Joinery
Choosing between timber and aluminium is not that easy. Wood will require more maintenance but may be chosen because of its appearance. Aluminium now comes in a large range of profiles and may be cheaper to install and less maintenance in the long run.
There are also ways of combining both wood and aluminium into one fitting. Again, your selection will depend on the style of home you’re building.
The old ranch sliders have evolved into many different designs – stacking on top of each other to open rooms right up, surface sliders, bi-folds and cavity sliders to virtually disappear.
You can also specify commercial grade joinery that adds to the visual weight and strength so that doors and windows can be bigger.
- Think about adding in modern louvres to aid in airflow in summer, especially in northern climes.
- Windows come in a staggering range of options now – investigate widely and think hard about how and where they are to be used. Consult your designer and supplier for advice on what will be best.
- Are the windows and sliders the correct size and design on delivery?
- Have they been fitted with sufficient waterproofing?
- Have you considered double glazing for heat retention in winter (well worth the extra cost)?
- Consider tinted glass for protection of carpet and furniture fabric from sun fading.
- Identify the type of handles you want on your doors and windows.
- Sliders have options on configurations – surface sliders, ranch sliders, stackers or cavity sliders – choose the one most suitable for your job.
Websites to visit for more information:
NZ Joinery Manufacturers Federation www.masterjoiners.co.nz
Window Association of NZ (WANZ) www.wanz.org.nz