Addressing challenges, resource and material shifts
The challenge
The window and door industry is a high-value fibre market in Australia, with all products required to meet the National Construction Code (NCC) standards. The current standards-approved designs are outdated, with only four window types that don’t perform well in higher wind or energy efficiency, thereby reducing the attractiveness of wood fibre options in the market.
The solution
This project aims to create new, modern designs to help the industry stay compliant and competitive and meet the stricter NCC2022 Seven Star energy requirements. With traditional timber species like Vic Ash, becoming harder to get, this project will also create a validation approach to support the substitution of one tested species/EWPs with another.
Outcomes
By testing and validating modern timber window designs, this research will ensure that the industry stays up-to-date and compliant with modern structural and energy standards. The tools this project will develop enables adaption to the changing landscape while keeping Australian wood fibre options and innovation central to this market.
“This isn’t about locking the industry into certain timbers. It’s about confirming the engineering principles, so we can future-proof our window systems and give the forestry sector and manufacturers more options.”
Clinton Skeoch – Australian Glass and Window Association
