Choosing Energy Efficient Glass Windows and Doors | Interview with Tracey Gramlick, Australian Window Association (AWA) - Episode 5 (Season 8: A SIMPLE GUIDE TO A SUSTAINABLE HOME)

Many homeowners know they want a lot of glass in their homes to enhance that indoor / outdoor connection, bring light and breezes into their home, and help it feel spacious. But do you know you could be making your home completely unsustainable in the process? That’s what this episode will help you avoid.

SHOW NOTES:

In this episode, I’m interviewing Tracey Gramlick. Tracey is Executive Director and CEO of the Australian Window Association (or AWA).

Tracey Gramlick has a background in engineering, a Masters of Business Administration in Technology Management and over 30 years of expertise in various fenestration products and façade design, technical, production, education, materials and marketing roles prior to her current position as Executive Director and CEO of the Australian Window Association.

And what’s the AWA? Well, Tracey will tell us more about that - and please make sure you head to the show notes or blog for this episode as the resources we share there will be hugely useful if you’re renovating or building your home.

And for the USA listeners, Tracey talks about the National Fenestration Rating Council - which is your equivalent resource when it comes to glass window and door selection. So listen into the interview for some fantastic tips, and then you can check out your relevant resources using the links in the show notes.

Tracey shares some incredible tips, insider knowledge and mistakes to avoid when it comes to choosing glass windows and doors for your home. In knowing how to achieve energy efficiency, find a reputable window manufacturer, and really compare your choices so you know you’re making the right selection for your needs. And, she’s got some specific tips when it comes to selecting glass types and frame types, and also shares her expert opinion on whether double glazing is worth it.

These are some of the things Tracey and I discuss:

1. What is the Australian Window Association (AWA) - how long has it been around for, who does it represent, what is its role, how can it help homeowners?
2. What do homeowners need to consider when it comes to selecting windows, and their energy efficiency? (frame type, glass type, climate, window size, manufacturer, mistakes they make in selections)
3. The AWA has several online resources that can help homeowners when choosing windows - a series of pdf guides, plus some online search and rating systems. How can homeowners use these to help with making confident selections?
4. Is double glazing worth it? How does a homeowner work this out and balance budget with energy efficiency?
5. Frame types - aluminium vs timber vs steel vs uPVC vs Fibreglass … what is the best to use - overseas you see uPVC and fibreglass being used more regularly for example, but aluminium and timber seem most prominent here?

When you take your time to research your selections carefully, get informed and work with reputable suppliers, the glass windows and doors in your home will not only help let in light and create a lovely feeling of spaciousness and indoor / outdoor connections, they’ll also enhance the performance and comfort of your home - AND how much energy and money it saves you over the long term.

FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST, CLICK HERE

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