AGED CARE AND EDUCATION

Aged Care Sector

APL Window Solutions offers a range of products designed to comply with New Zealand standards and design best practice for aged care facilities and homes occupied by the elderly.

New Zealand has an increased demand for aged care facilities and appropriately designed products because of the rise in our ageing population. The design emphasis is on enhancing secure, healthy and comfortable environments that are easy to move around in.

We have a number of products designed to make living easier for the elderly. APL is a Lifemark product partner.

Secure Ventilation

■ Ventilation can be a problem in homes occupied by the elderly and often windows are kept closed for long periods. Passive ventilation options are a good solution, offering year-round comfort.

Enhanced Accessibility

■ Flush sills reduce tripping hazards and cater for walking frame and wheelchair use. Available for hinged doors, sliding doors, and near-flush interior sliding doors (Magnum Doors)

■ Lifemark recommends minimum door widths of 810mm clear opening.

■ A flush entry door threshold is desirable with recessed drain or elevated floating deck for a level entry (generous overhead weather cover recommended)

■ Near-flush interior track available for Magnum sliding doors

Convenient Hardware

■ Security and ease of operation of door and window handles and locks are priorities in ‘New Zealand Standard NZS4121:2001 Design for Access and Mobility-Buildings and Associated Facilities.’ We offer a range of hardware suitable for the aged care sector.

■ A self-latching sliding door lock is a convenient option, especially where two panels meet in a bi-parting slider

■ The Urbo Helix window fastener with no visible flap or wedge is recommended as a user-friendly choice for the elderly.

Interior Comfort - Thermal Options

■ In colder parts of the country, products from APL’s high thermal efficiency ranges need to be considered. These include Residential and Metro Series ThermalHEART windows and doors with a thermal break to optimise interior temperatures and comfort, including Metro Centrafix

■ Klima uPVC windows are rated to a maxmum 6 energy stars under WEERS (Window Energy Efficiency Rating System) when used with Low-E double

Glazing for Interior Comfort

■ Glazing in homes accounts for the greater part of interior heat gain and heat loss so careful selection of glass type is important.

■ Double glazing with a Low-E coating to retain interior heat in winter and resist solar gain in summer is recommended. Solux-E™ from AGP (Architectural Glass Products) includes an ATS spacer and Argon as standard.