These 4 photos showing some window tinting done to add to my priviouse article . A house in Penguin Tasmania overlooking the sea with privacy an sun problems using a dark neutral based film showing one sheet of glass done an one with out with the second picture showing the glare reduction on the floor as a comparison . This demonstrates little reduction in quality of views overlooking the sea but offers many benifits to the customers with out having to close blinds / curtains etc. The other two showing the full reflective film on a commercial shop front with views from both inside and outside as a comparison . ( please note; taking photos facing windows will often result in misleading picture quality due to any glare present , thus resulting in misleading darker looking window views than what normally results from using most tinted films .) The actual light reduction difference between these two films is approx 9% with the reflective being the darker of the two and comparable to a popular dark grey low reflective shade that's also widely popular . Any one requiring some unbiased comments regarding this subject are quite welcome to call me . Although I live in Tasmania , I do offer my services not only Australia wide but also overseas if the need arises . As to the life expectancy of these products . As these are manufactured world wide , the quality ( or lack of) plus the degree of experince and willingness of the installer to make sure they want to try an do a good job ; can make a Hugh difference to the last -ability . Therefore, take care on choosing the film and installer ; and don't buy on price alone. Gary. Protek window tinting (Tasmania )

As others have said, it depends on your environment and view. If the house is located in a particularly hostile environment (e.g. west coast Tasmania, central Australian desert) or experiences wild swings between the seasons (e.g. Snowy Mountains) then windows are your friend. In temperate / sub tropical areas like Brisbane then verandahs are the way to go. Windows can have great thermal properties IF they're double glazed which has better insulation properties than say walls in a QLDer house with a timber stud frame sandwiched between weatherboards and VJs. It also depends on the orientation of the house.

although i always prefer curtains a 6m wide opening will need either a very light fabric or about 1 m either side to fully pull back to each side where blinds would be able to be raised completely above the window (assuming there's somewhere to attach them) discuss options with a window covering specialist as there are some new options that may suit you better..i also suggest to clarify flyscreening, security and ventilation options for your very wide opening as we found a more flexible and cost effective result with a door height panel of stacked awning windows next to a wide section of stacking doors so that we can open the window for ventilation without opening the doors

BASIX is designed to improve the energy savings and comfort of your home so it's much better to include this in the whole design instead of attempting to fix it at the end and you can't apply for building approval without a proper BASIX certificate lodged with the new plans so you need to clarify this issue before the plans are finalised but you can't apply for BASIX certificate without making sure the design satisfies the regs so first be sure you know the exact compass directions for every external window as the BASIX ratings are different for different window directions and you may be able to use various combinations of less or smaller windows, sunscreen glass, double glazed and/or wood or thermal break windows, higher, shorter or narrower windows, verandahs, alfresco roofs, shade sails, pergola, fixed awnings, trees and shrubs as well as external blinds or neighbouring buildings etc etc..(as well as the colour of the roof and the ratings for your lights taps and heaters etc!!) and this can be different for every window but if you are doing your own design you can also DIY the BASIX application and test various options on the BASIX website before you finalise the plans..(eg a smaller horizontal highlight window on one side and narrower full height window on the other with higher rated light fittings and a ceiling fan may be the best combination and, although each window is treated separately it's the total combination of all energy and insulations and flooring and roofs and light fittings, taps, heaters as well as the windows that satisfy the BASIX ratings.... there's no cost to use the BASIX website (until you finalise your passing rate and apply for the certificate which is a relatively small fee) and i've found it very useful for testing lots of different combinations until you have a "passing" rate and are satisfied with the best choices and for modest homes and renovations you can complete the application work yourself to receive the BASIX certificate to add to your Development Application but, an experienced professional designer preparing your plans should be able to advise you how to meet the BASIX requirements and also complete the application...unfortunately a photo won't help unless the sun angles and the whole design are exactly the same as each BASIX is unique to the individual building