Window installation in NZ; the one big mistake commonly made in New Zealand

 

Good quality windows and doors deserve a good quality window installation. 

And that means they should be installed recessed into your wall; not hung out over the cladding as is so commonly done!

In other words, the warm barrier down the middle of the glass and down the middle of the frame needs to be CONNECTED to the warm barrier of insulation in your wall. 

If your windows are not installed correctly, here are the downsides that you may experience:

  • Heat loss through the edge of the window meaning higher heating bills
  • Condensation forming on your window frames, even if they are thermally broken
  • Potential mold growth in these areas where the condensation forms
  • A cold, drafty feeling when you come close to the window
 

ok sure, but surely everyone does this right? 

Unfortunately, it’s unlikely. The fact is, nearly all thermally broken or higher performance windows in New Zealand are installed the wrong way, and it remains the default setting in the building code. This issue has arisen very uniquely in the New Zealand market, due to the way the building code works,  the products which have been available, and the industry knowledge around thermal performance… and it’s time we all fixed it!

fine. show me. 

Recessed window installation detail for New Zealand thermally broken Starke52 aluminium windows
Recessed window installation detail for New Zealand thermally broken Starke52 aluminium windows
 
Recessed window installation detail for New Zealand uPVC Starke70 Suite windows
Recessed window installation detail for New Zealand uPVC Starke70 Suite windows
 

Needless to say, Stärke has a solution for recessing our high-performance windows,  known as the AMBIANCE Inline Window system. Contact us today regarding your project – we’re keen to make a difference. 

But what about the different costs?

Thankfully, there is almost no difference in material costs between installing your window right, and installing it wrong.  Give us a call or email sales@starke.co.nz to price up your project!

WINDOW installation psi-VALUE and frsi value INTERACTIVE TABLE

The below chart contains the Psi value and fRSI values of different installation methods. You can sort and filter to choose the best combination of frame and installation position for your project requirements. The data shown is taken directly from PHINZ High-Performance Construction Details Handbook. 

Detail TypePsi - W/(mK)fRSIRatingSuite
Solid Aluminium - Head0.1350.118PoorStarke35
Solid Aluminium - Jamb0.140.12PoorStarke35
Solid Aluminium - Sill0.0650.127PoorStarke35
Thermal Aluminium - E2/AS1 Head0.2080.302PoorStarke52 - Flanged
Thermal Aluminium - E2/AS1 Jamb0.1720.307PoorStarke52 - Flanged
Thermal Aluminium - E2/AS1 Sill0.1060.329PoorStarke52 - Flanged
Thermal Aluminium - Recessed to flush with BL - Head0.0880.422ExcellentStarke52 - Chairframe
Thermal Aluminium - Recessed to flush with BL - Jamb0.0840.42ExcellentStarke52 - Chairframe
Thermal Aluminium - Recessed to flush with BL - Sill0.0590.421ExcellentStarke52 - Chairframe
Thermal Aluminium - Recessed to centre of wall - Head0.0740.421World-classStarke52 - Chairframe
Thermal Aluminium - Recessed to centre of wall - Jamb0.0810.419World-classStarke52 - Chairframe
Thermal Aluminium - Recessed to centre of wall - Sill0.0690.419World-classStarke52 - Chairframe
uPVC - E2/AS1 Jamb0.0880.607PoorStarke70
uPVC - Recessed to flush with BL - Head0.0790.648ExcellentStarke70
uPVC - Recessed to flush with BL - Jamb0.0540.649ExcellentStarke70
uPVC - Recessed to flush with BL - Sill0.040.624ExcellentStarke70
uPVC - Recessed to centre of wall - Head0.0410.639World-classStarke70
uPVC - Recessed to centre of wall - Jamb0.040.64World-classStarke70
uPVC - Recessed to centre of wall - Sill0.040.631World-classStarke70
Timber - Recessed to flush with BL - Head0.0620.687World-classn/a
Timber - Recessed to flush with BL - Jamb0.0450.692World-classn/a
Timber - Recessed to flush with BL - Sill0.0470.692World-classn/a