Aluminium windows and doors are becoming increasingly popular among home and business owners alike.
From durability to safety, these windows and doors offer an abundance of benefits. Here are our top 6.
1. High Durability
One of the main benefits of aluminium windows and doors is that they are highly durable. They are resistant to the elements and don’t rust.
In addition, they are structurally stronger than other materials such as timber, and are hence recommended for buildings in high-wind areas.
2. Low Cost
Aluminium has a much lower upfront cost than both timber and uPVC (unplasticized polyvinyl chloride).
Due to its low maintenance nature and energy efficient properties, aluminium windows and doors will also save you money in the long run.
3. Aesthetic Appeal
Aluminium framed windows and doors are also generally more aesthetically pleasing. They are used often in contemporary architecture as they give buildings a sleek and modern look.
Additionally, aluminium frames can be easily tailored to even the most challenging specifications and can be easily customised in terms of colour and finish.
4. Energy Efficient
In recent years, aluminium has significantly improved in terms of insulation and thermal performance.
When coupled with insulated or double-glazed glass, aluminium windows and doors can greatly reduce temperature loss and minimise cold draughts in your home. This not only improves thermal control, but also helps save you money on your energy bills.
5. Low Maintenance
Aluminium windows and doors are very low maintenance and easy to look after. They do not rust or discolour and you can get away with cleaning them only twice a year with soap and water.
6. Bushfire Safety
When it comes to fire resistance, aluminium windows and doors are your best bet. They offer a much higher BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) rating than alternative materials and are also more resistant to flame damage.
If you live in an area that is high-risk for bushfires, installing aluminium doors and windows is a very good idea.
If you’re considering installing aluminium doors or windows into your home, you should give Magic Glass a call. We will be able to advise you on your options and come up with a solution that suits you and your needs.
When it comes to reducing noise pollution, many people choose to install soundproof glass into their windows and doors. Before doing this, however, it is important to weigh-up your options as there are different types of soundproof glass, all of which have various pros and cons.
The two main types of soundproof glass are double-glazed and laminated glass.
Double-glazed glass is simply glass panels that have two panes instead of one. The space between the two panes is filled with either air or argon to further insulate the panel.
The pros of double-glazed glass is that it’s very energy efficient, weather resistant and soundproof. The main con, however, is that it can be expensive to double-glaze your windows.
Laminated glass is similar to double-glazed glass in that it is manufactured using two panes. The space between these panes is filled with PVB (polyvinyl butyral), a type of resin that is highly effective in blocking out sound.
Similarly to double-glazed glass, laminated glass is energy efficient, weather resistant and soundproof. It’s also effective in blocking out UV rays.
Laminated glass is challenging to install, however. Not installing it properly will result in it being less effective in both thermal control and soundproofing.
Both types of glazing have similar STC (Sound Transmission Class) ratings, so what it ultimately comes down to is price and convenience. Laminated glass is cheaper, however there are challenges with installation so you should always seek the help of a glazing professional.
If you’re wanting to further soundproof your building, get in touch with the Magic Glass team today. We can custom-make and install both double-glazed and laminated glass panels that will aid significantly in blocking external sound.
The use of Low-E coated glass has been a game changer in boosting the energy efficiency of buildings. With an estimated 70% of energy loss occurring through windows and doors, and 90% of window energy loss occurring through the glass, Low-E coatings have helped drastically in keeping heat in or out of commercial buildings and houses.
What is Low-E Glass?
Low-E (or low-emissivity) glass is designed to minimise the amount of infrared and UV radiation absorbed by glass, without reducing the amount of light entering the building.
The glass has a very thin, transparent coating that reflects heat back inside or outside the building. This helps keep the temperature in your building consistent by reflecting the internal temperature back inside.
Types of Low-E Coatings
There are two different types of Low-E coatings. Which one is best for you is based predominantly on your area’s climate.
Hard-Coat (Passive) Low-E Coatings
Hard-coat Low-E coatings are applied to glass immediately after it is removed from the furnace. The heat causes the coating to fuse onto the glass as it is cooling down. The fusion creates a strong bond (or hard-coat) that is highly durable.
Hard-coat Low-E glass is used predominantly in climates where the temperature can get extremely low. This is because the hard-coat glass allows some of the sun’s short-wave infrared energy to pass through, whilst keeping the long-wave heat energy inside. This keeps buildings nice and warm when it is cold outside.
Soft-Coat (Solar Control) Low-E Coatings
Soft-coat Low-E coatings are applied to pre-cut glass in a vacuum chamber once the glass has cooled. This type of coating must be sealed in an insulated glazing unit (IGU) or laminated glass unit for longevity and optimal performance.
Soft-coat Low-E glass has lower emissivity and higher solar control performance. It has better UV protection and is overall more effective. For this reason, it is ideal for use in cold to hot climates where it can reflect the warm or cool air back into your building, with minimal leakage outside.
Installing Low-E glass into your home or business can significantly improve your building’s energy efficiency, in turn reducing your carbon footprint and saving you money. It can also prevent damage to your furniture and internal decor by blocking out harmful UV rays.
If you’re considering upgrading to Low E glass, contact the Magic Glass team today! We can provide you with a free quote and help advise you on what options are best for your building.
Glass replacement is not just for when you have a broken window or door. It can also be a critical component in making your property safer, more energy efficient and more resistant to noise.
Read on to learn more about knowing when it’s time to replace your glass.
1. Unsafe/Old Glass
The Australian Standards around glass are always changing, so ensuring you’re in compliance with them is important.
If your building is old and the glass hasn’t been replaced in a while, it’s worthwhile getting a professional in to have a look. They will be able to verify whether your glass is compliant and inform you of your options if it is not.
Remember: ensuring compliance with all Australian Standards is your legal responsibility if you are a building owner. You can be liable if there are any issues that occur as a result of non-compliant glass.
2. Fragile Glass
If your glass is fragile or standard single-pane, it may be time to think about upgrading to more secure glazing units - especially if you have children.
Installing toughened or laminated glass into your home will make a huge difference in improving safety and security.
These types of safety glass are difficult to break so they will make your property much more secure in the event of an attempted break-in or in harsh weather conditions.
In the rare event that they do break, both toughened and laminated glass are designed to either stay intact or shatter into much smaller pieces, as opposed to large sharp shards. This will prevent injury and make clean-up much easier.
3. Energy Wasting Glass
Standard, single-pane glass is also very energy-inefficient. It allows for easy heat transfer through your windows and doors, requiring more thermal control inside your home.
Upgrading to multi-glazed, laminated or low-emissivity coated glass is a great way to improve your building’s energy efficiency. These types of glass are great at insulating your home, keeping it cool during the summer and warm during the winter without you needing to blow your energy bill.
For more information on energy-efficient glass, read our How to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient Using Glass blog.
4. Loud Glass
If you’re finding that your glass is bad at blocking out external noise, it may be another sign to get a replacement.
Multi-glazed and laminated glass are much more sound-resistant than standard glass panels. They are great at keeping outside noise outside and maintaining the peace and quiet in your home.
Magic Glass are the experts in glass replacement. Whether you want to ensure your glass is compliant with current safety standards, make your home safer and more peaceful for you family, or boost the energy efficiency of your property, get in contact with our team today!
