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Frames, glazing, and installation tips
find the perfect window for your house
Perfect windows go far beyond just aesthetics. While it’s easy to get swept up in how windows look, their real value lies in how well they serve their primary functions: energy efficiency, airtightness, comfort, and long-term performance.
It’s not just about upgrading from single glazing to double glazing or ticking the boxes for BASIX requirements. True performance windows should be chosen with all these aspects in mind.
Holistic approach
The perfect windows serve multiple purposes. They should look great, but more importantly, offer top-tier performance in energy efficiency, size, placement, and installation quality. This goes hand-in-hand with selecting the right frame material and ensuring a proper airtight seal between the window and the structure.
It's about choosing windows suited to your family’s lifestyle and Sydney’s climate, ensuring that your home stays cool in the summer, warm in the winter, and always well-ventilated.
When selected and installed correctly, windows dramatically improve not only the energy performance of your home but also overall indoor comfort and health.
Key features
1. Energy efficiency
A high-performance window typically starts with double glazing in a thermally broken aluminum frame, ensuring that heat doesn’t transfer through the frame and indoor temperatures remain stable.
If your budget is a concern, uPVC windows offer the best value in terms of price and performance. These frames are highly insulated, ensuring airtightness when closed, and are competitively priced in the Sydney market. They’re an ideal choice for energy-efficient homes.
2. Glazing
The type of glazing plays a critical role in the performance of the window. For highly energy-efficient homes, especially in Sydney's climate, double-glazed windows are the minimum standard.
Triple glazing may be considered in Passive House designs or for homes aiming for ultra-low energy use, but the real key is the interaction between the glazing and the frame.
3. Frame materials
uPVC
For most homes looking for a high level of energy efficiency without breaking the budget, uPVC windows are an excellent starting point. They offer great thermal insulation and airtightness, especially when paired with double glazing.
Thermally broken aluminum
Aluminum frames, typically more modern and sleek, can be improved with thermal breaks to prevent heat loss. They’re a step up from basic aluminum frames and suited to homes aiming for both aesthetic appeal and performance.
Timber
Timber frames offer natural insulation and an eco-friendly option. They require more maintenance over time, but their insulating properties make them a strong contender in energy-efficient homes.
Aluclad
Aluclad windows are a combination of timber and aluminium, offering the best of both worlds—high insulation and durability. If budget allows, aluclad windows are a fantastic choice for high-end performance and aesthetics. They’re particularly useful in Passive House builds where every aspect of the window's design needs to contribute towards energy efficiency.
Installation techniques for airtightness
A critical, yet often overlooked aspect of window performance is the installation.
Even the most energy-efficient window will fail to perform if not installed properly. Ensuring airtight seals between the window frame and the structure (typically timber in Sydney homes) is essential to prevent air leaks.
Proper insulation and sealing techniques during installation are what truly guarantee the window’s effectiveness in maintaining a stable indoor environment.
Manufacturing and airtightness
Many windows on the market leak air through joints and material connections, even when closed. The manufacturing quality of the window plays a huge role in how airtight it will be.
High-performance windows use precision manufacturing techniques to ensure airtightness when the window is fully closed, minimizing heat loss and air infiltration.
Passive house and high-energy efficiency homes
For homes aiming to meet Passive House standards—the gold standard in energy efficiency—uPVC windows are the starting point.
From there, depending on your budget, you can upgrade to aluclad windows for even higher performance and durability.
Every element, from the glazing to the frame material to the installation, must be aligned to achieve the airtightness and insulation levels required for Passive House certification.
key considerations
1. Glazing
Double or triple glazing is crucial for energy efficiency and comfort.
2. Frame material
uPVC is cost-effective and highly insulating; aluclad offers superior performance if the budget allows.
3. Installation
Proper installation is key to ensuring airtightness and maximizing window performance.
4. Airtightness
Both the window frame and the glazing should prevent air leakage, ensuring a consistent and comfortable indoor environment.
In the following sections of this article, we’ll dive deeper into the four main window categories and the basics of glazing to help you make an informed choice for your home.
What type of family home do you want to build?
When building your forever family home, it's easy to focus on aesthetics—how the design will look, the style of the windows, and the overall architecture. But there’s a deeper question you should ask: How will this home serve your family’s health and well-being?
Modern homes are no longer just places to rest; they’re spaces where we live, work, and spend most of our time. With more people working from home and spending longer hours indoors, the air we breathe, the quality of light, and the overall comfort of the space are essential to maintaining a healthy living environment. This goes far beyond the surface-level appeal of a home.
Design and lifestyle choices
It’s not just about whether you prefer open plan living or more segmented spaces. The design should also consider how natural light is distributed throughout your home and how air flows between rooms.
Window design plays a critical role here. Not just for aesthetics, but for creating spaces that feel bright, open, and breathable. This is especially important when your home is used for both work and family life.
Energy efficiency
While aesthetics might drive your initial design choices, you also need to think about how efficiently your home will operate. A beautiful home that wastes energy isn’t sustainable.
Consider whether you're aiming for a low-energy home or a Passive House standard, which guarantees a more holistic approach to energy efficiency. Windows are a key part of this, as they directly affect how well your home regulates temperature and minimizes energy consumption.
But it’s not just about utility bills. Energy-efficient homes also create more consistent comfort levels, making them healthier spaces to live in.
Climate considerations
You also need to design a home that functions well in Sydney's climate. While many people focus on aesthetics like the style of the windows, have you thought about how well those windows will perform during Sydney's hot summers and mild winters?
The orientation of your windows and the shading strategies you employ can make a huge difference in how comfortable your home is year-round. You should be designing a home that stays cool in summer and warm in winter, without needing to rely on energy-guzzling heating or cooling systems.
Ventilation and indoor air
One of the most critical elements often overlooked is ventilation. With more family members spending time indoors, especially in shared spaces, poor air quality can lead to health issues like headaches, fatigue, and even respiratory problems.
Opening a window might not always be practical, especially when you’re trying to maintain a quiet, comfortable work environment at home. This is where mechanical ventilation systems come into play, ensuring a constant supply of fresh air, reducing carbon dioxide build-up, and preventing that stuffy feeling in busy rooms.
High-performance windows should work in harmony with these systems, balancing airtightness with adequate airflow, which is crucial for maintaining a healthy living space.
In short, your home should go beyond looking amazing. It should actively support your family’s well-being—providing fresh air, a stable internal environment, and comfort in every room, no matter how many hours you spend inside.
Window Frames and Glazing 101: Essential Guide to Boosting Energy Efficiency and Comfort
Frame materials
Energy efficiency and longevity
Your choice of frame material plays a critical role in the overall performance of your windows.
Each type of frame comes with its own strengths in terms of insulation, durability, and maintenance. Selecting the right one will impact not only your home’s energy efficiency but also its long-term comfort and appearance.
Aluminium
Aluminum frames are popular due to their sleek, modern appearance and durability. They’re also lightweight and strong, making them a good option for larger designs.
Insulation
Standard aluminum frames are poor insulators because they conduct heat easily. This means heat can escape during winter and enter during summer, reducing energy efficiency.
Upgrades
The solution to this is thermally broken aluminum frames, where an insulating barrier is added between the inside and outside of the frame to reduce thermal transfer. This greatly improves their performance in terms of energy efficiency.
Durability and maintenance
Aluminum frames are highly durable, requiring little to no maintenance, as they don’t warp or rot over time. However, they can suffer from condensation, especially if not thermally broken.
uPVC (Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride)
uPVC frames are becoming the go-to-choice for energy-efficient homes, especially for those on a budget. They offer excellent insulation properties at a relatively low cost.
Insulation
uPVC is a naturally insulating material, making it highly effective at reducing heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. When combined with double or triple glazing, uPVC frames provide superior energy performance.
Durability and maintenance
uPVC is also low maintenance and resistant to weathering, rot, and corrosion. However, it can be prone to discoloration over time and may not offer the same aesthetic appeal as other materials like timber.
Airtightness
A standout feature of uPVC frames is their ability to create a tight seal, minimizing air leaks and improving the overall energy efficiency of your home.
Timber
Timber frames have a timeless, natural aesthetic and provide excellent insulation. They’re often favoured for their traditional look and eco-friendliness.
Insulation
Timber is a natural insulator, offering a very high thermal performance. It’s one of the best materials for maintaining a stable indoor temperature.
Durability and maintenance
Timber frames require more maintenance than other materials, such as regular sealing or painting to prevent rot, warping, and decay. They can also be more expensive upfront, though they offer long-term value if properly cared for.
Aluclad
Aluclad frames combine the natural beauty and insulation of timber with the durability of aluminium. They feature a timber interior and an aluminium exterior cladding, offering the best of both worlds.
Insulation
The timber core ensures excellent thermal insulation, while the aluminium exterior provides protection against the elements, reducing the need for maintenance.
Durability and maintenance
Aluclad frames are highly durable, with the aluminium protecting the timber from weathering. While they come with a higher price tag, they offer long-term performance and minimal maintenance.
Glazing: maximizing thermal performance and comfort
Glazing is another key component of window performance, influencing not just energy efficiency but also noise reduction, condensation control, and overall comfort. The choice between single, double, and triple glazing has a direct impact on how well your windows will perform.
Single glazing
Single glazing consists of just one pane of glass. It’s no longer recommended for new builds or energy-efficient homes due to its poor thermal performance.
Thermal performance
Single-glazed windows offer minimal insulation, allowing heat to pass easily through the glass. This can lead to higher energy bills and reduced comfort levels inside your home.
Condensation
These windows are also prone to condensation, especially in cooler weather, which can lead to mould and mildew growth.
Double glazing
Double glazing is the most common choice for energy-efficient homes. It consists of two panes of glass separated by a gap filled with air or gas (such as argon) for added insulation.
Thermal performance
Double-glazed windows significantly reduce heat transfer, keeping homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer. This leads to lower energy costs and improved comfort.
Noise reduction and condensation
In addition to thermal benefits, double glazing also offers better noise reduction and reduces the likelihood of condensation forming on the inside of the window.
Triple glazing
Triple glazing includes three panes of glass, offering the highest level of insulation and thermal performance.
Thermal performance
Triple glazing is ideal for Passive House designs or homes in extreme climates, where maximum energy efficiency is required. It provides superior heat retention in winter and can block out excessive heat in summer.
Noise reduction and condensation
Triple glazing also provides the best noise insulation and minimizes condensation even further, making it an excellent choice for homes in busy or noisy area
Avoid common window upgrade mistakes
What homeowners need to know for energy efficiency and comfort
When it comes to upgrading windows, many homeowners fall into the trap of focusing on just one aspect—often glazing—without considering the bigger picture. While upgrading from single to double glazing sounds like a significant improvement, the real-world performance often falls short if critical factors like frame type, installation, and airtightness are ignored.
Flawed "upgrade in a silo" approach
Aluminum windows example:
Let’s say you're upgrading from single-glazed aluminum windows to double-glazed. It might seem like a no-brainer: more insulation, better energy efficiency, and improved comfort. However, if the aluminum frame isn’t thermally broken—meaning there’s no barrier to prevent heat from transferring through the frame—the energy savings you expect might not materialize.
The frame will still conduct heat or cold into your home, negating the benefits of double glazing. Additionally, if the installation doesn’t ensure airtightness between the window frame and the building structure, you’ll experience drafts, heat loss, and reduced comfort—issues that undermine the perceived upgrade.
Mainstream builders and overlooked details
The reality is that many project home builders, or even custom-home builders focus primarily on glazing upgrades and cost factors, often aiming to meet minimum standards like BASIX or NatHERS approvals. While these standards tick the boxes for regulatory compliance, they don’t necessarily ensure long-term performance, comfort, or energy efficiency.
Sales tactics
Builders or sales agents may push glazing upgrades without discussing essential details like the frame material, airtightness, or installation methods. Unfortunately, most builders lack a holistic understanding of how windows perform as part of an overall energy-efficient home.
Sales agents, who typically aren’t experts in performance standards, might not even realize these critical factors. As a result, homeowners are often sold on upgrades that look great on paper but fall short in reality.
Buyer beware
To make an informed decision, it's essential to dig below the surface and avoid falling into traps that can diminish your investment’s value.
Upgrading aluminium windows alone isn't enough
If you’re considering aluminum windows, ensure the frames are thermally broken. Without this crucial feature, your double-glazing upgrade will provide little benefit in terms of energy efficiency.
Don't forget installation quality
Even with high-quality windows—whether aluminum, uPVC, or aluclad—the installation process is important.
Standard builders may use the same carpentry teams that install windows for traditional builds. However, the window installation process for high-performance windows is different and requires specialized knowledge to ensure airtightness and proper sealing. Carpenter-installed windows may not meet the airtightness required for energy-efficient homes, leaving gaps and reducing overall performance.
Ask the right questions
Always ask your builder or contractor about the entire window system—not just the glazing upgrade. Ensure they’re aware of the performance demands of energy-efficient homes and check if they have experience in installing windows with a focus on airtightness and insulation.
What to prioritize in window selection
When considering a window upgrade, you need to think beyond the standard options and look for a solution that integrates several key factors:
Frame
Whether you choose aluminium, uPVC, timber, or aluclad, make sure the frame provides the level of insulation you need.
Glazing
Look at double or triple glazing not just for thermal performance but also for noise reduction and condensation control.
Airtightness
Check that both the window product itself and the installation process focus on airtightness to prevent drafts and energy loss.
Installation
A high-quality product installed incorrectly is still a poor-performing window. Ensure your builder has the knowledge and experience to properly install energy-efficient windows.
Reality of mainstream window upgrades
The harsh truth is that many window upgrades—whether aluminium windows or uPVC frames—offered by standard builders don’t always deliver on their promises. The frame and glazing may meet specifications, but if installation is treated as a one-size-fits-all process, the windows won’t live up to their potential.
Many families invest heavily in high-performance windows, assuming that the upgraded frames and glazing will solve their energy efficiency problems. However, when the installation quality is neglected, those investments fall short.
Unfortunately, this scenario is common in the marketplace, and without the right education, even well-intentioned buyers can make choices that don’t provide the expected long-term benefits.
Partnering with the right builder matters
Rather than trying to educate your builder and push them toward higher standards, it’s more effective to seek out a builder who is already aligned with your goals. Look for professionals who specialize in energy-efficient homes and understand the whole-system approach needed to deliver lasting comfort, performance, and value.
The perfect solution for your home goes beyond just ticking boxes for regulatory approval or choosing an upgrade that fits your budget. It’s about ensuring that each component—from the window frame to the installation method—is designed and implemented with long-term performance and energy efficiency in mind.
By working with the right team, you can avoid common pitfalls and build a home that truly delivers on its promise of comfort, health, and sustainability.
