Energy Rating Windows for New Builds in Melbourne: What You Need to Know
Energy Rating Windows for New Builds in Melbourne: What You Need to Know
Energy rating windows for a new build in Melbourne are not an optional consideration. They are a compliance requirement under the National Construction Code and a significant factor in whether your home achieves its NatHERS target rating. The window specification contributes directly to the modelled energy performance of the building, and choosing the right products early in the design process avoids costly changes later. This guide covers what the current requirements look like, how windows contribute to the energy rating, and what to look for when specifying products.
What the Current NatHERS Requirements Mean for New Builds
The 2022 National Construction Code requires all new residential buildings in Australia to achieve a minimum 7 star NatHERS rating. In Melbourne’s climate zone, achieving this standard with a standard window specification is increasingly difficult. The window area, orientation, glazing type, and frame material all feed directly into the NatHERS energy model, and each variable affects the final rating.
Builders and homeowners who are specifying energy rating windows for a new build in Melbourne need to consider the following:
- U-value: The thermal transmittance of the window system. Lower values mean better insulation and a better contribution to the NatHERS rating.
- Solar heat gain coefficient: How much solar radiation passes through the glass. This must be balanced across orientations to maximise winter gains without causing summer overheating.
- Air infiltration: How much air passes through and around the window at standard pressure differentials. Lower infiltration rates contribute to both the energy rating and the comfort of the finished building.
- WERS-rated products: The Window Energy Rating Scheme provides independently verified data for window products that NatHERS assessors use directly in their energy models. Specifying WERS-rated products from an accredited supplier ensures your assessment data is accurate and defensible.
How Astellite Windows Support New Build Energy Ratings
Astellite manufactures energy rating windows for new builds in Melbourne using German-engineered Aluplast uPVC profiles and high-performance Lightbridge double glazing. The products are WERS-rated, which means the performance data needed for NatHERS assessments is available and independently verified.
The multi-chamber uPVC frame construction achieves low frame U-values that support the overall window system performance. Combined with argon-filled double or triple glazing and multi-point locking systems, Astellite windows deliver the performance levels needed for 7 star and higher NatHERS ratings in Melbourne’s climate zone.
The Window Range for New Builds
Astellite offers a full range of window styles for new residential construction in Melbourne:
- Tilt and turn windows for flexible ventilation and excellent sealing.
- Fixed windows for maximum insulation in permanently sealed areas.
- Awning windows for controlled ventilation in all weather.
- Sliding windows for modern layouts.
- Bifold windows for wide openings to outdoor spaces.
- Bay windows for light and views.
- Corner windows for contemporary designs.
- Custom windows for non-standard or architecturally specific openings.
Triple glazing is available across the range for projects targeting higher performance levels. All products are available in a wide range of UV-resistant frame colours and finishes.
Astellite holds accreditation from AGWA and WERS, and all products meet Australian building and safety standards including bushfire compliance where applicable. Every installation is backed by a 10-year warranty.
Get a Free Quote Today
Astellite services new build projects in Melbourne, Geelong, Melton, and the Mornington Peninsula. Contact us today to arrange a consultation and discuss the right window specification for your project’s energy rating requirements.