Hi can you tell me in easy terms what difference having thermally broken double glazed windows compared to non broken ones, what heat/cold.
I have to work out if it's worth the extra cost to get them and if our builder, if we ever find one will let us use them.
Cheers
Lorri
Thermally broken or not?
(13 posts) (9 voices)-
Posted Thursday 28 May 2015 @ 12:03:30 pm from IP #
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Depends on what type of frames you are planning to get. No need if wooden.
Posted Thursday 28 May 2015 @ 12:41:22 pm from IP # -
There is a comparison tool that will give you some idea:
Posted Thursday 28 May 2015 @ 1:20:21 pm from IP # -
Here is my 2cents worth. Not definitive by any means, your supplier will have more information.
There are two parts to the thermally broken Double Glazing. There is the frame, thermally broken to separate internal and external temperature effects of the frame and now recently the DGU (double glazing unit) itself can be thermally broken so that the two panes of glass are separated by insulation rather than the standard forms so reducing thermal conductivity.
If you can afford it and your climate has more extreme temperature variations it offers the best performance.
Next is Thermally broken frame with standard DGU
Then Non thermally broken frames (Better the insulating properties of the frame the better the performance generally eg Timber better than Aluminium)
There are also different DGU thicknesses like 5 - 12 - 5 etc. The first and last numbers are glass thickness and the middle number is the air gap. Bigger air gap generally attenuates noise better but when it gets too large causes convection currents and that drives greater heat loss. lastly if you are in a bush fire zone there may be minimum glass and frame requirements.Posted Thursday 28 May 2015 @ 11:13:13 pm from IP # -
find good tradies, skip the builder
Posted Friday 29 May 2015 @ 12:03:08 am from IP # -
Morbo, it's hard enough to to get a quote out of one, never mind anything else.
Cheers
LorriPosted Saturday 30 May 2015 @ 2:43:40 pm from IP # -
I see, your place is pretty secluded.
A friend in rural VIC got let down by his carpenter. So he end up ordering the frame at Bunnings. Seems they prefabricate. Actually delivered on time and fit. Maybe something to consider, prefab house? Hobart is not so far away from your place? Just get a slab poured and away you go?Posted Saturday 30 May 2015 @ 10:44:14 pm from IP # -
Lorri - in terms of "whats the difference" this should show up in the specs. ie the overall window U value. How much is it decreased when thermally broken frames are added? If a supplier can't tell you that then don't use them.
Posted Sunday 31 May 2015 @ 4:30:27 am from IP # -
Double glazed windows made with metal frames without the "thermal break" are Clayton's double glazing, i.e. the double glazing you have when you don't have the (thermal) benefits of double glazing...
Posted Sunday 31 May 2015 @ 9:37:59 am from IP # -
That's what I figured johnmath got to try and work it out how much more $ it will cost to do the whole house when we build.
At the rate we are going it's going to be a while....
Cheers
LorriPosted Sunday 31 May 2015 @ 10:29:59 am from IP # -
You can get the window energy ratings from
http://www.wers.net/wers-homeWhen my house was built, the rough figures were:
U=6 single glazed, aluminium frame
U=4 double glazed, aluminium frame
U=3 double glazed, thermal break frame
U=2 double glazed, argon filled, coated glass, wood frame.Posted Sunday 31 May 2015 @ 11:08:56 am from IP # -
Hi Lorri,
Double glazed windows are the "windows" these days. Try and get the best quality windows you can afford but start at double glazed even if they are the minimum thermally broken aluminium frames. Sealing around the frames carefully will pay off big time when they are installed.
We fitted Certainteed PVC windows 15 years ago when we built our house and they are excellent performers. One of the unintended benefits is the acoustic performance if, like us, you live in the city.
There are good builders in Tassie like anywhere else. They are up to date with their skills and material knowledge because it gives them a competitive advantage and they care about performing at a high level.
Who do your neighbours use? Has any of your friends in Cradoc built a house recently? Do you attend any sustainable building events in the southern area of Tasmania? Are you planning to contract out the house building or do it as owner builder? Doing any building in a semi-rural area is more difficult to cost and plan.
What about contacting the Tasmanian Master Builders or HIA branch for advice on local "Green Builders"? They might not be able to take the job on themselves but could put you in touch with someone who could quote to your plans. They will also raise the topics of sealing, heating and cooling your building shell as part of the minimum 6 Star rating.
I recently spoke to a house designer who was scratching his head about a client who refused to fit double-glasing in a large renovation job when he had the opportunity to do the entire house for an additional $3000.00. As he said, the future energy costs to run the house in question, made $3000 look like a pittance.
Good luck with your house.
Posted Sunday 31 May 2015 @ 11:13:01 am from IP # -
try to get them shipped from Melbourne? Or even the entire prefab frame with windows in?
Posted Monday 1 Jun 2015 @ 12:04:45 am from IP #