Sustainable House Day 2014

Yesterday I had the privilege to be invited to 666 ABC Radio Canberra to talk to Lish about how glazing contributes to a sustainable house.  After 8 years of peddling double glazing to the Canberra market, I now believe that I have traction and more and more people are understanding why energy efficient windows and doors are importation the insulation package of their home.

After I finished at 666, I headed out to Googong as a guest speaker in the Shaw Living "Tinderry" House and gave two half hour talks on energy efficient windows.  We had an audience of people who are looking to build new homes and those that want to improve their existing home.  If I could put on a "light bulb" moment for several families then I did my job well yesterday.

I would like to see the Building Code changed to make insulated windows mandatory - not only for my business but for the future of Canberra.  I can't understand why we are so heavy on the insulation of walls and ceilings but completely forget the wall spaces that contain windows and doors where we put in a single piece of glass.  No Brainer really!

www.solacecreations.com.au


Karen

 

Canberra Business Woman of the Year 2014

Last night we attended the Canberra Women in Business Awards at Hotel Realm.  It was a great night with about 500 people attending to enjoy a three course silver service dinner.

The awards recognised the achievements of Canberra women who are having success in their business.  Several MLAs attended to show their support. 

Karen Porter from Solace Creations Double Glazing was awarded a highly commended award for the Canberra Business Woman of the Year category.  This is recognition of hard work and dedication to bring double glazing into every home in Canberra.

For any other woman in business, it is worth your while to join the Canberra Women in Business and see what support services and networking that you can get.

Tonight I am a guest speaker at the National Women in Construction mentoring dinner at the MBA.

Karen

Solace Creations' journey to winning the ACT Telstra Micro Business Award

On July 4 2014, Solace Creations Double Glazing won the ACT Telstra Micro Business Award for 2014.  

In late 2013, Solace Creations was one of 600 micro businesses (less than 6 staff) in the ACT that was nominated for the Award.  We went through a very stringent process by an external body that involved an 86 page application, scrutiny of three years of our financials, references from staff, a supplier and a client along with our business plan, risk management plan, marketing plan and business continuity plan.  

From the application, we were one of the businesses shortlisted and this then required a 40 minute interview with two judges.  The following day, we were called and told that we were one of the five finalists.  At that point we were winners already.

On 4 July, we attended the gala dinner at QT in the city and found ourselves sitting amongst the top businesses in the ACT.  What an amazing group of dedicated business owners.

When they announced the winner of the Micro Business Award, we were blown away and ecstatic that we were being recognised for our hard work.

I am not sure if you know how hard small to medium business owners work. I heard a funny saying the other day that as a business owner, at least you get to choose which 17 hours you would like to work.

The first five years in a business is the toughest.  It is like having a baby, they are high maintenance and need you 24/7 to look after their every need.  When they are five they start school and suddenly you have some free time again.  This is like a business.  However, there are waves and as you get to a point of growth then the business is higher maintenance again.  You manage the growth and put more staff, better technology or systems in place and then the business becomes less needy.

I would like to recognise small to medium (and micro) business owners.  These people are the key to pulling our country out of financial pain.  These people pay taxes that fund schools, hospitals, roads etc.  These people give up so much so that they can earn their own livelihood and feed their families.  These people employ other people who also have families to feed and taxes to pay.  The flow on effect from one business owner is incredible and is far reaching.

I look forward to sharing the next part of my journey and the effect that the Telstra Award has had on me and my business.

Solace Creations Website 


Karen

Double Glazing that is available

Double glazing is becoming more popular in Canberra, however, there are various levels of double glazing and all should be assessed before you go ahead and order some.

If the airgap between your glass units is less than 12 mm or more than 20mm, you are not getting the best double glazing.  Many companies sell a 6 to 8 mm airgap and frankly, this is a waste of your money.  You will be very disappointed with the outcome and it will not feel like you have improved your windows or doors.

For existing aluminium, some companies are putting another aluminium window in front of your old window which creates a double glazing effect.  The downsides are that you lose a lot of your windows sill, there is dust collecting in the middle and you now have two windows to open for airflow instead of one.

There are some companies that remove the single piece of glass and use a system where they can fit a double glazed unit in its place with a fin.  If you get a decent airgap and your existing windows are in good condition then is is a good outcome.

The best way is to remove the existing window or door and to put a new sealed unit in.  Solace Creations has three levels of double glazed windows and doors on offer:

Premium double glazed aluminium - non insulated aluminium frame with a premium double glazed unit that has at least a 12mm argon filled space between the two glass pieces.

uPVC double glazed windows and doors - insulated frame with a premium double glazed unit that has at least a 12mm argon filled space between the two glass pieces.

Thermally broken aluminium -  insulated frame with a premium double glazed unit that has at least a 12mm argon filled space between the two glass pieces.

When we install the window or door, we insulate between the timber reveal and the stud work for an excellent seal and silicone all around the windows.

It is great that you want to double glaze but save up and do it properly for a good outcome.  For now, curtains and blinds shut as it gets cool at 4pm with see you through until you can afford the good ones.

For more information, call Solace Creations Double Glazing on 6260 1621 or come and see our showroom at 17 Townsville Street Fyshwick.

Australian Made Double Glazed uPVC windows and Doors

There are so many valid reasons why you would buy your uPVC windows and doors through an Australian manufacturer.

One of the main reasons is that Australia has a very harsh climate and we need to ensure that the frames, seals and glass won't deteriorate over time.  Australia has very strict testing regimes and all manufacturers that are members of the Australian Window Association will have annual audits on their product.

If you were to buy uPVC windows, doors or profile directly from Europe then they will more than likely not be made from tropical blend.  For us to sell uPVC windows and doors in Australia, we need to ensure that our profiles have a tropical blend or UV stabilizer.  All of the profiles that Solace Creations sells exceed the Australian Standard.

Another reason is that we have strict requirements in Australia for where we use toughened glass and how it it toughened.  Toughened glass is heat soaked and tested to ensure that it will stand up to the Standard.  Many countries overseas don't have the same requirements or standards and will temper the glass rather than toughen it.  This would be detrimental if a child was to fall through the glass as it will shard and injure the child.

Australia has a very strict Standard in place and other countries know this.  As a Board Director of the Australian Window Association, I have recently seen a counterfeit certificate from China that states they have had their windows and doors tested by the Australian Window Association.  This is scary as there are Australian companies buying from China that think the product meets the Standard.  It is only going to take one injury for the person buying the frame or the company selling the frame to realise the risk that they are presenting to the Australia public.

There is no compliance at the border on windows and doors so you cannot guarantee that this will be picked up on entry to Australia.  The only compliance is when the Certifier asks for a glazing certificate stating the glass is compliant with AS1288.  Anyone can write these Certificates, Certifiers rarely question a Certificate.

Buy smart, support Australia and know that you are installing products that have indeed been tested.  Solace Creations at 17 Townsville Street Fyshwick can give you more information about this subject and can be contacted on 02 6260 1621 www.solacecreations.com.au.

Solace Creations is excited to announce that we will be providing windows and doors for a local childcare centre in March 2014. The bonus is that the building will be lovely and modern and there will be warm children in winter and cool children in summer. How awesome is that?

We would dearly love to do the same for the elderly. Why are we single glazing aged care units still???? The most vulnerable in our community should be looked after and the small extra expense to double glaze would achieve this. There is so much effort put into insulating the walls, ceiling and floors but no effort goes into insulating the windows or doors.

We would love nothing more than seeing more double glazing in both early childhood centres and aged care developments.

We offer a free consulation for new buildings to maximise the effects of insulated windows.  Have a look at www.solacecreations.com.au.

New Prevention of Fall Requirements for Australian windows

In response to small children falling from windows, the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) undertook to introduce new measures through the Building Code of Australia 2013.  The requirements come into effect for Development Approvals after 1 May 2013 and will be managed by Certifiers.  This blog will focus on residential homes.

The requirements only affect bedrooms that are two storeys or above or on steeply sloping blocks.  The important factors are the size and height above the floor of the opening and if there are footholds that could be used for children to climb up.

If the window opening is within 1700 mm of the floor then the following applies:

• if the opening is more that 865mm above the floor and there are no climable elements then removable screens or restrictors that can be overridden by an adult may be used.
• If the opening is less than 865mm above the floor or there are climable elements then permanent screens or restrictors are required.

There are a number of hardware solutions available such as short chain winders or barrier screens which will allow window to comply.  A solution mush not permit a 125mm sphere to pass through it and not have any climbable elements between 150mm and 760 mm above the floor to facilitate a child climbing.

One question that has arisen is how do these requirements affect the BCA Ventilation requirement that the opening area of a window be 5% of the floor area of the room?  The ABCB advised that the ventilation area of a window is calculated on the total area of the sash ad not the openable area....

In summary, for windows in bedrooms where the fall height is 2m or greater:

• If there is no opening within 1700 mm of the floor then no restrictions apply
• If the opening is within 1700 mm above the floor and there is a climbable element between 150mm and 750mm above the floor then opening much be permanently restricted to 125mm or fitted with a non-removable robust screen
• If the opening is between 865 and 1700 mm above the floor (no climbable element between 150mm and 760 mm) then the opening must be restricted to 125mm or fitted with a removable robust screen
• If the opening is withing 865 mm of the floor (climable element between 150mm and 760mm above the floor) then the opening must be permanently restricted to 125mm or fitted with a non-removable robust screen.

Information source:  AWA Prevention of Falls from Windows Key Message.  www.awa.org.au.

What considerations should be made on windows and doors in Canberra?

Climate Zone for Canberra

Canberra is considered to be a heating climate and we are in Zone 7, this means that we want to get the maximum sun that we can into our homes in winter and the least in summer.  Because Canberra gets so cold, we tend to run the heater while we are in the home.  Once we get the beautiful sun into our homes, we want to keep it there.  There are a several ways that you can do this:

• Replace your windows and doors with double glazed unit
• Install heavy drapes and pelmets (not much view after
• Install a second window next to the other one
• Install a piece of Perspex over the frame to create a cavity

If you are replacing your windows and doors then you want to make sure that you are getting the best bang for your dollar.  You will want a low uValue (insulation factor) – the lower the better.  The uValue measures how easily a window conducts heat, how much heat loss you will have and how well the window or door is insulated.  The measure should be overall window and frame and includes seals and spacers.

These are the common uValues for the main window choices:

Standard single glazed aluminium 4mm – 5.9

Standard double glazed aluminium 3mm/12mm air/3mm – 3.5

Thermally broken double glazed aluminium  - 2.5

Timber double glazed 4mm/16air/4mm – 2.4

uPVC double glazed 4mm/16 air/4mmea – 1.8

It is interesting to note that the uValue has the potential to improve up to approximately 0.3 stars for each unit reduction in uValue.  Each star corresponds to reduction in heating and cooling requirements by approximately 20% to 30%.  You will save approximately 10.000 to 15.000 MJ of energy per star which will save your heating bills of about $300 a year (source:  wers.net).

The frame plays a large role in getting the uValues right.   

Aluminium leaks heat and cold while timber needs to be maintained each year so that it stays in good condition.  uPVC is an insulated frame that doesn’t leak heat or cold and doesn’t need maintenance.

The other side of the coin is Solar Heat Gain Co-efficient (SHGC)

SHGC measures how much solar energy gets through the windows and doors.  It is a number between 0 and 1. The lower the SHGC is, the less heat that it transmits.

The SHGC will be relevant to different elevations in Canberra.  I would recommend a high SHGC on the north side provided there is an eave or shading in place for summer.  You want to get as much sun through the glass that you can in winter.  East and West would have a low SHGC and south won’t see any sun so you want to make sure that the uValue is very low.

SHGC can be reduced by applying selective low E (low emissivity) coating to glazing.  It can reduce heat loss in winter as well as solar gain in summer.

Glazing Calculator

If you are building a new home or extending an old one, a glazing calculator will need to be submitted to your Certifier and both the uValue and the SHGC will be required.  The figures are entered into the calculator on each orientation of the home along with shading and a green tick or a red tick will appear in the spreadsheet.  If you get a green tick you are home and hosed, if you get a red tick you need to change your windows/door or glazing.

Solace Creations at 17 Townsville Street Fyshwick and will be able to help you with these considerations and is available on 02 6260 1621.  www.solacecreations.com.au

Window Testing in Australia

 Window Energy Rating System

The Window Energy Rating System was established in 1995 to give ratings and standards to windows and doors in Australia. 

Windows and doors sold in Australia have to be tested to our harsh climate.  Ratings can be found on Wers.net under residential certified products.  Below is a sample of Inframe Glazing Systems Ratings.

There are three ways that windows and doors are tested:  testing at an independent facility (the best), computer simulated (next best) and using overseas or other manufacturers ratings.  It is clear on the ratings what has been used to test the windows.  Those that use other's ratings have it noted as generic on the title.  Those that have computer simulated often have an air infiltration rating of 0.5.

What do the ratings mean?

Uw is the rate of heat loss of a window assembly.  The lower the uValue the better its insulating properties.  The best rating is using the whole window.  Ratings range from 2.0 to 10.0.  Uw is the whole window, UC centre of glass and UF is frame.
 
SHGC – how well a product blocks the heat caused by sunlight. The fraction of incident solar radiation admitted through a window, both directly and absorbed and released inward.  Between 0 and 1.  Lower the rating the less solar heat gain. 

VT – how much light comes in through the window. between 0 and 1 – the higher the rating the more light comes through


Air infiltration (leakage) on a test report. The lower the air infiltration figure the less air will pass through cracks in the window or door assembly.

 

How is the testing done?

  AS 2047 performance test is undertaken at an independent facility

It is the mandatory minimum specification for windows and doors used in Australia it includes compliance to the Glass Standard AS 1288. 
 
The following performance tests are undertaken to verify product performance claims.
 
AS 4420.2 Deflection Test - positive and negative wind pressures are applied to the face of the window to test the maximum deflection under wind load.
AS 4420.3 Operating Force Test - to verify that an opening sash is capable of opening and closing without undue effort.
AS 4420.4 Air Infiltration Test - the air leakage of a window is tested to ensure energy and acoustic efficiency.
AS 4420.5 Water Penetration Resistance Test - this test is designed to ensure no water leaks through the window into the building.
AS 4420.6 Ultimate Strength Test - negative and positive wind pressures are applied to the window to at least 1.5 times the design wind pressure to ensure it does not fail in unusual wind conditions.

 

 

Before you buy any window or door, ask the supplier to see evidence of these tests.  This will give you an assurance that you are buying windows and doors suitable for our climate.

 

 Information from wers.net, awa.org.au

Karen Porter is now a Board Member of the Australian Window Association

Karen Porter, Managing Director of Solace Creations has served as a Board Member of the Australian Window Association (AWA).  Karen will represented suppliers on the east coast of Australia for a 2 year period.

Karen was an integral part of the AWA and provided a greater focus on energy efficient windows and doors so that they become a standard feature of new construction.

Karen ensured that the Canberra Community was well represented at the meetings along with uPVC and double glazing.