Choosing Windows: Turning Your Home’s Biggest Weakness Into Your Biggest Asset
Choosing Windows For Your Home: A Comprehensive Guide
Let’s Talk Through Turning Your Home’s Biggest Weakness Into Your Biggest Asset
Windows are more than just visual portals to the outside world; they are crucial components in the energy efficiency and comfort of your home.
In the context of New Zealand (and more specifically Wanaka’s) varied climate, selecting the right windows is an exercise in balancing aesthetics, performance, sustainability and of course cost.
Homeowners often overlook the significance of windows in their homes. We all value walls, with their layers of framing, insulation, waterproofing, wiring, and finishing. They are widely recognised for providing structure and stability.
Windows on the other hand are just glass aren’t they? Something to look through. Well, let me change your mind.
The real value of windows lies in understanding both their vulnerabilities and their crucial role in a home's insulation. They are typically the weakest point in terms of insulation, with factors like airtightness, framing, glazing, size, shape, position, and locks all playing a vital role.
Understanding the Role of Windows in Home Efficiency
So, how do we turn your biggest liability into your biggest asset?
As passive and performance home builders, it’s our job to help you understand the importance of investing in high-quality windows. The level you choose is then entirely up to you. The truth is, it’s multi-faceted.
Design & Modelling Windows
The skilled architects we work with are familiar with passive home principles and can guide you, through energy modelling, in choosing between double or triple glazing. This can vary based on your specific needs for solar gain and heat retention in each area of your home.
Choosing Frames
The choice of frames, whether aluminium (which can be airtight but conducts more heat/cold) or wooden frames, which are the gold standard in passive house construction due to their insulating properties, can have a significant impact. uPVC frames are also gaining popularity for their balance of performance and affordability.
Investing in the right windows can transform a potential energy efficiency liability into one of the greatest assets of your home. Understanding and choosing the right windows is key to the success of your passive home project.
Large Sliding Glass Doors at our Kelliher Drive Project - Finished in December 2023
So, what do you need to think about when choosing your windows?
When choosing windows for your passive home, several key factors should be considered:
Thermal Performance
Let’s start with the real basics. We’ll always help you to find windows with high insulation values (low U-values) to minimise heat loss. Want to get deeper? Triple-pane European-style Passive House windows, equipped with low-e, high-r-value high-performance glass and well-insulated frames, significantly reduce heat loss. These windows, including enormous (10-foot) sliding doors, can outperform the solid walls of many older houses in terms of energy efficiency. Certain windows hold gas-filled gaps between the panes further enhancing their insulating capability.
Glazing Options
Double or triple glazing can significantly improve thermal efficiency and sound insulation. Together with the architects, thermal modelling can help us make decisions on whether or not you want to opt for double or triple glazing. A combination of the two works brilliantly for many homes. This means you can maximise your windows where they matter the most and save money where they matter the least.
Frame Material
Materials like wood and even uPVC offer better insulation compared to aluminium, though some aluminium frames are now thermally broken and airtight to improve efficiency.
Airtightness
We can work with you to ensure the windows are designed for superior airtightness to prevent unwanted drafts and energy loss. This extends to elements including the frames and locks.
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)
Sound like a mouthful? It simply means the fraction of solar radiation admitted through a window, door, or skylight. Together with the architect, we can help you choose a SHGC suitable to our climate here in Wanaka and the window's orientation to balance heat gain from sunlight with overall insulation.
Size and Placement: During the design process, architects help to strategically place and size your windows to maximize natural light while minimising overheating in summer and heat loss in winter.
Quality Installation
Proper installation is crucial for maintaining the window's performance. This is where we come in. Working with our trusted window suppliers, we ensure our installation and workmanship is spot-on on, ready to undergo rigorous testing. Testing our workmanship is one of the many elements of Passive Home building we relish.
Throughout your project, we can help you with decisions to help you balance the benefits and costs of your choices.
Decisions we can help you with - The Insulation Versus Cost Challenge:
The choice of window materials significantly impacts a home's thermal performance. Aluminium frames, known for their durability and modern look, have a higher thermal conductivity compared to wood or uPVC (plastic) frames. Wooden frames, renowned for their natural insulation properties, are often preferred in passive construction. Meanwhile, uPVC frames provide a middle ground with good insulation and affordability.
Glazing: The Key to Balancing Light and Temperature
Choosing between double and triple glazing depends on several factors, including your home's orientation, local climate, and specific energy goals. Double glazing is generally effective for most New Zealand conditions, offering significant improvements in heat retention and noise reduction.
Triple glazing, while more expensive, provides unparalleled insulation, making it ideal for homes in colder regions or those seeking the pinnacle of energy efficiency. It’s what has always traditionally been used in passive homes globally. Luckily, with brilliant modelling, we can now advise you on where you need to use triple glazing to achieve Passive Home standards and where high quality modern double glazing will do the trick.
The Importance of Airtightness and Quality Installation
Airtightness in window design cannot be overstated. Even the best-insulated window can underperform if not properly installed. Quality installation ensures minimal air leakage, maintaining the desired indoor temperature and reducing energy costs.
Customising Windows for Solar Gain and Heat Retention
An experienced architect with knowledge in passive home principles can guide you in customising windows for optimal solar gain and heat retention. This involves strategic placement and sizing of windows to harness the sun's energy in winter while minimising overheating in summer.
Clear As? If not, give us a shout.
We’re here to answer your questions
Investing in high-quality, well-designed windows turns a potential weak point in home efficiency into a strength.
It's not just about keeping the heat in or out; it's about creating a comfortable, sustainable living space that aligns with New Zealand's environmental ethos.
The Long-Term Investment in Quality Windows:
Choosing windows for your home is an investment in comfort, efficiency, and sustainability.
As New Zealand moves towards more energy-conscious building practices, the decisions made in window selection today will impact the living standards and energy costs of tomorrow.
Embrace this opportunity to make a difference, not only in your home but in the broader context of New Zealand's environmental future.