G’day folks! Charlie here, and after 30 years of swinging hammers and throwing up construction sites from Darwin to Hobart, I’ve seen a lot of homeowners make decisions that they later rue. But one decision that tends to bring smiles even years later? Fitting high quality aluminium windows and doors.
Only last month I was on a renovation in Ballarat when the homeowner, Janet, took me to one side. “Charlie,” she said, “those aluminium windows you talked me into five years ago? Best decision we ever made. Our energy bills have decreased, and they still look great just as good as the day you put them in.”
And that conversation got me to reflecting on why aluminium is my default selection for Australian homes, and why it needs to be yours.
The Aussie Weather Test
Let me tell you about a job that I did in Cairns for 2018. The client, Bruce, was insistent on timber windows in spite of my reservations. “They will give the house character,” he insisted. Two wet seasons later, there I am ripping out warping, rotting frames that hadn’t held up in the humidity and tropical storms.
Compare that to another one of our clients, Emma, who’s had her aluminium windows by the same suburb performing brilliantly even after seven years of cyclone seasons. That’s the durability difference in our tough climate.
Aluminium doesn’t warp, crack or rot, as wood does. It doesn’t rust like steel. The natural oxide layer that forms on aluminium actually helps protect it from corroding, which makes it ideal for our coastal cities, where salt air can obliterate other materials in a few short years.
Strength That Surprises
Homeowners often underestimate aluminium’s strength. One for the storybooks: I’ve put in one big, 3.5 meter sliding door at a family home in Perth. Because the homeowner was a commuter, her husband was leery of their house’s relationship to the garden. It’s so unbelievable to think how strong the actual aluminium is for its weight and allows for the striking opening we have created, knowing it wouldn’t compromise on the building’s strength.
Greater strength permits slimmer frames. Stunning frames mean more glass, which translates to more natural light, beaming into your home. It’s no secret that we in Australia are fortunate to receive hours of sunshine; can there ever be a time when you wouldn’t use this clean, abundant source of energy?
Where Energy Savings Hit YOU in the Hip Pocket
Realistically, your energy bill. I don’t mind admitting that energy prices keep crawling up and we are constantly living windows and doors thermal performance. These days, with modern aluminium frames with thermal breaks with the thermal break process, whereby heat transfer is interrupted inside the frame and hence a strong thermal insulation is achieved are changing the game at all.
If you have double windows by now, you can expect to save an extra 20 30% in your energy bill. Kevin from Bendigo got his new aluminium windows installed six months before we did, and he and I had a good chuckle. “I got my electric bill, Charlie,. and I didn’t believe it, it was in error — too low! That is the power of good thermal performance.
The Maintenance Factor
The no maintenance factor is another hot selling point for aluminium in busy Australian homes. Aluminium frames just need to be washed with soapy water every so often; it’s the same with timber, only that eventually needs to be stained or painted. I still visit clients I popped into fifteen years ago at their homes and their aluminium windows still look amazing with hardly a wipe.
Compare your timber casement units, which need repainting every few years, or even steel stiles that seem to rust as quickly as they are installed, it is not difficult to see.
The Green Choice
Here is a topic near and dear to my heart , aluminium is one of the most recyclable substances in the world. It can be recycled forever without any loss of its properties. When comparing the pros and cons of aluminium, not only are you making a wise decision for your home, but it’s also the responsible decision for the environment.
I’ve witnessed many changes to the construction industry over the years, and this movement toward sustainably built buildings is one I’m proud to be helping drive. Aluminium is right at home under that philosophy.
Design Flexibility That Impresses
You can’t believe aluminium to mean boring or industrial. The design possibilities are endless. I’ve installed aluminium windows in heritage houses that are virtually indistinguishable from historical originals, thanks to traditional style profiles and custom finishes.
The magic of modern powder coating technology is that you can now get aluminium frames in any colour imaginable. I’ve done bright reds for a modern home in Melbourne, deep greens for a country property, and even custom colours to meet specific architectural needs.
Security and Peace of Mind
Speaking as someone who has witnessed more than his fair share of break in attempts, I can tell you that good aluminium frames with the proper security hardware offer great protection. With multi point locks and impact resistant glazing, and the strength of the material itself, it is a tough nut to crack.
I always say to clients that good security features are an investment in peace of mind, and that’s priceless.
Getting It Right: The Installation
And this is where a lot of people make a mistake , they look at the product but not the installation. I have observed expensive aluminium windows that have been installed poorly, not to operate as they should!
It all begins with measurement and preparation of the surface. The frame has to be absolutely level and square and sealed and weatherproofed correctly. It is not glamorous work, but it is one key to long term performing.
I recall a job in Adelaide where the previous installer in had skimped on sealing. Water was getting through and damaging the internal walls. We had to re install from scratch and the difference was incredible.
The Investment Perspective
Rather, yes good aluminium doors and windows are an investment. But when I break it down for clients , energy savings, less maintenance, increased property value, the fact that they’ll outlast bargain basement options by decades , the math is fairly straightforward.
Just consider this: You could save money upfront if you choose a budget option, but you’ll probably pay the difference and more over time in maintenance, replacement and labour costs for your electric bill.
Concluding Remarks
I’m writing this after 30 years in the building industry and one of the things I can tell you is that aluminium doors and windows are one of the best value propositions for the Australian homeowner. They are suited to our climate, they are built to last and they have true, lasting benefits.
Do not sacrifice quality whether you are building new or remodelling. Collaborate with seasoned professionals who are familiar with the correct installation practices and use quality products from trusted producers.
Your future self , and your bank account , will be grateful.
Charlie Matherson has worked construction and built all over Australia for more than 30 years. His area of expertise is helping homeowners make educated decisions when it comes to building materials and home renovations. For more tricks and tips about building you can catch Charlie onsite and at home and lifestyle shows right around Australia.
