Statistically, the average New Zealand home loses about one-third of its heat through gaps in windows and doors.
Now, an alternative way to clamp down on that problem has arrived in Dunedin for Otago and Southland homeowners. Widely used for more than 30 years in manufacturing windows and doors, UPVC (unplasticised polyvinyl chloride) is the industry-standard in Europe, Asia and North America. Even the "Aussies" are realising its benefits.
UPVC window and door profiles are ultraviolet-resistant and thermally insulated. They don't rot, flake or fade and add warmth and comfort to your home by reducing noise, heat loss and draughts.
The 70mm thickness of the profile ensures high stiffness of the window and door, and strengthened by galvanised steel, allows for an increase in glass thickness up to 41mm. Multi-function seals made of modern thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) protect against heat loss and are resistant to New Zealand's harsh weather conditions.
LOCKING SYSTEM
UPVC doors feature a four-point locking system designed by German company Siegenia Aubi.
"Normally you have one point from the door handle," explains Simon Kennedy, of Dunedin's Weathertight Windows and Doors Ltd.
"But these have other points that help clamp shut the usual gaps in a door," he says, while lifting the handle to illustrate. "There is no air leakage at all," he adds.
UPVC windows have two more points than normal.
"You've got a continuous seal gasket all the way around."
They can be left slightly ajar for ventilation without compromising home security.
"Many people have sat in their house, especially this winter, with their heatpumps on 24degC to 26degC and have lost a lot of heat through their windows.
"With this newer product, the heatpump would have been down to 21degC," says Mr Kennedy.
CURVY PROFILE
The profiles are quite curvy and not so "boxy". Frame corners are welded rather than screwed together for greater stability. A 40mm flanger frame can be installed as an add-on to give extra visual appeal. The applications are suitable for new and existing homes, and fit ideally on Dunedin's old villas and bungalows, and, if need be, can be installed in stages from room to room, says Mr Kennedy.
The "traffic white" colour accounts for 85% of all profiles and, if scratched, can be easily polished to be like new again. There are also several other colours available and frames have a 10-year guarantee on all white profiles and a seven-year guarantee on colour profiles against fade.
"That doesn't mean they disintegrate after that time."
UPVC frame prices are comparable to aluminium and wood pricing. Maintenance is straightforward. An occasional wipe with a damp cloth is all that is needed to keep them clean.
UPVC is a welcome design alternative, with Otago homeowners already singing its praises.
