Double glazing for new build homes, Perth

What does uPVC double glazing mean?

uPVC (unplasticised PVC) frames are rigid, weather-resistant profiles that don't corrode and need no repainting. The material itself limits heat transfer through the frame, so no separate thermal break is needed the way aluminium frames require.

Inside each frame sits an insulated glass unit (IGU): two panes separated by a sealed, gas-filled cavity. Low-E coatings cut radiant heat transfer, laminated panes add safety or extra noise control, and toughened glass is used where the job calls for it. Multi-point locking and compression gaskets round out the seal, which is what actually delivers the airtightness behind the energy and acoustic performance.

Design decisions worth making early

Confirm your glazing specification, including glass build-up and gas fill, and think about orientation: north- and west-facing elevations often benefit from a different glass spec than the rest of the house.

Choose your opening styles for ventilation, egress and cleaning access early, and make sure stacked sliders or large openings have a continuous wall or sill detail to bear the load properly. Good head, jamb and sill drawings prevent improvisation on site, and compliance items (glass safety, fall prevention, wind and water ratings) are easier to coordinate before framing than after.

Procurement and scheduling

We work from your architectural set to compile sizes, opening directions and hardware, and resolve duplicate openings as one line with a quantity rather than repeating drawings unnecessarily.

Locking in specifications before framing sign-off keeps lead times from holding up the build program, and a sample IGU or small on-site mock-up is worth the time whenever finish or performance is critical.

Installation and quality control

Openings need to be plumb, level and sized to the specified tolerances, with continuous support at the sill for stacker doors and wide sliders. Membranes, flashing tapes and backer rods have to be sequenced correctly: perimeter sealing isn't just cosmetic, it's what preserves the thermal and acoustic performance the specification promised.

We check gasket compression and multi-point lock operation on every install, since small adjustments here often show measurable gains in air infiltration tests, and we hand over a full record of IGU specifications, hardware schedules, maintenance guidance and warranty terms.

Acoustic and thermal tips that add value

Asymmetrical pane thicknesses can reduce certain noise frequencies better than a symmetrical stack, and laminated glass improves both safety and sound attenuation. External shading such as eaves or screens, paired with Low-E coatings, can cut cooling loads without overly darkening the interior.

Combining window placement with cross-ventilation reduces how much mechanical cooling you need in the shoulder seasons.

Life-cycle and maintenance

Routine care is simple: wash frames and glass with a mild detergent, and check drainage paths and weep holes stay clear. Inspect gaskets and lubricate moving parts as the hardware manufacturer recommends.

An IGU is serviceable, and keeping documentation on hand makes a like-for-like replacement straightforward years later. Many uPVC systems are recyclable at end of life.

Common misconceptions

“uPVC discolours quickly.” Modern UV-stabilised formulations are far more stable than older material, and reputable profile manufacturers back their material with long cosmetic warranties.

“All double glazing performs the same.” Frame design, spacer type, gas fill, coatings and installation quality all affect the outcome, so the specification and the installer matter equally.

“Bigger glass is always better.” Large spans need careful structural detailing, the right safety glass and verified deflection limits to keep the seal and airtightness intact.

Working with a single-responsibility provider

Many project teams prefer one partner for survey, manufacture, installation and warranty, to cut down on coordination overhead. What makes that work is transparent communication and technical alignment from the outset, with documented quality checks at every stage: how we run every new-build job.

Supply only, or supply + install?

Choosing GaBe for both supply and installation means one team is accountable for the fit, the seal and the finish, not two. Professional installation also protects the properties the units are designed to deliver: a unit fitted out of square or without a proper seal won't perform the way a well-installed one does.

Sometimes a builder buys the units from us and installs them with their own crew. That's a supply-only arrangement, and it's common on new-build sites. If a builder supplies and installs the units themselves, we can't be responsible for how well that installation is done.

Choosing supply and install with GaBe means our own trained team measures, manufactures and fits every unit, with the same installation warranty and aftercare as every other GaBe job. One crew handles everything from delivery to installation, with no multi-vendor coordination and minimal disruption to the build programme. The whole service is designed to give you lasting value from your investment.