$3k is only about £2k which isn't bad for the size of windows. Looked online for interest and a 7' x 4' window was £750 (couldn't find a price for bigger than that, but I would expect 7' x 9' to be at least £1500 wouldn't you?) And when you factor in how long it takes to earn the money, not expensive at all is it.

From what the local manufacturers / installers ( 1 to 3 man operations , not large companys ) , because the German standard is triple glaze , all the old double glaze suitable for export ( ulv rated to Aust. regs. ) will be used up before they have to import the more expensive triple glaze frames.
Germany has ceased the production of double glaze frames as the standard frame. As you can imagine the tooling up for triple glaze frames will create a oversupply of them and double glaze frames will be the harder to source.
Perth Double Glazing provide a wide variety of UPVC double glazed doors and windows. For retaining warmth in the cooler months, reducing heat penetration in the warmer periods and perfect for noise reduction. We can supply and fit or simply supply ou

At the moment there is years and years supply of Kommerling double glaze frames so where the price will go .......!
I had 13 dg retro fitted for $20k ( up to 3.25m wide )

Well it is very easy to look on the internet and find an expensive window, I dont think £750 would be the usual price for a window that size, closer to half that. I just did a quick quote for one window 2 metres square and it was £385. You are also assuming everyone in Australia earns more than they do here judging by your last comment

Sorry, I did look at wooden windows since that was what you mentioned. £385 for 6'8"x 6'8"is a good price. I get that not everyone earns more here than UK, I don't but a lot do so has to be considered as well.

I meant that I could get actual timber windows made for a fraction of the cost of the plastic ones in Australia. Indeed, a lot dont earn more so you cant really take that into account.

True - still can't find anyone online that can do 2m x 2m for £385 fitted - even wickes price is higher and that is DIY. Whoever you got that price with it's a bargain

It didnt say fitted to be fair. I wouldnt pay for for fitting as I do all that stuff myself.

Still a good price - as I said even Wickes was higher which usually manage good prices on diy - and they couldn't do the size!

I actually think I could do it for less, I have become friendly with a glazier in Hereford as I use a bit of glass in my job. It is quite amazing just how cheap glass is and the plastic frames arent expensive either. Wickes are good but I dont usually bother using them for more 'specialised' stuff.

A double glazed unit though isn't just 2 panes of glass. You need to make the sealed unit spacing the glass and removing the air.

Not exactly difficult (look at all those back street double glazing merchants) and quite quick to do. They have a machine.

Should be noted that many Oz 'double glazed' units are just two lumps of glass - no sealed unit, no smarts. I'm guessing that caroline's units are like this, since I don't think you can have venetian blinds in the unit and keep a necessary seal.

You could be right - more like secondary glazing then.

It is possible to do blinds inside sealed units - but you need to use magnets to bridge the seal gap - and judging by the general standard in Oz, where Argon fills are a 'neat idea', I'm not convinced they would do so.

Personally I'd put blinds outside the double glaze units.

Maybe when/if Victoria moves to requiring 7 stars on all new builds double glazing will get the kick it needs here.

Think the energy saving requirements was why I was told they are putting it in new builds here - again can't verify that as not looked at new builds.

Currently they have to hit '6 star' in some states (5 in others, ahem) and I think they can manage that without double glazing, just.

If Victoria moved to 7-stars, that would mean double glazing and proper insulation - which would then probably kick start proper double glazing in Oz as a whole. And the best chance of that happening is for the greens to have the balance of power come Nov....