Bass Strait 8.8 Stars

Perched high on the edge of the north coast of Tasmania overlooking the blue waters of Bass Strait, sits a modern and tranquil family home.

It was after spending time at the award winning Saffire Freycinet Resort in Tasmania, where Paarhammer supplied and installed windows and doors, that the clients made their decision as designers and owner/builders to select their window and door supplier. This was a project where breathtaking views were taking centre stage and the power of architecture and design demonstrated what is possible. With their own stunning location in mind, and with consideration to the environment, the family decided to use Paarhammer triple glazed product with the plan to also increase their comfort level within the house by reducing extreme temperature fluctuations.

A wall of triple glazed Paarhammer fixed glass units combined with some openable lift-slide doors allows the sweeping views of the land and water to be enjoyed all year round, day or night.

To enhance the wide unbroken view while also incorporating air circulation, tall narrow vertical windows were installed adjoining floor to ceiling expanses of fixed glass. These ingenious venting windows have a casement opening that allows a controlled air flow into the home. The windows are locked into position with a multi-point locking system, which features locking pins all around the frame. These very narrow vertical windows have flyscreens while the large fixed windows frame the view without interruption.

Facing extreme winds of up to 150km per hour, the giant lift-slide doors are manufactured with a unique airtight framing design, incorporating multi-level rubber seals, and ultimately eliminating drafts. Extremely low air infiltration of 0.3 was a prerequisite in being used in such an exposed location.

The Victorian Ash timber windows and doors have been sealed with a clear finish on the interior, enhancing the beauty and warmth of the timber, and painted on the exterior to suit the architecture.

Manufactured at the Paarhammer factory in country Victoria, the windows and doors together with a glass lifter were loaded on a truck and travelled overnight with the Spirit of Tasmania. Usually factory glazed, in this case the extra-large triple glazed glass units were delivered directly onto site by Viridian. The glass was then installed on site after the frames where put into place.

This was a challenging project due to the location as well as the extremely high wind speeds. But with U-values of 1.0 to 1.8 and low air infiltration of 0.05 to 0.3 for openable windows and doors, the best solution was achieved.

Motivated by the superior insulating properties of Triple Glazed Windows, the clients specified R 4.0 Insulation in the walls and ceiling with additional R 2.0 under the Cliplock roof and a polished concrete floor over Waffle Pods with in-slab hydronic heating.

This has resulted in an Energy Rating of 8.8 stars, enabling the clients to now enjoy their unique home and stunning views in extreme comfort.