We installed uPVC double glazed windows in our extension & are very happy with them. The environmental impact is exceptionally hard to pin down with a lot of contradictory information available. We have found them to be maintenance free, attractive and durable. We are located in a climate that gets very hot summers and cold winters. We did quite a lot of research before we found an Australian manufacturer, hence reducing transport costs and environmental impact and supporting the Australian manufacturing industry.

Hi Clau, looking at exact same dilemma as you at the moment. Thinking of going around our suburb and door knocking to see what the neighbors had installed. If you get a decent supplier, I would love a recommendation. I received a quote for approx $6K per balcony door (3600x2000) I went for a stacker door, as bifolds were too expensive. Supplier is in Randwick

Hi Sammy. Would you recommend your supplier if they are in Sydney? Thank you

We used Vision 3 windows on the Northern Beaches in Sydney. We have commercial aluminium, with glazing of various thicknesses. The thicker glazing has a green tinge- is that what you are talking about?

Very happy with the over quality, look and performance of the product thus far.

The door size 3600 x 2000....sorry, is 3600 the height?.....it would want to be for that price!

We were advised against uPVC- for 2 reasons relevant to our application- 1. some west facing windows- apparently uPVC is designed for cold climate- europe, canada, usa and is being found to not bare up against harsh australian heat. Our stacker slider is 3m tall with 11mm glass only option = commercial aluminium due to the weight. That door is 3000 (H) x 3750 (W) and was $6k.

Clau2000 our manufacturer was in Melbourne, supplier in Canberra. Despite being happy with the product we really struggled with the level of service from the supplier. Quite frankly the business owner was rude, uncommunicative and very difficult to deal with and I would hesitate to recommend her business to anyone. At one point we contacted the manufacturer but he insisted we had to go through his ACT supplier and could not order directly from him (either us or our builder). Our first set of windows were installed on a westerly facing wall & get direct sunlight for the hottest part of the summer afternoon, they have been installed for 4 years and are showing no sign of deterioration. We went with E10 glass, double glazed and they do an amazing job of blocking the summer heat.

Use timber double glazed. Salt will attack the aluminium. Salt will attack anything metal, including some stainless steel.... Unfortunately timber windows and doors use a lot of metal as well.....hinge's, etc.. PVC sound's good but as noted above our sun may really hammer the PVC, so bit of an unknown perhaps? They do use PVC in Dubai, etc so who know's?

Good quality powder coated aluminium windows are what we used for our beach house, which is about 200m form the surf. As with anything near the beach it will deteriorate if you do not maintain and wash down regularly. Timber could be much more maintenance and I would be vary vary of PVC, as it would be a big risk for such a major component of your house.

Ours were manufactured by a local company which has now gong broke. I think it was under the Vantage brand, who has other distributors.

http://www.awsaustralia.com.au/vantage/