A simple four-bedroom house in Wy Yung, VIC has been able to achieve a comfortable year-round environment by ensuring good orientation as well as smart window and door glazing solutions.

Designed by John McAuley Architecture, this rural home located on Maclure Drive, Wy Yung was built with energy efficiency and cost considerations in mind. The East Gippsland home, Soulsby Housse III is situated on a north-facing site, shaped as a well-orientated rectangle, and completed with the right window and door framing products sourced from Carinya Residential Windows & Doors.

The main living areas and two bedrooms face north and feature large expanses of glass, while utility spaces and secondary bedrooms face south with smaller windows. Supported by solid, insulated walls on the east and west faces, this orientation and glazing mix minimises the need for heating and cooling to maintain a pleasant year-round interior environment.

The single pitched roof slopes towards the northern side, reaching a generous height of 3.2m. Being the primary interface with the outdoor areas, a combination of sliding and fixed windows was used along this length. Each of the north facing rooms and the recessed outdoor entertaining area features Carinya Classic sliding doors, teamed with Invisi-Gard security screens, and topped with highlight windows.

Developed by Alspec based on their experience in the commercial environment, Carinya Classic sliding doors enjoy many features usually only found in commercial products. Features such as threshold and jamb in-fills, internally concealed weather flaps and end caps work together to provide superior all-weather performance. Alspec’s integrated proprietary roller system makes them extremely easy to operate, with the doors able to accommodate heavier panels of glass including double glazing.

The sliding doors provide both security and insect screening with Invisi-Gard security screens without compromising on views, light or air flow. Made from 316 marine grade stainless steel, Invisi-Gard screens are woven using a unique method that produces an incredibly flat, strong surface. Additionally, the screens have a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating of BAL40, making them appropriate for homes in bushfire prone areas.

The new home’s window requirements were met using Carinya Classic awning frames and sliding windows, both featuring an integrated 50mm wide sill to provide ample space for the locking mechanisms and chain winders if required. These Carinya Classic windows also benefit from strong and durable sashes, which can accommodate double glazed glass.

Installed by Absolute Dynamic Windows Pty Ltd, Alspec products specified for the project included Carinya Classic awning frames, Carinya sliding doors, Carinya sliding windows, Carinya Select 125 hinged door frames, Invisi-Gard sliding doors, and Breezway Altair louvres, all finished in Dulux Monument (9067S).

Photography: Felix Mooneeram