With record low interest rates 2017 is again set to be a solid year for property price growth. This trend is making it difficult for home owners to re-enter the market after selling, which is why home renovation is set to grow again this year.

As we all now it’s the land aspect of the property that increases in value. The building actually depreciates and effectively decreases in value. In today’s market smart home owners are looking at how the can add value to their property by way of extension or renovation. This allows them to stay in the market and not run the risk of being in the cycle of high growing land prices, putting them further away from the CBD.

2017 is the perfect year for you to look at how you can add value to your home. The perfect ways to see these increases are to invest in kitchens, bathrooms and outdoor entertaining spaces.

Should you really wish to capitalize on your investment, we suggest you chat with us first before you start your design. By doing this you’ll have an understanding on exactly what our systems can do which will give you the best opportunity of creating something spectacular. We’ll be able to provide advice based on the size restrictions of our units, glazing specifications, finishing colours and overall flow.

Get in touch with one of our sales consultants to discuss how we can make your 2017 renovation happen!

Thermal mass is the ability of a material to absorb and store heat energy. A lot of heat energy is required to change the temperature of high density materials like concrete, bricks and tiles. They are therefore said to have high thermal mass. Lightweight materials such as timber have low thermal mass. Appropriate use of thermal mass throughout your home can make a big difference to comfort and heating and cooling bills.

Thermal mass can store solar energy during the day and re-radiate it at night.

Thermal mass, correctly used, moderates internal temperatures by averaging out diurnal (day−night) extremes. This increases comfort and reduces energy costs.

Poor use of thermal mass can exacerbate the worst extremes of the climate and can be a huge energy and comfort liability. It can radiate heat to you all night as you attempt to sleep during a summer heatwave or absorb all the heat you produce on a winter night.

To be effective, thermal mass must be integrated with sound passive design techniques. This means having appropriate areas of glazing facing appropriate directions with appropriate levels of shading, ventilation, insulation and thermal mass.

How thermal mass works:

Thermal mass acts as a thermal battery. During summer it absorbs heat during the day and releases it by night to cooling breezes or clear night skies, keeping the house comfortable. In winter the same thermal mass can store the heat from the sun or heaters to release it at night, helping the home stay warm.

Thermal mass is not a substitute for insulation. Thermal mass stores and re-releases heat; insulation stops heat flowing into or out of the building. A high thermal mass material is not generally a good thermal insulator (see Rammed earth).

Thermal mass is particularly beneficial where there is a big difference between day and night outdoor temperatures.

Daily temperature fluctuations for different construction methods.

Correct use of thermal mass can delay heat flow through the building envelope by as much as 10−12 hours, producing a warmer house at night in winter and a cooler house during the day in summer (Wilson 1998).

A high mass building needs to gain or lose a large amount of energy to change its internal temperature, whereas a lightweight building requires only a small energy gain or loss to change the air temperature. This is an important factor to consider when choosing construction systems and assessing climate change adaptation.

Winter

Allow thermal mass to absorb heat during the day from direct sunlight or from radiant heaters. It re-radiates this warmth back into the home throughout the night.

Summer

Allow cool night breezes and/or convection currents to pass over the thermal mass, drawing out all the stored energy. During the day protect the thermal mass from excess summer sun with shading and insulation if required.

Our story starts from grass roots in a carport. A founding partner wanted bi fold doors for his house and after driving to various showrooms he was left a little disappointed. Seeing some pretty ordinary and really expensive doors, he was confident he could purchase the hardware and build them himself. Upon completion he decided to put them on eBay and to his surprise he sold them for a tidy profit. He decided to make another set and put them on eBay again. After selling that pair he thought if he could make and sell one bi fold a week, he’d do quite well. We started getting messages on eBay saying they missed the auction and could they buy the same thing. Then we got asked if we could make different sizes and that’s when things really started to take off.

We got so busy in our single care carport, that we we're tripping over each other and all the doors and material. Not to mention when it rained, we had to throw saw dust down to stop the timber from getting wet. It quickly got to a stage where we out grew the carport and needed to look for a factory.

At this point, it was two brothers that where working tirelessly, so as family do, we enlisted in the help from another brother. Coincidently he was looking for a career change, but was hesitant as the business couldn’t afford to pay anyone.

We were hand writing all our quotes and doing everything on paper which started to become a little embarrassing, and considering we now had a carpenter, a landscaper and singer it was safe to say we really lacked computer knowledge.

So we enlisted in the help of another brother who was an I.T project manager for Bluescope. He came and created some excel spreadsheets that allowed us to quote any size bi fold with a few clicks.

It was at this point where the four brothers came together and Brothers Incorporated (later shortened to Binq) was born on January 19, 2009.

Two weeks after our official opening the government officially announced the GFC, and not long after that black Saturday rolled through Victoria, the phones became eerily quiet. 3 months into starting our new business the business was out of money and we we're discussing whether we needed to close the doors. At this point we decided to tip in all the money we had personally and give ourselves a fighting chance. We got out the yellow pages and started cold calling people to see if they wanted to buy bifold doors. 1 week after that, Binq made its first official sale.

We kept losing sales because we didn't make windows, so with our experience in making bi folds we were confident we could make windows also.

We did our own research and learnt pretty quickly that learnt all that Australia had to offer. We did however catch wind of a show in Germany and decided to take the little profit we had and head over there.

What an eye opening experience, we learnt so much in such a short period of time. We went around to all the different factories in Germany and spoke to heaps of industry experts. They we're making triple glazed tilt turn windows with high security and to a standard of perfection in less than a third of the time it took us to make an awning window for you toilet.

It was as this point we decided if we were going to successfully manufacture in Australia we would have to adopt the Germans design and mentality. We also realized that we may have the opportunity to completely revolutionize the window and door industry in Australia. This became our driving force; “To raise the standard in the industry by offering our customer unequivocal excellence in product and service and honest prices”.

After getting back from Germany we decided that if we we're going to do it, we had to do it properly and decided to start investing heavily in design, software, machinery and processes. The Germans also told us off for a few things and couldn't comprehend how backward the industry was in Australia.

So with all the research we did, we identified what our niche was. That was offering competitively priced timber products that provided higher energy ratings with a low maintenance option backed up by a 10 year warranty.

Fast forward to now. We have outgrown our factories 3 times over and now located in a 2000m2 factory in Chelsea Heights. We have a full it system, we have over a million dollars' worth of machinery (most of which is CNC German made) and we are proud to employ 25 full time employees.

We now manufacture German spec high performance doors and windows. We have even supplied these products to an apartment building in Melbourne.

Our windows lock in up to 20 spots with the turn of a handle, they survive much higher wind loads than the industry standard and range of other benefits which I won't bore you with today.

Our Lift Slide doors are the biggest doors available. They can be over 3m high and up to 6m wide with just 2 panels, or 18m wide with 6. The biggest we have made to date is 12m.

Moving forward we are doing Research and Development on existing and new products to further enhance their performance but most importantly making these products available to all sectors of the market from Architectural one of homes to first home buyers…………

Why do we do this? Because Australia deserves better!

Let’s firstly start with our timber. Victorian Ash when it is Kiln Dried is a Class 3 timber. Definitely much more durable than the likes of Pine or Douglas Fir. The timber is PEFC and not FSC.

We choose Vic Ash because it is dimensionally stable, plus we get it solid face laminated which means we can get the larger sections sizes we need and ensure that they will be straight.

Further to that we also get our timber from one mill in Heyfield as we know it is grown in Gippsland Victoria and milled in Gippsland Victoria, then transported 1.5 hours to us, as oppose to coming on multiple trucks and ships from overseas. The embodied energy of Vic Ash is 2.0 MJ/KG which is super low and less than clay bricks and even less than Kiln Dried softwoods.

Durability is at the forefront for us and is often heavily influenced through the design of the profiles, the joining type, the glues used and also the coating systems used to protect the timber. Let’s not forget, all cars are made from mild steel and they are exposed to more severe weather than windows. However, it is commonly accepted to buy a car made out of mild steel. Why? Because cars are coated comprehensively in a controlled manufacturing environment.

Our coating systems are imported direct from Germany and so is the method in which we apply the coating. The coating system is a water based product designed specifically for windows and doors. The first coat is a penetrating treatment which is applied by flood coating the product or drowning the product in a bath. This treats for rot, infestation and blue stain (mould). We then sand the door or window a second time to de-nib the timber and then proceed to apply a 300-micron thick coating (equivalent to 4 coats on site) on to all surfaces of the timber including those that are hidden from view once hardware and glazing is fitted.

This coating has the same viscosity as shampoo and is filled with pigment which contributes mainly to its UV resistance.

Aside from the comprehensive coating we apply to our products, we also use a cross linking glue to give our joins superior strength and durability when exposed to the elements. Not to mention the join type itself is a twin slot and tenon join built to an accuracy of .2mm which actually creates a lot of glue surface area.

Further to this and unlike 95% of Australian manufacturers, all our small profiles are contained to the inside surface, therefore there is no small section of timber exposed to the elements which would rot out very quickly. All the exposed elements are 68mmx78mm minimum solid face laminated sections. This in itself dramatically changes the durability of a window or door. So even glazing beads are fitted internally and then secret nailed to give the best aesthetic and durability.

The tilt-turn is the most popular window style in Europe. Tilt-turn windows are now gaining popularity among discerning architects, designers and homeowners in Australia.

Binq Tilt-turn windows are aesthetically pleasing and of high quality. This window style looks stunning, whilst offering a flexible opening option for a wide variety of buildings and applications.

Tilt-turn hardware allows the sash to tilt inward at the top, for secure ventilation, or turn inward providing a wide opening for emergency egress. When closed, this compression-sealed window and door design seals tightly to provide outstanding thermal and acoustical performance.

How the Tilt-Turn System Works

The window will swing inward when opened in the turn position; alternatively, hinges at the bottom allow it to open inward at the top. Both actions are activated by the turn of a lever, which controls all the mechanics within the frame.

There are great benefits to the two opening positions of the tilt-turn window. The turn position allows ample fresh air to pass into the room, it also facilitates cleaning the window. When the window is open at the top, it functions as a safety precaution. Small children cannot climb up the window and fall through. The same function prevents intruders from entering a room. There is simply no way to climb up the window and fit through the small opening, but ventilation is still possible.

Taken from: http://architectureau.com/

Using wood and wood-based materials in construction and products in place of non-renewable materials like concrete, metal, brick and plastic could lead to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, according to a report released by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

The July 2016 report, titled Forestry for a low-carbon future: Integrating forests and wood products in climate change strategies, has highlighted the important role that green or resource-efficient wood-based buildings will play in the transition to a sustainable built environment while delivering economic benefits.

In 2010, the building sector was responsible for about 32 percent of global energy consumption, 19 percent of energy-related CO2 emissions and 51 percent of global electricity consumption, according to the findings of the report.

The report says increasing the use of wood in construction and building products will result in lowering greenhouse gas emissions because of wood’s ability to store carbon, and because of the low level of emissions released during the industrial processing of wood compared to manufacturing other materials such as cement and steel.

In Australia, the report says, “the average use of wood products per unit of floor area […] has notably decreased significantly over time. Potential therefore exists increased mitigation benefits through increased use of wood products in buildings.”

The report comes as Tasmania is in the process of developing Australia’s first timber-first policy, with recent changes to the National Construction Code allowing for timber products like cross-laminated timber (CLT) to be used in building projects.

The timber-first policy will see “Government projects encouraged to use more timber products, which will promote a shift towards viewing wood as a first choice for construction, interior design and daily living.”

The Tasmanian state government also announced $1.25 million to go towards a Wood and Fibre Processing Innovation Program, to help develop innovative uses for wood and fibre, and increase the use of timber and agricultural residues to create value-added products.

Director of the University of Tasmania’s Centre for Sustainable Architecture with Wood, Greg Nolan, told ArchitectureAU that wood is very broadly accepted in domestic construction and buildings up to two storeys, but for buildings past this height there is generally a switch to steel and concrete solutions.

One of the benefits of having a timber-first policy is saving on costs during the early design stages. “[Without the policy] if someone does a [design] sketch and they predicate it all on steel and concrete, that’s what they get costed and it progresses beyond an initial stage, and as soon as someone comes along and says, ‘Well what would this be like if we were to make it out of wood?’ then we’ve got a problem because we’ve already designed it based on steel and concrete sizing […] so we’d effectively have to redesign the [building], which then applies another layer of costs for the client,” Nolan said.

An increase in timber use also means more effort must be put into sustaining Tasmanian forests. Nolan said previous schemes have failed due to their emphasis on planting trees, rather than growing trees.

“There [have] been millions and millions of trees planted under many schemes where people have planted the tree and the tree hasn’t survived two years. The thing we need to do is actually grow trees - planting is just one part of the exercise,” he said.

In May 2016, the federal government announced $2 million for a National Institute of Forest Products Innovation research hub to be located at the University of Tasmania’s Launceston campus. The hub aims to explore ways to grow the forest and forest products industry.

Finding opportunities to get an edge in the market and to stand out from the crowd is a great way to sell out your developments, and also to earn a reputation for delivering quality products.

We invited Justin from www.propertydeveloperpodcast.com.au to discuss how finishes can make a big difference to your next property development.

At first when we contacted Justin he wasn't sure why he, or other developers would be too interested in windows and doors, but would remain open the idea.

So he visited our factory and like most was extremely impressed with what he saw.

During our conversation we discuss why developer’s don’t focus much attention on windows and doors, how they can get an edge on their competition.

The podcast goes for about 25 minutues and those wishing to get more of an insight about us and where we are going, the podcast can be heard here.

Window frames are an important component of every window and can greatly affect their energy efficiency.

In addition to its strength, a window frame works with the glazing component to affect the efficiency of the whole window. The most energy efficient window frames are made from materials that won’t transfer heat and cold, such as timber, uPVC or combination frames.

Timber Frames

Timber window frames are highly energy efficient as they do not conduct heat. They perform extremely well when combined with double glazing, but if not coated properly, can require more maintenance than either aluminium or uPVC frames.

uPVC window frames

Another efficient frame type used with double glazed windows is uPVC, or un-plasticised Polyvinyl Chloride. uPVC frames have been used in Europe and the United States for many years, as they perform in a similar manner to timber frames but are more durable and require little maintenance.

Aluminium Frames

Aluminium is a popular choice for window frames because it’s light, strong and requires little maintenance. Unfortunately, it’s not the most energy efficient choice. Because aluminium is a good conductor, you can lose a great deal of heat through the frames in winter and gain unwanted heat in the same way during summer. This could impact the comfort of your home and undermine the overall performance of double glazed windows.

To reduce heat loss and heat gain through aluminium window frames, be sure to install a thermal break. A thermal break is an insulating material placed between the interior and the exterior elements of the window frame, which will minimise the transfer of heat and cold through the frame.

Questions to ask your window supplier

When selecting window frames, it's important to ask your window supplier the right questions.

What is the material of the window frame?

Your supplier should ensure that the window frame meets your specifications. If aluminium is selected, check that the window has a thermally broken aluminium frame.

What is the frame-to-glass ratio of the windows?

The frame-to-glass ratio of a window will affect its energy efficiency. Choose a thin aluminium or metal frame, and thicker timber or uPVC frames.

Recently we've welcomed the Lift Slide Leggero to our family. The Leggero was pioneered as a more affordable sliding door system on our European timber profiles. Manufactured using different hardware, less timber and in a more timely manner, it has allowed us to offer a performance sliding door, that has the same energy efficiency as our standard lift and slide, at an economical price point.

We expect the Lift Slide Leggero to become on of our best selling lines as it ticks all the right boxes for consumers.

We're delighted to launch this product as it puts us one step closer to our mission; 'Providing customers with unequivocal excellence in product and service at honest prices'.

What is triple glazing?

Put simply, triple glazing is 3 panes of glass instead of 1 or 2. The claim is that by having an extra pane, you will increase efficiency and reduce noise. We already know that double glazing makes a significant improvement over single glazing, but even so upgrading from single to double glazing takes a long time to pay back in terms of energy efficiency. So would making the jump to triple glazing make that much of a difference?

Modern Double Glazing

As you may be aware, the energy efficiency of windows is measured with a ‘U-value’ and the lower this value is, the better.

Single glazing has a U-value of 5, older double glazing about 3 and new modern double glazing a U-value of 1.6, which is mainly due to improved methods of double glazing compared to older models.

These improvements have been made through optimization of the window cavity, the use of low emissivity coatings, using inert gas to fill the gap, and using aluminium spacers or ‘cold bridges’.

All this has brought down the U-value of modern windows considerably, so does that make triple glazing worth it, if double glazing is now so much better? Well, walls have a u value of around 0.3, so it is clear that windows have a long way to go before they are no longer a weak point in the efficiency of the building.

What's the rest of the world doing?

In Scandinavia, triple glazing is now pretty much standard, with modern triple glazing taking the U-value of the windows down to around 0.8.

Other reasons for getting triple glazing

Triple glazing can help reduce condensation on your windows.

Triple glazing offers a significant reduction in noise pollution – so it is ideal for those living in noisy areas.

Double glazing can create cold patches in the house, due to the higher u value of windows compared to walls and doors. This problem is exacerbated by modern insulation – as better and thicker wall insulation means windows become much colder compared to the rest of the house. Triple glazing is an excellent solution to this problem, as it reduces the difference in U-value between the windows and the rest of the building.

So triple or double?

The debate over triple or double-glazing is still raging, so I won’t tell you one way or another what is best for your property.

Whilst the benefits of triple glazing can be quite significant, for the best performance from triple glazing windows, we recommend using triple glazing to customers whom have triple glazing throughout their house.

Engineered Excellence

One moment bifolding doors are acting as an effective, secure barrier from rain, wind and noise. The next they’re effortlessly moved aside to reveal wide open space – with no fixed glass panels or posts. E3 can be relied upon to add flair and flexibility to the widest range of applications, from private residences to the most ambitious store front, restaurant or commercial project. The considerable weight-bearing capacity of the elegant, precisely functioning E3 ensures that possible applications for Centor’s bifold range are limited only by the imaginations of the world’s most progressive architects and designers.

Engineered to withstand the most severe weather, E3 is just as suited to interior use where the ability to visually and physically connect spaces can be just as beneficial and the sound-proofing effect of double-glazing just as important. The benefits to the end-user in flexibly managing interior or exterior space to suit lifestyle or business are literally changing the face of contemporary building design.

High Performance results

Internal environment, operational function, durability; painstaking attention to detail and an unerring commitment to quality mean ‘Centor-grade’ performance, whatever the category. The result is a degree of control and comfort for the end-user that matches the easy flexibility of modern design.

Rain and wind

Centor hardware was utilised in the first tracked bifolding door system to be certified under Australian Standard AS2047, which specifies the weather performance required of external windows and sliding doors. Doors installed with Centor E3 and E4 folding systems have also been certified to stringent Miami-Dade County hurricane standards, the toughest testing anywhere in the world. With impressive water performance ratings achievable from both outward and inward opening doors, driving rain and howling gales can be shut out completely.

Air infiltration

The E3 system achieves its superior rain and wind resistance in part from the way it allows the folding doors to close snugly against weatherseals. In the same way doors using E3 effectively resist air infiltration to a level up to 50 times better than a sliding door.

Noise and temperature

With double glazing allowed for by E3’s impressive panel weight capacity, unprecedented levels of insulation against noise and temperature variation are possible.

Victorian ash is the trade name for two of the tallest hardwood species in the world. This Australian hardwood takes its name from the fact that it grows in the alpine areas of Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales. It can refer to either mountain ash or alpine ash and is marketed under the trade names Tasmanian oak or Victorian ash, although it is important to note that the proportions of each species can vary considerably.

Victorian Ash is mainly available in Victoria, Tasmania and NSW, with limited availability to other parts of Australia.

Victorian ash timber usually has a straight grain but may also produce fiddleback markings and have visible gum veins. It has a course texture. The heartwood ranges from pale pink to yellowish brown and a walnut colour can be achieved by steaming with ammonia. The heartwood is often indistinguishable in colour from the softwood. Care needs to be taken when drying Victorian ash because of its proneness to collapse and internal checking, as well as surface checking on the tangential surface. There is minimal shrinkage after drying. To ensure good quality boards, logs are quarter-cut, which provides excellent dimensional stability. Reconditioning is standard practice.

While Victorian ash can be used for general construction, such as framing, its low to moderate durability means it is best suited for interior applications such as flooring, paneling, high value joinery and furniture. Victorian ash is also used to manufacture plywood and may also be used for boxes, crates and paper pulp. Victorian ash is grown as a plantation timber due to its quick growth and resistance to insect attack.

Homeowners should be cognizant of the old adage that “you get what you pay for.” While aluminium may be cheaper, price is not the only factor that determines whether or not a product is a “good buy” or provides value compared to price. Here are some reasons why timber windows and doors provide better value for the money you pay.

Aesthetics

Check out any timber frame compared to an aluminium frame. This can be done in person at someone’s home or you can find pictures in magazines or on the Internet. The aluminium frame will always detract from the aesthetics of the home while the timber will always add to them.

Windows and sliding doors are designed to allow sunlight in and provide a view of nature. When conceived and executed correctly, they can integrate your garden with your home.

Aluminium doors are ordinary. While an aluminium window or sliding door can be an improvement over some older design elements, it is actually the glass, the sunlight and the outdoor surroundings that are providing the aesthetic improvements.

Think of how a solid timber frame for a window or door looks. It can be left natural or stained. The natural look and the grain always make a home look better. If you look at pictures of expensive homes and mansions, it is no accident that you will almost always see natural timber frames on the doors and windows. That is because timber looks a lot better than aluminium and always will.

Environmental Considerations

Timber is a sustainable source. As long as land isn’t overextended, trees can be cut and replanted for as long as necessary. While transport and labour of timber does create a small carbon footprint, the production of aluminium creates eight times as high a volume of greenhouse gases as production of timber does.

In addition, aluminium creates 300 times the amount of waste water as timber production. When aluminium is fabricated, the smelting process uses deadly, toxic chemicals that contaminate the surrounding land. Meanwhile, a timber plantation just grows trees, which breathe carbon dioxide in and produce oxygen when they “exhale.”

Timber doors and windows also provide superior sealing and insulation, reducing the use of electricity and/or gas for heating and cooling. Whichever way you “cut” it, timber is far more environment-friendly than aluminium.

Maintenance

Aluminium is said to be “maintenance-free,” but is that a positive factor or a negative one? Aluminium doors and windows don’t require maintenance, but they can still become corroded over time. Once aluminium has suffered any surface degradation, it can’t be restored to its original state or appearance.

Meanwhile, your timber frames can be easily maintained. It only takes a mild amount of attention to keep a timber surface looking as great as it did the day it was installed. Most importantly, though, if your timber surface does become degraded, you can usually restore it to its original state instead of replacing it as you would have to do with aluminium.

With opting for a fully finished window, this reduces the maintenance requirements even further.

Cost Analysis

Timber costs more, but the cost is more than offset by three factors: longevity, energy savings and added value. Once you install timber, the chances are that you will never have to replace it, as long as it has been properly sealed and finished.

Timber also saves a lot of energy due to its sealing and insulating properties. Over a lifetime, timber doors and windows can pay for themselves when compared to aluminium.

When it is time to sell your home, it will fetch a higher market price with timber doors and windows than it would with aluminium.

When selecting timber windows and timber doors for your home or building project you will often be required to comply with certain performance values for energy efficiency. That is – you may be asked to select windows and doors with a specific U Value or Solar Heat Gain Co-efficient. In order to comply, the window system must perform to the set parameters. It’s important to note, that these values are “whole window values”, not glass alone.

U-VALUE

The U-value is the measure of how much heat is transferred through the window. The lower the U-value the better the insulation properties of the timber window – the better it is at keeping the heat or cold out. In all cases regardless of climate zone a timber window with good insulation properties will help to improve the comfort of your home. To comply with energy reports U values must be lower than or equal to that specified in the report.

SHGC

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient or SHGC is a measure of how much solar radiation passes through the window. In a cool climate, windows which have a high SHGC allow a greater amount of solar radiation to pass through, offering free solar heating for the home. Glass selection has a considerable effect on the SHGC of a window or door. To comply with energy reports, the SHGC must be within 10% of the set value.

The Timber Difference

Unlike aluminium which acts as a conductor, timber has natural insulating properties and with added energy efficient glazing, makes it to most thermally efficient material used for doors and windows.

There is a movement in Australia that is seeing consumers demand bigger and better out of everything. These days TV’s as big as 65 inches are being used in lounge rooms across and 50sq homes are considered mid sized.

Coupled with this large scale perception is open plan living, which sees living and dining rooms run seamlessly of a clean, crisp kitchen, with an over sized island bench placed right in the centre. All of this generally overlooked a well set out outdoor entertaining area and well-designed landscaping.

Imagine having a door of up to twelve meters long that separated your internal living from your outdoor entertaining that consisted of four piece door system (2 central moving and 2 side fixed) each weighting 250kg each, giving you uninterrupted view of your beautiful landscaping and can be operated with the single hand of a small child. This is exactly what our Bi Parting Lift and Slide door can do.

You wouldn’t buy a car unpainted, would you? If you did, it would rot and rust and I’d argue whether the car manufacturer would support providing you with any warranty at all. Why should your doors and windows be any different?

The standard of doors and windows in Australia has fallen well below world industry standards and some would argue that it has actually gone backwards, and pre finished goods is an area that has added to this.

During our early stages of business in our travels to Germany sourcing new products, attending trade shows and meeting new suppliers, we were invited into a window and door manufacturing business. After spending some time there, we got to know the business and had an opportunity to talk to some of the managers. The Germans were left absolutely gobsmacked when we explained that windows and doors weren’t pre finished in Australia. “How can you live with yourselves, you’re only doing half the job”, “You wouldn’t buy a BMW or Mercedes unpainted, would you”, “You can’t call yourself a window and door manufacturer!”, was some of the scrutiny we received. The fact that each single part, of each single unit was stained before it was assembled, and any hardware was installed meant that every single milometer of the product was sealed and protected.

A lot about that experience made sense. How could we be expected to deliver high performance, quality products, that were going to last the test of time that weren’t fully finished? How could a painter onsite possibly get into every single area of the units once it was assembled? They couldn’t, unless it was dissembled, it would be impossible! After realizing this, it became evident of what we needed to do to deliver World Standard Products. So I’ll ask again, you wouldn’t buy a car unstained, why should your windows be any different?