Industry Insights
Practical window and door Q&A for Australian projects.
Short answers on standards, glazing, energy performance, screens and project decisions, backed by selected industry sources and SMIRO project context.
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Latest industry Q&A
Victoria's New Rental Draughtproofing Standards
New minimum energy efficiency standards for Victorian rental properties commence in phases from 1 March 2027. Specifically, from 1 July 2027, rental providers must draughtproof all external doors, windows, and unsealed wall vents using draught-sealing or weather-stripping products. This aims to reduce energy costs and improve comfort for renters, with landlords able to access Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program discounts for compliance.
Future Windows & Doors: Zero-Carbon-Ready Code
Australia's move towards a 'zero-carbon-ready' building code by 2030 will significantly elevate performance standards for windows and doors. Expect stricter energy efficiency requirements, including improved U-values and solar admittance, and a greater emphasis on airtightness to minimise heat loss and prevent condensation. This shift will drive demand for advanced glazing, better frames, and precise installation to meet whole-of-home energy targets.
Are Aluminium Awning Windows Worth It?
Aluminium awning windows are top-hinged sashes that open outward from the bottom on a chain winder, and the open sash deflects rain away from the opening. That makes them the one window you can leave open through a shower - the standard pick for bathrooms, kitchens and high walls - in exchange for airflow: the sash opens only to around 45 degrees and blocks much of its own opening.
Are Aluminium Hinged Doors Worth It?
Aluminium hinged doors are built from one or two sashes that swing on side-mounted hinges and compress into a continuous perimeter seal when they close. That compression makes them the tightest-sealing aluminium door type in Australia - better than sliding on energy, sound and weather, with multi-point locks as standard security. They trade that seal for swing space: every hinged door needs clear floor in front of it.
Are Aluminium Louvre Windows Worth It?
Aluminium louvre windows are built from horizontal glass or aluminium blades pivoting in an aluminium frame, all opened together from a single lever. They move more air than any other window type in Australia, opening around 90 per cent of their face to airflow, at the cost of tighter sealing, sound insulation and energy performance. They suit bathrooms, kitchens and warm climates where ventilation matters more than a perfect seal.
Low-E Glass: Enhancing Window Energy Performance
Low-E (low-emissivity) glass features a microscopically thin, virtually clear coating that reduces infrared heat transfer. This coating helps keep unwanted heat out in warmer climates and retains warmth indoors during colder periods, significantly improving a window's thermal efficiency. It's often used within double glazed units to enhance overall energy performance for Australian homes and projects.
Double Glazing vs Thermal Break: What Is the Difference?
A double glazed window is a window built with two panes of glass separated by a sealed gap of air or argon gas. The trapped layer acts as an insulator, slowing heat transfer through the window, reducing condensation and muffling outside noise. It is a core way to improve window energy performance in Australian homes.
Understanding Security Mesh for Windows and Doors
Security mesh for windows and doors is a woven steel fabric fitted inside an aluminium frame. It is designed to enhance home security and resist bushfire embers, and it forms a far stronger barrier than a standard fibreglass insect screen. It matters most in bushfire-prone areas and wherever a home's openings face a real break-in risk.
AS 2047: Australian Window & Door Standard
AS 2047 is the Australian Standard for “Windows and external glazed doors in buildings”, currently AS 2047:2014. It sets the mandatory minimum specification for products used in Australia, and the National Construction Code references it, making compliance a condition of building approval.
Thermal Breaks: Improving Aluminium Window Performance
A thermal break is an insulating material, typically a low-conductivity polymer, strategically placed between the interior and exterior sections of an aluminium window frame. Its primary function is to minimise heat and cold transfer through the frame, as aluminium is a strong thermal conductor. This significantly enhances the window's overall thermal performance, crucial for improving energy efficiency and comfort in Australian buildings.
Understanding Window U-value
U-value measures how quickly heat conducts through a window — the whole assembly, including the glass, frame, seals and spacers, not the glass alone. It is expressed in watts per square metre per kelvin (W/m²K), and a lower number means better insulation. In Australia it is the one figure on your energy report that you cannot exceed.
Understanding Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)
The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) measures how readily solar heat passes through an entire window or door system, including both the glass and the frame. Expressed as a decimal between 0 and 1, a lower SHGC means less solar heat is transmitted. It is a 'whole window value' that is central to NCC compliance and WERS ratings across Australia's varied climates.
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