Bronze House, Sylvania

Integra Windows, the leading provider of high-performance windows and doors, supplied the Bronze House with AGG’s bronze tinted Insulglass Classic^® double glazing to address these challenges. This solution combines aesthetic appeal with superior performance. These windows, featuring 6mm-thick toughened external panes tinted in bronze, absorb solar heat and limit its entry into the home, effectively reducing the solar heat gain coefficient. The bronze tint also provides a great degree of privacy, while also allowing impressive levels of natural light to enter while obscuring the interior view from the outside.

The internal panes of the Insulglass units are clear glass, separated from the external panes with a 12mm argon filled gap.  This configuration forms an energy efficient Insulated Glass Unit (IGU), known for its low U-Value, offering unrivalled insulation compared to single glazed options. Using argon gas between the panes further enhances the insulation properties, optimising the home’s thermal efficiency.

“At Integra Windows, we custom make everything and specialise in high-end custom-build homes,” Sender explained. “However, our products – uPVC windows and doors – have become the most cost-effective way to achieve the required energy ratings. The new energy regulations mean the mainstream market is now seeking our products.”

“Integra’s products are also maintenance-free, which greatly adds to their appeal,” Sender noted.

The German-engineered uPVC window joinery Integra used in the Bronze House provides a complete compression seal around the glass, minimising air infiltration and outperforming thermally broken aluminium joinery. With Total System U-Values no greater than 2.2, these windows and doors are highly thermally efficient, contributing significantly to the home’s overall comfort.

Moreover, the acoustic insulation provided by the double glazing system has been transformative. “The clients had lived on the site before rebuilding – they knew how much noise they used to live with,” Sender recalled. “When they moved in, they were amazed at how quiet the house is. They estimate double glazing has reduced 99 per cent of noise transference into the house.”

The Bronze House features a combination of tilt-and-turn windows, French doors, and lift and slide doors, all fitted with bronze-tinted insulated glazing. The design of the 500-square-meter double story home features an open plan living, kitchen, and dining zone with a double-height seven-meter void.

The home’s construction included a Passive House-rated wrap and 300mm-thick concrete slab construction, enhancing its thermal efficiency.

Being a specific Bronze look from the external, the highest quality in Toughening was required to maximise the reflective look and avoid any negative aesthetics from roller wave during the Toughening process. The end result exceeded expectations as seen in the mirror-like reflections.

The Bronze House integrates contemporary design, energy efficiency, and acoustic comfort. The use of AGG’s bronze tinted Insulglass Classic^® double glazing system and Integra Windows’ high-performance uPVC joinery effectively addressed the home’s location and design challenges.