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Category: Blog - page 4

Secondary Glazing vs Double Glazing: What’s the Difference?

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Secondary Glazing vs Double Glazing

Sep 06, 2024 Written by Magnetite Australia
When you’re looking to improve soundproofing and energy efficiency in your home, choosing between secondary glazing and double glazing can be a tough call. Both options have their perks, but they have different features that might affect your requirement. Understanding the key differences between the two is essential for making the right decision that fits your home, budget, and specific requirements.

Whether you’re after affordability, ease of installation, or maximum performance, knowing what each option offers will help you pick the right solution for your situation.

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Canberra! Here are 4 Tips for Staying Warm and Cosy this Winter.

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Tips for Staying Warm and Cosy this Winter.

Jun 18, 2024 Written by Magnetite Australia
Are you shivering through your mornings, Canberra? Counting down the minutes until that much-awaited winter sun appears around 9 am? You’re not alone. Canberra is known for its brisk winters, there are numerous ways to stay warm and comfortable throughout the season.

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Double Glazed Windows in Sydney’s Summer: Cool or Costly?

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Double Glazed Windows in Sydney's Summer.

Feb 23, 2024 Written by Magnetite Australia
Sydney, renowned for its stunning harbour and vibrant lifestyle, also experiences scorching summer temperatures. As the mercury rises, the need for effective cooling solutions becomes paramount. Among the array of options, double-glazed windows have gained attention for their insulation properties.

But are they truly suitable for Sydney’s summer heat? Let’s delve into the facts.

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Celebrating the Season: A Heartfelt Thank You from Magnetite Australia

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A Heartfelt Thank You from Magnetite Australia

Dec 21, 2023 Written by Magnetite Australia
As the holiday season is upon us, we at Magnetite Australia find ourselves reflecting on the past year and those who have helped shape our business in the most significant way. It’s been an incredible journey, and we would like to take this moment to extend our warmest wishes to everyone who has been a part of our story.

In 2023, we celebrated winning the Product Review 2023 Award, marking a superhero moment for us. It’s more than an award; it’s a testament to our commitment to creating tranquil, energy-efficient spaces for our customers and the enormous affect our product has on the comfort and lives of our customer. We’re proud of the countless moments of peace brought to homes and workplaces.

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Beyond Decibels: The Unseen Effects of Noises We Ignore

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The Unseen Effects of Noises We Ignore

Nov 29, 2023 Written by Magnetite Australia
Startling statistics indicate that a significant 21% of Australians find themselves subjected to noise levels categorised as high or high-medium. This exposure has far-reaching consequences, giving rise to problems such as mood fluctuations, difficulties in concentration, and disruptions in sleep patterns for a substantial part of the general population. This isn’t just a matter of inconvenience; it’s a health hazard that requires our immediate attention.

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Understanding Soundproofing and Its Impact on Well-Being

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Comprehending Soundproofing and Its Influence on Well-Being

Nov 09, 2023 Written by Magnetite Australia
Perth, a dynamic and contemporary capital city, offers an enviable lifestyle, a prime location, and appealing investment opportunities. Often hailed as one of the world’s most liveable cities, the city has been much loved for its climate, affordability and thriving arts scene. Whether for national or international students, families or professionals, Perth provides a sought-after quality of life. However, amid the city’s burgeoning diversity and population, a rapidly escalating issue has emerged – noise pollution.

Western Australia’s capital city is currently witnessing a swift surge in lifestyle improvements, population density and economic flourishing. However, with this growth comes an inevitable increase in noise levels and noise pollution. The clamour of traffic, construction and other urban sounds can have a significant impact on the well-being of its residents. Let’s delve into the importance of soundproofing windows and how it can positively affect the overall quality of life in Perth.

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How To Create A Quieter Space In The Heart Of Melbourne

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How To Create A Quieter Space In The Heart Of Melbourne

Nov 09, 2023 Written by Magnetite Australia
Melbourne is a bustling city known for its liveliness. However, amidst the hustle and bustle, there exists an invisible enemy: Noise. Hundreds of people suffer its consequences daily, silently battling the adverse effects it has on their productivity.

But what if we told you that a quieter environment could transform your concentration and elevate your mind in Melbourne’s fast-paced world? Let’s delve into the profound impact of noise on productivity, exploring the science behind it and the simple yet transformative solutions.

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Urban Buzz, Silent Bliss: Mastering Main Road Living with Soundproofing Solutions

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Main Road Living with Soundproofing Solutions

Oct 17, 2023 Written by Magnetite Australia
Living in the heart of a bustling city has its undeniable charms – the convenience, the energy, and the endless opportunities. Yet, there’s one aspect that can prove to be a challenge: the constant urban buzz that enters your living space.

Australian statistics reveal that over 60% of city dwellers report noise-related disturbances affecting their daily lives. With major cities experiencing consistent population growth, the demand for effective noise insulation solutions is more pressing than ever. Let’s explore how Magnetite’s ingenious window technology can transform your urban dwelling into a sanctuary amidst the urban chaos.

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Windows that Pay for Themselves: The Economic Advantage of Double Glazing in Adelaide

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Advantage of Double Glazing in Adelaide

Aug 11, 2023 Written by Magnetite Australia
With the rising cost of living, saving energy and money has become more important than ever for many homeowners. Many of them want to make their homes more efficient, and eco-friendlier while also saving on their power bills. In doing so, homeowners often forget about the importance of well-insulated windows and doors in achieving this. The type of windows you choose can greatly affect how comfortable your home is and how much energy you use.

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Surviving Melbourne’s Cold Snap with Thermal Insulation and Retrofit Double Glazing

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Thermal Insulation and Retrofit Double Glazing

 May 31, 2023 Written by Magnetite Australia

As winter arrives in Melbourne, residents brace themselves for the notorious cold snap that sweeps across the city. With temperatures dropping to freezing levels, it’s necessary to find effective ways to keep our homes warm and comfortable. One of the most efficient strategies to combat the cold is by investing in thermal insulation.

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  1. Conduction
    Heat moving through an object (i.e. heat will travel through an aluminium, or steel frame more easily than through a timber or PVC frame).
  2. Radiant heat
    Heat from the direct sun. It can pass through space until reflected or absorbed.
  3. Convection
    Heat flow resulting from air movement e.g. either 'natural' convection - warm air rises, or 'forced' convection - a breeze by a window, both can result in a draught by a window.
  4. Infiltration
    Air leaks around the frame, around the window sash and through the gaps in the movable window parts.

When evaluating your options to improve the thermal performance of your windows, the following double glazing key performance criteria should be considered:

  • U-Value (Uw) represents heat transfer through a window, irrespective of direct sunlight. The lower a window’s U-Value, the better the insulation performance.
  • Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) measures the solar energy that passes through glazing. The lower the SHGC, the less solar heat is transmitted through a window.
  • Air Infiltration or leakage measures the rate at which air passes through gaps in window joins and seals. The lower the air infiltration, the better a window’s energy performance.

The Window Energy Rating Scheme (WERS) Thermal Performance

Aluminium Frame Windows

Glazing Type Cooling Stars Heating Stars Cool% Heat% Uw SHGC
Single glazed 3mm clear glass* half blue star red starhalf red star 7.4 0.77
Single glazed 3mm clear glass &
4.5mm Magnetite		 blue starblue starhalf blue star red starred starred starred starred starhalf red star 35% 59% 2.9 0.67

Timber Frame Windows

Glazing Type Cooling Stars Heating Stars Cool% Heat% Uw SHGC
Single glazed 3mm clear glass* blue starhalf blue star red starred starred starhalf red star 20% 28% 5.5 0.69
Single glazed 3mm clear glass &
4.5mm Magnetite		 blue starblue starhalf blue star red starred starred starred starred starred star 37% 61% 2.6 0.66
Single glazed 3mm clear glass with
Solartite** and 4.5mm Magnetite		 blue starblue starblue starblue starblue starblue starhalf blue star red starred starred starred starhalf red star 76% 45% 1.8 0.20

 

*WERS standard typical industry window
**Solartite is a range of high performance window film. The window tested above has Solartite’s low-e film.

Magnetite vs Traditional Double Glazing – What the experts says

Winter - the ideal situation is to let in as much of the sun's heat and then trap it inside to maintain a comfortable environment in your home or office. This will also significantly reduce heating costs and saves you money. The ideal window for winter will have a high SHGC to let the sun's heat in and a low U-Value to prevent the heat from escaping. Clear windows without shading films are better suited for winter climates.

Compared with traditional double-glazing, Magnetite’s double-glazing solution can provide better results during winter or for cold climate areas such as Canberra, the Adelaide Hills and Blue Mountains.

Magnetite's clear acrylic window panels allow the direct heat from the sun's rays to enter the building and once inside, Magnetite's superior magnetic seals retain the heat, giving Magnetite an advantage over conventional operating windows.

Glazing Type Cooling Stars Heating Stars Cool% Heat% Uw SHGC AI
Double Glazed 3mm clear glass/12mm air
gap/3mm clear glass IGU (Insulated Glass Unit)*		 blue starblue starhalf blue star red starred starred starred starred starhalf red star 40% 55% 3.0 0.61 5.0
Single glazed 3mm clear glass &
4.5mm Magnetite		 blue starblue starhalf blue star red starred starred starred starred starred star 37% 61% 2.6 0.66 0.5

 

*WERS standard typical industry window

Summer - the ideal situation is to minimize the heat coming in from outside and prevent the cool air inside from escaping through the window. This will make your home more comfortable and reduce your air-conditioning costs. The ideal window for summer, or for a large west-facing window, will have a low SHGC to limit the heat from the sun's direct rays, as well as, a low U-Value to prevent the heat in the air outside from moving through the window and warming the cool conditioned air inside. It is better to have a shading film on the first (outer) glass pane to limit the heat that enters the double glazed unit.

The combination of Magnetite retrofit double glazing and Solartite outperforms the traditional insulated glass unit for hot climate. Magnetite fit over an existing window with reflective film will give better summer heat control than a double-glazed window with supertoned glass.

The Magnetite system stops the conduction and convection of heat better than glass windows giving superior results for summer conditions. Combined with a film or a shading device, Magnetite is the ideal solution for the hot Australian conditions.

Glazing Type Cooling Stars Heating Stars Cool% Heat% Uw SHGC AI
Double Glazed 5mm Supertoned glass/6mm
air gap/5mm clear glass IGU (Insulated Glass Unit)*		 blue starblue starblue starhalf blue star red starred starred starred starhalf red star 54% 425% 3.30 0.461 5.0
Single glazed 3mm glass Solartite**
and 4.5mm Magnetite		 blue starblue starblue starblue starblue starhalf blue star red starred starred starred star 73% 38% 2.4 0.19 0.5

 

*WERS standard typical industry window
**Solartite is a range of high performance window film. The window tested above has Solartite’s low-e film.

Click here to view pdf version of Magnetite WERS test result.

Noise Reduction Technical Data and Results

Proven Results

Noise pollution is one the biggest problems faced in the cities today, particularly in a high-density living. Unwanted noise can be responsible for sleep loss and lack of concentration. This can lead to a deterioration of health through increased stress levels, headaches, high blood pressure and loss of hearing.

Noise penetrates windows through leaky seals or vibrations through the window structure. To reduce noise, a window should minimise air infiltration, hold enough weight to limit vibration and allow a large air cavity. This cavity, or air gap, is the key to secondary glazing.

Expert Advice:

CSIRO Research by John Davy shown an air cavity can effectively enhance sound insulation performance. The larger the air cavity the more noise the window system can reduce. Results show a wide air gap of 100-125mm will improve sound insulation by an average of 7dB(A) more than windows with a narrow gap of 8-13mm.

Window or Glass Door Type Total Glass Thickness (mm) Air Cavity Thickness (mm) Sound Insulation (dB)
Single Glaze 3mm 3 0 23
Single Glaze 6mm 6 0 27
Double Glaze Narrow Gap 9-12 8-13 31
Double Glaze Wide Gap 9-12 100-125 38

 

The human ear is less sensitive to low frequency sound. According to a study released by the CSIRO, the human ear needs a change of 3dB to detect a difference in noise levels and the human ear perceives a change of 10dB as a doubling or halving of the noise level.

If you double the thickness of glass in a window the noise level will decrease by 3dB the least amount possible to make a difference. If the glass is laminated there is no perceived difference in noise reduction.

National Acoustic Laboratory Testing:

Working with the principles of noise transfer, Magnetite® and Soundtite are designed for high performance, which is achieved by combining air tight seals with the ability to maximize an air cavity and the flexibility to vary glazing thickness to suit. Magnetite® is excellent at reducing general noise such as busy roads, commuter trains and noisy neighbours. Whereas, Soundtite works well to combat low frequencies noise such as garbage truck, freight trains or airplane during take-off and landing.

Test Code Material Tested Rw* Improvement
ATF 707 (test window) Aluminium sliding window, 3mm float glass with mohair seals 23 N/A
ATF 709 Test window, 100mm air gap and Magnetite System (4.5mm acrylic panel) 35 52%
ATF 1507 Test window, 100mm air gap and Magnetite System (10.0mm acrylic panel) 39 70%
ATF 817 Test window, 100mm air gap and Soundtite (6.38mm laminated glass) 41 78%

 

*The Weighted Sound Reduction Index (Rw) is a measure for sound insulation performance of a single building element such as windows. The higher the Rw rating, the better the sound insulation.