The window to our future

Damien McGill from the Healthy Home Cooperation explains how we can help to reduce the effects of climate change and create a more energy-efficient home simply by replacing our windows.

Almost a year ago, I wrote an article called Windows for warmth, where I mentioned that I was in the midst of a multi-year renovation project of my own home. Well, I’m pleased to report that the exterior is now complete, including the triple glazed PVC windows to all four elevations.

The windows have been supplied and installed by NK Windows here in Christchurch. I’ve been working with Martin Ball and his team for several years, both with my own projects and through the Superhome Movement, educating people about how to build higher-performing homes, for people and planet.

Some estimates say that 80 per cent of houses occupied in 2050 have already been built. At some point in the next 10 to 15 years, the government of the day is going to make a difficult and probably unpopular decision, mandating that existing housing stock needs to be made much more energy efficient.

This is why I’ve decided to upgrade my windows now, with the help of NK Windows and Metro Performance Glass, as it will never be cheaper to do this than right now, so why wait to be told? Replacing windows also gives you the biggest bang for your buck in terms of power bill savings.

“It will never be cheaper to do this than right now, so why wait to be told?”

I believe that PVC windows are the cost-effective future for Kiwis, with European tilt and turn opening and multi-point locking mechanisms, making them securely airtight. They are of similar profile to the timber windows used right up until the 1970s. NK Windows has two teams retrofitting character homes with their PVC windows. These can be a direct replacement without changing the kerb appeal of the home.

In my home, I’ve paired the NK Windows PVC frames with a range of low emissivity (low-E) glass from the team at Metro Glass, (you’ll start hearing a lot about low-E in the coming months). The type of glass used for each window has been determined by thermal modelling, so that a balanced combination of insulation, summer solar reduction and winter solar gain has hopefully been achieved.

027 348 1110 | healthyhome.kiwi

03 344 3126 | nkwindows.co.nz

0800 545 800 | metroglass.co.nz