Comfortable Living at a Comfortable Price
Living in comfort is considered a necessity but can often be a bill eyesore. Most homeowners will admit that keeping a house warm in the winter and cool in the summer is the cause for large electricity bills. Sustainable living not only helps keep the environment thriving but reduces the cost of comfortable living dramatically. By making the simple choice to install sustainable windows and doors, the overall energy efficiency rating of a home can increase while the bills decrease. Saturne Roberts from Melbourne Home Design + Living sits down with Brett Slaney from BK Windows & Doors to explore the range of sustainable products available to clients and his suggestions as we move forward into an eco-conscious age of living.
BK Windows & Doors was established two and a half years ago, and with more than 35 years of experience, are experts in the installation of specific detailed finishes, such as windows and doors, for high end homes. As the leader of a smaller family-based business, Brett and Louise Slaney can provide personal consultation and direct involvement throughout the entire process, offering extensive after-sales services and guaranteed solutions to all problems that arise. BK Windows & Doors offers a range of sustainable products that suit all lifestyles and budgets, with a focus on energy efficiency. With an extensive range of sustainable products, ranging from budget-friendly to high end, Slaney ensures window and door installations that guarantee the right options for the right price.
IT AIN’T ABOUT THE PRICE TAG
With current technology, the variety of styles, uses and effectiveness of windows and doors with an expansive spectrum of costs is bountiful. From the basic range to the commercial, the quality won’t be affected by price. However, Slaney notes, “The high-end products are often what people like and want”.
When the products are sourced and manufactured locally, all products are tested and certified according to Australian standards. This ensures replacements (on the rare occasion something breaks) are a quick and inexpensive fix. Slaney expands on the importance of locally sourced and manufactured processes, saying, “The aluminium extrusions we use are all extruded and powder-coated here in Australia. Not only does this keep employment options in Victoria, but it also helps with the quality we are bound to. There is also a large support network for clients if an issue is to arise as it is all locally sourced”.
IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS
Maximising the energy efficiency of a home requires understanding of the client needs and climate. Knowing how a home will be lived in will allow for a more effective installation. “The first thing we would do with clients is look at their plans and energy rating to determine what products they could choose from. We then talk about their needs and use of the house to recommend the most suitable options,” Slaney notes on his processes. An example would be installing smaller windows on the western side and larger ones on the south, which allows for an abundance of light. For a home with less walls and many windows, Slaney would suggest a product that rates highly for energy efficiency.
MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE
Whether upgrading or building new, it’s important to consider the role windows and doors have in the sustainability and energy efficiency of the home. Slaney emphasises that “choosing the right windows and doors can ultimately save homeowners large amounts of money”. Considering the elevation and size of the home is important in determining placement – the best door and window location to reap the most benefits.
Limiting the use of air conditioners and heaters comes with providing the living spaces with enough insulation. Generating air flow and light exposure allows the home to maintain a comfortable internal temperature regardless of the external climate. “Using a low E glass on the northern and western elevations, depending on window size, can block out the extreme summer sun, therefore, keeping the house cooler,” Slaney explains.
LISTEN TO THE EXPERTS
Ensuring the home orientation and layout allows for plenty of natural light and insulation year-round means the home becomes self-sufficient. Able to regulate its own temperature, the home will use less energy long term. However, when not considered in the initial home build, the issue becomes how to best utilise the existing structure to be the most energy efficient.
Slaney explains the most common mistake people make when changing the existing windows is that “people forget about the rest of the house and what insulation is in the walls and ceiling.” To rectify this issue, “we would always recommend a window system that performs well but is still costs effective due to the amount of heat loss and gain the house may have because of the older construction type,” he says.
When deciding on how to make your home more sustainable and energy efficient, leaving it to the experts ensures no money is wasted and the products exceed expectations. Slaney leaves us with one final piece of advice: “Due to many years of installation experience, I can offer much advice on how to work through any tricky detail if required.” Understanding the significance and integrity required from sustainable products to maximise efficiency is the most important way to guarantee a durable, low-usage home that leaves the earth and you smiling.
Images courtesy of BK Windows & Doors
