WA Bushfire
Compliance
Western Australia’s warm weather means we enjoy ample time outdoors, but one of the downfalls of the heat is the risk of fire.
Homes in high-risk zones must comply with the AS3959 – Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas. Fire risk is measured using the Bush Attack Level 0-FZ. BAL40 is the highest attack level before direct contact with fire (FZ).
Glass Co Metro takes fire protection seriously. We supply a BAL40-compliant range of windows and doors designed to withstand high levels of fire exposure (BAL40), providing your home with better fire protection.
Our BAL40 range exceeded the testing requirements outlined in AS1530.8.1 Methods for fire tests on building materials, components and structures. So if you’re in a bushfire-prone area, we’ve got you covered.
Energy Efficient Glass
Well-designed windows and doors can improve the level of comfort in your home all year round. This can reduce the requirements for heating in winter, whilst reducing the need for cooling in the summer.
Based on an average house containing 8% area of glazing in the entire building fabric, as much as 49% of the heat lost during Winter and as much as 87% of the heat gained during Summer can come from the windows.
Window configuration, orientation and glass performance can play a large role in the energy efficiency of your home. Well designed and correctly placed Glass Co Metro windows and doors, combined with the use of performance glass, can reduce your energy bills and reduce your impact on our environment.
Unlike other window systems on the market, Glass Co Metro windows and doors have been designed to accept thick glass and double glazing, without the need for additional unsightly adapters and added material.
What are your glass options?
Glass is the most influential factor in window and door efficiency, accounting for up to 90% of thermal performance. Your Glass Co Metro windows and doors combined with high performance glass can make your home increasingly more comfortable and energy efficient.
Whether it be choosing our standard 5mm Clear Float to let as much light and energy transfer through all the way up to a Low-e Laminated Double Glazed Unit with Argon fill, we can accommodate your needs.
Window Energy Rating Scheme
The Window Energy Rating Scheme enables windows to be rated and labelled for their annual energy impact on a whole house, in any climate of Australia. To participate in WERS, window makers must obtain energy ratings for their products from a rating organisation that is accredited by the AFRC (Australian Fenestration Rating Council).
Glass Co Metro is a proud member of this scheme.
Here is a list of our certified products that are mainly used in our market.
Why you should choose energy rated windows
Energy Rating for windows is here to stay. The Federal Government’s Australian Greenhouse Office helped to underwrite WERS as part of its commitment to improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the built environment.
Home resale value, comfort and amenity are improved by the use of high-performance windows. We have moved from an industry traditionally considered as providing a commodity building material to be sold on price alone into offering true consumer goods viewed as performance appliances for energy, noise and security.
WERS conforms to the alternative solution path for energy efficiency within the Building Code of Australia.
Natural light: By choosing the correct performance glass you can enjoy your views and natural light while controlling UV and glare.
Solar heat gain: Solar heat is generated when sunlight passes through a window and heats the surfaces and air inside a home. Depending on where you live, homes can benefit from the natural warming effect of solar heat during winter and its reduction during summer. Good design and the appropriate selection of performance glass for the windows orientation can keep the home cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
Thermal conductivity: When there is a difference in temperature between the inside and outside of a house you have heat flow. The greater the difference, the greater the heat flow, especially through windows using ordinary single glazing. The correct performance glass dramatically improves the energy efficiency performance of the window.
Acoustic Solution
Metropolitan living has created demand for higher performing acoustic window solutions to achieve a more comfortable lifestyle. Glass Co Metro Windows & Doors have a significant influence to how the building withstands a range of sound frequencies in achieving compliance to the overall building.
Cyclonic Compliance
Affecting the eastern, northern and western coastlines of Australia, and characterised by strong winds and large volumes of moisture, tropical cyclones place enormous stress on the building envelope. The use of windows and doors designed and manufactured to meet the highest pressure, impact and water performance requirements will minimise the possible damage that cyclones can cause.
Glass Co Metro’s Cyclonic Window, Door and Screening Systems have undergone extensive independent NATA accredited testing to provide assurance that they exceed all structural, water and debris impact performance requirements for cyclone regions C and D. The systems listed in the accompanying pages provide superior functionality and style along with the performance demanded by the extreme weather conditions encountered in cyclonic regions.
Stronger Product & Superior Quality
- Tough cyclone rated product.
- Modern sills prevent leakage.
- Thicker 5mm glass standard throughout.
- Streamlined Standard 92mm framing means easy configuration.
- Strong Flywire doors with rollers for smooth performance.
- System designed & created in 2014 around modern Australian Standards.
Start Your Project
Wondering what you can achieve in your home design? Get in touch and one of our friendly experts will get back to you.