#212 – Buying Australian Made | Things Bogans Like

All outlined clear as day in the bogan handbook.

I don't normally buy the Australian Conditions thing - I think most of the time it's just a bunch of pipe designed to get people to buy overly expensive products.

I suspect that in the case of UPVC window frames though, you would want to make sure that they were UV rated suitable for Australia, else they may fade, discolour and crack over time, and look rubbish.

If I were importing units, I think I would probably opt for wooden frame double glazed ones, as they can at least be maintained, though they do struggle to hold a vacuum between the panes.


S

It's about economies of scale. DG is not common in Australia (it should be but it's not - a debate for another thread). If it was it would be cheaper. In the UK it is very common, creating lots of supply, therefore is very cheap

Look at the things that are cheaper in Australia - consumer electronics, many new cars, 4x4s etc. They are common and there is a lot of competition to provide them

Facts that don't fit into your agenda but there it is

You may have a point about the UV and would need to be careful if importing from Europe

5-6 years ago we had some wooden doors and windows installed. Some of them face the sun all day and the frames are now beginning to look a bit tatty, but a sanding down and a recoat with a high quality stain will have them looking as good as new again

Yeah, exactly right - the maintenance would be higher, but you can at least do it without needing to replace the entire unit.


S

We know that it isn't about being cost effective, but for us, the insulation, noise dampening properties and reduction of windows that run with water promoting mould growth outweighs the financial cost.

We have just discovered that the eaves are made of asbestos!! B*gger.

Also that the window they have started installing in our bedroom has a huge scratch on the frame, so they have to order another one which will take 10 weeks to come. Having ordered the windows in May initially, we are not terribly impressed. We have a broken frame held in with expanding foam and exposed brick and plaster where the architrave would go.


At least it isn't winter.................................

Whilst I agree with you about UV stabilisation of UPVC frames; I also think that the UPVC used here is probably the same stuff used in the UK. It would certainly be possible to check - and spec stuff that won't discolour in the sun.

For the good performance I think you need the UPVC stuff. Mind, aren't the units sealed; so it should matter what the frame is made of except for bridging.

I'd like to see one that can hold a vacuum .....

Apparently triple glazed units are best for noise - basically you can tune different gaps between the three panes and different thickness of glass to mean the sound isolation is improved over double.

Vacuum between the layers of glass! I think the new ones are sealed, which is why you can lay them into wooden frames now. When you used to have to fit two panes into the wooden frame, it was rubbish, as the insulation wasn't as good, and they often condensated inside...


S

I found the most effective method of noise reduction was to shoot my neighbour, a relatively painless but permanent solution.

Any double glazed unit worth the name should be a sealed unit. Argon is used as the inert gas, although Krypton finds favour today.

Ahh, but then you get the problem of the smell from under the patio.

It would probably take you 15 years worth of energy bills and dehumidifying to pay this cost back.

On the other hand double glazing makes a house cosy and that in itself is priceless.

If noise reduction is your thing but you can't afford double glazing, then you could try what I did back in the UK. We had a neighbour whose dog would be howling and whining all night in his back garden, had a real gut full of it in the end. So I did the unthinkable after loads of un headed complaints, I kidnapped his dog and put it in my back garden. He soon changed his tune with the boot on the other foot.

We have uPVC double glazing - I built my house with it and it cost about 10% of the total build cost. The profiles come from America and are better than anything you got in the UK 10 years ago (may be better now?) But they are of course significantly more expensive.

We don't just benefit from the temperature barrier, but from the sound and draught barrier as well.

I lecture on Owner Building and am a strong advocate for uPVC double glazing, followed by timber, with aluminium being the worst type for heat transfer. I have educated a significant number of Australians on the benefits!

One thing to watch for is that a lot of Australian made "Double Glazing" is just two panes of glass squashed into a frame that was designed to take one. Unless the gap between the panes of glass is 12 - 18mm, don't bother. Some window companies have only a 6mm gap, may as well have single glazing.

BB

Yes all the plastic used is UV stabilised and will last a lifetime in any climate anywhere in the world.
The frame material doesnt matter as you say it is a self contained sealed unit.
I really cant believe the cost of these things in Australia, as I said no wonder they arent popular.

Could be a cheeky import business opportunity here then, particularly as they said it was going to be 10 weeks to get the replacement for the broken one - You could easily source and ship one from the UK in that time, for a fraction of the cost...

I only mentioned the UV stability as the UPVC windows on my house in Leicester went very yellow with age, and the plastic became quite brittle - though I imagine the technology is much better now.


S