Don’t get me wrong – I love this country. But there are things about it that are just beyond me. Which is why I thought maybe some of you can help me make sense of it all.
Enigma # 1 – double glazed windows.
I don’t get why they didn’t become a standard thing any house can’t be imagined without. Initially I thought that only the old houses still have the regular windows because people won’t be bothered replacing them, but I’ve checked and the majority of new projects don’t have double-glazed windows included, it’s an expensive extra – when it should be the standard.
Australian climate has such extreme temperatures and the houses have such big windows that it’s doesn’t make any sense to use regular windows as all the heat escapes through them quickly in winter and in the summer it’s the opposite, they don’t protect the house from sun.
Dare I say that a good way to start would be for our government to introduce rebates, same as they did for the solar systems and insulation. If we’re talking about conservation of energy – it would save tons because we’d use less gas and electricity to heat and cool our houses.
Enigma # 2 – automated window furnishings.
I didn’t come up with this one myself, a letter I received from a reader gave me a push, but nonetheless – why aren’t motorized shutters and blinds popular? Rum Charles, the principal consultant from Indigo Training says that according to his research only 0.5% (not even one percent!) of all the shutters in Australia are motorized.
Thinking about this, it would make so much sense, especially for the external shutters – why do we need to go outside, when it’s blazing hot, and use some kind of hook to pull the thing down, why not just press a button?
Is it about the money? Rum doesn’t think so and I agree – all the other things in the house evolved and the hi-tech version costs more. Still, we now have microwaves in addition to ovens, we have dishwashers in addition to sinks, we have air conditioning in addition to fans, and the list goes on.
I understand that it might not occur to people that motorized shutters can me so much more convenient and safe – but why doesn’t it occur to the professionals, the designers, the building companies, people who make living designing and building our houses?
And now I would love to hear what you think. If you have any insight, or simply want to speak up and be heard – leave a comment on this post or email me to chris@homeiown.com. You opinion matters.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi, one of the problems at this stage to the extended use of motorised Plantation Shutters is the motors, remotes etc that are commercially available. All we have at the moment is an motorised panel that is for interiour use only and lacks the sophistication of a really good motorised system such as you can get for Roller Blinds or example. More work needed I think!
Hi, Rohn raises an interesting point about the quality of the interfaces for users. i’m pleased to see that he compares them to the \really good\ motorised systems available for Roller Blinds of which Somfy is one of the major suppliers. Are there any other barriers to people not specifying motorised window coverings in their homes?
Alistair Grice
Marketing Manager
Somfy Oceania
Hi All,
Your comments make interesting reading, and I thought I’d add my bit!
I’ve sold Plantation Shutters for many years in the UK, and must agree that the motorised option isn;t very popular. The main reasons according to my observations are a follows:
1) Each panel needs its own motor. This can be costly.
2) the motor is quite obvious when fitted, and detracts from the look of the plantation shutter
3) The motors are currently battery powered, which makes it a real pain to maintain.
I have been working on an alternative that should be ready in 2011. I can’t give you the details unfortunately at the moment; but if you check http://www.londonblinds.co.uk/PlantationShutters on a regular basis you’ll be able to get more info there.
Gino Filippelli
London Blind Company