Probably one of the most influential and important adaptations the window and door industry is being required to look into is the inevitable mandatory introduction of an energy efficient product. Already the energy efficiency council of Australia is developing what will be enforcable guidelines targeting windows manufacturers and the adequate sealing of their products, not just against rain, but also air infiltration and heat transferal. These guidelines are likely to come into use sometime over the next 24 months.

The object of such guidelines in short is to ensure that buildings from development through to production become in their nature more energy conscious. While this industry push will effect many manufacturers and force them to modify current practices to adhere, Mouldright should have very little difficulty adhering to these new guidelines as we have already in place sealing techniques to almost every door frame and window we manufacture.

Bulb seals have enabled us to seal in almost every application, all manner of water and air infiltration in areas which suffer from some of the harshest conditions. Coastal areas which are at the constant mercy of high winds, storms and heavy rain patterns, however the owners have very little discomfort associated with the weather outside until they open a door or window and expose themselves to the elements.

The use of glass and its function when designing a home has changed significantly over a reasonably short period of time. One a window let light in, and if ventilation was required it was openable!! SIMPLE! Those days are gone, with glass toughening and laminating techniques allowing bigger glass sections, providing much greater strength and versatility, we now see glass in many cases as much an aesthetic issue as it is a practical one. Huge glass sections to maximize views, angled and structural glazed sections and roofs to allow a feeling of greater space, all these things can greatly effect the energy efficiency of the building if no consideration is given during development.

Another important aspect inherent with timber windows, is that they are easily adapted to suit double glazing. Double glazed units are probably the most significant way of minimizing heat transferal and heat loss through glazed areas. Allowing a huge array of glass types and pairings, double glazing can drastically cut down any losses making your home not just aesthetically pleasing, but highly energy efficient.

Double glazing in essence is two pieces of glass separated by an airgap, and it is this airgap that ultimately makes the units so effective. All double glazed units are made to size, factory sealed and then delivered to us by Moen Glass, a Melbourne based supplier. Over many years we have used several double glazed manufacturers, and in our experience, Moen glass has far superior units to any others we installed. Many of their competitors units leaked, broke down over time, fogged up due to moisture infiltration, and then we had all sorts of trouble getting them out to repair the problems. One company insisted we drill holes into our timber beads to let moisture out if it got in before they would guarantee our units……. Of course the holes would let the moisture in in the first place!!

Moen Glass in these areas has been excellent to deal with. They guarantee their product 100 percent for reliability and performance. We install all units into our timber windows after delivery, and inspect all prior for scratches and damage. Mouldright takes the same approach with double glazing as it does with all aspects of manufacture, and that is we take the long term approach to window manufacture. We don`t build windows and put inferior glass units into them because we can buy them cheaper somewhere else, but then not have the back up support if there is a problem down the track. Its piece of mind for us as well as our clients.