SOCIAL HOUSING AND MULTI-UNIT

Social Housing

Social or public housing has its own set of distinctive requirements, with window and door products that are robust and contribute to a safe, healthy and adequately ventilated interior environment. New Zealand has a large and growing social housing stock. Modern and more convenient windows are being retrofitted into older dwellings; fully customised and optimum product ranges are being specified in new builds. On this page are some of our recommendations for products suitable for the social housing sector.

Residential Series and ThermalHEART

■ Residential Series and Residential Series ThermalHEART ranges are good options as they combine robust frames and profiles with economy of pricing. They are suitable for a wide spectrum of housing projects. Residential Series ThermalHEART offers extra thermal efficiency in colder parts of the country.

Metro Series Suitability

■ Because Metro Series windows and doors are rated for heavy duty applications they may be appropriate in situations where hard wearing or robust treatment are likely to be encountered. They are also suitable for larger formats and more exposed locations. Metro Series also has a ThermalHEART option available for colder environments.

Specific Products

■ Secure and consistent background ventilation is important in living spaces in social housing. Factors influencing this relate to potential tenant turnover and the State commitment to a high quality interior environment. Passive ventilation options and robust hardware need careful consideration.

Multi-unit Projects and Apartments

Multi-unit developments are on the rise, in part through the encouragement of Government and local authority policies. The projects are seen as an effective way of addressing New Zealand’s housing shortage. Such developments offer scope for the use of a wide range of APL products influenced primarily by project budget, marketing considerations and target purchaser. Apartment consents have seen double digit growth year on year in recent times and this trend is expected to continue.

Some of the products suitable for multi-unit application include those outlined here.

Residential Series and ThermalHEART

■ Residential Series and Residential Series ThermalHEART ranges are good options as they combine robust frames and profiles with economy of pricing. They are suitable for a wide spectrum of housing projects. Residential Series ThermalHEART offers extra thermal efficiency in colder parts of the country.

Metro Series Suitability

■ Because Metro Series windows and doors are rated for heavy duty applications they may be appropriate in situations where hard wearing or robust treatment are likely to be encountered. They are also suitable for larger formats and more exposed locations. Metro Series also has a ThermalHEART option available for colder environments.

Metro Series Centrafix® ThermalHEART

■ This is a recessed window and door system combining Metro strength, ThermalHEART efficiency and the aesthetic and thermal advantages of a mid-position frame

■ Can be used by Kāinga Ora and other public agencies and developers who are interested in achieving the Passive House standard or low net energy outputs

■ The recessed frame enhances weathertightness and thermal efficiency

■ Wide platform option available for triple glazing across all products – windows, sliding doors, hinged, French and Bi-fold doors.

Healthy Ventilation

■ Optimum levels of ventilation for occupant health and comfort are important, as well as for the prevention of mould and mildew

■ The Covid-19 pandemic has underlined the benefits of fresh air circulation in all shared domestic environments and enclosed accessways and common areas

■ Cross-infection from carriers of Covid-19 are a new driver in the move to optimise fresh air entry.

■ Studies have shown that airborne virus transmission from droplets and microdroplets will spread dangerously with closed windows. Open windows or a level of background, passive ventilation are important.

■ Trickle ventilators can help provide a useful level of background ventilation. Options include Aerovent (head or transom of fixed windows), Sashvent (bottom rail of awning windows), and Ventient (range of installations possible).

Enhanced Accessibility

■ Mobility-friendly thresholds for hinged doors are available as well as for flush sill sliding doors and near-flush interior sliding doors (Magnum Doors). This also reduces tripping and falls.

Robust Options

■ For extra strength and resistance to impact, consider doubling the height of bottom rails on hinged and sliding doors with a rail extender

■ The Urbo window fastener with no flap or wedge is recommended.