New Funds to Build Hardwood Plantations

12 September 2007
The Queensland Government has announced funding of $2.6 million for a new research and development grant scheme, the Plantation Hardwoods Research Fund.
The fund will support the expansion and innovation of Queensland’s plantation hardwood base through research and development projects that help the state’s transition from native forest harvesting to a plantation-based industry. Applications for this one-off round of funds close 5 November.

Timber-Framed Windows Most Energy Efficient

Aluminium-skinned timber-framed windows have out-performed other window types when tested for energy-efficiency, an evaluation done for Forests and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) has found.
The evaluation, undertaken by BRANZ, compared the operational performance, longevity and broader environmental impacts of timber-framed windows and aluminium-skinned timber-framed windows with their major competitors.
The Australian windows market is dominated by aluminium-framed windows, at 74% for residential and 99% for commercial.
Nigel Howard, from BRANZ’s Sustainable Built Environment Division, says the operational performance of windows has a significant impact on the energy performance of buildings.
“Changes to the Building Code of Australia requiring all new houses to meet a five-star energy efficiency standard have increased attention on window performance,” he said.
”A window’s operational energy performance depends on its thermal transmission characteristics, its orientation and shading and how these are all matched to the climate and the building that it is installed within. Moreover, in mild climates for both heating and cooling the impacts of the materials that made up the windows also become significant.”
The study found window size to be the most significant factor in how a window performed throughout its lifecycle. This was followed, in order of importance, by whether the window was double or single-glazed, frame type and window style.
Howard said aluminium-skinned timber-framed windows performed best followed by hardwood timber-framed windows, PVC windows and aluminium windows. The biggest differences in performance occurred in harsher climates, whether for heating or cooling.
“The most surprising result was that in the mildest climate regions double-glazing was not justified because the additional impacts of the double glazing were not paid back over the life of the window from improved energy performance,” Howard said.
FWPA managing director Dr Glen Kile said the “green credentials” of windows and other building components were becoming increasingly important as public and private sector clients moved toward green buildings as a public statement of their environmental commitments to customers, investors and staff.
”By understanding the environmental attributes of Australian windows thoroughly, the industry will be able to position itself to promote the legitimate benefits of timber-framed windows and innovate to overcome any environmental liabilities or to maintain any advantages by further improvement,” Kile said.

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