Key Takeaways
- We make uPVC windows because we want to make homes more comfortable and energy efficient at the lowest cost to the homeowner.
- Ultimate Windows has made windows since 2001 and began fabricating uPVC in 2014, after years of making aluminium windows.
- We looked at aluminium, timber, steel, alu-clad timber and fibreglass, and we still make thermally broken aluminium. For energy efficiency against cost, we judge that nothing comes close to uPVC.
- Our uPVC windows and doors are made in Wodonga, Victoria, on a fully automated European fabrication line commissioned in 2016.
- uPVC has trade-offs, including a more limited colour range than aluminium or timber.
Why Does Ultimate Windows Make uPVC Windows?
We make uPVC windows because we want to make homes more energy efficient and comfortable for the lowest cost to the homeowner. It is a question we get asked a lot, and our answer comes from experience with almost every window system.
We have made aluminium windows, commercial and residential, high end and low end, and we were once a reseller of very low-end windows. We continue to make thermally broken aluminium. We have also looked into fabricating timber, steel, alu-clad timber and fibreglass windows. For energy efficiency against cost, nothing comes close to uPVC.
We want our customers to have a comfortable home, without icy draughts in winter or a house that is hotter inside than out in summer. A home like that uses less energy to heat and cool. That is why we chose to make uPVC windows, and why we want to change glazing in Australia for the better.
Our Story: From a Farm Shed to a uPVC Factory
Ultimate Windows is still family-owned and run by the Spierings family. Here is how we got from a farm shed to a uPVC factory:
- 2001: Builder Jeff Spierings, tired of waiting on local window suppliers, started fabricating windows for his own jobs from an old farm shed at Eben, 15km from Wodonga, with his son Tye.
- 2007: We displayed the Thermeco product suite at the HIA Home Ideas Centre and opened in the Canberra market.
- 2009: We moved into a purpose-built factory at 231 McKoy St, Wodonga.
- 2014: We began fabricating uPVC windows alongside our aluminium systems.
- 2016: A fully automated uPVC fabrication line, ordered from Europe in 2015, was commissioned, making us one of only a handful of Australian manufacturers running this technology at the time.
You can read the full history on our About Us page.
What Makes uPVC Different From Aluminium?
uPVC is a low-conductivity material, so a uPVC frame passes less heat than a standard aluminium one. Multi-chambered frames and tight seals add to that insulating effect, and uPVC is condensation resistant, which helps prevent mould and damp.
uPVC also needs little upkeep. A wash every few months with warm soapy water is usually enough, and it never needs painting. Thermally broken aluminium is still a strong product, which is why we continue to make it, but for most homes we think uPVC gives the best balance of comfort, running costs and price. For a full side-by-side, read our guide to uPVC windows vs aluminium windows.
How We Make uPVC Windows in Australia
We manufacture European-designed Deceuninck windows right here in Australia, in our solar powered factory in Wodonga, Victoria. We make the Passive House certified Deceuninck Legend system there and have completed several Passive House certified and non-certified jobs in Australia.
Our own in-house team installs them, so one experienced team looks after your project from measure to installation. All of our glass has argon gas as standard at no extra cost, and our windows and doors are backed by a 12-year guarantee. When we replace your old windows, we work with transfer stations to recycle them as much as possible.
The Trade-Offs of uPVC
uPVC is not perfect, and we would rather you hear that from us. These are the main drawbacks:
- Colour choice: there are fewer shades than with aluminium or timber, and coloured uPVC costs more because it uses a foil laminate or specialised paint finish.
- UV fading: coloured frames can fade over time in strong sunlight, although newer uPVC frames have UV-resistant formulations.
- Environmental impact: uPVC is made from fossil fuels and has a mixed environmental record, even though it makes homes more energy efficient.
If you are new to the material, start with our guide to what uPVC stands for.
Is uPVC Right for Your Home?
If comfort, running costs and quiet matter to you, uPVC is worth a close look. Request a free measure and quote and we will talk you through your options, or call us on 1300 898 782. You can also browse our uPVC windows in Melbourne.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are uPVC windows good in Australia?
Yes, when the system is made for local conditions. Our uPVC uses a UV stable mix designed for Australia’s climate, and uPVC resists salt corrosion, so it suits coastal homes. Frames need only occasional washing with warm soapy water. Colour choice is more limited than aluminium, which is worth weighing up.
What are the disadvantages of uPVC windows?
The main drawbacks are a narrower colour range than aluminium or timber, higher costs for coloured frames, possible UV fading on coloured frames over time, and a mixed environmental record because uPVC is made from fossil fuels. We think the energy efficiency and low maintenance outweigh these trade-offs for most homes.
What is the difference between aluminium and uPVC windows?
Both are window frame materials. uPVC is a low-conductivity material that insulates well and resists condensation, while standard aluminium conducts heat more readily. Thermally broken aluminium improves on that, which is why we still make it. uPVC usually costs less upfront and needs less maintenance.
