Double Glazed Windows Wollongong: Steve's New Build Upgrade

When we built our new home in Shellharbour, the builder's standard window package was aluminium single glazed. It's what most new builds in the area come with as the base spec, and at the time we didn't question it much. But about six months in, after our first summer in the house, it became clear that the large north and west-facing windows were making it genuinely difficult to keep the main living area comfortable. A friend who'd recently had double glazed windows installed in Wollongong pointed us toward RJV Industries Windows, and after a good conversation about what we actually needed, we ended up upgrading to uPVC double glazed windows throughout. It was a decision that changed how the whole house performed.

New homes in the Illawarra region are often designed with large glazed areas to maximise light and views, but single glazed aluminium windows work against that comfort goal by allowing significant heat transfer in summer and heat loss in winter. According to energy efficiency research, windows can account for up to 40% of a home's heating and cooling energy loss. In a new build, upgrading to uPVC double glazing from the outset is one of the most impactful changes you can make to long-term running costs.

The Problem in Detail

Our home was only six months old but the thermal performance of the windows was already a real frustration. The north-facing lounge and the open-plan kitchen and dining area, which had large west-facing glass panels, were extremely hot by mid-afternoon in December and January. The air conditioning was running for hours each day to compensate, and the bills reflected it.

I'd started reading about double glazing and the difference between standard aluminium frames and uPVC when it came to thermal bridging. Aluminium conducts heat readily, which means even double-glazed units in aluminium frames can lose thermal efficiency through the frame itself. uPVC frames don't have that problem, which is why they're used as the standard in energy-efficient construction across Europe and increasingly across Australia.

How RJV Industries Windows Responded

RJV Industries Windows came highly recommended and from the first meeting it was clear they understood new builds specifically. They walked through our house, assessed each room's orientation and glazing, and gave us a clear breakdown of where the biggest performance gains could be made. Read more about there team and the expertise they bring to residential window upgrades across the Illawarra.

They recommended uPVC double glazed windows with a specific low-E glass coating for the north and west-facing areas of the home, and explained how different glass options perform differently depending on orientation and function. The approach was methodical and evidence-based rather than just picking one product and quoting it across the whole house. That gave us a lot of confidence we were getting the right solution rather than just an expensive one.

The quote was detailed and clearly explained.That extra attention to detail was reassuring.

The Solution and Outcome

RJV Industries Windows replaced all windows in the home with uPVC double glazed window , with low-E glass specified for the north and west-facing windows and standard double glazing for the remaining aspects. Installation took two days and was completed without any damage to the recently finished interior.

The improvement in thermal comfort was immediate and significant. The living areas now hold a stable temperature through even the hottest Shellharbour afternoons, and the air conditioning runtime has dropped dramatically compared to our first summer. We're also finding the house genuinely warm in winter without the heater needing to work as hard, which is a bonus we hadn't fully anticipated.

The uPVC frames look clean and modern against the new build exterior. We've had several neighbours ask who did our windows after noticing how comfortable our house looks to live in even on hot days.

What Steve Would Tell Others

If you're building new or have recently moved into a new home with standard aluminium single glazed windows, I'd strongly suggest getting a quote for uPVC double glazing before you spend another summer fighting your air conditioner. The running cost savings alone will justify the upgrade over a few years, and the day-to-day comfort difference is significant from day one.

If you're a homeowner in Wollongong or the Illawarra looking at double glazed windows in Wollongong , take a look at the reviews from their happy customers to see the kind of results RJV Industries Windows delivers. When you're ready to talk through your project, give them a call or send an enquiry.