps!  Re: Windows design suggestion 8Sep 19, 2013 4:52 pm Viridian GlassAluminium window frames are cost effective and low mainenance, but they actually reduce the energy efficiency of glass. Aluminium is a great conductor of heat (think frypans etc). That's why they introduced thermally-broken frames, where there is a section of plastic or other material to separate the inner and outer sections of the aluminium frame. All frames reduce the energy efficiency of the glass, aluminium is an excellent conductor, so as a material it is a poor insulator. Glass being the ultimate leveller, to achieve an efficient window in aluminium requires good design, not just thermally broken, but good thermal shielding, minimal surface exposure etc.. Viridian GlassIf you want a good energy efficient window, always ensure it has a Low-E coating, and in more challenging environments, go for double glazing with a Low-E. Ensure there is external shading for windows exposed to summer sun & dont be afraid to use different glass for different orientations. Eg having solar control (tint) in the glass for windows facing West for example In any environment suffering heat loss through conduction, there is no substitute for double glazing. Low E has its uses and advantages, but for heat loss it cannot replace double glazing with anywhere near the performance of 2 pieces of glass and an air gap. The results in WERS demonstrate that, but they don't show the whole picture, because Low-E is effective only with radiant heat, and double glazing only with conducted heat. I agree with the use of different performance glasses for different orientations. Ed "ECOECO" At 'EcoEco', we design windows, we design the best windows, we do it for you, so that when you’re happy we are happy. Tel. 1800 326 326 I have a really long hallway which is 1100mm W x 11500mm L I would appreciate if anyone can give suggestions to light it up with Linear LED lights that goes from wall to… 0 16179 Thank for yes basically what to remove and what to add, where to place them 2 14517 Thanks Chippy, that makes me feel relieved with our Poly cabinets. All the best with the build Sara. 15 10189 |
