Wednesday October 5, 2011

Windowmakers Support Loud Shirt Day

The Windowmakers team really got into the spirit for Loud Shirt Day in support of The Hearing House.  A colourful day, although a few team members were staunch in their support of the All Blacks who were playing Japan on the same date and couldn't be swayed away from their all black attire! 

back to top

Bi-Fold Windows vs Sliding Windows – Design Considerations

Bi-fold windows offer unobstructed opening but they can have a downside – when closed there’s a lot of metal in view which homeowners may find excessive should they have ‘a view’. This disadvantage is not nearly so marked with sliding windows.

Take for example a typical Residential Series bi-fold window 2600mm wide by 1200mm high. A 2+2 bi-folding window (two panels sliding to each jamb) will have panels 630mm wide. With eight window stiles in view and sizeable top and bottom rails visible the total glass area when closed will be 1.88m². 

A Slidemaster sliding window with two moving panels (sliding back towards each jamb across fixed lights) will have panels 650mm wide (panels overlap/interlock). There will be fewer stiles in view due to the interlocking, and no top and bottom rails to the fixed lights. In the closed position the glass area will be 2.50m² – an improvement of 33% over the outside view available with bi-folds.

So this is the trade-off: a view largely unobstructed by bi-folds on the few occasions that they’re opened fully,  compared with an obscured view most of the time. For sliders, less opening (approximately half the width on the format above) but less visual obstruction when closed.

It is important that there is good communication between specifiers, manufacturers and customers in the discussion of pros and cons between these window types before final decisions are made.

Article by Robert Campion - Rob has spent 24 years in the aluminium joinery industry as a fabricator and project manager, with considerable experience in a range of commercial and technical roles.

To view and discuss your options visit Windowmakers Design Centre, 79 Forge Road, Silverdale.

back to top

Westpac Spring Business Series Featuring Davenports

Register now - three fantastic complimentary seminars presented by Westpac, Davenports Harbour Lawyers and Windowmakers.

Click to learn more: http://windowmakers.co.nz/events This is a strictly limited offer.

back to top

Windowmakers Straight Edges - So Many Uses!

In the month of September we ran a competition which was tell us what you would use one of the Windowmakers Straight Edges for - we were overwhelmed by the response, and range, of ideas.  Here are just some of them.

• Displaying in my office to promote Windowmakers
• High jump practice
• Getting my sons rugby ball out of trees
• For vertical levelling and horizontal straightness of walls and for cutting plywood sheets etc
• Apart from using to check walls & ceilings for straightness, will be great for marking sheets of ply etc
• For wallpapering, cutting nice straight edges
• Plenty of use straightening frames
• Help with precision when building my new range of sleepouts
• Straightening walls, levelling and whipping the apprentice back into line!
• Make nice straight walls, as a skillsaw guide to cut perfect straight edges as well as in conjunction with a 1200 spirit level to plumb internal and external wall corners during framing up
• To ensure all my building lines remain straight and true, providing a high quality finish
• To get bifold sills straight, oh and also to beat the apprentice with every now and again (common theme!!)
• To straighten a wall
• As I am a builder in Christ (formerly Christchurch – but now the churches are gone), I would use it to get things back on the “straight “ and narrow. In Christ we are still living on the “edge”!
• I would use your straight edge to keep all my work and relationships straight up!
• Used in conjunction with my level making sure all my framing stands true and straight

We gave away not just 1 but 5 Windowmakers Straight Edges - the lucky recipients are Adam Piggott, Dean Bateman, Les Stewart, Blayne Pollock and Michael Manning. 

back to top

Calling All Master Builders

If you are a Master Builder and have completed a new home build or renovation utilising Windowmakers joinery then entering the Master Build House of the Year competitions is a fantastic way to increase your profile.

Now is the time to be speaking to the owner, sorting out the plans, getting a copy of the contract and collecting your paperwork in general as the entries open in January.

We welcome the opportunity to help you in photographing and/or writing up the supporting paperwork.

Contact debbie@windowmakers.co.nz

back to top