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Increase your Property Value with Quality Windows and Doors

What do you think of when you consider a home sale inspection? Generally speaking, a lot of the personal decorations that make up a home are gone, and excess objects are removed from the show space to maximise the feeling of space for potential buyers. Often, the house is completely empty.

This means there will be an increased focus on the windows and the doors, which play such a large role in how a home looks and how it functions. Potential buyers will be walking through every door and looking through every window, and with this in mind why wouldn’t you wish to put your best foot forward?

Here are some ways you could instantly add value to your home by installing new doors or windows.

Improve the Look of Your Home

Although you might not think about it, windows are in a way the aesthetic centrepiece of your home. They are the primary interface between views into your home and to the outside world. They control the light and air that comes in and also frame the views your property has to show off.

For instance, if your home has a modern feel and aesthetic, with clean sharp corners, open space and cool industrial colours then your home may benefit from the installation of louvre windows. With adjustable blades that open at an angle they can accentuate other angular features of a building. They also have a certain minimalist and utilitarian quality that is very popular.

If you want a more classic look perhaps change to double-hung windows (often called “sash windows”) to add the charm of yester-year – you even have the option of sash horns to mimic the look of the old timber type, but without constant repainting!

Or perhaps you have a great patio connected to a living room, but the doors aren’t currently doing it justice. Bifolding doors could be installed to provide maximum visibility when drawn to the side – converting your patio into an outdoor extension of your living area.

Improved Insulation and Air Flow Control

Changing out your tired old sliding door to a brand new stacking door will create 30% more opening to help open up a room, as well as making a statement of style. A great way to entice potential buyers to dream about how soon they can move in!

Installing double glazing is a must, as it radically improves the thermal insulation of a home, giving potential buyers a sense of comfort to imagine themselves in. Not only that, but double glazing can greatly reduce noise pollution – great for homes near busy roads or noisy nightspots.

Improved Security

Not only do our aluminium windows and doors look chic and have terrific durability, but they also greatly improve the security of a home when compared to windows and doors from years past. Aluminium is very durable and unlike wood it won’t suffer the same effects of decay or rot.

Bad windows and doors at an open house inspection will stick out like a sore thumb. If you’re selling your home, put your best foot forward – contact Open Windows & Doors today and we’ll help you maximise your home’s value!

July 31, 2018
Popular Window Trends in Perth
Perth is a unique climate, and requires unique window solutions. Naturally, all our aluminium window solutions are ideal for Perth’s particular conditions, and with a wealth of experience, we know how to tailor our window solutions to the particular customer and home.

We like to think that all of our window solutions offer a sense of style, but it’s fair to say that some are more on trend while other remain classic.

Here’s a quick discussion of popular window trends in 2018.

Bifold Windows

Bi-fold windows have been becoming more popular in Perth of late. This is because they have a host of great features:
- Indoor-outdoor flow: They offer a lot of width and height up to three metres, so bifolds can create a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor spaces
- The illusion of space: This same effect also serves to enhance the feeling of space, so smaller rooms will feel roomy and larger rooms will feel epic!
- The best views in town: When fully open Bifolds offer uninterrupted visual access to whatever they look onto so if you want to take in the glory of a sunset from the comfort of your lounge, bifolds give you a truly panoramic view
- Offering more than a breeze: Where other windows allow airflow, opening bifolds effectively open a wall in your home, allowing you to fully enjoy the outdoor air while inside the shady comfort of home.
More and more homes in Perth are being designed around outdoor living spaces, with the indoor living areas opening up onto these alfresco areas to create one large indoor/outdoor “room”. Many people are choosing to include servery areas for passing food straight out from the kitchen, and bifold windows are a great way to open up a servery space.

Louvre Windows

Louvre windows have been increasing in popularity due to their clean lines, excellent ventilation, and ease of use. When closed modern louvre windows are extremely secure, nothing like the old style used in “sleep-outs” throughout the country.

Given how well they can regulate air flows, it’s not surprising that louvre windows are gaining popularity in Perth.

Aesthetically louvre windows can be employed to create a style of ‘industrial chic’. Combined with mixed materials of wood, metal, CFC boards and exposed brick walls, the minimalism of the sharply defined blades is perfect for this style that avoids any unnecessary ornamentation. In this way louvres can be a perfect accompaniment to stainless steel kitchens, polished concrete floors, and industrial light fittings.

Awning Windows

Awning windows have become much more popular in recent years because they offer an elegant appearance for a reasonable price. Because they open out from the bottom, just enough to let air in and light showers out, they won’t create the mixed lines that are apparent when sliding windows are open. They are also screened on the inside, so the reflective surfaces maintain continuity providing a clean, elegant aesthetic.

Many budget house designs will now incorporate awning windows on the front elevation to create a prettier “face” to your home, but we are finding many of our customers choose them through the entire house!

At Open Windows & Doors we get pretty excited following window and door trends. Pop in to see us, or contact us here and let’s see what creative window solutions we can find for your home!
July 15, 2018
Making your Entry Points Secure – Windows and Doors
It goes without saying that windows and doors are obvious points of entry when someone decides to break into your home. While many people’s main focus is on the aesthetic and functional values of doors and windows, it’s important to remember that they are potentially one of the most vulnerable points in your home – and so you need to think hard about how best to secure them. Feeling safe and protected in your own home is paramount and the best way to do this is by having secure windows and doors!

We here at Open Windows & Doors are your Perth experts in all things windows and doors. Whether it’s ensuring safety, aesthetic value, or everyday functionality – we have you sorted.

Want to make sure your house is safe from intruders? Here’s a quick guide to ensure both you and your belongings are protected.

Securing Windows

The way a window is secured effectively will depend on the style of the window, but all windows in your home should have a way to be locked effectively. Many insurance companies require that you have keylocks on all windows, or they may charge a higher premium if you don’t! Other ways to improve security include using security laminated glass and adding security screens which allow you to ventilate rooms without compromising security.

Some of the different types of windows and lock options include:
- Awning Windows:
An awning window is a window with the sash hinged at the top, such that the bottom of the window extends outwards – usually by rotating a winder arm. Awning windows are commonly secured by a keyed lock that is integrated into the winder mechanism (which we supply as standard hardware), which allows the window to be locked in a partially open position although fully shut is always more secure. You can also choose to fit a secondary keyed latch for when the window is fully closed or fit a security screen to feel safe while providing ventilation.
- Double Hung Windows
Double hung windows have a moveable upper and lower panel that slide vertically. These windows can be more difficult to secure because of the two moving panels but can have a keyed latch attached at the meeting rails (our standard hardware). Alternatively, a security screen can be fitted to allow peace of mind while ventilating the room. Unlike many double hung windows which have restricted cleaning access to the outside of the glass when a screen is fitted, ours have a simple inward tilting function for ease of cleaning!
- Sliding Windows
Sliding windows are comprised of two or more rectangular panels that slide horizontally to open and close. A keyed lock can be installed to latch the sliding panel to the meeting stile of the fixed section, and many also have a shoot bolt incorporated so the window can be locked in a “vented” position (which we provided as standard). A security screen can also be fitted to allow full ventilation while still keeping out bugs and larger intruders.

Securing Doors

Doors are intended to be an access point, so are often the first place a burglar will attempt to gain access to your home. Ensuring your doors are secure is the first step towards greater security. Exterior doors can be secured effectively with a deadlock, and most insurance companies will require these and may charge higher premiums or not offer cover without them. A deadlock has a key on either side of the door and when locked require a key to open the door from inside or out. This means that if someone gains access to your home through a window for instance, they won’t be able to open doors to easily remove large items. Security laminated glass can also be used to prevent break ins through the glass and security doors will add a second layer of protection while allowing secure ventilation when you’re at home.

Choose Aluminium

When fully closed and locked, aluminium windows and doors are incredibly strong and difficult to breach. The durability of aluminium means that the integrity of the frames will last a lifetime, unlike some other frame materials which can deteriorate over time.

Exterior windows and doors made of wood may weather over time, and uPVC frames are generally recommended to be replaced after about 20 years because the framing will degrade from exposure to the elements. Aluminium is a highly durable material when properly finished so is a great choice for added security over time.

Double Glazing

Double glazed units have two layers of glass, which automatically adds an extra layer of security. Crime can often be spontaneous and opportunistic so having an extra layer of glass can act to dissuade those seeking to break in by making their life a bit more difficult.

Beauty, security, and functionality can all be combined to suit your window and doors. Contact the friendly team at Open Windows and Doors today for all your window and door needs!
June 29, 2018
Sliding Windows and Sliding Doors

At Open Windows and Doors we have a brilliant range of sliding doors and windows that offer the optimal combination of functionality with modern style and elegance.

Sliding doors and windows can really open up a space by minimising obstruction at the same time as optimising ease of use.

Here’s a quick guide to the many advantages of sliding doors and windows, and how they could really unleash the potential of your home.

Sliding Windows

Sliding windows are easy to operate and should slide freely using one hand. They can offer a widescreen or a landscape view to beautifully frame the outside view from your home. This can be a wonderful way to enhance the outlook onto a great view or beautiful garden.

Our sliders incorporate very effective seals to increase energy efficiency – helping to stabilise the temperature of your home or office. This performance can be maximised with our double glazing options. A well sealed window will also help insulate against noise.

Sliding windows are also a great idea for families with young children. Sliding windows are amongst the easiest to operate, and because they slide open within the frame line there is nothing projecting out to create a hazard. Combined with our tough aluminium frames, our sliding windows are the perfect durable choice for a young family!

Sliding Doors

Sliding doors are a terrific addition to any home or office space, allowing much more natural light than more heavily framed door options like hinged or bifold doors – and much more than many windows – offering near floor to ceiling exposure.

Sliding doors that open from a living or kitchen area to a patio can open up the space dramatically, providing the option of a continuous living space from indoor to outdoor. With the addition of a sliding or retractable screen option you can get all the benefits of easy communication and visibility while keeping out those pesky insects!

With sliding doors it’s easy to adjust ventilation by opening the slider just a small amount or fully to maximise the relief offered by cooling breezes.

Our aluminium sliding doors are strong but free-rolling, making them perfect for repeated use in high traffic areas of your home. This is especially helpful for young children, who have more difficulty operating doors and might inadvertently mishandle them. Sliding doors prevent the possibility of banging doors into walls or pulling them off their hinges.

Sliding doors are great for alfresco dining areas, making it easy to bring food from your kitchen to your outdoor entertainment space.

Our sliding doors are well sealed and energy efficient. Combined with our double glazing options, you can get great insulation for your home in addition to the light and visibility offered by glass panels – the best of both worlds!

Sliding doors and windows offer a perfect balance of value, safety, and modern style – particularly for heavy traffic areas or where you want to open up a space. Contact us today to discover the many benefits of sliding doors and windows in your home!

June 27, 2018
Choosing New Windows and Doors for your New Home

Buying a new home can be one of the most exciting and worthwhile experiences you
have in your lifetime. Generally speaking, once you reach a certain age, moving
home means that you’ll be embarking on an adventure that will find you looking into
an investment property or a long term home.

If you’re moving into a new home for the foreseeable future, then it’s important that
you make sure the home fits all your needs – functional and aesthetic.
Windows and doors are amongst the most important features of your home, both
practically and aesthetically – and certainly something you’ll have frequent
interaction with, so it’s important to choose wisely!

The team at Open Windows & Doors have assembled a few important things to
consider when selecting windows and doors for your new home.

Style of windows and doors to suit your home

Functionality is a primary consideration for most when choosing their windows and
doors, but it’s also important to work with the style of your home. Remember, you’ll
be living in it and showing it off to guests – so put some thought into how the
windows and doors match the overall aesthetic you’re going for.

Sliding doors and bifold doors look great in modern homes. Their ease of use and
functionality complements their emphasis on width and space that is characteristic of
modern architecture. Unobtrusive doors of this sort may also work well with a
‘minimalist’ aesthetic – giving your home a clean and uncluttered feel.

On the other hand, if you have more of a vintage style home, it might be the case
that the cosy feel of French doors is just what you need to set apart your new home.
When it comes to windows there are a lot of options and most are quite adaptable.
Horizontal sliding windows have quite a modern aesthetic, whereas double hung
windows (the vertical sliding relative) can introduce a feel of “yester-year”. Top hung
awning windows have a timeless look and a clean, shiny appearance with screens
fitted internally, and louvre windows enhance a modern styling and provide excellent
ventilation!

Generally the more “residential grade” products will have finer frames, so a more
“delicate” appearance, but some people like to upgrade to a heavier duty, more
commercial grade selection with wider framing and more robust appearance. Bulkier
frames are often required for larger spans so it’s worthwhile getting advice to help
with product selection.

Size and Angle of Spaces

Be sure to consider the space and functionality requirements of your windows and
doors. For example, a hinged door that swings in or out might seem perfect for your
cosy space – but consider how much space the arc of the opening door occupies –
especially when the room is filled with other furniture and people. Sliding doors don’t
take up any extra floor space so may be more suitable if space is tight.

With windows there are different things to consider. Awning and casement windows
open out so be sure there is nothing outside that will be in the path of the opening
sash that will clash. Another consideration is how they operate and whether it will be
difficult to reach hardware or to open and close. For example, if you have to reach
over a bench it may be easier to simply flip a louvre handle or wind out an awning
than to slide a sash up and down or sideways.

Making your home comfortable

Windows and doors can play a huge role in the home environment because they
interact with the outside world in so many ways. The glazed areas in a building help

control the transfer of air, light, temperature and sound, as well as being your visual
connection to the great outdoors.

By selecting the right window and door products you can maximise the control you
have over these elements and their influence on your home. Basic clear glass will
stop wind but is not so good for stopping heat from the sun, and will only have a
small impact on hot/cold transfer from the air outside and noise transfer. By selecting
glass with different properties you can increase the performance of your windows
and doors dramatically, and it is much more cost effective to get this right from the
start than to deal with it retrospectively. So spending a little more up front may save
you a packet down the track!

Open Windows & Doors have a wealth of experience in window and door
specification. If you’d like to discuss potential options for improving the style and
functionality of your new home – contact our friendly team today!

May 25, 2018
Bifold Doors Versus Stacker Doors

Bifold doors and sliding stacker doors are both great modern options for your home. Unlike traditional doors, bifold and sliding stacker doors both allow your home to really open up to your garden or patio – in addition to being highly functional and easy to use.

When choosing doors for your home you may ask yourself, which is better – bifold or stacker? At Open Windows and Doors we love both but what you choose will depend on your personal preference and your home’s suitability.

Here’s a handy guide on the pros and cons of bifold and stackers – to help you choose the best doors for your unique needs.

Bifold Doors

Bifold doors (sometimes called “concertina” doors – for the way each panel folds up flat on the next when opened) are a terrific way of eliminating barriers so you can fully utilise an open patio space – as well as opening onto balconies, courtyards, outdoor dining areas and much more.

The level of accessibility can be controlled by just opening up partly to enter through an access door – or fully to completely engage with the outdoors! They can also be great for joining commonly used areas – for instance between living and dining rooms or between offices that often collaborate.

There is a certain elegance to bifold doors, and indeed with their sharply defined and variable spatial angles they certainly can add a touch of ‘art’.

That being said, bifold doors are generally more expensive than sliding doors. Additionally, because they are commonly ‘top-hung’ (the weight is hung from top track rollers) they can impose certain structural limitations depending on the placement and the surrounding structural materials. There can also be limitations depending on how the doors need to open and the number of panels required due to minimum and maximum size restrictions.

Screening options are limited for bifold doors with the only practical solution being retractable screens.

Sliding Stacker Doors

Sliding stacker doors can create a similar open feeling to your home, as with bifold doors – although when fully open the space created is a little less than bifold doors.

Sliding doors are easy to use when opening and shutting, making them a good choice for areas that will be used frequently in high traffic areas. Because they slide within a track they don’t take up any extra floor space and the sliding panels can be left partially or fully open without moving. This is not always the case with bifold doors, which have a swinging action.

While one downside to sliding stacker doors may be that the maximum opening is not as big as with bifold doors, sliding doors do provide a larger glazed area and finer framing, which means less obstruction to the view when closed.

Sliding stacker doors are also more versatile when it comes to screening options, being suitable for either retractable or regular sliding screen options.

Both sliding stacker doors and bifold doors are great options for your home. Whichever you choose will depend on the balance you wish to strike between aesthetics and functionality – as well as natural preference! At Open Windows and Doors, we are happy to discuss what will suit you best.

Our great aluminium products will ensure the maximum in safety, function and aesthetics no matter which option you choose. Contact us today to find out more!

April 10, 2018
Replacing Windows and Doors

Windows and doors are such a common part of our everyday life that sometimes they go unnoticed. When was the last time your windows or doors were replaced? It could be many years if at all.

With so much else going on in our homes and professional lives, it’s easy to overlook when a window or a door needs to be replaced. It’s obvious when there is major damage, but it might be less obvious when it is general wear and tear that has accrued over time.

Here are some tips for navigating the replacement process – when to know that they need replacing, and what things to consider when you replace them.

When to Know Your Windows or Doors Need Replacing

Broken, Damaged, Warped

Sometimes windows and doors will remain operable even if they are damaged, warped, or broken. Sometimes, they might just need to be repaired to return them to full functionality. Other times, they will need to be fully replaced.

It can be tempting to ignore a faulty window or door – thinking you can get away with it for a while – but it’s better to address the problem sooner than later. Faulty windows and doors may dramatically effect temperature regulation in your premises by allowing in hot/cold drafts. Broken windows and doors can also cause further damage to the surrounding structures, costing you more time and money in the long term.

Even if not fully broken, damaged windows and doors are a safety hazard as they may fully collapse or malfunction at any time. It’s better to be safe than sorry and get new ones immediately.

How Much Energy Are You Using?

Windows and doors play a major role in regulating heat within your home or workspace. Windows and doors that allow drafts in may be increasing your energy bill without you knowing. Consider how high your energy bill is, your surrounding environment, and whether the windows and doors could be adding cost due to poor insulation and heat regulation.

Investing in better options now could save you a lot of money in the long run. Many people are surprised at how little extra it costs to upgrade to double glazing when replacing old windows and doors for new. Your new windows and doors should last decades so why not pay a little more initially and enjoy the benefits for years?

Time to Update Your Aesthetic?

Windows and doors are a functional part of your home but can sometimes be overlooked for the important part they play in the overall aesthetic of your home.

Choose windows and doors that will work with the overall style you want for your home or office, or discuss what you’re trying to achieve and get some advice from the experts. The old windows and doors that you’ve inherited with your house may not suit the new style you’re after.

Remember, that windows and doors are the primary interface with the outside world – people are constantly coming and going or looking through them. It is often said that “windows are the eyes of your home”, so choose wisely and let them help your home present a beautiful face to the outside world!

Things to Consider When Replacing Doors and Windows

If you decide to replace your windows or doors, don’t just rush to replace them with exactly you had in the first place.

Take the opportunity to improve your homes functionality and aesthetic value. Consider replacing simple door openings with large sliding doors or bifolding doors to maximise your use of space and natural light, and consider glazing options that will add value through electrical performance, noise reduction or privacy.

Perhaps it’s worth spending a bit more now to improve the insulation performance of your home with double glazed windows – you’d be surprised how much of a reduction this can make to your energy consumption with no effect on the aesthetic appeal.

Don’t put off improving your life today! If you think your windows or doors need replacing, contact the friendly experts at Open Windows and Doors. Our range of aluminium products will improve the style and functionality of your home at very competitive prices!

March 27, 2018