Inward opening, "European style" windows

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foobar

186 posts

Master Geek

#130981 4-Oct-2013 11:15

Hello!

Does anyone here have any experience with European-style inward opening windows in New Zealand?

Coming from Europe, inward opening windows were just completely normal growing up. But here in New Zealand it appears most house building companies have never heard of them or don't really want to deal with them.

I was looking at http://homerit.co.nz/, which actually produces those types of windows locally in New Zealand and thus are a bit cheaper than the few companies who import them from Europe.

Does anyone have any experience with Homerit or at least this type of windows?
If you built a house and asked for those windows, how did your builder react?
If you have those in your home, how do these windows hold up in New Zealand conditions?
Any caveats or issues when considering the typical New Zealand house building style (90mm timber framing) in conjunction with those windows?

Any insight or experience would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much!

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796 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#907798 4-Oct-2013 11:40

i personally haven't been in a house with Windows like that,
just curious why you would want windows that open inwards ( other than growing up with them )? Are you limited with space outside?
Wouldn't inwards windows utilize more space in the house?

just curious :)

Binary Limited - Safe. Secure. Simple. ™
www.binarylimited.co.nz

langers1972

1039 posts

Uber Geek

#907808 4-Oct-2013 11:51

You'll struggle as there are only a few companies that even produce 'proper' double glazing in NZ.

www.eurowindows.co.nz
http://heirloomjoinery.co.nz
http://www.eurovision-ltd.co.nz are the best by a country mile but quite pricey, Barry is great and very helpful

Homerit are Chinese produced UPVC whereas Eurowindows are owned and run by a German couple that import them from Germany. Manfred really knows his stuff and I would recommend talking to him if you're after UPVC instead of timber as have heard horror stories about Homerit.

You'll also struggle to find a builder that's not going to say 'No' as kiwis are set on crappy aluminium windows and most architects, builders and councils will be almost impossible to convince

Believe me that I'm speaking from experience, good luck!

wongtop

563 posts

Ultimate Geek

#907828 4-Oct-2013 12:12

I have these windows. They were a retrofit and were installed by eco doors and windows. http://edaws.stellmac.com/

I got them for our bedrooms as you have the option of tilting them in (for secure ventilation) or fully opening them (to escape in a fire for example). I didn't like the standard windows in NZ, which are either insecure, or with security stays fitted, would be difficult to get out of in hurry - like a fire.

The only disadvantage that I have noticed is that in the Wellington "breeze" you can't have them partially tilted - they either blow open until they hit the tilt stop or blow closed.

ratsun81

508 posts

Ultimate Geek

#907830 4-Oct-2013 12:13

I recently had all of my windows replaced by Homerit, double glazed upvc.

Very happy with the product and the service that was provided.

Cant comment on the Inward opening windows. We went for standard casement and a Slider window in the kitchen area.

old3eyes

9119 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#907849 4-Oct-2013 12:54

Wouldn't inward opening windows be inclined to leak over a period of time due to the no outside seal?? Ou opening windows seal themselves when closed..

Regards,

Old3eyes

ScuL

487 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#908146 4-Oct-2013 21:29

Coming from Europe, inward opening windows were just completely normal growing up.

Hm you must also be looking for central heating :D

Which country is your origin? I'm just curious.

Haere taka mua, taka muri; kaua e wha.

oxnsox

1923 posts

Uber Geek

#908157 4-Oct-2013 22:00

Are you talking about the windows where turning the handle in one direction lets the window pivot inwards from the bottom ( a preset amount for ventilation)
and turning handle other way means it opens fully inwards along one side (easy of cleaning etc)

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Niel

3267 posts

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#908158 4-Oct-2013 22:01

Inward opening is great if you have a BBQ (or chairs) outside the window. However, I've never had them myself either.

Guy at work finished his house last year with triple glazed uPVC windows. He is in Auckland and needs to cool his house in Winter. But his daughter is an architect and they had lots of fun with the project, double stud walls and all. He is on holiday at the moment, but if I remember and if you are interested in (quality) triple glazing then I can find out in a couple of weeks.

You can never have enough Volvos!

mattwnz

20141 posts

Uber Geek

#908159 4-Oct-2013 22:02

They probably won't conform to the nz building code. Inward opening windows are also a potential for leaking problems due to the flashing of them

oxnsox

1923 posts

Uber Geek

#908177 4-Oct-2013 22:14

Probably the real reason is cost.
....and....
N Z has a fairly temperate climate and (generally speaking) free standing houses on large plots. Our housing has evolved over a very short time frame compared to houses in Europe, where much of the innovation there is based upon re-fitting, and new building, more compact and co-jointed houses that open directly onto public spaces.
Our inward opening windows are designed for completely different houses.

langers1972

1039 posts

Uber Geek

#908181 4-Oct-2013 22:21

mattwnz: They probably won't conform to the nz building code. Inward opening windows are also a potential for leaking problems due to the flashing of them

Ahhh the steaming pile of horse poo that is the NZ building code, where minimum insulation standards are utterly pathetic and double glazing is bleeding edge despite it being standard for over 30 years in Europe, god bless it.

If I ever hear anyone else say "unique NZ conditions" again I'll scream. Unique in so far as it rains in the winter and is warm in the summer, bugger me that's unparalleled anywhere!

richms

28168 posts

Uber Geek

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Lifetime subscriber

#908204 4-Oct-2013 23:28

Its unique in that it doesnt get _that_ cold and with the cheap energy of the past solving it with just more energy was totally viable.

Richard rich.ms

timmmay

20574 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#908289 5-Oct-2013 06:53

oxnsox: N Z has a fairly temperate climate

I think this illusion is partly to blame for the state of NZ housing. We think we live in a warm country, but in reality a lot of the year it's really quite cold. This along with the "toughen up, don't be a girl" attitude prevented insulation of homes for decades.

foobar

186 posts

Master Geek

#908570 5-Oct-2013 18:34

Hello everyone and thank you for your replies so far.

Someone asked why we'd like inward opening windows:

One of the biggest reasons to go for inwards opening windows is that you can actually clean them without dealing with long, wobbly contraptions trying to reach high-up 2nd floor windows (especially if they are over a small roof or in a recess) or without breaking your back falling off a latter. Cleaning inwards opening windows is trivially easy.

Secondly, we'd like the fact that you can open the windows all the way and have an unblocked view.

We went to the Homerit factory and looked at some of their windows. They seemed very nice. Someone here said they had heard 'horror stories' about Homerit. We are currently inclined to go with them, so please, if there is some information you have about them, please let me know.

Someone else said that councils might not approve those windows. Do you have some experience to relay or tips on how to deal with that case? That would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much!

oxnsox

1923 posts

Uber Geek

#908603 5-Oct-2013 20:24

timmmay:
oxnsox: N Z has a fairly temperate climate

I think this illusion is partly to blame for the state of NZ housing. We think we live in a warm country, but in reality a lot of the year it's really quite cold. This along with the "toughen up, don't be a girl" attitude prevented insulation of homes for decades.

Generally speaking we don't have snow on the ground for long periods in winter, and nor do we have extreme highs for long periods......
its all about being surrounded by a large body of water which keeps things temperate.

And despite what folk say about our building codes, qualities, and standards, a lot of our housing stock is effectively first generation housing. And people always build to their budget.... soo if double glazing wasn't mandated 30 years ago when you built your house, you used the money you had to make itas big as you could against the regulations of the day.

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