In the heart of Australia’s Snowy Mountains a new luxury development is providing an inviting year-round retreat for visitors thanks to the incorporation of thermally broken window and door products. Located in the Falls Creek alpine village, visitors to the Konayuki apartments will find themselves well-protected from both summer and winter weather extremes through the high-performance properties of Alspec’s ThermAFrame systems. 

The Konayuki development features the ThermAFrame Centre Pocket Framing Suite, Hinged Doors and Awning Windows. The ThermAFrame system has been designed and developed using what is known as Polyamide Thermal Break technology. A "thermal break" is where a different element is added to the aluminium frame during construction. Given aluminium is a good conductor of heat and cold, a product with less conductive properties is inserted between the aluminium’s inside and outside sections. This "break" in the window frame reduces the ability for heat or cold to transfer between the two areas. In Alspec’s ThermAFrame products, the break is constructed from polyamide, a synthetic nylon material reinforced with fiberglass. Thermal break framing technology has been used in aluminium products in Europe for more than 30 years as it maximises the insulation of a property, provides a stable, comfortable environment and ultimately delivers significant energy savings.

For the Konayuki apartments, the ThermAFrame Centre Pocket Framing Suite was a key component of the build. The Centre Pocket Framing is available in two depths, 101.6mm and 150mm x 60mm, and can accommodate glass options up to 32mm thanks to the wide glazing pocket. The addition of ThermAFrame Sub Framing ensures appropriate support when heavy double glazed frames are used. Depending on which glazing options are chosen, the ThermAFrame system can see windows achieve U-values (rate of heat flow) as low as 1.7, indicating superior insulation performance. In buildings where the 150mm system is utilised, the heavy duty mullions can also offer the capacity to span openings of more than 4.5m.

As with all Alspec ranges, the ThermAFrame Centre Pocket Framing integrates effortlessly with other products such as the ThermAFrame 50mm Commercial Door. With heavy duty aluminium hinges, a stronger sash and the double-strut thermal break, the ThermAFrame Commercial Door is well equipped to handle the demands of the busy ski resort environment. With top and bottom seals for enhanced weather performance, the Commercial Door can be installed in either hinged, pivot or sliding configurations as required. Glass thicknesses of up to 32mm ensure the Commercial Door will deliver enhanced thermal and acoustic performance.  

Meanwhile ThermAFrame Awning Windows were selected for the development where openable windows were required. The ThermAFrame windows feature a 56mm sash, double-strut thermal break and can accommodate the same glass thickness range as the ThermAFrame doors and frames (up to 32mm). Their overlapping internal and external seals optimise weather performance and the sashes can be installed with either manual or electric chainwinders or cam handles (locking or non-locking). Also available in casement style, the windows can be easily adapted to integrate insect and security screens from the inside of the building.

With its versatility and comprehensive insulation properties, Alspec’s ThermAFrame system will ensure all those lucky enough to stay at the Konayuki apartments enjoy the spectacular location in year-round comfort no matter what the season.

Architect: Perna Developments
Builder: Perna Developemts
Fabricator: Active Aluminum Windows / Lancemore Glass & Aluminium

Alspec Products Used:
Thermally Broken Awning & Casement Window
Thermally Broken 50mm Commercial Door
101.6mm Centre Glazed Thermally Broken Framing