Window Joinery and Doors

• Your selection will depend on the style of home you’re building. Wood generally suits older homes and newer homes can take either wood or aluminium. Plastic is a newer option to the market and shouldn’t be discounted – it is a durable and attractive alternative.
• Wood will require more maintenance but may be chosen because you prefer the look but timber joinery is often less susceptible to changes in fashions, so may be better option for the long-term. 
• Aluminium now comes in a large range of profiles and may be cheaper to install and less maintenance in the medium term. 
• There are also ways of combining both wood and aluminium into one fitting.

Windows are crucial to the enjoyment of our homes. They allow us to enjoy a view of the world outside, and are a big component of a home's comfort level and cost. 

Doors are literally the gateway to our homes, providing an initial impression for visitors and offering security, so it is amazing how little time people spend considering window, joinery and door options for their new homes or house renovations, because research and planning is the key to making the right decision.

With doors alone, there is a wide range of products – each with differing advantages, security measures, glazing choices, inward or outward opening options for the buyer to consider.

The first step to making an intelligent decision is to seek out a respected company which has an established record in the industry. As with a lot of purchase decisions we make, word of mouth from friends or family is a good start, so ask around for recommendations.

The staff of a top company will intelligently discuss the initial “looks” you have in mind, help select the right product, and the questions to ask to make sure the building professional you choose has the skills to ensure the right end result – achievement of your dream lifestyle.

The market leading window solutions companies invest heavily in technology which produces outstanding quality and precision. To a layperson, one piece of joinery may look the same as the next, but the finest machinery can ensure angles of the finished product are incredibly accurate and the joinery has the best finishing possible. 

A quality supplier will be able to make fittings specific to a particular home and indentify it with individual markings – you shouldn’t ever get joinery left over from another job.

The true test of a homeowner’s decision will be when winter’s first southerly blast arrives. That is when homeowners will be thankful they planned, sourced good advice, and bought quality. This can be achieved with three crucial steps:

Step 1.    Have a Plan
Be prepared.    

Collect pictures of the colours and look you would like to achieve.

If you visit a friend with a new home and you like certain features, find out who supplied them.  

Take your building plans and ideas to an expert – preferably one with a showroom where staff can show you solutions which best fit your design.   You will see how the joinery operates and how it will enhance the look of your home and quality of lifestyle.

Step 2.   Investigate 

• Quality of product is paramount when selecting windows and doors, as is trust.   • Do you feel good about the product you want to use?
• Do the people you are dealing with know the product and have a track record of performance? • Did you like the designs suggestions and solutions you were offered?
• Is everyone offering the same thing?  

The best way to gain confidence in what you are going to install is by meeting the people and touching the product – it should speak for itself. Things to compare include thermal efficiency (for example, high-performance double glazing and aluminium joinery with thermal breaks), the best use of space, and the product’s environmental impact.

Step 3.   Choose a Partner
I believe a top operator should regard customers as its partners.    Choosing the right supplier can make all the difference to the end result:

• Is the joinery going meet the Building Code?
• Is it manufactured to Standards NZ 4211:1985?
• Will it arrive to the site on time and will it fit?
• What after-sales service does the supplier provide? 

It is important to ask whether your deposit will be secured in a Buildsafe-approved account, and whether the supplier offers a delivery guarantee. A window supplier with the right level of experience, ability and reputation will be happy to answer these questions. Membership of the Window Association of New Zealand is a great indication.   

The last things people need during a home-building project are nasty surprises. If you are not an expert in aluminium joinery, it is critical to have confidence in someone who is to help you achieve your dream.

Editorial supplied by Windowmakers. Heidi Johnston has been owner and Managing Director of North Harbour-based company Windowmakers for eight years. She is the Manufacturers’ Representative on the Window Association of New Zealand executive, and has extensive experience developing property and commissioning house builds.

Timber Joinery

Timber joinery will suit modern architectural or traditional building methods, but not all timber joinery is created equal. There is quality timber joinery and there is cheap timber joinery, but there is NO cheap, quality timber joinery. 

• Timber joinery is manufactured from a renewable resource, is low in energy to produce and has thermal insulation qualities better than most alternative products.
• Check what, if any, warranties are offered. A Registered Master Joiner will offer a warranty on materials and workmanship. Well made timber joinery has no major warranty problems. You can check the reputation of the supplier by asking for names of previous customers, or by checking with Registered Master Joiners. Don’t accept a verbal promise or take it for granted. Some suppliers make warranty promises and don’t back them up.
• Be as well informed as possible on product choice. Be sure you are choosing the best product for the circumstances. For instance, if you require a natural finish, are you prepared for annual maintenance? General wear and tear, abuse and neglect, are not covered by any warranty.
• Don’t accept or choose a product until you have considered all the alternatives.
• Check timber profiles. Registered Master Joiners manufacture to NZ Standards or have had their own profiles tested. These profiles will ensure joinery withstands the pressure of the elements. Doors & sashes should be mortise and tenon jointed and frames housed together and joints primed. 
• Don’t assume construction techniques comply with standards, make sure only tried and proven systems of construction are used.       
• Seek advice on glazing. All glazing must comply with NZ Standards to ensure it is fit for the purpose and provide a safe environment. Double glazing may be required to bring building up to the required `R’ value for insulation; this will need clarifying to receive accurate quotations.  Don’t assume your glazing will comply, ask if in doubt, as glazing is a major cost factor in timber joinery and must be installed to a recognised system.
• We recommend using a recognised system for staining or painting. Surface coating can be your downfall for timber joinery, as it is important to provide adequate protection. Getting joinery pre-primed prior to delivery is a good option as the joinery can be fitted straight in, but remember primer has a limited life. Light colour based paint system with give long life and should only need repainting every 10 years. A natural finish will need regular ongoing attention to avoid irreversible deterioration. 
• It's best not to paint joinery in dark colours as the heat generated will cause bowing and could void warranty.
• Ask what timber is best for your situation. Not all timber is suitable for exterior joinery. Some may also need treatment to make it more durable. If painted with high quality paint, finger jointed Cedar or treated Pine can be a cost effective and environmentally good choice. Door sills may need to be a hardwood if in a high use area. 
• Don’t use timbers unfit for the purpose, ensure your joiner knows or check with a Master Joiner who will have available, historical knowledge of what is and isn’t suitable.
• Check whether hardware is or isn’t supplied in the quote. Use only quality hardware and consider stainless steel, especially if in a coastal area. Also check if replacement parts are readily available. Check with your Joiner if advice is required. Don’t use cheap hardware: as a rule you get what you pay for.
• Check thoroughly the financial and payment terms required. Deposits are usually requested by the joinery supplier. Deposits are used to secure your commitment to the job and to pay for materials such as timber.
• Compare quotations carefully. The cheapest price may not be the best price, check the notes to compare what you are getting or not getting for your money. Don’t assume your supplier is financially sound. Deposits can be lost if the suppliers’ business fails and goes into liquidation, How can you tell? Be wary if one quote is far lower than the others. Struggling suppliers may discount heavily to attract business.  

The Quality and continuing good looks of your timber joinery will be rememberedlong after the price is forgotten.

Editorial supplied by Master Joiners