No matter your involvement in the building industry the NCC 2022 changes are worth understanding. If you need a memory-jog for the Stage 1 changes, check out our previous article.

The greatest focus of the Stage 2 release is energy efficiency, with increases to the Star Rating required for the building fabric itself. In addition, a new Whole of Home Rating will be required, relating to overall energy usage – factoring in things like appliances, solar, heating, cooling, and more (similar to BASIX in place in NSW).

NatHERS Compliance Requirements

New homes will need to meet both a higher Star Rating for the building itself and a Whole of Home Rating for annual energy usage to receive a NatHERS certificate. However, pushing for the highest possible Star Rating for the building itself in the first instance will make it easier to achieve the Whole of Home energy usage requirements.

Star Rating

The minimum Star Rating for the building fabric is changing from 6 to 7 Stars. A home is deemed compliant when the 7 Star band limit is not exceeded by either the heating or the cooling loads. These heating and cooling loads depend on the location of the home. The cooler the climate, the more a homeowner will need to artificially heat their house, and in warmer climates, more artificial cooling will be required.

Achieving a 7 Star Rating will require increased performance across a range of building elements. Less than 10% of homes currently built in cooler climates like Victoria and New South Wales achieve 7 Stars, so this will be a major change for most home builders.

Influencing factors:

• Home design (e.g. orientation, size, scale of various elements)
• Roof colour
• Ground floor slab type
• Floor coverings
• Exposed concrete – garage
• Ceilings and insulation
• External wall type and insulation (including windows)
• Internal walls and insulation (including air gap)
• External doors
• Internal doors (room separation)
• Garage door
• Gap between ground level ceiling and second storey flooring
• Climate zone

Whole of Home Rating

The new Whole of Home Rating measures the total energy consumed by appliances and other home accessories. This includes things like cooking and plug-in appliances, hot water systems and pool and spa pumps (see list below).

In order to comply with the Whole of Home requirement, the home must meet the maximum energy requirements (Total Energy Use), depending on where the home is located. An Annual Energy Use Budget needs to be determined based on the various influencing factors.

Influencing factors:

• Household appliances
• Air conditioning – heating and cooling
• Hot water systems
• Lighting
• Cooking and plug-in appliances
• Pool and spa pumps
• Solar panels and battery storage

Windows

As energy requirements increase, higher window performance may be required in some orientations. In cooler climates like Victoria or NSW, to achieve the 7 Star Rating requirement double glazing within main living areas may be sufficient. However, some homes may require full double glazing throughout as all the factors listed above come into play.

Window frame colour will also play a minor role in the energy equation. The NatHERS calculation will classify window frame colours under light, medium and dark categories. The solar absorptance is lower when the colour is lighter.

Lighter frames reflect heat and therefore are far more favourable in a hot climate. Whereas darker colours absorb heat, making them a better choice in cooler climates where bringing in warmth is the higher priority.

For further information and a more detailed overview of what’s new in the NCC 2022, head to abcb.gov.au.

*This article has been developed to provide general guidance, awareness and education. It should not be viewed as a definitive guide and should be read in conjunction with the requirements of the National Construction Code (www.abcb.gov.au). While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate, A&L expressly disclaims all and any liability to any person for anything done in reliance on this publication. No responsibility is accepted by A&L for any mistakes, errors, or omissions in this content.

The post What Do NCC Changes Mean to You – Stage 2 appeared first on A&L.

Whether you’re a builder or designer, the upcoming changes to the National Construction Code will impact the way you work. From improved accessibility requirements to tighter restrictions around energy efficiency, the changes will affect every new building – no matter the size. Here, we’ll outline the proposed amendments and what they would mean for your future projects.

Stage 1 – Key Amendments

Key amendments for stage 1 of the NCC associated with windows and doors include the following:

• Accessibility changes including:
  • Clear openings for doorways
  • At least one step-free path and threshold to enter the home
• Installation of windows and doors
• Window and door fixings
• Window flashing materials

Accessibility

A new introduction for the NCC 2022 is that buildings will need to achieve a higher standard of accessibility. The provisions are based in principle on the Livable Housing Design Guidelines (silver level). The change will affect several building elements.

Door openings will need to be wider in many instances:

• Required minimum obstruction-free clearance of 820mm for at least one external doorway, excluding the door handle.
• The same 820mm clearance on several internal doorways on ground floor or split level ground floors to designated room types.
• Minimum door size in these instances will be 870mm for internal doors, and 920mm for external doorways depending on the door stops and hinges used.

One step-free entrance point will be required to access the home and a suitable pathway from the property’s boundary. The step-free path can be achieved by:

• A step-free path of travel from the boundary to the entrance door, which can incorporate either an access path or ramps including step ramps. Both must satisfy minimum width gradient requirements. A side door can be considered an entrance door, provided it has continuous step-free access.
• The path of travel may be provided via an associated car parking space (if the car parking space is for exclusive use of the dwelling occupants). This may be a connected or free-standing garage with the required minimum dimensions.

Once a step-free path to the home is achieved there is a specific threshold requirement for the entrance door that connects the step-free path to the home:

The threshold of an entrance door into the home must:

• Be level (inside to outside) i.e. No sill; or
• Have a sill height not more than 5mm if the lip is rounded or bevelled; or
• Have a ramped threshold that does not exceed 56mm in height, has a gradient no more than 1:8 and is at least 820mm clear opening in width; or
• Have a lip / step which does not exceed 15mm in any part of the sill profile, if the above items cannot achieve the weatherproofing requirements.

It is worth noting that some of the amendments in the final preview of the NCC regarding thresholds are open to interpretation and because of this there will be a clarification document released by the ABCB at a later date to remove any ambiguity.

In addition, Part 2.4 Livable Housing specifies that an external step free entrance is required to include a drainage grate in front of doors without a sill.

Installation of windows and doors

Housing provisions has updated advice regarding the installation of windows and doors.

For window and door installation regarding all construction methods:

• Structural building loads must not be transferred to the window or door assembly.
• A minimum 10mm gap must be provided between the top of the window or door assembly and any load bearing framing / wall element. The minimum gap of 10mm may be increased where necessary to allow for frame settlement over wide openings.
• Packing, if provided between window or door assembly and the frame must be located along each side and bottom of the assembly, must be fixed to stay, ensure that the sides and the bottom remain straight and should be clear of any flashing material.

For timber window and door installation regarding double brick construction:

• In addition to the above, timber doors and windows installed into double brick construction (cavity masonry) must be fixed with 300mm long x 0.8mm kinked galvanised steel straps fixed to the back of the frames and set into courses not less than 150mm and not more than 400mm intervals.

Window and door fixings

There is a new mandate for the minimum number and type of fixings needed when installing windows and doors into a home. In response to these amends, AGWA released Version 2 of their Window and Door Fixing Guide. This clarifies the minimum requirements across different frame material types, from timber and masonry to lightweight steel. It also covers what’s needed for varying wind ratings.

AGWA’s guide features a handy table that shows the required nail diameter in relation to window width and height. It’s worth noting that if a product is more than 1200mm from a corner, the minimum number of fixings required reduces by 40%.

Window and door flashing

There have been no major updates to flashing on windows and doors since the introduction of NCC 2019. However, we recommend builders ensure they use the materials highlighted in the NCC 2022, as it’s likely to become a focus of compliance in the future, in particular Alcor flashing to door sills. For more detailed drawings and notes on flashing, see the latest NCC Housing Provisions document.

For further information and a more detailed overview of what’s to come in the NCC 2022, head to abcb.gov.au.

*This article has been developed to provide general guidance, awareness and education. It should not be viewed as a definitive guide and should be read in conjunction with the requirements of the National Construction Code (www.abcb.gov.au). While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate, A&L expressly disclaims all and any liability to any person for anything done in reliance on this publication. No responsibility is accepted by A&L for any mistakes, errors, or omissions in this content.

The post What Do the NCC Changes Mean to You – Stage 1 appeared first on A&L.

Sustainable Building Beginnings

Dean got his start in sustainable building around 25 years ago, and his deeper interest was seeded around 20 years ago when the 5 Star rating requirements were introduced.

The proposed changes to the NCC 2022 mean that all new builds will be required to meet a 7 Star rating.

Unsurprisingly, it is the future that Dean looks to for inspiration. Dean has witnessed first-hand from his children just how environmentally conscious future generations are. “I think the next generation, if they can afford sustainable homes, will be willing to pay for it.”

“Teenagers really are at the forefront of environmental changes.”

It was one completely carbon-neutral home that cemented Dean’s belief that sustainability can become a standard for all homes. “We got involved with Villawood Properties in Lyndhurst and with South East Water on an 8 Star home – Aquarevo. We managed to make that a carbon-neutral house. So that was probably the real pivotal point for me, to say this can be done.”

Communication with Homeowners

Dean also cares deeply about communicating the importance of sustainable building to homeowners. He says the trick is helping them to understand the difference between functional energy efficient products and cosmetic items, and then to explain why sustainable options save them money in the long run.

Some sustainable principals, Dean says, homeowners already have some understanding of, such as double glazed windows. “If we say to a homeowner, ‘We’ll give you double glazed windows.’ They’re all over it. And if you give them a choice between double glazed windows and upgraded Caesarstone benchtops, they’ll take the double glazed windows. But you have to be giving it to them.”

Sustainability at the Forefront

Arden offers what they call unrivalled inclusions, featuring energy-efficient items such as using double glazed windows, LED downlights and energy-saving solar panels in every home.

Waste reduction and recycling is also a critical part of building sustainably. Arden Homes ensure excess building materials are managed in a way that minimises the environmental impact.

“We do a lot of recycling because there’s a lot of waste. I’ve built numerous houses over time, and it is astonishing how much waste we actually produce. Just in deliveries and boxes and all those sorts of things. Then we look at what different materials are going to have less waste from a sustainability point of view as well.”

The Future of Sustainable Housing

Arden’s latest display homes under construction in Sunbury are shining examples of sustainable building done right. In line with the NCC changes, the homes all achieve a 7 Star rating. Better yet, they are completely carbon-neutral and 100 per cent electric, which is something Dean feels strongly about. “How much carbon we actually put back into the environment hasn’t been spoken about a lot in our industry.“

Dean also points out that sustainable practices are not only better for the environment, but better for the bottom line, too.

“I think it’s a real win as to the carbon savings, but also to the cost savings you can have with sustainability too.”

Arden is leading the way for sustainable building practices in Australia by going all-electric. Their homes come with sustainable inclusions as a standard, such as double glazed windows, and are built on waffle pod slabs.

“Double glazing is one thing to get you to that 7 Star and better energy rating.”

Sustainability will only become a norm if the products required offer homeowners ease of use and intuitive functionality. Dean spoke fondly of how A&L’s offering achieves this balance.

“A&L Windows rate really well. They’ve consulted with the industry to see what they think around the design aspect, as well as the functionality. It’s the quality of the A&L product as well that’s beneficial because you can still open and close them easily. A&L really think about how the consumer is going to operate it.”

Creating a legacy is at the core of Dean and Arden’s approach to sustainability. To progress, Dean believes we need to think hard about the types of homes we’re building and the impact they have on the environment, both now and in the future.

“Builders, at the moment, are building these houses that are not energy efficient,” he said. “We’re going to be knocking them down in 20 or 25 years’ time. Which is a really sad thing to think about. So, why don’t we build stuff that’s not going to be taking away from the environment?”

The post Arden Homes, Leaders in Energy Efficient Housing appeared first on A&L.

When you talk about well-respected builders, Orbit Homes Group is a business that immediately comes to mind.

Across their 40-year history, the team at Orbit have built a strong reputation for quality, care, and integrity in building homes. Their dedication to excellence in service and craft is reflected in a huge (and constantly growing) list of industry awards and accolades they’ve collected along the way.

It’s an impressive history to date, and a story that we’re incredibly proud to play a small role in.

We sat down with Craig Millson—Managing Director of Orbit Homes Group—to discuss our partnership over the past 35 years: what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and the value of dedication throughout the decades.

A tale of two similar businesses…

The Orbit story is not too dissimilar to our own here at A&L.

In 1979, when Orbit Homes was formed, two carpenters decided to build a new kind of home.

Their vision? Something specifically designed for Australian families, with an end-to-end buying experience that’s as easy and stress-free as possible.

Even in those early days, Craig recalls a strong focus on service: both for the homebuyers Orbit served, and from the suppliers they collaborated with.

“If you’re not customer focused, with reliable, good service, then you don’t get any work in this industry. It’s that simple.”

While A&L and Orbit shared similar beginnings—each founded as a small business by two owner-operators—the parallels continued to grow throughout our ongoing collaboration.

…in a partnership of over 35 years

“A&L and Orbit Homes Group, we first started working together in 1985, so it’s been a partnership of 35 years.”

“Throughout that time, the team at A&L have been very customer focused. Extremely customer focused. It’s in their DNA. And they’ve maintained that positive customer focus over 35 years.”

“Throughout our partnership, the service has always been excellent. Extremely good.”

“A&L’s level of customer service is possible because of a complete focus on the customer, which is ultimately us: the builders.”

“The result of that long-term focus is that A&L really know builders. The team knows what we want, need and expect.”

“We want things to be straightforward—no fuss, smooth processes—and that’s what they deliver.”

Today’s success is built on a strong foundation of service

“The biggest change in terms of A&L’s service over the past few decades, probably like most businesses, has been on the IT and operational technology side of things. That’s a particular area of performance that A&L have been innovative in.”

“These days the delivery of product is so smooth. There’s great visibility: the team will know the status of the jobs and they’ll be able to communicate with us even before a product is being manufactured.”

“On the topic of innovation, they’ve also developed an impressive capability in product research and development, to meet and deliver on our ongoing needs.”

“They have the dedicated Research & Development team, who we’re actively invited to collaborate with. We’ve already been working in close conjunction this year, to enhance and improve some of the premium inclusions available in our homes.”

“But the focus on innovation was always there, even back in the early days of our partnership.”

Innovating from the ‘80s to today

“Back in 1985, we used to build homes in the northern suburbs of Melbourne, and the communities there seemed to like aluminium windows rather than timber, which was standard at the time. But there weren’t very many colour options available for aluminium windows.”

“So, A&L brought in a much more varied colour range, to meet the need we identified. We decided to try something different and build homes with aluminium windows, and obviously now today, aluminium is the most common type of window that you see.”

“To this day, the team is constantly pushing to improve. They’ve got different ranges of windows, the different thickness of their reveals. The Boutique Range is what we offer as part of our premium range, which is excellent. They’re big on double glazing and the energy efficiency side of things too, which is another good product to have in the home.”

Maintaining the connection

“Our direct contact comes into the offices regularly. I also used to have strong connections with the owners, and people who have been with the business since the beginning.”

“They’re obviously a larger scale company now, but A&L have always maintained that family business mentality.”

“There are people at A&L who reach out to us regularly to check in and have a chat, see how we’re going. It’s just a really strong connection, like it always has been.”

Just like A&L, the team at Orbit consists of people who’ve been part of the Orbit Homes family since day one. With decades of experience and a wealth of knowledge in building homes together, we’re excited to support the team in delivering high-quality homes for the next generation of Australian families.

The post Orbit Homes: highlights from a partnership of 35 years. appeared first on A&L.

It almost goes without saying, the year 2021 was a rollercoaster. And across the country, different regions faced different challenges. From lockdowns and showrooms temporarily closing, to some regions enjoying relative normality– it’s true that it has been a year of variety. And despite it all, we’re proud of how hard our teams have worked to face these challenges, and we’ll continue to strive to overcome them as we look to next year.

Through all this, we at A&L appreciate the support of our customers and partners – we want to say a hearty thanks to you all.

As we look forward to 2022, let’s take a closer look at the year that was.

We celebrated more of our valued customer partnerships.

One particular partnership highlight was our work with Luke Rowlinson Architects and Polyform Construction on the Spicers Retreat project, one of the largest ecotourism ventures in Queensland. Nestled in the hills of South East Queensland, this one-of-a-kind ecotourism destination features luxury off-grid cabins connected by breathtaking walking trails. A&L worked closely with the design and construction teams to overcome some tricky challenges to ensure a successful project. Each window was built off site and transported in shipping containers, which meant a very small margin for error once they arrived at the location.

While running a construction site in the middle of an ancient rainforest presented some unique obstacles, the results speak for themselves.

This year we also celebrated 18 years of partnership with Indigo Homes. This is a special relationship built on the shared values of innovation, providing high-quality products and excellent customer service.

Both Indigo Homes and A&L value collaboration and fostering positive relationships. As the two companies have grown, we’ve come to hold similar values, committed to developing great internal cultures.

One of the many highlights of our partnership has been working together to develop new product solutions, including sliding door options to suit NDIS requirements.

While COVID restrictions limited our ability to see many of you face to face this year, we did enjoy the occasional get together when permitted and we look forward to more in 2022!

We began navigating the complex changes proposed to the NCC in 2022.

On top of the hurdles the industry faced this year, major changes were proposed to the NCC in 2022. The proposed changes would have a significant impact on the way homes are designed and built. So, we kicked off a series of educational content to help you understand what may lie ahead.

Stage 1 of the proposed NCC 2022, introduced earlier this year, highlighted a higher level of accessibility for future homes. This means that new builds and major renovations would need to attain at least a Silver Level under the Livable Housing Australia (LHA) guidelines. Also proposed is a much higher minimum number of window and door fixings required for window installation.

Stage 2 of the proposed NCC 2022, released more recently, centres around significant changes to energy performance requirements. Under the proposed changes, new builds would have to reach a 7 Star Rating for the building fabric, as well as a Whole of Home Rating, setting limits around annual energy usage.

That’s a wrap! We wish you a Merry Christmas!

We are so appreciative of the support and collaboration we’ve experienced with our customers, who have juggled all sorts of challenges in a constantly changing building landscape. To all of you, we thank you.

From all of us at A&L, we wish you and your loved ones a safe and happy holiday period.

And remember, to keep up with relevant industry changes and updates, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.

The post End of Year Wrap appeared first on A&L.

We spoke to Chris La Franchi of Indigo Homes and our very own Amy Pierson about how a professional relationship forged 18 years ago has stood the test of time. Here we share a snapshot of a relationship built on the shared values of innovation, high-quality products and excellent customer service.

The first 18 years are just the beginning

Chris La Franchi, owner of Indigo Homes, remembers one of his first interactions with A&L was when one of the owners came onto his building site to deliver windows.

“He came to check everything was okay, and then he asked the deeper questions about the windows, what we thought about them, and what they could do better to support easier installation.”

Chris was immediately impressed: “We’d never had a window company do that,” he says. He tells us that A&L have maintained that high level of care and service ever since.

Support builds quality partnerships

While the A&L business began in Victoria 41 years ago, we first established ourselves in the Queensland market 21 years ago, not long before Indigo Homes.

Amy Pierson, General Manager of A&L Windows Queensland praised how both Indigo and A&L value collaboration and fostering positive relationships. Amy noted that as the two companies have grown, they’ve come to hold similar values.

“Both have created positive and productive cultures.”

A great example of this is the fact that each company has retained many of the same employees over the years, which only strengthens the partnership.

Before starting Indigo Homes, Chris had worked for another home builder where he experienced the high level of service A&L provides, so the decision to choose A&L products for Indigo was an organic one. “A&L gave really good service to the previous company I’d worked at. And so, I had a pre-existing relationship with them. Once we started Indigo Homes, we partnered up with A&L for them to supply windows. And it worked out to be mutually beneficial and a long-lasting relationship,” Chris says.

Chris describes A&L’s service over the years as exceptional.

“If we’ve had any issues in regards to the windows or anything with clients, they’ve been straight onto it.”

He says A&L are always so swift to sort out any bumps or issues. “It’s just been a very good relationship in that regard. The other thing is, lead times for supply has generally been way ahead of most other window companies,” Chris adds.

In the creation of their first display home many years ago, A&L provided Indigo Homes substantial support, which played a big role in helping them win the Master Builders National Best Display Home that year.

“The public walk in, and you see the look on their face when they see our work. It’s pretty special.”

Going above and beyond for new product creation

“To be able to work with an organisation where you can just go there and sit down, discuss how things are working and what we need to be able to improve or talk about what we’re missing in the market, is just so valuable,” Chris says.

Amy similarly had high praise for how good the working relationship is. She highlighted how seamlessly A&L and Indigo work together to come up with innovative solutions.

An example of the problem-solving relationship Amy noted was during a time when indoor-outdoor living was growing in popularity.

“At the time, most builders relied on using two separate movable doors with a post in the middle of the doorway. This blocked the path and prevented there being a seamless open space that homeowners were seeking. The only solution on the market at the time were commercially used products that were expensive and required a complex installation. A&L worked with Indigo to come up with a more affordable and better door system that got rid of the need for a post. The new system could be easily installed on-site,” Amy says.

Indigo was able to put the special access sliding door in their new NDIS home designs. And they’re proud to know that they were among the first few builders in Australia to have such a quality product available to match customer expectations.

“We’re pretty happy to be able to go back to our customers and say, ‘We’re able to do this,” Chris says.

The post Celebrating 18 years of partnership with Indigo Homes. appeared first on A&L.

The idea for a multiday walk came to Jude Turner, the Spicers Retreats founder, over ten years ago as an idea to link their two properties Spicers Hidden Vale with Spicers Peak Lodge. Participants of the five-day walk are guided through the ancient World Heritage Gondwana Rainforest and along the Mistake Mountains.

The sheer scope of the project makes it one of the largest ecotourism ventures attempted in Queensland – something which also presented a unique design and construction challenge for Spicers Retreats, Luke Rowlinson Architects and Polyform Construction.

The cabins are spread across two sites and speak to the immense, untouched beauty of the rainforest and mountain ranges. “We co-designed the early master planning with a heavyweight Queensland architect, Jim Gall,” says Luke Rowlinson, the project’s architect. “He did the original sketches and walked through the sites before we even touched them. He had these ideas of how the buildings fit into the trees and the landscape so that there was the least impact possible.”

Spicers Retreats worked closely with A&L to overcome some particularly tricky challenges during the construction process.

Some hurdles were easier than others, but running a construction site in the middle of an ancient rainforest is a little different to running one in the suburbs. The site locations were incredibly difficult to navigate; to the point where they were only accessible by four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Each window was built offsite and transported in shipping containers, which meant a remarkably small margin for error once they arrived at the location. “Every reveal was used as a finished product, which means there’s no covering up,” Luke says.

“The windows had to be exactly the right depth, the reveals had to be finished exactly where we expected them to be because the panelling, lining and cladding was all built offsite.”

The cabins are a love letter to the bush and appear like a cluster of treehouses that blend into their environment – in part thanks to the earthy colour palette of the window and door frames. A large tilt door extends out from the bedroom, creating an uninterrupted outlook to the surrounding gum trees. In the warmer months, the door can be left open all night; it’s a luxury spin on sleeping under the stars.

Through close collaboration with A&L, Spicers selected a combination of fixed rake and Breezway louvre windows from our boutique range, which allow fresh air to flow into the living spaces and add a sense of texture and substance with their bold, designer profiles. Clear glass louvres with black frames bring light into the front of the cabins and elevate the earthier tones, while the Western Red Cedar louvres in the bedrooms strike a balance between privacy and ventilation.

Spicers commitment to sustainability meant they oversaw the entire production process from beginning to end.

A zero-waste policy was introduced for both on and offsite practices. Everything that was discarded in the building process was collected, recycled and managed, right down to the wire trimmings left over from electrical installation. “It was to the point that we wouldn’t accept any products if the packaging couldn’t be recycled,” Luke tells us. “We had to work with supply chains from the outset and explain that we would not be accepting the product onsite if it came in nylon strapping, because there’s no pathway for that.” Always happy to accommodate where we can, A&L provided a zero-waste packaging solution for delivery of the windows and doors.

Energy efficiency was a major priority for the cabins to run effectively off-grid and with a low environmental impact.

The Great Dividing Range area is chilly in winter and warm in summer, so the buildings are well insulated to maintain a steady temperature. The cabins are built off-ground to mitigate the need for large concrete slabs or screw piers, so most insulation needs to come from the floors and windows. Every window was fitted with inline reveals, a design tweak for other manufacturers, but standard with A&L products. These provide a higher insulation standard than regular windows, helping to reduce the need for excess heating and cooling. “It’s quite revolutionary, and a lot of windows from around the world are heading this way,” Luke tells us.

“Just by changing the location of where the reveal sits to the aluminium frame means they transfer less energy from the inside to the outside and vice versa during the life of the window.”

Spicers Retreats eco-camp cabins show us that engaging with sustainable construction doesn’t mean sacrificing beautiful design. It’s quite the opposite. By letting nature drive their decision-making process, Spicers have shown us that something quite extraordinary can be achieved. Luke echoes this sentiment. “Spicers are particularly forward-thinking, and they’re not arrogant enough to think that their retreats will exist forever,” he says. “They know that there’s a limited lease, and they know that there’s a limited opportunity to promote the great natural asset we have.”

The post Creating a one-of-a-kind ecotourism destination. appeared first on A&L.

To find out more, we spoke to an expert on the subject. Simon Dunstan from SJD Homes has been building for 30 years, with sustainability a major focus along the way.

“We as a company, and myself as an individual, would like to make a positive impact on the environment.” – Simon Dunstan, SJD Homes.

“I’ve got a lot of personal passion in this space. And I think, from a strategic point of view, it’s an opportunity as well. There’s always going to be those few people that are early adopters. But we’re trying to tap into the wider market, because sustainable building is a point of difference right now. It’s still not seen a lot in the mainstream,“ says Simon.

And Simon has a willing partner in A&L. He’s appreciative that A&L have similar attitudes to SJD Homes.

“A&L understand that if you’re going to be bringing a product to the market, it needs to be price driven, as well as have all those energy efficient benefits,” he says.

Simon tells us that building homes at an accessible price while reaching net zero is the future. But rather than wait for the future to arrive, he’s keen to be a leader in this space. “Let’s not be dragged to that point. Let’s be at the front of the pack and be a point of difference,” he says.

“Achieving sustainable housing isn’t that hard, but achieving it and making it affordable, that’s the magic.” – Simon Dunstan, SJD Homes.

The aim for SJD Homes is sustainability at scale, leveraging high volumes to achieve lower price points. As Simon outlines, “I think the way we do it appeals to the masses, which hopefully makes a greater impact.”

The essential elements of a net zero home

Simon tells us the top factors that make a house carbon neutral are having double glazed windows, higher R value insulation, the home’s orientation on the land, efficient appliances, thermal mass of the building fabric and solar power. And all these elements are not only essential for sustainability, but they are also the key ingredients in the way SJD design and build their homes.

Windows

Having double glazed windows reduces energy wastage which can provide savings on energy costs in a home, and makes a huge difference from a sustainability point of view. It can also make a home far more pleasant for the people who live there. “The general comfort is another big plus,” Simon says.

Insulation

While insulation is a standard in all Australian homes, SJD Homes increase the quality and the R value (which measures the effectiveness) of the insulation they use.  “An average home has wall insulation of about 1.5 R value. In the ceiling, it’s probably about 3 to 3.5. So, in our homes, we’ve increased those to about 2.5 in the walls and about 5 in the ceilings,” he says.

Orientation

Orientation is a big factor in net zero home design, too. “The more you can utilise a northerly aspect, the better. A homeowner can use the natural energy of the sun to make a difference, especially over the winter months,” says Simon.

Appliances

Using efficient appliances helps. “The most efficient and cheapest ways to achieve zero net carbon is by having ducted heating and a gas-boosted solar hot water system,” says Simon.

Thermal mass

The thermal mass of the building fabric is also important. According to Simon, “For example, the thermal mass of tiled floors in Melbourne is better as opposed to carpet and timber. They tend to hold heat in winter. And during summer, the tiles are cooler for the homeowner. This creates a bit of an equilibrium.”

Solar power

“Solar power has to be part of the solution if we’re trying to get to zero net carbon. The building fabric is going to get as good as it can be, same with appliances. But still we’re using power – we need to be able to generate our own. So we need to have solar on the roof,” says Simon.

Sustainability made affordable

While Simon is pro sustainability, with that comes a belief in affordability, and SJD have worked hard to find the product solutions to make this happen.

“I think our approach is: it’s got to be affordable. We, as a business, are more set up for volume so we understand that it’s got to be reachable for every person. And we also get a cost benefit out of it, if it is affordable,“ says Simon.

With this in mind, SJD Homes have created an affordable housing upgrade, which can be added onto any of their houses to make them carbon neutral called the Z-Range. The Z-Range of homes feature double glazed windows, solar power, energy efficient appliances, solar hot water, upgraded insulation and more.

Originally a product from a collaboration with Sustainability Victoria in 2018, SJD Homes kept on creating and developing the Z-Range to achieve the incredible offering they have for home buyers today.

But, as Simon tells us, the best advocates for their Z Range are the ones living in these homes. “The people who move into these homes, can’t believe it. They just walk around the house in the middle of winter, hardly putting on the heating. And they’re saying the power bills are non-existent.”

We should focus on today

SJD Homes may be a leader in the space of affordable, sustainable housing, but Simon believes sustainability in housing shouldn’t be thought of in future terms – it’s something we need to be doing now.

“It’s not that hard. All of this could be achievable today. Don’t wait until 2030 to get to zero net carbon,” he concludes.

The post SJD Homes Making Net Zero Affordable appeared first on A&L.

We spoke with Scott Daniels, our Environmental Health and Safety Manager here at A&L, about all the latest safety updates. He heads up the safety team as well as oversees safety procedures and protocols across our business. We discussed the recent improvements we’ve made and asked Scott about any upcoming safety plans for the year ahead.

Our safety management system

A&L have a safety management system that covers all our safety protocols to give them the focus they deserve and to meet all and any requirements. This includes a variety of procedures from personal protective equipment through to our hot weather policies. Scott tells us it’s a very comprehensive system that covers all the steps along the way, starting at the very beginning.

“From manufacturing the windows and doors through to delivering them to our customers, it ensures we’re protecting our employees.”  – Scott Daniels, A&L Windows.

Giving our team an extra lift with truck hydraulics

Our trucks have been upgraded to feature a hydraulic lift system. This is welcome news as it removes the need for heavy lifting because the hydraulic lifts bring the material down to the ground level so the transport team can handle it safely from there. Previously, we were following the industry standard of workers having to manually lift product off the back of trucks themselves. Now, due to the updates, truck contents can be safely taken out of the truck with lower risk of injury, fatigue, or undue stress.

Prioritising personal protective equipment

Every A&L delivery driver and factory worker wears head-to-toe personal protective equipment (PPE), including full length, high vis clothing and gloves for protection. “Obviously moving around large and often heavy products featuring glass is a dangerous business, so the PPE is to prevent drivers and workers from cutting and injuring themselves,” Scott says.

Keeping limber with on-site physios

We have permanent on-site physios. They’re available to all staff for both work-related and non work-related injuries. “It’s a fantastic service,” says Scott. He also tells us that the physios provide specialised manual handling training. “It’s not your run of the mill, ‘This is how you lift,’ advice. It really needs to be specific to the job so we give our employees all the tools. When I say tools, they are the right lifting techniques tailored for their work. It’s utilised a lot,” Scott says.

Rising to the challenges of Covid-19

The past few years, like for many companies, have proved challenging due to Covid-19, but we have risen and adapted to the challenges presented.

“All our service and transport staff have had Covid marshal training, which is basically infection control training.” – Scott Daniels, A&L Windows.

We provide our staff with Covid PPE, from antibacterial wipes to wipe down the vehicles and other surfaces through to the correct masks to wear while on site and whenever needed.

Always improving how we work with scaffolding

For our A&L team, working at heights is a part of the job. This includes working high on roofs or scaffolding, installing our products. It can be work with some risk, so the safety equipment used for working from heights was recently upgraded. New scaffolding equipment has been made available that allows our employees to work more safely on rooftops and at heights. With ongoing safety improvements in mind, this new equipment will be used at any job that requires rooftop work.

Doing the right thing – rain, hail, or shine

Our hot weather policy has also been updated. We want to make sure our employees are safe when they’re on site and when delivering product to customers. When it comes to different weather and different environments our team encounter day to day, we need to make sure we ask the right questions and always follow our procedures. As Scott poses, “They might show up to a house and it could be 50 degrees inside. So, we ask how do we manage that? How do we maintain our employee’s safety?”

Our commitment to a safe future

We are always looking to better our safety procedures and policies. We have recently started a large project to update our manual handling procedures across the business. For service and transport, we’re looking at ways our workers can take product off the back of a truck, put it on a trolley and deliver it to the customer’s site with minimal lifting. On site, we’re looking at equipment that can assist in removing some of these hazardous manual handling lifts. As well as the manual handling updates, we are also looking into further improving our injury prevention procedures at our manufacturing facility, with a special focus on pedestrian forklift interaction.

With all that we have done before and the improvements we are about to make, we’re looking forward to a safe and productive future for 2022 and beyond, for all our team and partners.

The post Continuous Improvement On Our Safety Measures & Procedures appeared first on A&L.

There are plenty of positives to window flashing.

Regardless of the type or material you choose, window flashing is inexpensive, easy to install, and can save you substantial amounts of money by protecting against the costly impacts of water damage or penalties for non-compliance.

However, for many builders, flashing is misunderstood. There’s confusion around when it’s required, why you might install it, and what can happen if you don’t.

In this easy-to-follow guide, you’ll learn:

• What flashing is and why it is important
• When flashing is a mandatory requirement
• The consequences for non-compliance
• The easy way to protect yourself

Did you know: The Victorian Building Authority and private inspectors are spending more time and energy looking for instances of non-compliance due to missing window flashing. This is due to widespread confusion around the requirement for flashing and high levels of known non-compliance.

What is window flashing? Why is it important?

Although there are many different types of flashing, they all achieve the same purpose. Flashing is designed to waterproof a window and protect against rainwater damaging the internal building fabrics of your home.

In most cases across the east coast of Australia, homes consist of a timber frame with cladding on the outside—whether brick veneer, weatherboard, or other materials—with a waterproof building wrap between the timber and the cladding.

Flashing works with the building wrap to redirect rainwater, preventing moisture from leaking into the interior of the walls.

With that in mind, flashing is important for two key reasons:

1. Flashing protects a home against the costly impact of water damage: without flashing, rainwater can seep inside a home over time, contributing to warped plaster, mould build up, damaged frames and floorboards, and more. Flashing drastically reduces the chance of water leaking into the home or building materials.
2. Without flashing, you can be penalised by state building authorities, like the VBA in Victoria: in the recently updated National Construction Code, flashing is a mandated requirement in every residential window across Australia. If you do not have flashing installed in your windows, inspectors will implement strict and taxing punishments.

There are three main types of window flashing:

• Z-flashing: this type of flashing consists of a folded metal part. It is usually fitted to the head of a window (rather than the sill or the jambs), and it is typically used in homes with lightweight construction.
• Damp course or ‘DC’: damp course flashing is essentially a large thick sheet of polythene, which is fixed to the window.
• Self-adhesive: if you buy a window from a manufacturer or supplier without flashing pre-fixed, you can purchase self-adhesive flashing and affix it between the window and building fabric yourself later on.

Did you know: At A&L, we offer a wide range of flashing options that can be tailored to your unique requirement, and conveniently supplied as part of your window order. It’s the easy way to take the hassle out of window flashing and protect yourself against the pitfalls of non-compliance!

Please note, door sill flashing is also a key requirement. Although flashing to the sills of all door products has been required since the introduction of the NCC 2019, the proposed amendments for 2022 include more detailed notes and section drawings showing the typical install of an Alcor-type semi-rigid flashing material in this position. 

When is window flashing mandatory? What are the requirements?

Wherever you are in Australia, every window in a home with masonry veneer or lightweight construction cladding requires some type of flashing. This is a clear and definitive requirement for compliance with the newly updated National Construction Code, as of February 1^st, 2019.

Here’s where some of the confusion comes in.

While flashing was mentioned in the Code previously, it was often using non-definite terms: phrases like “flashing is necessary where required”. Now, the Code offers the following prescriptive guidelines*:

In masonry or brick veneer construction:

As outlined by the Code in Clause 3.3.5.8, flashings must be applied to the top and bottom (or head and sill) of an opening. Additionally:

• The flashing must be installed so that it extends a minimum of 150mm on each side of the opening.
• The flashing must be located no more than one course below the sill brick course, and 300mm above the opening.
• The flashing must be turned up in the cavity not less than 150mm above the opening.
• The flashing must be embedded at least 30mm into the masonry veneer.
• The flashing must be attached to the window or wall framing.

In timber or composite wall cladding:

Clause 3.5.4.6 of the newly updated Code stipulates that flashing must be provided to the top, sides and bottom (head, jambs and sill) of an opening. Additionally:

• The flashing must extend at least 100mm on each side of the opening.
• The flashing must be attached to the window and wall framing.
• The flashing must drain to the outside face of the wall or cladding at the top and bottom of the opening.
• The flashing must be securely fixed at least 25mm under the cladding and extend over the ends and edges of the framing of the opening.

Further, joins in the flashing must:

• Overlap by not less than 75mm in the direction of flow.
• Be securely fastened at intervals of not more than 40mm.
• Have sealant installed between laps.

What are the consequences for non-compliance?

There are two likely outcomes for failing to flash a window. Neither is positive; both will cost you time and/or money.

1. Without flashing, rainwater can seep into your home and wreak havoc on the materials.

With water leaking into building materials over time, you can experience warped or cracking plaster in your walls, swollen timber or floorboards, or mould. Depending on the extent of the damage, it’s likely going to be costly and time intensive to repair.

2. Without flashing, an independent inspector or a state-based building authority is likely to identify you as being non-compliant.

For builders, this likely means lost time and money. For homeowners, it’s enormously inconvenient. Why?

Let’s look at a hypothetical example of non-compliance…

As a builder, imagine you’ve just finished building 10 lightweight or weatherboard homes. The windows are plastered in and the occupants are ready to move into each property.

Before moving in, one of the occupants contacts an independent building inspector to check the house. The inspector’s services likely cost a few thousand dollars, so they are keenly motivated to complete their due diligence and provide a thorough report.

Walking through the home, the inspector recognises quickly that there is no flashing on the windows. Unlike non-compliance with energy-ratings—which requires several tests and detailed information to identify—a lack of flashing is clearly and immediately visible for a building inspector. Further, it is well known that there are large levels of non-compliance for window flashing across the building industry at present, particularly since the NCC’s updates last year.

As a result of the non-compliance, the certificate of occupancy is delayed until all windows are flashed.

Unfortunately, that means ripping off all the cladding and plaster work, installing flashing, re-plastering, repainting the plaster, and reapplying the cladding. For every single window in every home you’ve built.

You likely have to halt progress on other build sites while the flashing is retrospectively installed, throwing out delivery timeframes, and the homeowners can’t move in until the situation is rectified. It’s generally inconvenient and costly across the board.

The easy way to protect yourself against penalties for non-compliance

It’s simple: order your window products with flashing included and ensure the flashing is installed correctly.

If you have the right materials on site, affixing flashing to a window takes literally seconds. And it can save you from lost time and money—and the severe inconvenience of re-doing work—caused by non-compliance.

With building authorities like the VBA conducting proactive inspections and shining a spotlight on window flashing, the likelihood of being identified for non-compliance is growing.

Looking for more guidance or information?

While the revised National Construction Code provides clear guidelines for window flashing, we can support you to understand your responsibilities, provide flexible options to suit your design requirements, and make the process as simple and convenient as possible.

For more insight into different flashing options, get in touch with the team today!

*This article has been developed to provide general guidance, awareness and education. It should not be viewed as a definitive guide and should be read in conjunction with the requirements of the National Construction Code (www.abcb.gov.au). While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate, A&L expressly disclaims all and any liability to any person for anything done in reliance on this publication. No responsibility is accepted by A&L for any mistakes, errors, or omissions in this content.

The post What builders need to know about window flashing. appeared first on A&L.