Whether you are renovating a house for profit or maybe it's time to update the exterior of your home, changing the doors and windows can give an immediate change to your street appeal. Larger windows will add so much natural light and warmth to your home and adding stylish doors to the exterior will not only add value and class but also act practically as insulation to the elements and a perfect sound barrier for outside noises.
By changing your interior doors, you can create new spaces for a home and add privacy with noise reduction, as well as it being beneficial towards energy saving costs. Interior doors can capture the essence of the home and establish the feel throughout. Careful consideration needs to be adhered to when replacing your doors and windows to ensure a visually appealing, productive outcome.
What do I want?
With such a large range of options, it is probably best to narrow down the choices into three separate points:
The strength or the wind load that might be a requirement of the suburb where you are building.
Any personal requirements.
Style.
1/ Strength and Wind Load
Australia has a national standard that is required by all door and window companies to comply by. Tests are executed on external doors and windows for wind load extremities, assurance that the door or window is capable of opening and closing without force and a water penetration test to ensure an opening contains no leakage into the home. All manufacturers will have a compliant standard labelled AS 2047 AS 1288 to guarantee compliance.
Exemptions to the AS 2047 standard are heritage windows or doors, recycled doors or architecturally designed doors and windows that exceed the Australian Standard.
When choosing a door or window it is best to discuss with the retailer the region of where you live. Choosing a door and window that is suitable to your environment may be required to have extra strength or a higher standard of penetration. Saltwater, wind, flooding and extreme weather can influence the type of window or door that you choose.
If you are using a builder to install your fittings he will take this into account on the installation. Qualified builders can advise you on the correct wind load for your build with the help of an engineer. Depending on the position of any glass placement some windows may need safety glass to prevent sharp fragments if breakages occur.
Doors that are likely to be exposed to water, for example, a bathroom, kitchen or if you live in a flood zone, need to be water-resistant making the choice of materials for your door an important decision. The solid wood of Spotted Gum, Blackbutt or Jarrah are great when treated and have strong insulation and soundproof qualities. Timber structures for door and window frames reduce condensation as their ability to adhere to fluctuating weather conditions is high; this is also ideal for expansion in warmer climates as wood is generally resilient to change when exposed to sudden heat.
Aluminium doors are strong and require little or no maintenance. Aluminium is durable making it a perfect choice when installing glass doors. Window frames made from aluminium are less bulky and can create a great look for a minimalist effect, also giving great water resistance as well as perfect insulation for climate control within your home.
All doors and windows on the exterior of the home should be built with the ability to disperse water quickly and effectively. Panelling should be slightly sloped to improve water runoff as well as windowsills and doors being well sealed to prevent water seeping into the home.
2/ Personal requirements
Creating spaces with your interior doors can enable the family to have living zones where they can have some privacy. Teenagers who need to study, or parents working from home, need to ensure the door can prevent any noise distractions. Interior doors when not exposed to high traffic or water can be a little less costly by choosing a Hollow Core or Solid Core door. Hollow Core doors are lightweight, easy to install and can be effortlessly painted to suit colours within the home. Solid Core doors are good sound and heat insulators and are durable.
Some consumers also opt for solid wood doors for the interior. These can be more costly but do make a great impact within a room. Consider the area you have within the room for a door installation; to reduce taking up a lot of space, a sliding door or barn style door may be more suitable.
Bifold doors can transform a large open space into a temporary retreat for relaxation, or a place in the evening to watch your favourite TV show, while the children can play in a safe space close by, providing versatility to your lifestyle.
3/Style
When renovating a home, try to ensure the style of the doors and windows maintain a consistent approach to the design of the home you have in mind. Installing contemporary style doors to a heritage home may look out of place. Choose colours and styles to create an impression for the rest of the home.
Styles are limitless with solid doors, moulded panels, glass inserts, horizontal or vertical patterns, bi-folds, barn doors, customised, colonial and modern, just to name a few. Rooms can be lifted with large open windows that exhume natural light and enables the outside to co-exist with your interior. Window frames can determine the first appearance of a potential buyer or dress your home for a particular style outcome.
Dressing your doors and windows with suitable handles, frames, sills and locks adds to the appeal of your chosen design. There are many different accessories to add to your openings, maybe even a doorbell or a door knocker to add a personal touch.
With so many options when choosing doors and windows for your home, finding the perfect style should be easy.
If you’re looking for some home renovation builders on the Northern Beaches or North Shore of Sydney, get in touch with Dependabuild today!
