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The importance of windows in the sustainable design toolkit

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Windows is toolkit

From roof colour to insulation, from appliances to landscaping, all the material selections made in a project form a part of the build’s overall sustainability.

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Architects and Building Designers are tasked with the most important objectives; managing client expectations, design intent, – and of course budget all within site parameters and building compliance.

When it comes to achieving or exceeding a 7-star energy rating as part of the National Construction Code, few of these choices offer as much scope for variation and flexibility as the selection and application of window and door systems as a major component of the thermal envelope of the building.

Well specified windows and doors can be the difference between a thermally efficient design which comes in on budget versus an over engineered, high performing build that can confuse the most experienced specifier and possibly exceed budget – perhaps unnecessarily.

Thermally broken windows have long held the title of one of the most energy efficient solutions by offering the broadest application for use. By insulating the pathway for thermal transmission through the window frame, it’s a clever way to make the most from the durability of aluminium while reducing its conductivity – but extra components inevitably mean more assembly and a comparatively higher price tag.

So, is there a cost-efficient way to maximise energy gains, while maintaining strength and design flexibility without turning to thermally broken windows?

That’s a question both asked and answered by leading supplier of aluminium windows and doors, AWS (Architectural Window Systems). This fundamental question was asked over 10 years ago and it led to the development of a more cost effective, energy efficient solution which also offers a contemporary design aesthetic in the current market.

Cue ComfortEDGE™

ComfortEDGE is an elegant, double-glazed solution for residential applications that rivals the energy efficiency of thermally broken products. Its embedded frames provide a sleek design comprising fewer components than thermally broken counterparts, making it a cost-effective, wholly Australian made option for Australian projects. ComfortEDGE recognises that clever design doesn’t have to be complicated, and skilfully minimises the amount of exposed frame by embedding into the timber reveal, insulating against the environment to improve energy efficiency and thermal comfort.

ComfortEDGE truly is the perfect meeting point of form and functionality. It’s stylish and high performing, with U Values as low as 1.9 – placing you in the best position to meet 7-star energy provisions while keeping your budgeton track.

Back to weighing up your options… How will you know if ComfortEDGE is right for your project?

AWS recommends consulting your specification expert early in the design process, taking a holistic approach to build sustainably and to meet energy compliance on budget. For designers looking to harness the vast possibilities afforded by Australian designed and manufactured architectural windows, give your AWS specifier team member a call and reap the rewards. (AWS 1300 026 189)

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Beyond the metal

AWS is pleased to announce our partnership with Greenfleet to 100% offset the carbon emissions of our fleet’s freight movements.

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In recent years and with good reason, much emphasis globally has been placed on reducing the reliance on coal generated electricity to refine alumina and smelt it into aluminium.

Architectural Window Systems (AWS) has long been known for amplifying environmental splendour through our innovative, window, door and framing solutions, and in more recent years we have led the development of class leading aluminium systems to reduce energy consumption and improve thermal efficiency.

AWS sources its aluminium extrusions exclusively from INEX. INEX operates three extrusion plants in Oceania, with two in Australia and one in New Zealand. In 2022, 55% of the primary aluminium billet used by INEX in Australia, to produce aluminium extrusions was classified “low carbon.”

AWS is pleased to be part of an industry that is championing positive climate action, but acknowledge the responsibility for carbon reduction cannot be placed wholly on the materials we use.

At AWS we are taking a ‘whole of process approach’ to our commitment to carbon reduction. We are continually evaluating and improving our processes and material application to reduce our carbon footprint.

We are not just another aluminium supplier, but a reliable, full-service business partner that creates exceptional long-term value for our customers, employees, and business partners. Our distribution network covers the whole of Australia, and we track our fleet with satellite accuracy.

AWS is pleased to announce our partnership with Greenfleet, an environmental not-for-profit organisation focused on protecting our climate by restoring our forests, to 100% offset the carbon emissions of our distributions fleet’s freight movements. Every AWS truck, every time.

In addition to this, AWS has established a one hectare Company Forest in Ledcourt, Victoria. We are committed to making an impact towards protecting our environment, restoring biodiverse ecosystems, and re-connecting habitat for wildlife, including many endangered species. The AWS Forest is legally protected for 100 years, allowing it to grow into a self-sustaining ecosystem that will thrive beyond this century. 

The beauty of aluminium is that it “lives on”, through its ability to be infinitely recycled, and at AWS we are committed to making sure our climate stability and native forests have the same opportunity.

For more information on AWS sustainability initiatives please contact Angela Bevitt-Parr, National Marketing Manager – marketing@awsaustralia.com.au

THE_MUSE_BLOCK_BANNER

Maximising energy efficiency with glazing technology

With so much focus on the new residential energy provisions under the National Construction Code (NCC) it’s timely to be reminded that energy efficient housing design is not solely reliant on material selection. 

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In many instances, achieving a 7 Star energy rating on new projects will lead to higher specified materials, and the inevitable upfront cost that comes with it. The question is, how can this be managed effectively, providing value to the homeowner while meeting or exceeding the sustainability targets?

Glazing and windows play a unique part in the design process. Their position, size relative to the overall façade, placement on the façade, and orientation can be leveraged against the natural attributes of the build site to reduce energy consumption for the life of the home maximising thermal comfort, while at the same time inviting the beauty of the surrounding environment to be the ‘hero’. 

Understanding the climate zone requirements (there are 8 climate zones in Australia) of the build site is a critical first step in finding balance and guiding the window and door specification.

Take for example Sydney, the coastal northern suburbs, eastern suburbs and southern suburbs are located in climate zone 5, meaning ‘warm temperate’. While only 25 kms away from Sydney CBD, Parramatta and the greater west finds itself located in climate zone 6, ‘mild temperate’. Further west, on the other side of the Blue Mountains, Lithgow is located within Climate zone 7 – ‘cool temperate’. *Source Australian Building Codes Board ABCB. 

The climate zone dictates the overarching U value requirements of your glazing in accordance with your homes overall energy rating. The U value being the measure of the insulating capacity of the glass. This represents how quickly heat from hot air (not direct sunlight) will pass through the window as a whole (the glass and frame together). Under NatHERS, the U Value is then weighted against the solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) to arrive at the final glazing specification. 

High solar heat gain is important for cool climates, aiming to reduce heat loss from the interior and allow solar heat through in the winter.  Conversely, low solar heat gain is important for hot climates. 

Traditionally, achieving a  low U value would be associated with thermally broken window systems such as ThermalHEART™ from AWS. This thermally broken system uses a structural, polyamide strip to connect the internal and external frame sections to reduce heat transfer across the profile. This breaks the path for heat energy to be transferred, or conducted, through the window frame. When combined with double glazing, particularly low-e double glazing, thermal efficiency can be increased by up to 32%. 

Is there anything to rival the efficiency of thermally broken systems? 

At Architectural Window Systems (AWS) our designers are always focused on providing design flexibility through product innovation. 

This led to the development of our embedded frame technology known as ComfortEDGE™.

ComfortEDGE™ delivers outstanding energy efficiency by using the timber reveal as a natural insulating barrier between the interior and exterior building envelope for heavily reduced thermal transmission of heat and cold. Architectural homes now have a design alternative that does not compromise energy efficiency. 

The double-glazed range boasts a minimalist, slim-line look, while at the same time has fewer components and less aluminium than a thermally broken system. ComfortEDGE™ delivers superior thermal performance and occupant comfort, at a more accessible price. 

Specify once and get it right. Involve your energy assessor early in the process and consider all the natural attributes of the site to maximise your efficiency while keeping control of the budget. 

For more information and advice on any AWS product visit www.awsaustralia.com.au/specifyaws or call 1300 026 189. 

low-carbon-aluminium

Low carbon aluminium – business as usual for AWS

At present, primary aluminium, or aluminium produced from mined bauxite that is then refined into alumina and smelted into aluminium, is an electricity-intensive raw material. 

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In fact, globally the aluminium industry contributes 2% of greenhouse gas emissions—equivalent to about 1.1 billion tons of carbon dioxide (CO2).(1)

However, demand for aluminium is expected to grow, in part, due to its lightweight quality, strength, durability, and ability to be recycled. Making it, potentially, one of the most sustainable materials in the world. 

The global average carbon emissions for primary aluminium production are estimated to equal 16.8MtCO2/1MtAl. (2) For the aluminium industry to reduce its carbon footprint, aluminium production needs to switch from coal generated electricity to a high percentage of renewable power. Most gas operated smelters are producers of “green aluminium”. However, to achieve the lowest CO2 emissions we must look towards renewable energy like Solar, Hydro and Wind. The industry needs to leverage new technologies to streamline processing, minimise or eliminate waste and, maximise recycling. 

Low carbon aluminium is generally identified as being less than, or equal to 8MtCO2/1MtAl or lower. The emissions are measured ex smelters under scope 1 and scope 2; (scope 1 refers to direct emissions, whilst scope 2 refers to indirect emissions from purchased energy).

Architectural Window Systems (AWS) sources its aluminium extrusions from INEX. INEX operates three extrusion plants in Oceania. In 2022, 55% of the primary aluminium billet used by INEX in Australia, to produce aluminium extrusions was classified “low carbon.” In addition to that, INEX has been sourcing low carbon aluminium since 2012. 

At present, AWS aluminium supply is not separated or distinguished between low carbon aluminium and standard aluminium. This also means we do not charge extra for low carbon aluminium. It’s defined as business as usual for AWS.

For transparency, it’s important to note that whilst aluminium supplied to INEX has been certified, AWS has not yet been certified. The purpose of this statement is to keep you informed of AWS aluminium supply as we currently know it, whilst actively moving towards more sustainable practices.

 

(1) “Issue Brief: Low Carbon Aluminium,” Aluminium Stewardship Initiative

(2) “Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) Data and Environmental Metrics,” IAI, June 2017, p. 38.

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