The Afton Street Conservation Park Wetland is a beautiful spot, tucked away at the end of The Boulevard as it turns into Afton Street. The site and surrounding Maribyrnong Valley Parklands are home to several species of birds and it features the occasional visits by swamp wallabies, dolphins and seals and importantly helps protect and improve the water quality of the Maribyrnong River. Timba Windows is proud to support educational activities about such an important environmental wetland, and it’s right here on our doorstep.

Recently we photographed a home being built in the small township of Mount Macedon, just west out of Melbourne. The property lies at the base of a mountain peak, famous in the area and known too as Mount Macedon.

The area has a number of historical grand Victorian homes with exquisite English gardens that are most attractive in autumn when the leaves of the many deciduous trees transform into bright and blazing colours. This too was the atmosphere on this property. Although the home is not complete, the surroundings boasted vast fields of green, uniformed patterns of trees lining the quiet inbound street and native grasses softening the many lines in the landscape.

The purpose built timber windows and doors take full advantage of the marvellous views from inside this this vast scale home. Made and supplied in our Keilor factory, the 40 or so windows (can’t say exactly how many but it was lots!), that adorn the home’s exterior are a mixture of double hung, fixed and awning styles and help add a sense of historical charm to to this home.

Driven by concerns over climate change and prompted by increasing government regulation, building design professionals are seeking to reduce the impacts of their design decisions on the broad environment. In their designs, they are increasingly using preferably renewable resources and materials in solutions that improve energy efficiency, conserve water and provide healthy indoor environments.

This change is having an impact on the selection and performance requirements for windows and doors. Demand is increasing for high performance windows and doors that contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy use in building. Careful window and door selection is seen as a means of limiting demand for artificial light and air-conditioning, providing building occupants with suitable daylight and accessible ventilation control. To reduce the materials impact on the environment, designers are choosing a renewable material that is predominately carbon neutral and preferably from sustainably managed and certified resources, timber.

There are six fundamental advantages to selecting timber windows and doors for residential, commercial and other building applications.

1. They are attractive. They look and feel right. Those encountering wood in a building understand its origins, its connection to the natural world, and its history of use.

2. They are available in a wide range of designs, colours and finishes. Timbers flexibility in design, allows innovation and creativity.

3. They are more thermally efficient. Timber acts as an insulator to reduce the thermal bridge that windows or doors inevitably create between the internal and external environment.

4. They are economic, have a long service life and can be refreshed or repaired efficiently.

5. They are made from sustainable and renewable materials. Wood can be regrown on a continual and sustainable basis.

6. They store atmospheric carbon. The growth of a tree absorbs carbon, which is stored in a timber throughout its service life. Emissions from using high-energy materials are avoided.

Article from the Window And Door Industry Council (WADIC) Timber windows and doors and design specification manual

Peter Willcocks

Timba Windows worked closely with KHAK architects to provide all windows and doors for this luxury, contemporary masterpiece in Balwyn. The architects specified a combination of double casement windows and a lavish timber finish double door for the front and grand proportioned fixed windows with multiple double exterior doors at the rear of the property. Most of the woodwork is painted except for the beautiful wood finish of the front door which is a definite central feature of the home. The home is for sale through Jellis Craig.

At Timba Windows we are working closely with Lincoln Sentry to provide the best window and door solutions possible. We are very excited with our new line of energy efficient timber Lift and Slide doors.

Conventional sliding doors tend to drag across the seal causing friction and noise but the Lift and Slide door systems separate the sliding and sealing/locking actions from each other thus allowing the door panels to be lifted above the track and seals to slide (roll) easily when opening or closing the door. Such an easy smooth effortless action, it has to be seen to be believed. The ease in operation of even the largest, heaviest panels is the result of the perfect interplay of running carriages, gear and lever handle. In the locked position the sliding door drops down onto the sill providing a superior seal from water, draught, dust and noise.

Panel sizes of up to 2.8m high and 3.3m wide means that doors can be built to the size of an entire wall making them the ideal choice for maximising the view and bringing the outside in. The wide panels also have a reduced need for vertical panels so you get a big expanse of glass for that uninterrupted view. Our timber Lift and Slide system is the perfect energy efficient solution incorporating insulating double-glazed glass, superior weather seals, energy efficient thresholds at the base of the door and a natural timber finish.

Hi Amanda,

Finally got that bloody sliding door in at Powers St Donvale last week. After all the muck around getting it so promptly, it didn’t end up fitting through the front door.
We ended up negotiating with the customer to create a double front door just to get there back door installed.
Anyway, just wanted to thank you for getting the door on site so quickly and wanted to say I will definitely be using you guys in the future, the door went in so smooth and has been built so well. I’m really impressed.
Hope you have a great Christmas and new year.

Brendan Frost

Timba Windows Tilt and Turn Windows – utilising state-of-the-art GU hardware technology from Europe combined with the beautiful finish of Australian natural timber.

Function, form and design 

• Plenty of scope for design creativity due to floor-to-ceiling sash rebate heights up to 2800mm;
• Vision not distracted by ugly hinges, just the handle is visible;
• Barrier free balcony and patio door designs are possible;
• Sound proof characteristics, improved window tightness, great energy saving measures;
• Technically perfect hardware system, proven guaranteed quality and performance.

A carbon footprint has historically been defined as “the total set of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by an organization, event, product or person.” However, calculating a carbon footprint which conforms to this definition is often impracticable due to the large amount of data required, which is often costly and time consuming to obtain. A more practicable definition has been suggested, which is gaining acceptance within the field:
“A measure of the total amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) emissions of a defined population, system or activity, considering all relevant sources, sinks and storage within the spatial and temporal boundary of the population, system or activity of interest. Calculated as carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) using the relevant 100-year global warming potential (GWP100).”
Greenhouse gases can be emitted through transport, land clearance, and the production and consumption of food, fuels, manufactured goods, materials, wood, roads, buildings, and services. For simplicity of reporting, it is often expressed in terms of the amount of carbon dioxide, or its equivalent of other GHGs, emitted.
The concept name of the carbon footprint originates from ecological footprint discussion. The carbon footprint is a subset of the ecological footprint and of the more comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
An individual’s, nation’s, or organisations carbon footprint can be measured by undertaking a GHG emissions assessment. Once the size of a carbon footprint is known, a strategy can be devised to reduce it, e.g. by technological developments, better process and product management, changed Green Public or Private Procurement (GPP), carbon capture, consumption strategies, and others.
The mitigation of carbon footprints through the development of alternative projects, such as solar or wind energy or reforestation, represents one way of reducing a carbon footprint and is often known as Carbon offsetting.
The main influences on carbon footprints include population, economic output, and energy and carbon intensity of the economy. [5] These factors are the main targets of individuals and businesses in order to decrease carbon footprints. Scholars suggest the most effective way to decrease a carbon footprint is to either decrease the amount of energy needed for production or to decrease the dependence on carbon emitting fuels.

Voluntary market mechanisms

In contrast to the strict rules set out for the mandatory market, the voluntary market provides companies with different options to acquire emissions reductions. A solution, comparable with those developed for the mandatory market, has been developed for the voluntary market, the Verified Emission Reductions (VER). This measure has the great advantage that the projects/activities are managed according to the quality standards set out for CDM/JI projects but the certificates provided are not registered by the governments of the host countries or the Executive Board of the UNO. As such, high quality VERs can be acquired at lower costs for the same project quality. However, at present VERs can not be used in the mandatory market.
The voluntary market in North America is divided between members of the Chicago Climate Exchange and the Over The Counter (OTC) market. The Chicago Climate Exchange is a voluntary yet legally binding cap-and-trade emission scheme whereby members commit to the capped emission reductions and must purchase allowances from other members or offset excess emissions. The OTC market does not involve a legally binding scheme and a wide array of buyers from the public and private spheres, as well as special events that want to go carbon neutral.
There are project developers, wholesalers, brokers, and retailers, as well as carbon funds, in the voluntary market. Some businesses and nonprofits in the voluntary market encompass more than just one of the activities listed above. A report by Ecosystem Marketplace shows that carbon offset prices increase as it moves along the supply chain—from project developer to retailer.
While some mandatory emission reduction schemes exclude forest projects, these projects flourish in the voluntary markets

A major criticism concerns the imprecise nature of GHG sequestration quantification methodologies for forestry projects. However, others note the community co-benefits that forestry projects foster. Project types in the voluntary market range from avoided deforestation, afforestation/reforestation, industrial gas sequestration, increased energy efficiency, fuel switching, methane capture from coal plants and livestock, and even renewable energy.

Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) sold on the voluntary market are quite controversial due to additionality concerns. Industrial Gas projects receive criticism because such projects only apply to large industrial plants that already have high fixed costs. Siphoning off industrial gas for sequestration is considered picking the low hanging fruit; which is why credits generated from industrial gas projects are the cheapest in the voluntary market.

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The Swanston Academic Building occupies the vacant Swanston Street car park next to the Oxford Hotel, on the corner of Swanston and A’Beckett Streets, and the former site of RMIT Building 48, at 449 Swanston Street, which was demolished in 2009. This new building is an impressive undertaking and Timba Windows are proud to be contracted to supply the internal windows, doors and door frames, glazing and wood paneling. Material specifications have strict design and environmental considerations, with all timber specified to be either re-used, post-consumer recycled or Forest Stewardship Council Certified timber. The certified timber we chose to use is Tasmanian Oak, made to order and painted in Japan Black and satin clear.

Building key features are:

• 35,000sqm of floor space and 11 levels (including basement)
• 12 lecture theatres, 64 teaching spaces and 10 specialist learning venues for the whole RMIT community
• New home for College of Business students and staff
• Two-storey cantilevered student portal that overhangs Swanston Street
• Nine additional double-height student portals for study and recreation, with landscaped indoor gardens and curated spaces for public art
• An innovative mix of teaching and office space on all levels of the building to encourage more interaction between staff and students
• Retail outlets on Swanston, A’Beckett and Stewart Streets

High-performance facade

The high-performance facade includes external sun shading, internal blinds and double-glazed units.

Central Plant
Chilled water for the Swanston Academic Building will be sourced from a chilled water plant room that is located on the roof of RMIT’s Building 12, opposite SAB on Swanston Street on the City Campus. This option is more energy- efficient than the installation of a localised chilled water plant on the roof of SAB.

Water conservation
Rainwater and grey water collection and reuse for toilet flushing and irrigation. Greywater is non-industrial wastewater generated from domestic activities that include dish washing, laundry and bathing. This water collection will reduce the landscaping demand for potable water (water that is safe for drinking) by at least 90%.

Water efficient fittings and fixtures
The fixtures and flow rates for toilet flushing and hand wash basins have 6-Star Water Efficiency and Standard (WELS) ratings. WELS is an Australian Government labelling scheme that is designed to help Australian businesses and households save water.

Demand-based Control Ventilation (DCV)
DCV maintains proper ventilation and improves air quality while saving energy. DCV reduces the total outdoor air supply to an indoor space during peri- ods of less occupancy. Carbon Dioxide Gas (CO2) sensors control the amount of ventilation for the actual number of occupants.

Displacement ventilation in lecture theatres
Displacement ventilation systems supply air directly to the occupied area of a venue. This system is used for ventilation and cooling of large high spaces, such as lecture theatres, where energy can be saved if only the occupied zone is treated rather than trying to control the conditions in the entire space.

Active Chilled Beams
Active Chilled Beams will be installed in cellular and open-plan office spaces. Active Chilled Beam technology is a building conditioning system that uses convection and water that is transferred through a hydronic water loop system – to efficiently move energy throughout a building for the purposes of heating and cooling. The chilled beam units are linear in form, giving the appearance of a beam. Active Chilled Beams are known for energy- efficient, comfortable, quiet operation in a robust system and low maintenance requirements.

Energy efficiency lighting
Occupancy sensors – also known as ultrasonic switchers – activate lighting when movement is detected in a room. The lights remain turned on for as long as there is movement in the room. Lights automatically switch off when rooms are vacated.

Metering (water and electricity)
Building Management System integrated water metres will be installed throughout the Swanston Academic Building to allow remote monitoring of water consumption. Energy metres will also be installed throughout SAB to allow remote monitoring of electricity and gas consumption of electrical and mechanical services.

Low–Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) paints
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) refer to organic chemical compounds that have significant vapor pressures and can affect the environment and human health. Low VOC paints will be used throughout the Swanston Academic Building.