Browse Forums Windows & Doors Re: which window co. to choose? 4Sep 06, 2004 10:48 am Peter Clarkson - AusDesign Australia www.ausdesign.com.au This information is intended to provide general information only. It does not purport to be a comprehensive advice. Re: which window co. to choose? 7Apr 24, 2007 9:13 am Louvres are also very attractive to look at, in fashion (according to the Sydney Morning Herald!) and are excellent for allowing cross breezes through your home to reduce the need for airconditioning Building a Jandson Espirit in Pennant Hills "What is the use of a home, if you haven't got a tolerable planet to put it on?"Henry Daniel Thereau Re: which window co. to choose? 8Apr 29, 2007 8:26 am windowexpert Hi EcoClassic I agree Low E in single glazing does not work! A mixture of single glazing and double glazing is total nonsense. It is like putting insulation in some walls and in some not. In the night heat loss is the same regardless of orientation ... Hi! Yes spot-on windowexpert - windows are leaks in the walls - plugging a few just does not make sense... like having a leaky boat and fixing some of the leaks, you still sink. If you don't double glaze your home today and you plan to keep it for say 5 years you will be selling your home in a market where double glazing will be standard - and then how will you go for price? Imagine selling a house with rotting timber windows today, or the old mission brown anodised windows. Double glazing today will return its cost 4 fold in 5 years when you sell. A small investment today. And watch those builders prices for double glazing... it's not as expensive as you think. Get your own quote from a window supplier and subtract 30% - that's around a builders price... Do that in single and double glazed. Do this before you sign-up - you may need to change builders to get a fair deal... Burbank seem to have the right idea - 6 Star, double glazed... EP Re: which window co. to choose? 9May 09, 2007 11:09 am Glazing is extremely important but you must also think about what window frame to use. The most energy efficient window on the market would be a uPVC double glazed unit, it doesn't have the high maintenance that timber does and doesn't conduct heat like an Aluminium frame will do. As said before, definitely don't use Low E on a single glazed window, only in a double glazed unit. uPVC can be a rather expensive product and hard to find so you need to look around. I've recommended clients to use uPVC window and in Victoria the best company I've discovered would be EcoClassic for quality and price. CertainTeed and Trend also offer a uPVC window. Re: which window co. to choose? 10Jun 06, 2007 3:34 pm Kelly
do yo uknow if EcoClassis is a member of the Australia Window Association? Have its windows been tested to meet Australian Standards Will it be independently audited to ensure compliance How long has it been in business Does it manufacture locally and support the local industry. The main factor in improving window performance is the glazing systems not the framing systems. Has PVC been tested in Australian conditions? The only large PVC jobs i have heard of have discoloured quickly. Any help would be appreciated thanks Comfort Smart Re: which window co. to choose? 11Jun 06, 2007 3:50 pm I'm not too sure if EcoClassic is a member of the AWA, they probably are. They have definitely had the windows tested as I've seen the results (they rate extremely well) and put them into a house that I was energy rating and the double glazed uPVC windows made a huge improvement to the rating. I've asked the same questions as you about the fading and they guarantee the PVC for as long as aluminium, in fact I think longer than most window companies offer. They don't manufacture locally but all other window companies import there materials from overseas, so I dont think that should be a huge concern. PVC has been the most popular window in Europe and America for many years now and American has extremely harsh climates. I hope that I have answered your questions. If you have any other questions, please just ask. Re: which window co. to choose? 12Jun 06, 2007 3:55 pm thanks Kelly
I just checked with the AWA and they said they are not a member. That is a real concern to me. Were the windows tested in Australia thanks Will they be around in 10 years to follow through on their guarantee. its easy to make that promise and disappear I would rather support companys that make the products in Australia as most of the labour is in the making of the products. I dont think i want to take a chance on a new company, not a member of the AWA (who audit all members) thanks Anyway Kelly Re: which window co. to choose? 13Jun 06, 2007 4:03 pm You have to do what you feel comfortable with. You have to pay to be a member of the AWA, its not mandatory. All windows still need to meet Australian Standards. The windows were tested in Australia, a company in Dandenong - Victoria. But I'm not sure what they are called. I think they will be around in 10 years but these are concerns that you would have to voice directly with the company. Serveral major melbourne builders are using them. Re: which window co. to choose? 14Jun 06, 2007 4:10 pm I concur it is not mandatory but from their web site I can see all the largest window manufacturers and an enormous amount of the small one do. Every name i could imagine but not EcoClassic
Each member has to agree to an annual AWA Complinace Audit and follow a code of conduct Why wouldn't you be a member to provide potential users of your products with this comfort? As you say up to the individual tahnks Re: which window co. to choose? 15Jun 06, 2007 4:26 pm Hi again,
I think there is no guarantee to get a good product just because the manufacturer is a member of AWA or WANZ. I can just tell by looking on the eco classic website that their windows are far superior by design to many of the large manufacturers. The workmanship is a different matter and needs to be found out by visiting reference projects. I am in favour to buy locally but the product needs to be up to a high standard which is sometimes not the case in AUS/NZ especially with joinery supplies and home appliances. Re: which window co. to choose? 16Jun 06, 2007 6:48 pm Comfort Smart thanks Kelly I just checked with the AWA and they said they are not a member. That is a real concern to me. Were the windows tested in Australia thanks Will they be around in 10 years to follow through on their guarantee. its easy to make that promise and disappear I would rather support companys that make the products in Australia as most of the labour is in the making of the products. I dont think i want to take a chance on a new company, not a member of the AWA (who audit all members) thanks Anyway Kelly Hi kelly, Can you please explain why not being a member is of concern? I think that is a little unfair?? Adrian B Re: which window co. to choose? 17Jun 07, 2007 7:09 am Adrian
Spend a few minutes reviewing the attached site http://www.awa.org.au/ I did and my comment was i would rather deal with a company that adheres to certain guidlines and agree to independant audits of its products to a company that does not up to the individual i guess Re: which window co. to choose? 18Jun 07, 2007 8:52 am Will begg to differ, but agree in saying that it is up to the individual. They should look at as many companies that can supply suitable products as possible, , do research, get testimonials or references. Perhaps approach industry bodies for advise. Being a member of any organisation or not should not be a real concern, it should be considered in making a decision, along with ther other information. There are many companies that provide excellent and leading edge products who do not belong to industry bodies.
My aim here is to not downplay or bash industry bodies. Far from it. But not being a member of a voluntary organisation should not be the only reason for discounting a company or its products. Some industry bodies are not worth the sticker on the window, and some actually drive customers away. The power is in the consumer to do their homework. Then the decision is theirs alone. Thanks for the clarification. Adrian B Re: which window co. to choose? 20Jun 09, 2007 12:10 pm Comfort Smart I concur it is not mandatory but from their web site I can see all the largest window manufacturers and an enormous amount of the small one do. Every name i could imagine but not EcoClassic Each member has to agree to an annual AWA Complinace Audit and follow a code of conduct Tell me about the Code of Conduct Comfort Smart... Is that Comfort Smart as in A&L Windows? http://www.alwindows.com.au/energyrating.htm Name COMFORT SMART Date Business Commenced Jan 6 2003 Renewal Date Jan 15 2009 Business Status REGISTERED Registered Office Address (Current): 20 APOLLO DR HALLAM VIC 3803 Start Date: Jan 15 2003 Corporations(s) Carrying on Business (Current) A & L WINDOWS PTY LTD Registration Number: 064 692 888 Type: OWNER Class: Address: 20 APOLLO DR HALLAM VIC 3803 J "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 Black on light wood does look good. Not sure if it will be as long lasting as a steel finish? 6 6465 brokers will also be in a position to get you a better rate than the advertised rate most times. 6 7655 Thank you. Do I use timber floorboards for stairs or do people use timber treads? Or is both the same? 6 7449 |