Opening up views, providing indoor-outdoor connections, ventilation, light, security, comfort and aesthetic style, windows and doors play a major role in any home or commercial building. Options include toughened, tinted or laminated glass, roof windows or skylights, and doors may be hinged, bi-fold or sliding. There’s also the joinery to consider – timber, aluminium or steel – and hardware such as locks, handles and hinging systems.

Windows and Doors

Windows and doors are a central part of any building’s design, especially as we look to build more sustainable and energy-efficient homes. Choosing the right window and door suite can vastly improve the overall energy efficiency of a building, and define its character at the same time. 

What are the benefits of different types of windows and doors?

Most New Zealanders have experienced, at some point in their lives, a house with crying windows, where condensation builds up and creates a damp interior. However, as our building methodology improves, we are moving away from building (and heating) homes in this way and towards healthier, drier homes. 

Choosing the right windows and doors can, in conjunction with other design factors such as passive ventilation solutions, insulation and clever thermal design decisions, result in a healthy, dry and warm home. 

Depending on the environmental and geographical context of the site, different types of glazing and joinery may be specified to suit different conditions. For example, in colder parts of the country, triple glazing may be the most appropriate solution, while in others double glazing may provide the best solution. 

In conjunction with design factors such as thermal heat sinks, thermally broken windows that are either double or triple glazed can make a huge difference to the overall performance of a home, ensuring any mechanical heating solutions have to work less to keep the home at an ambient temperature throughout the year, as well as keeping it dry and free of condensation and moisture. 

Double and triple glazed glass windows and doors also contribute to noise reduction and the overall durability of the building. 

Choosing the best type of door and window

There are so many different styles of doors and windows available, it can be difficult to know where to begin in terms of design and materiality. Whether it’s hinged and French doors, sliding doors, bifold doors, awning and casement windows, or timber, steel or aluminium joinery, the choices are vast. Working with your designer or architect to understand the benefits and drawbacks of each in the early design phase is a great place to start. Using an ArchiPro Design Board to save styles you love is also a great place to start, and an easy way to share the styles and materials that stand out with your designer in the briefing phase.