Glazing
Insulation Basics – Double Glazing
Large single glazed windows are one of the biggest reasons for heat loss in a modern house. It is also a major source of heat coming into the house in summer. So what can you do?……………here is a comparison between…
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West, or East, Facing Windows
Well the first rule is to avoid West, or East, facing windows . . . or at least keep them as small as possible….and here is why: Summer West windows get direct sunlight from mid-afternoon to late in the evening…
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Window Size
Building Code Rules on Size The Building Code of Australia requires you to have at least 10% of the floor area as windows with at least 5% of the floor area being able to be opened. If you go in…
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Shading Northern Windows
In a post about Passive Solar I talked about shading North facing windows. That doesn’t mean installing roller shutters, or blinds that pull down over the window. Shutters and blinds tend to make the rooms very gloomy and depressing, and…
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Passive Solar – What Does It Mean?
Do you want a house that is filled with natural light in the summer without overheating, and minimises your heating bills in winter? ……….If you do, then a passive solar house is what you need. Here are some of the…
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Window Fail
I was out walking the other day and saw this unusually shaped window. So why do I think it’s a FAIL? As it occupies the full front of a dormer there is no way you can fit a curtain or…
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Is Low-E Glass Worth The Money?
What is Low-E Glass? It is a normal glass that has an extremely thin, transparent coating applied. (Single glazed low-E glass is peculiar to Australia) The coating reflects part of the ultraviolet, and infrared light, while allowing most of the visible light…
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Window Lighting Levels
A recent question I received concerning my post on Window Size was “What size window will I need to receive reasonable light levels?” Well this photo shows the window in one of our bedrooms. This, South facing, window has an area of approximately…
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Reducing Noise Through Windows
General Principles The main factors in window noise reduction in order of importance are: 1. Glass Thickness Thicker glass will give a better result. (Laminated glass is slightly better than solid glass of similar thickness as the laminated layer provides additional ‘Damping’) 2….
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Solar Tube Options
Sometimes our homes are a little lacking in the light department. Even if there are lots of windows, if your property is overlooked at all, or faces the ‘wrong way’, you might find yourself craving that natural light. You may need to…
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