As winter takes hold, buildings of all types—from schools and offices to healthcare facilities and multi-residential developments—face the challenge of keeping interiors warm, dry, and energy efficient. In many cases, existing windows are a key factor in reduced thermal comfort and energy loss.
Window and door systems are among the most common points of air leakage in a building envelope. Left unaddressed, this can lead to higher energy costs, discomfort for occupants, and in many cases, problematic condensation.
Whether you’re upgrading existing windows or selecting systems for a new project, choosing windows that strike the right balance between sealing and ventilation is essential.
Understanding Air Infiltration – and Why It Matters
Australian Standard AS 2047 sets out the performance requirements for windows and doors, including limits for air infiltration. According to the standard, the maximum allowable air infiltration rate is 5.0L/s·m² for a closed window at a pressure difference of 75Pa.
Safetyline Jalousie louvre windows deliver a staggering improvement on this, with an independently tested air infiltration rate of just 0.12L/s·m².
That’s more than 40 times better than the maximum threshold—providing exceptional sealing that keeps warm air inside during winter and prevents unwanted draughts and weather penetration.
Reimagining Louvre Windows for High-Performance Buildings
Louvre windows have traditionally been seen as less effective insulators. Earlier designs often lacked proper weather sealing, allowing air to escape even when closed.
At Safetyline Jalousie, our advanced louvre system addresses these challenges:
- Each glass blade is framed on three sides, compressing against EPDM marine-grade rubber seals
- Polyethylene brush gaskets on vertical frame sections create an additional barrier
- Systems are factory-glazed and preassembled by qualified fabricators, ensuring consistent quality and reliable sealing prior to on-site installation.
The result? A high-performance glass louvre window system that delivers both air-tightness and flexible ventilation—two elements that often conflict in conventional designs.
Why Ventilation Still Matters in Sealed Buildings
Glass louvre windows offer a practical solution. They allow for:
- Adjustable airflow to suit seasonal or daily changes
- High-level placement to release rising warm, moist air
- Support for passive design, reducing reliance on HVAC systems
This level of control supports better thermal comfort, improved air quality, and energy savings.
Louvre Windows: Balancing Sealing and Breathability
At Safetyline Jalousie, we believe that performance and safety must be backed by real-world testing — not assumptions. In critical applications such as smoke control, non-compliant or underperforming systems aren’t just a risk — they can compromise the safety of occupants and responders.
That’s why we continue to test, innovate, and invest — so our clients can specify our systems with absolute confidence, knowing they’ve been developed to support performance-based design and reduce risk across every project.
Talk to your local BDM about NSHEV solutions and compliance pathways
Book our CPD – Understanding Smoke Ventilation for Buildings to learn how natural smoke ventilation can meet performance, safety, and design goals
Suitable Across a Range of Applications
Safetyline Jalousie louvre systems are used widely in:
- Education facilities, where indoor air quality and comfort are vital
- Commercial offices, where thermal regulation impacts productivity and energy use
- Multi-residential developments, where managing condensation is a constant challenge
- Healthcare and aged care environments, where air movement is essential to occupant wellbeing
Sealed right. Ventilated smart. Built for performance.
If you’re selecting windows for an upcoming project or considering upgrades, choose a solution that delivers on both sides of the performance equation. With ultra-low air leakage, weather resistance, and adjustable ventilation, Safetyline Jalousie’s glass louvre windows provide energy efficiency, flexibility, and comfort all year round.
Get in touch to discuss how we can support your project’s performance goals.
