Selecting Windows and Doors
There are a number of considerations and steps to take when selecting windows and doors for your renovation or build. Here are 8 steps to guide you through the process of choosing and purchasing new windows and doors for your home – it’s a breeze!
1. Assess your building
2. Choose the right window and door style
3. Select from our product ranges
4. Glass, reveal options
5. Colour, handing and hardware options
6. Order Online
7. Installation
1. Assessing your Building
Are you replacing windows in a renovation?
If you are replacing windows, you can either have the same window type and size installed, or look at other window styles or door options. If you have been considering making your window or door opening bigger now is the perfect time to do so.
Are you building new?
Be aware that the size and placement of windows in new buildings will be affected by the Australian building code requirements. There are plenty of options available to ensure your windows and doors comply with the code. Feel free to email our friendly team at Window and Door Supplies who can answer your specific questions on building code requirements for windows and doors.
Are you wanting to improve your buildings function or performance?
Consider the effect the right window and door choices can have on energy efficiency, ventilation, light, view, privacy, safety, reduced acoustics or access in your home. It is important to put thought to the direction the rooms in your property face and what they will be used for. Finding the right window and door placement can significantly improve the comfort of your home.
Have you checked the regulations in place?
Windows and doors need to comply with Australian regulations and building codes. New homes have thermal requirements they must meet. Window restrictions are required to prevent children from falling out of high windows. If you are in a bush fire prone area, there are window and door requirements for bushfire zones. Details of the ratings are at in the reference section at the bottom of this page. If your house is located in a transport corridor, it must comply with minimum acoustic requirements. There are also window restriction requirements you will need to consider. Please reference the fall prevention chart for further information.
Do you need to engage a builder, designer or architect to assist with your project?
If you have a house plan or measurements for your windows and doors, you can order them directly with us. We will supply the products and you or your builder can install them.
If you haven’t got the measurements, you will need to have your windows and doors accurately measured by a builder in order to either get a quote or order your windows. If you need your windows made to custom measurements you can contact the team at Tweed Coast Glass for a more specialised selection.
If it is a larger project, you may even want the assistance of a builder, designer or architect to plan and coordinate the activities.
2. Choosing the right window and door styles
Consider how the window and door choice will affect the architectural appearance of your home and the internal look of the room.
Look at the sizes and arrangements of the windows in your home. By strategically placing your windows in configurations you can make a simple room have a stand out feature.
For windows, think about the views outside and which window style will best capture them.
Take into account the considerations of ventilation, light, privacy, heat loss and gain, and design aesthetics.
Large windows and doors can help open up a room and make it feel bigger.
For doors, consider the areas they will open up, and how this will assist your indoor-outdoor flow.
Gather inspiration online and browse sites like Pinterest to help you decide.
3. Selecting from our product ranges
Carinya Windows & Doors Aluminium Range
With a design pedigree established in the demanding commercial window market, the new Carinya range of residential windows and doors has been created by commercial window powerhouse Alspec, to be the leader in its class. Below is the window and door options currently available.
4. Glass, glazing & reveal options
Below are the details of the glazing and reveal options for your window.
Clear Glass - This is your standard clear glass.
Grey Tint - Tinted glass works by absorbing the sun’s direct heat energy (like a dark coloured shirt on a warm day) with re-radiation and convection through air movement drawing away the heat build up in the glass. This option will improve your energy rating for this window.
Satinlite - Satinlite is obscure in appearance, designed to provide privacy while also letting in daylight.
Low-E - We use SolTech neutral for our Low-E glass. Few glass specifications.
Reveals - The reveal is a timber surround fitted to the fin of the window or door and used for installing the product into timber framing. The reveal becomes the internal frame of your window otherwise known as the 'window sill' or door covering the stud. Your reveal size will be determined by the wall width it is being installed into.
5. Colour, handing, restriction & hardware options
All our windows and doors come with standard hardware from Doric. Each product page has a link to the hardware information.
Handing is the way your door or window opens. This is always done from the outside looking in. O stands for stationary and the X determines the sliding or operating panel.
When choosing a colour, think about if you want the windows and doors to blend in with the surrounding space, or if you want them to be a stand out feature. You can order custom colours through our friends at Tweed Coast Glass.
Restriction refers to fall prevention. Please reference the following flowchart when deciding if you need your windows restricted.
AWA Window Restriction Flowchart
6. Ordering
Our site allows for you to easily select your window type, size and custom features. Your price will update automatically.
7. Installation
Have you organised the products to be installed by a builder or are you installing the products yourself?
We are a manufacturer and supplier of windows and doors so if you don’t have a builder or installer, contact us via email and we can recommend an independent installer in your area who is familiar with our products.
To understand the installation process please reference the industry guidelines here.
AWA Installation Guide
References
Bushfire Ratings
Bush fires are one of the most spectacular and destructive natural forces in Australia and they continue to be a major threat to the community.
In response to devastating losses of life and property in past bush fire events, the latest release of the Australian Standard AS3959—Building in Bushfire Prone Areas has significant changes, bringing major change to construction of homes to be built in the future.
When you are building or renovating, your level of bush fire risk will affect the development requirements. BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) Ratings are qualified as follows:
BAL-Low there is insufficient risk to warrant specific construction requirements.
BAL-12.5 risk is primarily from potential embers during a fire.
BAL-19 increasing levels of ember attack and burning debris ignited by wind-borne embers together with increasing heat flux between 12.5 and 19 kWm2.
BAL-29 increasing levels of ember attack and burning debris ignited by wind-borne embers together with increasing heat flux between 19 and 29 kWm2.
BAL-40 increasing levels of ember attack and burning debris ignited by wind-borne embers together with increasing heat flux and the increased likelihood of exposure to flames.
BAL-FZ direct exposure to flames from fire front in addition to heat flux and ember attack.