But calling Queensland’s popular beachfront areas such as the Sunshine Coast or Gold Coast, home, also has a few drawbacks. We know, it’s shocking to hear! But that beautiful ocean spray can often wreak havoc on the windows and doors of properties framed with metal. And the salt water borne on those delicious coastal breezes carries with it the promise of corrosion and rust. So how can you combat these evils to ensure that they don’t spoil your airy, open beachfront home? There’s a secret that we’re going to share with you, and it’s all about using uPVC in your window and door frames rather than aluminium.

What’s uPVC?

Ok, so that unveiling probably didn’t have the shock factor that we wished for. Mostly because many Australians aren’t aware of what uPVC (unplasticised polyvinyl chloride) is. This isn’t surprising because uPVC is a material commonly associated with European homes. So what does uPVC, used in homes chiefly from colder climates, have to offer Australian houses? Firstly, uPVC is a durable and incredibly strong type of plastic that is used in window and door frames. Have you guessed its benefits for coastal Aussie homes yet?

It doesn’t rust!

Why replace aluminium door and window frames with uPVC?

So why hasn’t this wonderful corrosion preventer gained widespread popularity in Australia yet? We believe many Aussies may be sceptical about uPVC because aluminium is such a conventional building material here. While it’s true that aluminium is very sturdy, it also has many pitfalls that make it far more costly to maintain in the long run. For one, it rusts quickly when exposed to coastal winds carrying salt in the air, meaning that it needs to be replaced often. Secondly, it isn’t as energy efficient. Because aluminium is a metal, it tends to absorb heat, and then radiate it back into your home, compromising the hard work that your air conditioner is doing on those above thirty degree Summer days.

Using uPVC and double glazing to protect your home from the Australian climate

Another reason that may explain why Australians are late adopters of uPVC is that this type of framing is often associated with double glazed windows, which in turn are almost always linked to colder climates. Why would Aussies need double glazed windows? For a vast variety of reasons! They’re fantastic sound insulators, they’re incredibly energy efficient when it comes to keeping the air-conditioned air in your house and the hot air out, and they can protect your home from storms, damaging winds and even bushfires. Phew! We get a little passionate about advocating the many benefits of double glazing for Australian households. But back to uPVC. Australians often also wonder where their much-loved and needed fly screens would go when installing these types of windows and doors. But the fact is that it’s so easy to fit insect screens into a large variety of windows and doors that enjoy both uPVC frames and double glazing.

Other undeniable benefits of using uPVC

uPVC window frames provide superior insulation for your home (especially when combined with double glazing!). There are no cracks where cool air can escape, or salty air can creep in. This provides protection for all of the lovely homewares you may also enjoy in your house, like that stainless steel antique plate you have hanging on your wall. If you expose metal items such as this to a constant sea breeze, you’ll find that they will corrode quickly. This is why having uPVC windows and doors installed on the wind-facing walls of your home is such a good idea.
Here are just a few more benefits of using uPVC.

• uPVC is easy to clean – you just need a bucket of soapy water and a soft cloth.
• uPVC lasts upwards of 25 years!
• uPVC won’t rot from exposure to moisture, like many wooden window and door frames in coastal homes.
• uPVC can be installed in a variety of windows and doors, from casement and awning to tilt’n’turn, bifold and sliding.

Do you want to banish rust, corrosion and rot from your Australian seaside home? Contact Energy Efficient Windows today for a quote to replace your window and door frames with uPVC!

The post The Best Kept Secret For No Corrosion on Queensland Waterside Properties! appeared first on eewindows.

The amount of money that you spend on uPVC windows will largely depend on the configuration of the window, the strength of the panes installed, the quality of the hardware, and the number of windows you are having serviced. We take a closer look at the elements that make up a uPVC window, and how they affect the overall cost of your windows.

Window configuration

When it comes to uPVC windows, you aren’t short on configuration options. uPVC windows can come as casement and awning windows, tilt’n’turn, bi-fold or sliding. The type of opening that you choose will affect the amount that you pay. Obviously, those that require more hardware, and that are complex to install, will cost more. A tilt’n’turn window is going to require more attention than an ordinary sliding window. When deciding what will work best for your home, it’s important to consider things like the weather, where your window is situated and if the type of opening you want will fit into your budget. If you cannot afford tilt’n’turn windows for your whole house, consider only having them on your wind facing walls, so that you can still air out your home without creating drafts.

Hardware

Hardware is another essential element of your overall uPVC window design and one which is sadly often overlooked. Investing in good quality hardware for your uPVC window is a must because it can make or break your window lifespan. uPVC windows will last you upwards of 25 years. But if cheap hardware is used to operate your uPVC window frame, this can make it wear out much quicker. We know it might be tempting to go for the cheaper hardware options to reduce your upfront costs. But this can result in considerable expenses in the long run, should you need to replace your uPVC windows before their time should, strictly speaking, be up. Here at Energy Efficient Windows, we only use the highest quality hardware to complement our uPVC window frames. In fact, in our casement and awning windows, we use American Truth hardware so that we can effortlessly incorporate fly screens into the window design. Quality hardware and uPVC windows should always go hand in hand.

Double glazing

The type of window panes you have installed in your uPVC window frames will also determine the overall cost. Double glazing is more expensive than single glazed windows; it’s no secret. But what homeowners don’t consider often enough, is the massive amount of savings that can be achieved on energy bills with the superior insulation that double glazing provides. As we mentioned in one of our previous blog articles, double glazed windows can result in a saving of 40% on an average Australian home’s energy bill. Double glazing, combined with uPVC frames, is fantastic at keeping air-conditioned air in the house, and the Summer heat out, meaning that your air con doesn’t have to work as hard or stay on as often. Increasing the energy efficiency of your home will not only save you thousands of dollars in bills in the next twenty-five years, but it will also increase the value of your property, should you look to sell within the future. So while it might feel like you’re spending big, to begin with, but the amount of money you’ll save down the track with uPVC, double glazed windows is definitely worth it.

Energy Efficient Windows offers the most competitive prices on uPVC windows in Brisbane

A significant part of the cost involved with installing uPVC windows is also your ability to find the most competitive price. Here at Energy Efficient Windows, we pride ourselves on our affordable price point for uPVC windows, without sacrificing quality and craftsmanship. And the good news is, even if you don’t live in the Brisbane region, EE Windows can service all of Australia! Contact us today for a quote on uPVC window installation for your home.

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But apart from adding to your skyrocketing electricity bill with yet another cooling device, is there a better way to reduce the heat in summer? The answer is yes: with double glazed windows!

You read that correctly. Double glazing isn’t just for keeping the warmth in during winter. A feature of double glazing, often less touted than others, is that it can help maintain cooler temperatures throughout your home, office and other buildings during summer. In fact, double glazed windows are four times more energy efficient than single pane glass windows. So if you’re looking to reduce your electricity bill year-round, double glazed windows are worth the investment.

How does double glazing keep heat out?

Double glazed windows keep the heat out through the use of their incredible design. Quite simply, the design of double glazed windows creates an insulated break between the outside and inside, keeping the heat out during summer.

While traditional windows are made from a single sheet of glass, double glazed windows consist of two sheets of glass separated by a spacer bar. This gap creates the insulation break between the inside and out. This gap limits the amount of heat which can transfer from one side of the window to the other, slowing down the heat and meaning less heat from outside makes it through to the inside of your home. With double glazed windows, sticking to the couch during summer will be a distant memory!

Can I make my windows even more efficient?

Many people assume that once they have decided to build with, or transition to, double glazed windows, there is nothing else to consider in terms of energy efficiency. However, this is not true. You can increase the energy efficiency of your windows and decrease your electricity bills even further with one simple change – the type of material used to frame your window.

Typically window frames are made from aluminium, uPVC or timber. While each has unique properties, there is one material which stands far above the others- uPVC. uPVC window frames can last upwards of 25 years, and will not warp or crack under the summer’s heat. With very little maintenance they won’t rust or corrode. And most importantly, uPVC window frames provide the best insulation for Australian homes in comparison to their timber and aluminium counterparts. While aluminium window frames are cheaper in the short term, uPVC window frames will save you money on your electricity bill far into the future. And the best news? When uPVC frames are paired with double glazed windows, you’ll benefit from two of the most energy-efficient products on the market!

Are you convinced double glazed windows, paired with uPVC frames are the best option for your home? Contact EE Windows today to enjoy all the benefits of uPVC double glazed windows!

The post Does double glazing reduce the heat in Brisbane’s summer? appeared first on eewindows.

Queensland named the nation’s migration capital.

Queensland has recently donned the title of Australia’s number one migration capital, outstripping Victoria for the first time in four years! According to the ABS, Queensland’s population grew by 1.7% from March 2017 to March 2018. A whopping 24 000 people migrated from Australia’s other states and territories to Queensland within this period.

Why the shift?

So what makes the Sunshine State the ultimate destination for Aussies to settle down? Other than its gorgeous beaches and sunny weather, its housing is much more affordable than other major cities such as Sydney and Melbourne. During the apartment boom of late 2017 and early 2018, concern was placed on the oversupply of high-rise flats in Brisbane, but these are finally beginning to be filled with occupiers eager to snatch up reasonably priced properties. Residents in Queensland are attracted to a less crowded standard of living, and the increasing job availability that has surfaced over the last few years in and around Brisbane.

Brisbane’s noisiest suburbs.

So, what does this have to do with windows? Well, the more people choosing to call Brisbane home, and the more infrastructure going up, the noisier the city becomes. Installing soundproof windows in high-rise apartments can drastically heighten the value of the property and attract more buyers and renters. A study carried out by the Brisbane-based startup NoiseNet concluded that the loudest suburbs in Brisbane included Cannon Hill, Morningside, Petrie Terrace and Coorparoo. These suburbs are under a flight path, making them particularly noisy. However, there are also a massive range of apartment buildings in inner-city Brisbane that were not included in the study. These unit complexes are located next door to entertainment venues and sporting facilities that frequently experience excessive noise pollution.

In the past, many inner-city property owners and renters have simply accepted that with such a convenient location comes a certain level of noise. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Offering central apartments with superior sound-proofing in stylish city locations such as Newstead and Paddington can place property developers in a good position above their competitors.

Luxury inner-city apartments in demand.

Another exciting prospect gaining traction is Brisbane is the demand for luxury central apartments. Many Brisbanites are choosing to downsize and move into flats that require less maintenance and have better access to city facilities. The Knight Frank Prime Global Cities Index 2018 Report reveals that from March 2017 to March 2018, the demand for high-end property in Brisbane grew by 3.6%. Buyers want to experience luxury city living without making sacrifices. And that means apartments in ideal locations, surrounded by nightlife, restaurants and cultural precincts, without the noise.

The best soundproof windows for Brisbane’s inner-city apartments and houses.

If you want to attract more buyers and renters to your inner-city apartment or house, soundproof windows are a must-have feature. Double glazed windows with uPVC frames are the best solution to your soundproofing needs. Double glazed, uPVC windows are easy to maintain and simple to operate. They don’t interrupt sweeping views of the city skyline and provide exceptional soundproofing against traffic, aircraft, rail and venue noise. They’re also a secure defence against the severe weather and whistling winds that tend to batter high-rise and luxury penthouse apartments.

Aside from the many advantages of installing soundproof windows that we have outlined above, it’s vital to remember that Brisbane is constantly expanding. Buildings are continually being torn down and new buildings are being constructed. Building work could begin right next to your apartment complex tomorrow. Don’t let the noise ruin your prospects of getting buyers or renters. Contact EE Windows today to discuss installing soundproof double glazed uPVC windows into the property that you rent out, the next apartment complex that you develop, or house you renovate or build.

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