Design News

7 things to consider when choosing joinery for your home

Article by Your Home and Garden

Joinery plays a big role in how your house feels. This step-by-step guide will make it easy to choose the right windows and doors for your new home

A step-by-step guide to selecting joinery

The joinery you choose for your new home will have a huge impact not only on how your finished spaces look, but also how they feel and function. Kiwi company Vantage Windows & Doors has been making quality windows and doors for more than 50 years, and their joinery is found in more New Zealand homes than any other brand. Here’s their guide to getting it right.

1. Consider how you’ll live in your home

Think about how you want your new house to function. The life stage you are at, whether you have children living at home, and whether you spend a lot of time entertaining guests outdoors are all factors to consider when choosing joinery.

2. Decide what you want your home to look like

Find examples of windows and doors that you like. Look through home and lifestyle magazines and websites. The Vantage website has a comprehensive Inspiration Gallery where you can browse hundreds of home images to save your favourite spaces, colours, configurations and hardware to build a mood board. Another great resource to find inspiration is the Vantage customer videos and podcasts which give great insight into other homeowners’ choices.

3. Find out what your options are

Once you have identified your priorities and style, you can choose windows, doors and hardware to suit your project. Vantage offers a wide range of solutions for all homes, from entrance doors to windows, sliders, bi-folds and thermally efficient products.

Window systems are responsible for 30-50% of heat lost from your home, and there are new requirements under the Building Code energy efficiency standards, so taking some time to look at thermally efficient options like Vantage’s ThermalHEART technology or uPVC Klima Series will help you create a warmer, healthier home.

Look at different format and configuration options to find what best suits your needs. For example, if you are considering awning windows but they will project out over a walkway and deck when opened, consider using a sliding window in these places. Or if you have an amazing view you might choose over-the-wall sliding doors to enjoy the views without obstruction.

4. Choose your colours

Think about the palette of colours and materials you’ve used elsewhere in your home and choose joinery in a colour to complement these. If you’re considering a colour from Vantage’s popular colour range you can order a Vantage Concept Box and select three aluminium swatches to be included. This is a great way to review the final aluminium finish in natural light. Plus, the Concept Box includes product guides and information to help you with your selection.

Consider a statement colour for your front door – it’s a great way to personalise your home and can be bold or subtle to suit your style.

5. Choose your handles and other hardware

Your hardware choice completes the look and function of your windows and doors. Will a contemporary or classic style work best with the look of your home? Do you prefer squared-off or rounded designs? Do you want it to blend in or be a focal point? Vantage offers four hardware ranges so you can colour-match to your window and door frames for a unified look, or use a contrasting colour or a stainless steel or anodised finish to make a statement.

6. Choose the kind of glass you want

High performance glazing keeps your house warmer and drier in winter and cooler in summer, while also dampening sound and reducing the UV light entering your home. You can optimise the thermal efficiency of your home by choosing a performance glass such as The AGP System that incorporates a low-E coating, argon gas and a thermal spacer in your double glazing. If there are areas of your home where you’d like increased privacy, consider tints, switchable glass or privacy glass.