Windows & Doors

Windows are crucial to the enjoyment of our homes. They don’t just give us a view on our world, they are a big component of a house’s comfort level, are essential at keeping water and weather out whilst letting in light and are a substantial cost in the overall build budget.

The market leading window solutions companies invest heavily in technology that delivers outstanding quality and precision. To a layperson, one piece of joinery may look the same as the next, but the best machinery can ensure that angles are incredibly accurate and the joinery has the best finishing possible. A quality supplier will be able to make fittings specific to a particular home and indentify it with individual markings – you shouldn’t ever get joinery left over from another job.

 

The true test of a home owner’s decision will be when winter’s first southerly blast arrives. That is when you will be thankful you planned, sourced good advice, and bought quality materials. This can be achieved with three crucial steps.
Choosing Windows
Step 1. Have a Plan
Be prepared. 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. Collect pictures of the look you would like to achieve, right down to the colour. If you visit a friend with a new home and you like certain window features, find out who supplied them.

Take your building plans and ideas to an expert – preferably one with a showroom where staff can show you solutions that best fit your needs. You will see how the joinery operates and how it will enhance the look of your home and quality of life. Once you have a dossier of ideas, it comes down to making a few decisions.

Making a choice between timber and aluminium is not that easy. Wood is an appealing natural product but will require careful maintenance – that maintenance will give you a very long life, however – think how many old homes still have original timber joinery. Aluminium now comes in a large range of profiles and may be cheaper to install and demand less maintenance in the long run. There are ways of combining both wood and aluminium into one fitting.

To a large part your choice will depend on the style of home you’re building; if you’re moving into an old home, chances are you’ll find that previous owners have at some point replaced timber window frames with aluminium, opting for lower installation and maintenance costs – possibly at the expense of stylistic harmony.

Think also about ranch sliders. Today these have evolved into many different designs: those that stack on top of each other to open rooms right up; surface sliders; bifolds; even cavity sliders that virtually disappear.

■ You can specify commercial-grade joinery that adds to the visual weight and strength of units, enabling doors and windows to be bigger.

■ Think about adding in louvres to aid air flow in summer, especially in northern climes.

■ You will likely need double glazing for heat retention in winter (well worth the extra cost) but even triple glazing is an option, as is gas-filled cavities for additional insulation.

■ Consider tinted glass for protecting carpet and furniture fabric from sun fading.

■ Identify the type of handles you want on your windows.

■ Sliders have options on configurations – surface sliders, ranch sliders, stackers or cavity sliders – choose the one most suitable for your job.

Step 2. Investigate
Quality of product is paramount when selecting windows and doors, as is trust. The best way to gain confidence in what you are going to install is by meeting the people and handling the product; good quality should speak for itself. Things to compare include thermal efficiency (for example, high-performance double glazing and aluminium joinery with thermal breaks), the best use of space, and the product’s environmental impact.

■ Do you feel good about the product you want to use?

■ Do the people you are dealing with know the product and have a track record of performance?

■ Did you like the design suggestions and solutions you were offered?

■ Is everyone offering the same thing?

Step 3. Choose a supplier
Choosing the right supplier can make all the difference to the end result; unless you’re an expert in aluminium or timber joinery, constructing or installing windows is not a DIY option – and it is critical to have confidence in the professionals you engage. Membership of the Window Association of New Zealand (WANZ) is a great indication.

A window supplier with the right level of experience, ability and reputation will be happy to answer the following questions.

■ Is the joinery going meet the Building Code?

■ Is it manufactured to Standards NZ 4211:1985? This is of particular importance given recent reports of substandard products being introduced into homes in NZ. Find information on the timber standards for NZ homes here…

■ Will it arrive to the site on time and will it fit?

■ What after-sales service does the supplier provide?

■ Will your deposit will be secured in a Buildsafe-approved account, and whether the supplier offers a delivery guarantee?

■ Are the windows and sliders the correct size and design on delivery?

■ Have they been fitted with sufficient waterproofing?

 

The Window Association has a tremendous amount of information, both technical and design, on their website here…