AGWA Conference 2023

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

The recent conference AusFenex 2023 of the Australian Glass and Windows Association (AGWA) covered topics crucial to our industry. It is of great benefit to any business in the Window Industry to engage with people across the industry supply chain, learn the latest the industry is facing, and network with industry colleagues. ‘A Clear Future’ was the overall theme of the conference and it featured many break-out sessions and interesting speakers from Australia and overseas. Topics included: Innovation in Construction, Energy and the Future of Buildings, A smart Vision for a Sustainable Future, The changing Economic Outlook, Adapting to Change, Standards and Consumer Law, Change in Regulation Space, Energy

Timber - Classic Window Frame Material

Thursday, August 24, 2023

Window frames made from timber have a long history, they are sustainable as timber re-grows, and offer a beautiful, natural indoor environment that is good for human health. Timber is also a good insulator, making it ideal for energy efficiency when combined with double or triple glazing. Thermal insulation Every individual wooden cell acts as a natural air storage. If a timber grows faster, the cell structure is larger and can store more air, achieving a higher insulating effect. In general, softwoods grow faster than hardwoods which gives it better insulation properties. It is durable when treated or finished correctly. The structure

Window Furnishings

Tuesday, August 08, 2023

Tilt and turn windows open two ways: inside at the top like a hopper window or inside to the side like a casement window. Because of these opening options it is important to choose window furnishings to suit and do not affect the opening and closing of the windows.Mounting outside recessCurtains and blinds are suitable window dressings and can be mounted inside or outside the recess. An outside recess mount is when the curtains or blinds are mounted on the face of the wall just above the window opening. Important is that there is enough space for the window to

End of Vic Ash timber

Thursday, July 27, 2023

The Victorian Government announced an end to native timber harvesting on 1 January 2024 which is 6 years earlier than the 2030 deadline as was originally announced. Where does this leave manufacturers like Paarhammer who use Victorian Ash timber for window frames?With only a few months transition time, Paarhammer has started to test different hardwoods including imported timbers. We are proud to manufacture in Australia and always prefer to use local supplies to be as sustainable as possible, but for timber this may no longer be feasible. In Australia there are three timber certifications recognised: FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council), Australian

More Awards for Mangerton

Thursday, July 06, 2023

This project has already received the Master Builders' Association as the best in the NSW Southern Region in the $1.5 million to $2 million home category for 2022. The home's builder, Icon Projects, was also named Residential Builder of the Year Southern Region. Now another award has been added to the list: winner in the residential over 80k category in the NSW 2023 Design Awards of the Australian Glass and Windows Association (AGWA). What is so special about this project? It started with the owners wishing to achieve a highly energy-efficient and secure home in a high bushfire prone area,

BAU Expo Munich

Thursday, June 22, 2023

Tony Paarhammer and Andrew Ferguson were part of the 190,000 visitors at the BAU Expo in Munich end of April, gaining insights into all the newest products on show. The 2260 exhibitors from 49 countries included the following topics which might also become significant for the Australian building industry: Façade insulation and secondary façade insulation, Prefabrication and materials to streamline the building processes, Lifting equipment like small tower cranes to make work easier on the building site, Solutions to reduce or eliminate thermal bridging in building envelopes, Low and zero level thresholds with drainage and thermal breaks, Screws, bolts, connectors for the timber construction industry, Low VOC

NCC - Energy Efficiency & Livability

Thursday, May 18, 2023

The new National Construction Code (NCC) which came into effect on the 1st of May 2023 (start date has to be adopted by each State and Territory) includes higher energy efficiency regulations and provisions for dwellings to better meet community needs including for the elderly or those with mobility limitations. Paarhammer products meet and exceed these new regulations. Today we look at new dwelling access regulations: Clear OpeningAccess to dwellings now require entrance doors (or 1 universal access point/door) with a clear opening of a minimum of 820mm, not including the frame or door leave. Step-free access is also a must

Care and Maintenance for your Windows

Thursday, May 11, 2023

Windows are exposed to a variety of environmental influences such as dust, soot, pollen, UV radiation, rain, heat and cold, but high-quality products are durable and relatively easy to look after. To benefit from the longest possible service life, it is important to regularly care for your new windows and doors right from the start so that the desired appearance and functionality are retained for decades. Long-lasting windows protect the environment and your wallet at the same time. What to use for cleaningWith aluminium clad frames the best results are achieved with a neutral cleaning agent and a sponge or cloth,

Clerestory Windows: Unique Benefits

Monday, April 17, 2023

What are clerestory windows and why can we see their revival in modern homes? Clerestory windows are often narrow windows placed towards the top of a wall, close to the ceiling or roofline. While already used by the Egyptians and over the centuries in many churches, clerestory windows are now frequently seen in modern homes. Clerestory windows can also be shaped to follow a roof line, and in such designs the windows create the perception of a floating roof, and a sense of connection to the sky. Privacy Part of the reason for their revival are strict overlooking laws. Building

Windows: Burglary protection

Thursday, March 23, 2023

During the 2021-2022 financial year almost 200,000 households were broken into in Australia and around the same number experienced attempted break-ins. Almost twice as many households experienced malicious property damage*. The most common items stolen were personal items like jewellery and clothing, followed by bicycles and sporting equipment, money, purse or wallet, and tools**. It is worthwhile to understand the role of windows and doors in the safety of the house and learn about the technical measures and features that can help make our homes more secure. Windows and doors: The weakest link Obvious entry points in most cases, are

Additional benefits of bushfire windows

Thursday, February 09, 2023

Paarhammer manufactures bushfire safe windows and doors for all BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) ratings including BAL-FZ (Flame Zone). They are tested, certified, approved and compliant to all relevant Australian Standards and are designed to keep the fire out and you safe in the event of a bushfire. But the benefits go far beyond bushfire safety.High energy efficiencyA frame thickness of 78mm combined with special double-glazing achieve 7 to 8 WERS (Window Energy Rating Scheme) energy stars for heating and cooling, with a U-value from a very low 1.6. Such high energy efficiency can dramatically reduce energy bills while at the same time increase comfort

Lift-slide doors vs. Sliding doors

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

What are the main differences and how do they compare? With outdoor living areas being an extension of modern homes, sliding glass doors are all the rage. There are two options when choosing sliding doors: regular sliding doors or lift-slide sliding doors.Regular sliding doors have been used in Australia for decades and usually have basic rollers along the bottom which allows the door to roll on the threshold or are top hung. Some door types already feature seals or brushes but there is little clearance between the rail and the threshold, which results in a compromise between making the door somewhat