Triple-glazed UPVC windows are an integral component of one of Australia’s first certified passive houses. Recognised with a Good Design Award® earlier this year, the SuperPod® project takes a comprehensive approach to building design. International Passive House is touted as the best energy standard to combat climate change with optimum indoor comfort.

The standard calls for a cohesive building envelope, using quality components that work together effectively to enhance energy efficiency and ventilation. The success of the SuperPod® project is based on a combination of triple-glazed UPVC windows, a three-fold increase in insulation over legal requirements and ventilation at a rate of 0.6 air changes per hour at 50 pascals.

uPVC window frames are a unique construction alternative that offer proven durability and performance.

PVC is an incredibly versatile polymer used for a vast range of building products from potable water pressure pipes to power cables and hygienic hospital flooring. The ‘u’ in uPVC simply means un-plasticised PVC (polyvinyl chloride). It means the polymer is in a hard, rigid form rather than flexible or soft.

uPVC is an ideal material for long-lasting, low maintenance, thermally efficient windows. It is these key features that have led to uPVC windows being the most popular choice in Europe and America for decades. In Australia, they have been in use for around 25 years. But it is only more recently that their popularity has started to grow as homeowners and builders alike are looking for better products and materials to construct more energy efficient homes.

Unlike alternative, traditional materials for frames, uPVC is water and salt resistant and thermally non-conductive so it can withstand the extremes of heat, cold, wind, rain, and snow without problems of warping, corroding, rotting, peeling, chipping or flaking. uPVC provides an all-round, more durable option.

This makes uPVC windows low maintenance and easy to maintain. Although most popular as white profiles, they are available in a variety of modern colours. Whether white or coloured, uPVC window frames won’t need painting or sealing, significantly reducing maintenance over their life time. They can be easily cleaned with water and detergent.

Quality Australian suppliers and fabricators of uPVC windows comply with the Australian Standard for windows (AS2047) which stipulates uPVC frames must have testing certificates that demonstrate compliance with high UV conditions. This gives consumers extra confidence that they can resist the harsh Australian sun, meaning uPVC windows are a tough, durable, and sustainable window option that deliver a high level of energy efficiency and performance.

One important factor in the now well established position of uPVC windows in Europe and the US, has been their recognised ease of maintenance.

uPVC windows do not rot, warp, peel or chip. Over their service life, you won’t need to repaint or re-seal the frames, significantly reducing maintenance and your time. They require only an occasional wipe down for appearance purposes and are easily cleaned with water and detergent.

Windows are intended to be exposed to the elements, including wind, rain and UV light and so, like other materials, uPVC window frames are designed to withstand the weather and remain durable. In Europe and the US, across a range of climates, they have a proven 40 year expected life span, over which time, some limited, superficial changes can occur, such as a loss of gloss on the surface finish of the frame.

In Australia, quality uPVC profiles use a special formulation designed for the high UV experienced here and in some other parts of the world. Quality uPVC profiles should not discolour under exposure to the Australian summer sun. To provide greater confidence to consumers about the durability of uPVC windows in Australian conditions, the uPVC Windows Alliance members are developing an Industry Code of Practice with stringent testing requirements for weather resistance and colour retention.

Typical uPVC frames are white or light coloured. However, a wide range of colours or a timber-look can be provided by the addition of durable laminated foils to the profile. These foils are also available in high UV-resistant formulations and usually have manufacturers’ warranties as to their life spans.

As urbanisation continues to grow and our cities’ growth corridors are frequently located along major transport routes, buildings will increasingly need to be built or retrofitted to reduce the effect of nearby traffic noise. This can be done through improving insulation of walls and/or windows.

Double glazing windows is one of the most effective barriers against unwanted outside sound, and when combined with uPVC window frames, can reduce perceived noise by up to 80 percent, or as much as 45 decibels.

The science of noise abatement is based upon the interruption of noise travelling from the noise source to a particular receptor, for example the most exposed façade of a nearby building. Sound is measured in Decibels (dB) with a logarithmic unit, such that a 20dB noise is actually 10 times louder than a 10dB noise. Therefore, reducing noise by as much as 45 decibels will have a huge impact on your peace and quiet at home or in your office.

It sounds simple, but the requirements for effective, acoustic insulation are demanding. An effective acoustic barrier needs to be a continuous face to the noise source with certified sound transmission loss capabilities. Double glazing achieves this by accommodating a variety of glass thickness and types allowing the window unit to reach high acoustic control requirements. Using two (or more) layers of glazing increases noise reduction at most frequencies, but by how much also depends on the space between the two panes. Sound insulation is improved further with larger air spaces between the glazing units, from about 20 to 100 mm. Combine this double-glazing with an effective barrier frame material such as uPVC and excellent acoustic insulation is provided by the whole window unit.

uPVC windows can be readily retrofitted to provide an effective, low maintenance yet highly durable noise barrier. Ongoing exposure to loud noises – like outside traffic, overhead planes or noisy neighbours – can continually disrupt concentration and increase general stress levels. Noise reductions of up to 40-45dB may improve sleep, decrease stress, improve a work environment and concentration, and add re-sale value to your home.