New Financial Year Money Makeover

by Carlisle Homes

With so many styles on offer, choosing the best windows for your home can be a confusing business. Here, we shed light on the various window frame and glazing options and which ones work best where.

Windows are key to a well-designed home. Not only do they impact the look of your home, but they let in light, boost air flow and can even improve your energy efficiency. Choosing the best windows for your new home is an important decision. To help you navigate your way through the various options, here’s a guide to the main window styles, with an overview of what’s available with your new Carlisle home.

What are the different types?

A window is made up of three main components – the frame, glass and hardware. Windows come in different shapes, including square, rectangular and corner styles, and can range from slender slivers to super-sized styles that run from floor to ceiling.

Thicker window frames, such as our Boutique range of frames, will boost your home’s street appeal, a large floor-to-ceiling window will capture the most amount of sunlight, while a narrow picture window can beautifully frame a feature in your backyard.

The best windows for your home will depend on your orientation, how much natural light you want to bring into your home, energy efficiency requirements and, of course, your budget.

Windows can take up a significant portion of your budget, particularly when you start looking at oversized styles and high-performance glazing, so it’s best to think about where special windows will give you the most value. For example, you might consider double glazing with added acoustic performance features in your main bedroom to create a quiet, peaceful retreat or splurge on a floor-to-ceiling window in your living area to connect inside and out.

What are the main glazing options?

Choosing the right glass – or glazing – is crucial to selecting the best windows for your home. Up to 40 per cent of a home’s heating energy can be lost and up to 87 per cent of its heat gained through glass. By upgrading from single to double glazing (sometimes referred to as IGUS, Insulated Glass Units) for your new Carlisle home, you can significantly reduce unwanted heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer.

Double-glazed windows have a thermal break between the inner and outer pieces of glass that reduces the flow of hot or cold air between the inside and outside of your home, which improves your home’s energy efficiency and can help to cut your heating and cooling costs.

You can also specify special double-glazed that provide acoustic protection too so you’re less likely to be bothered by noisy neighbours or traffic.

Depending on characteristics of your chosen block and design, such as orientation, window location and neighbouring homes, you may be required to include some double glazing to achieve your required 6-star rating. You can also upgrade to more units, either select windows or complete elevations to achieve further efficiencies.

What are the glazing options for my new Carlisle home?

There are several different glazing options to choose from for your new Carlisle home, including:

• Single glazing: The most affordable glazing option for your home.
• Double glazing: Energy-efficient windows made up of two panes of glass separated by an airgap, creating a thermal break.
• Mettalux glass: This acid-edged glass has a unique satin finish and is ideal for adding privacy to your bathroom or front door, without sacrificing natural light.
• Satinlite glass: An obscure patterned glass that provides privacy where you need it, such as bathrooms and on front doors.
• Translucent laminated glass: A frosted glass that provides privacy and soft, diffused light.

What are the main window frame options for my new Carlisle home?

Aluminium windows in a choice of fashionable colours are included with your new home, giving you the option to create all manner of different style combinations. For a unique look, you may choose to upgrade to timber windows in a variety of stain colours; and add flyscreens for extra interior comfort. Or, for a clean and luxurious aesthetic, consider boutique aluminium windows with a thicker frame.

You can choose the following window styles for your new Carlisle home:

• Aluminium sliding windows: An affordable window style that makes it easy to let in a breeze.
• Aluminium awning windows: A classic window style that is hinged at the top and opens outwards so you can ventilate your home even on rainy days. It is available in a wide range of configurations, and provides a clean and luxurious aesthetic to facades.
• Aluminium fixed-pane windows: Use this style for floor-to-ceiling windows or picture windows to frame specific outdoor features. Or add a fixed window to your kitchen splashback to bring in more natural light and create a connection with nature.

We also offer boutique window styles, including:

• Bifold windows: These open outwards and fold up concertina-style; ideal for creating a servery if your kitchen is adjacent to your outdoor area.
• Corner butt joint: Make a statement or capture a beautiful garden view by wrapping a window around two walls.
• Timber windows: For timeless charm and enhanced energy efficiency, nothing beats timber windows. Choose from awning, bifold, fixed-pane, casement and corner butt joint windows in dark oak, rich walnut, new teak, jarrah, charcoal or chestnut stains.
• Flyscreens: Upgrade to aluminium flyscreens or fibreglass mesh flyscreens to your windows.
• Barrier doors: Upgrade your front or laundry door to include a barrier door, which is a stronger alternative to flyscreen doors that provides added strength against forced entry.

What will suit my home?

When it comes to choosing the best windows for your home, it’s important to consider the look of your home. Styles such as sliding, fixed-pane and corner butt joint windows in aluminium create a contemporary look, while awning windows and bifolds in timber have a more classic feel.

You’ll also want to choose a frame colour or finish to suit your home style. Colours for aluminium windows such as Black, Monument and Woodland Grey and Precious Silver convey a contemporary feel, while lighter tones such as White, Surfmist and Dune work well with classic, coastal and Hamptons-style homes. Dark timber stains such as dark oak and chestnut make a bold statement, while mid-tone species such as jarrah and chestnut have a softer, warmer feel.

What do I need to consider?

When considering which windows to use where, consider where you spend most time, whether you require privacy or security, want to boost energy efficiency or noise control, want to frame a specific feature, or favour a UV-protecting glass to help prevent fabrics and furnishings from fading under strong UV light