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Bi-fold Doors to open up your house

Wednesday, January 09, 2019

Bi-fold doors in a variety of configurations and up to 10 metre wide can open up your home for perfect summer entertaining. No bending down or stretching up to open or close shoot-bolts, all you do is turn a handle on every second door for easy operation. Watch this video to see how. For more information please see: Architectural Timber Range - Bi-fold Doors link
Compare windows and makers

Compare windows and makers

Friday, June 15, 2018

In days gone by the builder often chose the different components for your home, but that was then. Now, thanks to our greater understanding of the choices available many of us research all aspects of our proposed build or renovating project, from the latest building products to bathtubs and low flow shower heads. We google, we read blogs, we compare. And what about windows? Windows and doors are a major investment, so you want to get it right the first time. But this is not so easy. Windows and doors have many different components, just as a couch is made

Energy Efficient Video Series

Monday, September 11, 2017

  Video 1: High Level Energy Efficiency This video provides information on what is driving the requirement for energy efficiency, including the 2015 Paris Agreement; general energy policy; aims for future energy targets and compliance with the National Construction Code and state and territory specific regulations. Video 2: The science of energy and energy efficiency The science of energy and energy efficiency is investigates here and it includes information on the factors that affect energy requirements including in depth information on the physics behind window performance U-Values (comparison to R-values); Solar Heat Gain Co-efficient; low-E coatings; double glazing and triple
Paarhammer joins Passive House Association

Paarhammer joins Passive House Association

Thursday, September 22, 2016

With excellent energy efficiency ratings, Paarhammer products are a perfect fit for passive houses. We have now joined the Australian Passive House Association. On their website: ‘The Australian Passive House Association is an independent, not-for-profit organization which aims to promote Passive House principles as a way of providing superior indoor comfort and air quality while reducing energy use and carbon emissions from Australia’s buildings. Passive House (or PassivHaus) was originally developed in Germany and has since spread throughout Europe (and the rest of the world – authors note). The standard continues to evolve and is now finding popularity in diverse
U-values, European versus Australian

U-values, European versus Australian

Monday, September 12, 2016

U-value calculations are not the same the world over. Australia has decided to follow the American NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council) system when making calculations for the Window Energy Rating System – WERS. U-value measures how well a product allows heat to pass through. It is a measure of the rate of non-solar heat loss or gain through a material or assembly. The lower the U-value, the greater a window's resistance to heat flow and the better its insulating value. The whole window assembly is tested which includes the effect of the frame, glass, seals and any spacers. What does
Uncover the Secrets of lift-slide Sliding Doors

Uncover the Secrets of lift-slide Sliding Doors

Monday, August 08, 2016

For making an architectural statement, or for opening the home to entertaining areas, nothing beats the versatility and style of Paarhammer Lift-Slide Sliding Doors. In addition to a double layer of seals, they feature retractable carriages as part of the German hardware, which allow the door to be sealed airtight to increase energy efficiency and stops drafts. This function also allows the door to be stopped in any open position. Lift-slide sliding doors have a number of carriages recessed into the bottom of the sliding door panel as part of the technologically advanced hardware. These carriages lift up the door
Draft proof your home for savings and comfort

Draft proof your home for savings and comfort

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Draft is the enemy of energy efficiency. Drafts or air leakages are year-round issues: in winter, they allow valuable warm air to escape and unwanted external cold air to enter; in summer, the reverse occurs. Seal your building and you will save money on annual heating and cooling costs, and the size of your heating and cooling system, while improving the health and comfort of occupants. Air leakages occur in many parts of the building envelope but we are taking a look here specifically at windows. Air leakage of windows is measured in litres of air per second per square
Blower Test for Airtightness

Blower Test for Airtightness

Sunday, November 29, 2015

A blower door is a machine used to measure the airtightness of buildings. Some reasons for establishing airtightness are -Reducing energy consumption due to air leakage -Avoiding moisture condensation problems -Avoiding uncomfortable drafts caused by cold or hot air leaking in from the outdoors Blower door testing has been used in Europe and the US since the late 1970s. A blower door is a powerful fan that mounts into the frame of an exterior door. The fan pulls air out of the house, lowering the air pressure inside. The higher outside air pressure then flows in through all unsealed cracks
Liveability - add Value to your Home

Liveability - add Value to your Home

Friday, September 25, 2015

Australia’s real estate agents are embracing the trend of comfort, energy efficiency, and healthy lifestyles when considering the appeal and marketability of a property. The use of the ‘Liveability Property Features’ icon when advertising a property indicates that the property includes a minimum of six recognised liveability features. The complete list of features are itemised in the ’17 Things’ checklist, which includes options such as orientation, insulation, energy rating, and water and energy efficiency devices. Windows and glazing is also an important component of the checklist. When selling your home, you will require independent proof of the products that are
Australian Made versus Imported Products

Australian Made versus Imported Products

Tuesday, August 04, 2015

Paarhammer is proud to manufacture Australian Made windows and doors. Our philosophy is about sustainability and local jobs, therefore we use local materials where possible - including Australian glass - in our products. In the Paarhammer story, Australian Made translates to locally made windows and doors providing valuable training and skills sharing, and jobs not simply localised to the Paarhammer factory but extending to suppliers and manufacturers, including but not limited to, Australian glass manufacturers, and timber suppliers. However, with a flood of foreign products on the market it has never been more important to ensure that you are getting
Sustainability for End Users

Sustainability for End Users

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Careful window selection and placement is rightly viewed as a means of reducing demand for artificial light and climate control. WERS – Window Energy Rating System - rates the energy impact of windows in housing anywhere in Australia. With up to 40% of a home’s energy for cooling or heating being lost or gained through windows, improving their thermal performance reduces energy costs and Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. Windows and doors are rated as a whole, meaning glass and frame together. High performance glazing is a waste if the frames leak and create a draft. Equally important is sealing the
Windows that insulate like Walls

Windows that insulate like Walls

Tuesday, October 07, 2014

Paarhammer windows are already known for their excellent insulation performance but a new glass technology brings this performance to a completely new level. Heat Mirror Glass is relatively unknown in the Australian market, but has been used for years overseas. For example, New York’s Empire State Building was refurbished in 2010, including the use of Heat Mirror glazing throughout – changes which were projected to save US$4.4M per year and 105,000 tonnes CO2 emission in 15 years. Heat Mirror (HM) insulating glass units (IGU) contain one or more clear, low-emissivity films suspended within the sealed airspace of a dual-pane IGU