Browse Forums Windows & Doors 1 Nov 19, 2010 7:07 pm Hi. I am hoping to get the help of a window expert. We are zoned BAL 12.5 - the lowest bushfire risk, but a bushfire risk nonetheless. We were going to get comfort plus with a green tint, but have been told we can no longer have this. We have been told we can have 6mm toughened glass instead, with a green tint. My questions are: Is comfort plus not allowed because it is not a toughened glass? ...and... Will the 6mm glass with the green tint offer any thermal improvement to our home? Thanks, in advance... Re: BAL Requirements and Comfort Plus 2Nov 20, 2010 1:00 pm Hi, Viridian PyroGuard 40 can be used for all bushfire prone areas upto and including BAL 40, less than 3% of the radian heat was transferred to a window in a test. Even if you are in a lower BAL zone, there is no legal impediment to you upgrading the windows, doors and glass to ones that comply with higher BAL levels. Generally, the thicker the glass the better the thermal and acoustic insulation, but what really makes a difference is a double glazed unit with a decent air-gap. Some of our customers who have had low-e glass and tinted glass, actually preferred the tinted, because it rid of glare more effectively. But the colour difference is more noticeable between green and for instance grey or bronze tint, rather than (clear) low-e. Some people pick the glass on the basis of its colour. If you have a large glazing area exposed to afternoon summer sun, you will get better thermal performance with a darker tinted glass. Cheers, Sydney Double (and now Triple) Glazed Windows and Doors mob 0412 717 066 Sydney, Canberra, Newcastle, Wollongong www.doubleglazedwindows.net.au Re: BAL Requirements and Comfort Plus 3Nov 20, 2010 2:58 pm Thanks for that. We really can't afford the upgrade to double glazed windows. Is comfort plus not an option because of the toughened glass thing? 1000000% definitely add insulation. I have in my home and it makes a big difference minimising sound transfer. Insulation is pretty cheap and definitely worth it 2 6173 We are building a house that was planned to be clad in Hardie Linea, our builder has now requested to swap this for BGC Nuline Plus. They look fairly similar and he has… 0 553 |