Building in Bushfire Prone Areas

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

With bushfires already started early for this summer, it is important to know what to expect when building in one of the higher bushfire prone areas. And it is not necessarily ‘bush fires’ but also ‘grass fires’ that can be dangerous to homes. If you plan to build in a BAL rated area, you will require a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessment. Bushfire Attack Levels – BALs There are 6 BALs that range from BAL-Low, BAL-12.5, BAL-19, BAL-29, BAL-40 to BAL-FZ. The higher your BAL, the more expensive your new build (or extensive extension) will be, and the more important

Choose Windows Wisely

Thursday, October 31, 2024

With windows being a significant cost factor of a new home, it is worthwhile to start your decision-making process early. Already at the design stage, consider how the build will work, how the position of windows and doors will allow for airflow through the space, and how and where doors will provide access. Design for natural light and solar heat gain in winter, and shading requirements in summer, and plan carefully with current and future needs in mind.Building EnvelopePriority must be given to creating a well-insulated building envelope - walls, floor, roof and windows. All these are items that should

4 Awards - A BIG Thank You

Monday, September 16, 2024

Recently Paarhammer was awarded the NSW State Award for Residential Window/Glass Retrofit for Beach Retreat and the Victorian State Award for Commercial Window/Glass Project under $750,000 for Clifton Hill Passive House Primary School. Both projects were also successful and received the Australian National Awards in their category from AGWA, the Australian Glass and Windows Association. A big thank you to all our Paarhammer staff who as a team were making the windows and doors for these projects. A big thank you to our clients, architects, and builders who chose Paarhammer to work with them on their remarkable projects and to all

Proud of our Staff

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Staff are Paarhammer’s greatest asset. With much pleasure, we recently celebrated a 20-year work anniversary and a 30-year work anniversary. Judy was the first port of call when prospective clients rang our office from 2004 onwards. In the meantime, and with the growth of the business, Judy has taken on much more responsibility. She became indispensable as Office Manager and Personal Assistant to Tony, the Managing Director. Judy (centre) with Edith and Tony Paarhammer. Andy started as an apprentice in 1994. He worked his way up to become Production Manager and organised the workflow in the factory for many years.

Window = Frame+Glass+Hardware

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Windows are an important part of any building and have to comply with several Australian Standards (AS). This is the reason why windows are made as a whole system where frame, glass, and hardware, are designed as a unit to achieve the required results. If any part of such a system gets changed, it will not comply with the AS’s anymore and become a ‘deemed to satisfy’ or ‘engineered solution’. When hardware details, profile details, or any components are changed, or the overall size is made larger compared to tested sizes, the window system may no longer be compliant and

American Oak Windows

Wednesday, June 19, 2024

Paarhammer is now in full production of American Oak windows and doors. Since Victorian Ash is no longer available due to the Victorian Government ending native timber harvesting, American Oak was chosen as its replacement for high-performing window products due to its colour, grain, strength and sustainability. American Oak – Quercus Rubra – is a blond, medium density hardwood of about 730kg/m3 with a straight open and even grain, and uniform texture. Windows and doors made of hardwood are naturally hard-wearing, strong, energy efficient and visually stunning. American Oak has itself a BAL-rating of 19, but should higher BAL-ratings be

Window Development 1950’s to today

Monday, May 27, 2024

The building industry in Australia represented by HIA and Master Builders are addicted to low cost windows. From the 1950’s onwards, glazing became cheaper and allowed architects to frame views and bring light into the building. Also, builders realised that windows at that time per square meter were only about half the cost of a wall. So with using more glass, one could construct cheaper buildings. As a solution to keeping such glasshouses at a liveable temperature, larger air-conditioning systems were required. Central Europe: Houses and windows in Europe developed quite differently. In the alpine region already a couple of centuries ago they

Paarhammer at THRIVE PASSIVHAUS Conference

Monday, May 20, 2024

The THRIVE PASSIVHAUS conference is on in Melbourne on the 23rd and 24th of May 2024. Experts from around the world will present on the potential of good design principles and more. Our managing director, Tony will run a training session on the first day of the conference at 11am. Under the topic of Windows and Doors within the Passivhaus Building Envelope, Tony will explore: European door and window installation approaches Essential materials for airtight installation The 4 biggest mistakes when installing windows Important documents to request from your window supplier Comparison between window construction types Comparison between window opening types Door threshold options Criticality of certification of the

Compliance: Insights and Pathways

Thursday, April 18, 2024

The integrity and compliance of building components are paramount to ensuring health, safety and sustainability in the evolving landscape of the building industry. Among these components, windows play an essential role in the structural and environmental performance of buildings. Poorly manufactured or standard windows lose more heat in winter and gain more heat in summer than any other surface in a building. This whitepaper delves into the multifaceted dimensions of window compliance within Australian standards and regulations, highlighting the economic, legal and social implications of non-conforming and non-compliant building products. It underscores the importance of rigorous independent testing and certification processes

International Window and Door News from Fensterbau

Friday, April 05, 2024

In March 2024 the Fensterbau Expo in Nuremberg / Germany was held again after a 6-year Covid break. There were more than 600 Exhibitors and 75,000 visitors from around the world, and Paarhammer went there to learn about the latest developments in the window industry to be able to offer these to our clients. Automation – Convenience and ConnectivityThe biggest innovations were made in home automation and many expo stands offered products that could either be integrated into existing home automation or as stand-alone systems. Paarhammer’s German hardware supplier Siegenia had a display under the topic ‘It’s magic’ with wireless technology

Modern Windows

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

A more comfortable indoor environment, more security and more energy-efficiency to save on heating and cooling, are some of the expectations of modern windows. While tilt & turn windows and lift-slide sliding doors have been common in Europe for decades, these opening types are fast becoming a much-loved part of Australian homes.Frame MaterialsTimber is very much in demand for its biophilic and health properties and its natural look. Timber also re-grows, hence it is a sustainable material that provides strength when manufactured into European style window and door frames. These frames are generally 68mm thick, or for even higher performance

Advantages of Australian Made Windows

Thursday, February 29, 2024

A 2023 Ray Morgan study found that 73% of Australians saying they are willing to pay more for Australian Made over imported products. What do you get for the extra money?Advantages of locally made windows and doors: Knowledgeable advice and reliable customer service right here and easily accessible Outstanding quality products Ethically made under safe working conditions and with decent wages for staff Continued development of skills Less transport reduces carbon footprint Long warranties as members of an Australian Industry AssociationEasier service options Meeting and exceeding all Australian Standards Benefits all Australians through a positive effect on the economy and job growth International products are readily available but Australian