ECOWINDOWS offers aluminium windows with the lowest carbon footprint in New Zealand!
Our ECO ALU Premium series, supplied by WICONA aluminium systems, are made from HYDRO CIRCAL 75R certified recycled aluminium with a minimum (!) of 75% recycled (post-consumer scrap) aluminium.
WICONA will issue us certified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) on a project-related basis if required by the architect.
EPDs demonstrate a strong commitment to environmental responsibility and transparency. They are an assessment and verification of products and services aligned to international environmental standards.
This week, we proudly provided three EPDs for our premium thermally-broken aluminium system:
✔️ Turn-tilt window, 1000 x 1200mm (WICONA WICLINE 75 evo)
✔️Glazed entry door, 1100 x 2000mm (WICONA WICSTYLE 75 evo)
✔️ Lift-slide door with one sliding panel and one fixed panel, 2800 x 2000mm (WICONA WICSLIDE 160)
Want to find out more?
Contact us today to get a FREE quote!
Many New Zealanders are familiar with windows fogging up on the inside on cold days – a phenomenon typically associated with the poor thermal performance of single-glazed windows and aluminium joinery without a thermal break separating the aluminium on the outside from the one on the inside.
(You can read more about internal condensation and how to prevent it here).
What surprises many of our customers is that their new, highly efficient double- or triple-glazed windows can fog up on the outside on cold days. Many people may not realise that outside condensation is actually a sign of the high quality and performance of their new windows.
External condensation - Why is it happening?
Let's look at what causes condensation outside windows, featuring highly efficient double- or triple-glazing with Argon-filled cavities and Low-E coatings. Two conditions are required for condensation to develop on the outside glass:
1) The outside glass must be colder than the surrounding air, and
2) the air must be saturated with moisture.
When the saturated air meets the colder outside glass, some of the moisture in the air condenses on it. This effect can be aggravated in areas with high humidity levels, such as places near water, when in the early morning hours, the air is warming up faster than the outside glass, thus increasing the temperature difference between the cold glass and the air.
A sign of high quality and performance!
The important point is that outside condensation is a sign of good quality windows and glass doing their job of keeping the warmth inside the house. After all, if the exterior glass stays cold, then the double- and triple-glazed windows do not allow the heat inside to escape.
Once the sun has had a chance to warm up the outer glass to the same temperature as the air, the external condensation will disappear, and you will once again have an uninterrupted view from your dry, warm and healthy home!
Want to learn more about our product range? Contact us today for a free quote!
Unfortunately, in New Zealand houses, it is still common to find condensation on the inside of the windows on cold days.
High indoor humidity and condensation on colder, non-absorbent surfaces such as poorly insulated single-glazed windows or non-thermally broken aluminium window frames can promote mould growth on walls, ceilings, curtains and carpets. These conditions can lead to serious health problems, such as asthma, a severe respiratory disease that is sadly overrepresented in New Zealand, especially in children.
Fortunately, two measures can prevent condensation and reduce humidity in your home:
1. Improving the thermal performance of your windows and doors.
Double- or triple-glazing, particularly with Low-E coatings and cavities filled with Argon gas, will dramatically improve the thermal performance of windows and virtually eliminate inside condensation.
In fact, high-performance triple-glazing can achieve R-values similar to those the New Zealand Building Code requires for walls. So, choosing triple-glazing for your home will not only prevent condensation problems, but also reduce heat loss and significantly lower your heating bills.
ECOWINDOWS offers an extensive range of high-quality, rigorously tested European joinery, including uPVC, wood, aluminium and wood-aluminium - all specifically designed for double- and triple-glazing.
In New Zealand, aluminium is one of the most popular frame materials for windows and glazed doors: It is light, strong, durable, and requires little maintenance. However, the quality of thermally-broken aluminium joinery differs widely among suppliers. Inside condensation remains an issue with aluminium frames that are not, or insufficiently thermally separated, even if double- or triple-glazing is installed. Installing double-glazing in old, non-thermally broken aluminium joinery will therefore solve only part of the condensation problem, as you may still experience condensation on the joinery.
If you want to install new aluminium windows, you should know the required critical features of quality aluminium window systems. With ECOWINDOWS' range of thermally-broken aluminium joinery, you can rest assured that the frames will remain condensation-free under New Zealand conditions.
Please note that even with high-quality double- or triple-glazing, you may still get condensation on the outside of the glazing on cold days. This occurrence is not the same as inside condensation and is not a defect but a sign that the glass is performing well and does its job of keeping the warmth inside.
2. Managing humidity levels through ventilation.
Ventilation is vital for maintaining a healthy indoor climate and managing humidity and CO2 levels.
However, in winter, relying solely on opening windows to ventilate is not ideal, as you want your heated air to stay inside. In practice, we tend not to ventilate sufficiently in winter if ventilation relies on opening windows.
An alternative is a domestic ventilation system that draws air from the ceiling space into the conditioned space. But unless such systems feature a heat recovery system, the cold air from the ceiling space is again battling the heated air in your rooms. And even with a heat recovery system, domestic ventilation systems can be complex to install because they require ducting. In houses with skillion (flat) roofs or multi-level homes, it may not be possible at all to retrofit a domestic ventilation system.
ECOWINDOWS offers a ventilation solution that's perfect for retrofitting. It includes fans with heat recovery systems that are installed in the external walls, similar to a bathroom extractor fan. Our low-maintenance system is affordable, easy to install and clean, and needs very little space, making it the ideal solution for a comfortable and healthy room climate.
Contact us to learn more about our window, door, ventilation or shading solutions. We would happily advise you on the best solutions for your home.
We are thrilled to announce that ECOWINDOWS is now a supplier of WICONA aluminium window elements in New Zealand. This means that we have extended our product range with an ECO ALU PREMIUM and ECO ALU PREMIUM+ Series.
These high-performance aluminium window systems are the right solution for all architectural design options while offering the highest thermal performance and additional features such as burglar resistance, bullet resistance and fire protection.
Our premium aluminium windows are:
ECO ALU PR
This premium window system integrates excellent heat insulation characteristics and building features with a 75mm system depth. As a result, this aluminium window has the highest performance characteristics and is ideally suited to all architectural demands.
In Switzerland, a country with extremely high building standards, the ECO ALU PR series was even the first metal window certified as a Minergie-P module - an outstanding achievement!
ECO ALU PR+
Our ECO ALU PR+ window series combines a sleek and timeless design with first-class energy efficiency suitable for Passive House standards. This high-performance aluminium window system shapes facade designs that meet the highest architectural performance demands while offering the elegance associated with a 75mm window.
Due to the patented ETC Intelligence® thermal break zone, window applications can be achieved with a frame depth of only 75 mm to Passive House standard. Conventional insulation inserts are no longer needed for most applications. Instead, outstanding energy efficiency is achieved by an innovative and intelligent mix of materials in the thermal break zone of the system.
Certified and high-quality materials.
Every building is unique, and each window must fulfil very particular requirements. Our ECO ALU PREMIUM window systems from WICONA are the perfect choice for high building demands.
High equipment flexibility enables optimal window adaptation to any building situation. Furthermore, all elements are manufactured and tested to meet Germany's high-performance energy and quality standards.
Energy efficiency redefined – ETC Intelligence®.
ETC Intelligence® makes conventional insulation inserts superfluous. This exclusive technology enables first-class performance using an intelligent material mix in the composite zone of the system.
The proprietary ETC Intelligence® technology consists of three unique components:
Please get in touch with us if you want to learn more about our Premium Aluminium Systems or get a FREE quick estimation and quote.
We are already out of the door and have opened a window to the beach.
We would like to thank all our valued clients and partners for your continued support and trust in ECOWINDOWS.
2022 was another exceptionally busy year for us. We worked on numerous exciting projects and already look forward to equipping many more Kiwi homes with our energy-efficient windows and doors in the coming year.
But before we take on the tasks of the new year, our team will take a well-deserved break over the holiday period:
Our office and showroom will be closed from Thursday, 22nd December 2022 and reopen from Monday, 9th January 2023.
We wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and happy holidays and look forward to seeing you again in 2023.
Thomas, Bjorn & the ECOWINDOWS Team
Whether you are building new or renovating, our high-quality thermally broken aluminium windows are an excellent choice to meet and exceed the new requirements under clause H1 of the Building Code and to increase your home’s comfort and energy efficiency.
Here are four features that you should look out for when choosing quality aluminium window systems:
1. Wide thermal break bars
Extruded aluminium is a strong and durable material for window joinery that will last for decades with little maintenance.
However, because aluminium is also a formidable conductor of heat, it is crucial that the aluminium seen on the outside is separated from the one on the inside. This separation can be achieved by inserting thermal break bars in the frames.
Thermal break bars keep the internal and external aluminium profiles apart so that the warmth inside the room is not conducted through the frame to the outside on a cold day. Quality thermal break bars, made from a plastic material such as polyamide, should be as wide as possible (we recommend at least 30 mm wide) and designed with cavities and/or fins to create multiple pockets of still air.
2. Double seals
For best performance in terms of weather tightness and reduction of outside noise, quality aluminium window systems will feature two levels of seals all around to keep the opening sash tight when closed.
The main seal is usually fitted in the centre of the frame. The second one is attached to the inside of the sash profile.
3. No flanges
In New Zealand, windows have traditionally featured external flanges for installing windows on the outside, on top of the cladding. That’s not ideal because, for best thermal performance, windows should be installed recessed into the framing so that the windows line up with the wall insulation.
This recessed installation is particularly important for thermally broken aluminium windows to ensure that the inside part of the aluminium frame is not exposed to the outside air, as this would compromise the thermal break.
Therefore, good aluminium window systems do not come with external flanges, allowing the windows to be installed recessed from the outside, preventing thermal bridging around the perimeter of the window frames.
We can provide recessed installation details for different types of walls and claddings.
4. Internal glazing beads
Glazing beads are the small profiles that hold the glass in place. These should be located on the inside rather than the outside. This location prevents water from entering the glazing beads in the corners and adds to the safety of the windows.
In particular, with aluminium windows, the glazing beads can be removed quickly and easily, thus allowing the glass to be taken out. External glazing beads can therefore be a safety risk for windows located at ground level. Of course, should a piece of glass require replacing, especially on upper-floor windows, being able to do the replacement from the inside is preferable as it does not require scaffolding.
By choosing our ECO ALU series, you can be sure that our products meet all the above features.
In addition to aluminium joinery, we offer a wide range of quality PVC, wood and wood-aluminium windows, doors, and Passive House windows. We can also assist with ventilation and shading solutions.
If you’re in Hamilton, stop by our dedicated showroom to explore our comprehensive offer. We supply countrywide.
Please contact us if you want to learn more about our products.
After the first PVC window profile was developed in the 1960s, the triumph of these windows took its course in Europe, and more and more classic windows were replaced by PVC models.
Following their decades-long success in Europe, PVC windows have also become increasingly popular in New Zealand.
We explain everything you need to know about the window material.
Affordable in every shape
The scientific name for PVC is polyvinyl chloride. The material is highly suitable for window profiles because of its excellent thermoplastic properties and resistance to the elements.
PVC can be formed into almost any shape by heating. Due to this good formability, even individual frame shapes such as triangular or round windows can be created.
Since PVC is easy to process, the production costs for PVC windows are significantly lower compared to other window types made of wood or aluminium. As a result, you can get PVC windows at a reasonable price.
Excellent thermal insulation
The so-called multi-chamber profile gives PVC windows exceptionally high thermal insulation values.
The small chambers in the material are visible in the profile cross-section. These small cavities break up thermal bridges, transmitting much less heat than filling material.
The rule of thumb for PVC windows is that the more chambers there are in the profile, the better the heat protection for your home.
Easy maintenance
Maintaining a PVC window is particularly easy as the material is highly resistant to the elements and does not corrode, swell or rust.
Another advantage is that, unlike wooden windows, PVC windows do not require regular repainting as these window frames are highly weather-resistant.
Only regular cleaning with gentle household detergents is required to maintain the windows. The best cleaning advice is to rinse the surface with warm water, gently wash it with a pH-neutral detergent and a soft cloth, and then rinse repeatedly with warm water.
Since PVC windows are particularly resistant to environmental influences, they are very durable. Therefore, if you take care of your windows accordingly, you will benefit from your PVC windows for a lifetime.
Unique colours and surface protection with acrylcolor
In addition to the energy-related advantages, PVC windows also offer a great choice of colours.
An enhancement with acrylcolor will add a unique design accent to your house facade and significantly further increase the durability of your windows.
Windows with acrylcolor require very little maintenance and are extremely easy to care for. The silk-matt, smooth and pore-free surface is insensitive to dust and dirt build-up. Therefore, peeling, chipping, and repainting are not required.
Acrylcolor is created in a so-called co-extrusion colouring process. This process enhances and protects PVC window systems in a long-lasting fashion. The white PVC base body and the coloured acrylic glass are permanently connected. As a result, the surface of the acrylic glass is inseparable from the primary body, giving PVC windows a long-lasting finish and extra protection.
The fusion of the two materials creates a satin-matt outer acrylcolor surface that can withstand any weather condition for decades to come. The colourful acryl coating is exceptionally durable and provides the window with high resistance against scratches and the effects of the weather.
UV Radiation Levels in New Zealand
Despite their decades-long proven durability worldwide, there are still some misconceptions about PVC windows in New Zealand. Most predominantly, it is said that PVC windows may not be suitable for the high UV radiation we experience here in New Zealand.
However, PVC window systems have been used internationally for many years in climates with greater weather extremes and higher UV radiation than those we are experiencing in New Zealand.
A comparison of irradiation maps of Europe and Oceania shows that the solar irradiation in New Zealand is comparable to those in Spain and Italy. In some areas in Spain, solar irradiation is even higher than in New Zealand. Still, these PVC windows are in perfect condition decades after their installation.
The internationally accredited Tropical S Severe Climate certificate proves that the PVC material of our windows withstands extreme and higher UV radiation levels than those in New Zealand.
Titanium Dioxide for Ultimate UV Resistance
The resistance of PVC windows is primarily guaranteed by using calcium-zinc stabilisers and titanium dioxide.
Titanium dioxide is a versatile substance used in many outdoor products continuously exposed to the elements. Its many useful features include refractive properties, robustness and colour vibrancy, making it an ideal additive for PVC window profiles.
In addition to being naturally resistant to the elements, titanium dioxide exhibits good UV absorption and light scattering properties. Therefore, when titanium dioxide is incorporated into the synthetic resins of PVC, it ensures that UV rays can’t penetrate and damage the product and its appearance.
This protection from weather, heat and UV damage is crucial for building materials such as windows, as they are expected to last for decades.
PVC Recycling Process
Today PVC windows can be almost entirely recycled. With professional disposal, old windows are added to the recycling cycle and can be used to manufacture new window profiles.
ECOWINDOWS PVC windows are manufactured with a high proportion of recycled material and are fully recyclable at the end of their life span. Old PVC is processed and converted to pellets, which allow it to be reused without loss of quality or material structure.
An old PVC window can be processed multiple times while keeping the same quality.
Conclusion
Windows made of PVC undoubtedly convince with a favourable price-performance ratio.
Their affordability, high thermal insulation values and the selection of colour designs of acrylcolor make PVC windows one of the most popular window materials.
Want to find out more?
Contact us today to learn more about our product range or get a free quote for your building project.
Unfortunately, many people living in New Zealand regularly experience moist and foggy windows inside their houses. This moisture on the inside of a window pane is typically caused by improper ventilation, poor building standards and low insulation values of the building components.
Something most people might not have seen so often is a fogging that occurs on the outside of a window.
If we see any fogging on thermal insulating glazing, the alarm bells will quickly ring. But in this case, the concerns are unfounded: A fogged-up window from the outside is completely harmless and even a good sign.
Why do windows fog up from the outside?
You will only notice this phenomenon if you have installed triple-glazed windows with high insulation values. With this type of glazing, moisture condenses on the outside of the window pane during colder nights.
This occurrence happens because of the temperature difference between the air and the window surface.
The panes fog up, especially in regions with high humidity, where the air heats up faster than the window pane. This is because the heat-reflecting layer on the outer window pane reflects the thermal radiation from the room back into the room where it will stay.
High-quality thermal insulation glazing hardly conducts heat from the inside to the outside. As a result, the outer pane stays cold, promoting the formation of condensation.
Windows fogged up from the outside are a natural, physical effect and thus proof of quality insulating glazing.
Roller shutters prevent the glass pane from cooling down
Condensation on the outside of a window usually only occurs in the early morning hours and disappears on its own when the temperature rises.
However, if you are bothered by the fact that your view is clouded in the early morning, it might be worthwhile to consider the installation of roller shutters. These can effectively protect the pane from cooling down.
When you lower the roller shutter during the night, an air cushion forms between the window panes and the slats, and the stored heat prevents the window from tarnishing.
Would you like to find out more about our product range?
Call us on (07) 825 8172 or send us a message using the contact form.
Like the rest of the world, we also have been following the developments in Europe with concerns in the past few weeks.
As an importer of European building solutions with many professional and personal ties, especially in Germany and Poland, we are affected by the current events – and we are so in two ways.
As a business, we are certainly impacted by the developments in Europe. In the last two years following the Covid pandemic, we have already experienced significant rises in energy prices and costs for transport and logistics. This trend will now most likely continue and intensify.
But as human beings, we are also personally affected and saddened by the damages this unnecessary war is causing. Our thoughts are foremost with the innocent civilians in Ukraine, who are suffering unimaginable tragedies and losses.
Nowadays, we live in a highly connected world. As a result, no matter how far away another country might be geographical, we will undoubtedly experience the effects of this war in one way or another.
What is ECOWINDOWS' reaction to the crisis in Europe?
Firstly, we are taking responsibility - for our customers.
We are doing everything we can to ensure our clients are not or, at least, only marginally affected by the current developments and will compensate potential extra costs as good as possible.
However, in the long run, we cannot rule out that orders, productions and deliveries may take considerably longer and, ultimately, prices for our products and their shipment to New Zealand might go up. Effects that, unfortunately, our customers and partners would also feel.
Secondly, we are also taking responsibility – as human beings.
Therefore, we support Doctors Without Borders and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to provide humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine and its refugee crisis.
Our sincere thoughts are with the people of Ukraine these days.
What would an import ban on Russian oil to Europe mean?
Germany imports a third of its oil from Russia, which is the third-largest oil producer globally and the second-largest exporter. Many areas of our everyday lives depend on oil: transport, heating and production.
Following the war in Ukraine, oil prices have already risen sharply.
A ban on Russian oil means that almost everything would become more expensive: heating and driving, food that takes a lot of energy to produce. But also many other products like textiles, plastics and cosmetics.
Most notably, airlines, shipping companies and freight forwarders need oil for their transport. As a result, many products would also become more expensive due to these higher transport costs.
The consequences for industries and supply chains can be described as dramatic.
When an embargo stops the delivery of Russian oil to Europe, everything will become more expensive, and many small businesses will no longer be able to keep up. In a worst-case scenario, costs for the delivery of products, such as windows from Germany, will rise extensively.
However, we are preparing for all possible scenarios in this situation. Therefore, we are in constant and personal contact with our business partners in Europe to find the best possible solutions for all parties involved.
Also, many experts say Germany is much less dependent on Russia for oil than gas and coal. Numerous suppliers on the worldwide oil market could increase their production, at least in the medium term.
What’s the outlook?
Even though it is quite clear that it is impossible to replace Russia’s massive energy imports to Europe overnight, on a positive note, there still might be a glimpse of hope left in this rather grim scenario.
Remember that every crisis also brings great opportunities.
The current situation in Europe highlights our high dependence on fossil fuels, and, alongside that, also on other countries. There is a high chance that this crisis might raise greater awareness for renewable energy sources, sustainability, and potentially, in the long term, also a better building culture.
We are also getting a powerful reminder of the importance of peace and care for one another. And, despite the horrific situation, it is incredibly reassuring to see the flood of support from all over the world towards the people of Ukraine.
As the events unfold rapidly, we will keep you updated on the latest developments and their consequences for our business and our clients and partners.
During summertime and especially the holidays, we look forward to endless sun and long warm days on the beach. But these weather conditions might not necessarily feel so pleasant for us inside our home.
Unsurprisingly, windows play a crucial role in regulating the temperature inside a house, not only in the colder months but also in summer. If the sun shines unobstructed through the windows into the house, the heat can quickly build up and become very intense and uncomfortable, especially in peak summer times.
Therefore, we summoned for you several short- and long-term solutions that will effectively regulate the temperature inside your home when outside temperatures are high.
1) Short-term solutions
The following first two solutions can be implemented without any significant building alterations. Thus, there are no extra costs or investments required. The downside is, of course, that they are not long-lived and only deal with the symptoms of the heat, not solving the problem, to begin with. However, they can provide much-needed relief from the extensive summer heat during the peak season.
Keep Windows closed during the Day
This tip might sound strange at first, as opening your windows and doors is one of the most intuitive reactions to heat.
Understandably, there is a great temptation to let in a refreshing breeze when it is hot. But the effect is short-lived. Once it is warmer outside than inside, the heat creeps through the windows into the house. Therefore, it is best to keep the windows closed during the day when temperatures are high so that the warm outside air can’t flow in.
However, you can and should still ventilate your house in summer, but only in the morning or evening when the temperatures outside are not too extreme. In these times, you should open the windows to create a good draft.
Close your Curtains
Direct sunshine that enters through the windows can heat up your home significantly. Therefore, darkened rooms are one of the best ways to keep out the heat of the day.
Your curtains - especially those on the north-facing sides of the house - should be kept closed during the day. Light, opaque curtains are particularly suitable, as they reflect the sunlight better and heat up less than dark fabrics.
2) Long-term solutions
The above-described solutions help to lower the temperature temporarily to a tolerable level, but they are not long-lasting. As the unpleasant summer heat is a recurring issue, investing in more prolonged solutions to protect your home against high temperatures is worthwhile.
Install a Sun Shading System
Although curtains can help keep temperatures down inside the house, it is much more effective if sun protection is attached to the outside of the house in front of the window.
A professional sun shading system can create the perfect indoor climate and, with it, the ideal energy balance for your home. External venetian blinds, roller shutters and window awnings ensure pleasant lighting and atmosphere in the room while reliably keeping extensive sunlight and heat out.
Large glass surfaces can be easily shaded with external venetian blinds and roller shutters for optimum heat protection in summer. Window awnings blend elegantly into any home architecture and set tasteful textile design accents on the building’s facade.
If desired, insect screens can reliably keep mosquitoes, wasps and even pollen outside.
All these solutions can be easily combined and are available in a range of models, colours and designs. They are also particularly ideal in combination with our European tilt-and-turn windows as you can open your window inwards at any time without first having to remove the sun or insect protection.
Low-Emissivity Glass
Low-E glass is an energy-efficient way to control the heat entering and leaving a house. This glass works by reflecting heat to its source. It transmits visible light but blocks heat-producing ultraviolet light and requires less artificial heating or cooling to keep the room temperature comfortable.
Low-E glass and argon filling are standardly included in every window system of ECOWINDOWS' product range. This enhancement significantly improves the performance of our windows compared to other window types.
Install Solar Control Glazing
An excellent and ultimate solution to protect your home from overheating is the installation of solar control glazing to reflect incoming light.
ECOWINDOWS’ new generation of premium insulating glazing combines excellent thermal insulation and high solar energy gains with the best colour-neutral light transmission.
Our premium solar thermal glass makes your rooms brighter all year round. It also provides more solar heat gain in winter, maximum transparency, and excellent energy efficiency.
On the other side, our anti-sun glass offers even more sun protection in summer, especially for large glass surfaces. It also prevents excessive temperature increase in living spaces while allowing a lot of brightness and daylight into the rooms.
Go Passive House
The ultimate solution for stable internal temperatures is a Passive House. This type of building has exceptionally high standards for all its building components.
A Passive House creates a controlled internal environment with a combination of several components. It requires high insulation, an airtight building envelope, ventilation with heat recovery, a thermal bridge-free construction and high-performance double- or triple-glazed windows and energy-efficient doors that avoid any air gaps.
The goal is to create an ultra-low energy building that provides a high comfort level and healthy living environment while using very little heating and cooling energy.
This construction method helps generate stable internal temperatures of cosy 20-22°C all year round, day and night, while the outside temperature varies during winter and summer.
If you would like to learn more about our sun management systems, premium insulating glazing or Passive House windows, please do not hesitate to contact us today. We look forward to hearing from you!
