What is a window actuator?

What is a window actuator?

A window actuator is a component that facilitates the opening of a window via motor-driven automation. In short, it is an electric window opener and can come in many forms including a chain, rod, folding arm, or rack and pinion mechanism.

Window actuators vary in reliability and scope. Many are attached to sensor systems that can trigger the window, or a set of windows, to open and close when smoke is detected, or when it rains. The actuator carries out the grunt work for electric windows so that you don’t have to; opening and closing them with ease, directed by smart sensors and controls. When purchasing an electric window system, especially a large system for buildings such as schools, warehouses, sports facilities and hospitals, your installer will most likely take you through your actuator options. They will make recommendations based on your window configuration, budget and other requirements. Here are a few things to look out for when considering the best window actuator for your purposes.

Things to consider when choosing the right window actuator

The purpose of your electric window openers

Aside from the fact that it’s super convenient (who wants to open all those windows manually? What a hassle!), is the primary reason you are installing electric windows to encourage natural ventilation, provide better safety when it comes to smoke ventilation or both? Your answer will determine whether your actuator needs to be wired to a system that includes sensor technology, which can impact the range of actuators available to you.

Chain actuators are most effective when used in conjunction with awning and louvre windows.

The type of window

The type of window that you are automating will often dictate the kind of actuator you will require. Chain actuators are most commonplace for awning and louvre windows, while rod or rack and pinion actuators excel when used in conjunction with ventilated skylights that need to be pushed upwards instead of outwards. Awning windows are much more popular in large buildings requiring electric window systems, making chain actuators the most prevalent on the market.

Aesthetics

The distance you want your windows to open will affect the size of the chain on an awning window, in turn impacting on the size of the actuator unit. Discuss your options with your electric window installer so that they can recommend an actuator that provides optimum ventilation while remaining discreet in design.

Chain actuators are most effective when used in conjunction with awning and louvre windows.

Noise

The noise that the actuator makes as it opens and closes the window is obviously a factor that you want to take into consideration, especially for office buildings, schools and hospitals. A chain actuator housed in a metal casing (made with cast technologies casting industries) of either zinc die cast or aluminium extrusion will minimise noise, causing less disruption to the surrounding environment.

Life expectancy

You want your window actuators to be in it for the long haul! So be sure to inquire about life expectancy when choosing the right system. Look out for durable components such as stainless steel or nickel-plated chains, which are corrosion resistant – a must for coastal buildings! A chain actuator with a gasket relief function will also minimise wear and tear on the weather seal of your window, prolonging your system’s overall lifespan.

Battery backup

Don’t get caught with the windows open in a storm, or closed during a fire. Battery backup allows your electric windows to function as normal even when an emergency situation results in the mains power being cut. Battery backup provides better peace of mind and enhances the safety of your building.

Safety

Another feature of window actuators that is vital to the safety of your building’s inhabitants is an anti-finger trapping protection function. This feature is particularly important for windows that are at, or just above, ground level. It allows the actuator to recognise when the window has been obstructed during closing, and it will stop and reverse so that nothing is caught in the space between the window and the sill.

We hope this article has shed some light on the function of window actuators in automated window systems and provided helpful advice on what to look for when choosing one. If you have any questions regarding window actuators, please contact Unique Windows. We stock a wide range of actuators to suit a variety of windows and can design an electric window system to suit your building’s needs.

Why Brisbane Architects Should Use Electric Window Winders For High Awning Windows On Upcoming Next Projects

Why Brisbane Architects Should Use Electric Window Winders For High Awning Windows On Upcoming Next Projects

No matter what type of building you’re designing windows for, whether it be a school, hospital, commercial office, sports facility or warehouse, there are two things Brisbane architects should always consider: convenience and practicality.

Windows are a critical aspect of every building design. Windows channel light and ventilation and can have a significant impact on the security of the premises. They’re also integral to the wellbeing of the people in the building. Happy occupants, whether they’re students, patients, residents or employees, require sunshine and air! In this article, we will discuss the benefits of designing various types of buildings incorporating an awning style of window and walls and there are also curtain wall manufacturers that produce some great options for this as well. We will also take a closer look at how architects in Brisbane can design buildings to be enhanced with electric window winders for increased convenience and better ventilation on their upcoming building projects.

High awning windows are perfect for buildings that need to be secure.

The benefits of high set awning windows.

High awning windows are ideal for many commercial and public buildings. Large facilities such as gymnasiums, warehouses, offices, waiting rooms and lecture halls require plenty of light to remain spacious and airy. But they also need to maintain security and privacy. Here are a few reasons why Brisbane architects should consider designing such buildings with high set awning windows.

More privacy.

There are many buildings where the client asks for complete privacy. Warehouses may need to protect stored goods, or sports facilities may wish to retain privacy for their members while exercising. High set awning windows can offer light and ventilation without sacrificing privacy for the people or objects within the building. This is particularly useful for establishments located on the ground level of urban streets or near busy walkways

Freedom when considering interior design.

Setting your awning windows high means that you will have more wall space to work with! It’s good news for any Brisbane interior designer or architect, and can also free up much more space to consider the placement of built-in benches and furniture.

High awning windows with electric controls provide better energy efficiency.

Protection from the elements.

Awning windows are often championed for their ability to offer ventilation during adverse weather. Because the panes slant downwards, windows can remain open while it’s raining. You don’t have to worry about damp carpet or wet walls! When awning windows are set up high, a natural breeze will ease through the building. There’s nothing worse than having the desk right opposite a ground-level window in an office, and having to deal with all that flying paper whenever the wind picks up! With high set awning windows, everyone in the building experiences the same level of comfort, no matter where they are situated.

The benefits of high awning windows with electric window winders.

By this point, you may be thinking that while we have outlined the advantageous features of high set awning windows, we have failed to acknowledge the elephant in the room. How will you reach the windows to open and close them? That’s where electric window controls come in!

Much more convenient.

Electric window controls allow the user to open and close several, or even all, high set awning windows in a building simultaneously, with the press of a button. There’s no need to climb high step ladders or wield dangerously tall poles like a lance. Each awning window is fitted with a chain and motor that will respond to commands made from a remote control or wall mounted interface. Enjoying the benefits of high awning windows with superior convenience is so easy with electric window winders!

Better air ventilation & energy efficiency.

Electric window systems can also operate using sophisticated automated technology. From the command interface, you can set a timer which will send a message to the window winders to open for a few hours overnight. This allows the building to cool down and air out when the temperature is at its lowest. Imagine how much your client will save on your energy bill by harnessing natural ventilation! They will no longer need to turn on the air conditioner as soon as they arrive in the morning to remove stale air, humidity and stuffiness. The air quality in the building will also vastly improve as it will not be circulating the same stale air over and over as tends to occur when permanently running your HVAC system.

High awning windows with electric controls provide better energy efficiency.

Increased security.

Installing high set awning windows is fantastic for security, as they’re often far above ground level, making it difficult for anyone to break in. Awning windows yet another line of defence against burglary as it’s very difficult to slip through such a small opening. Incorporating electric controls into your building design for high awning windows creates an almost impenetrable fortress for the building! The electrical rods and chains are extremely sturdy and would require a lot of effort to dismantle. One look at the devices and a would-be thief will almost certainly deem it not worth their time!

Convinced that high awning windows with electric controls are the best option for convenience, security, privacy, ventilation and ambience in your building design? Contact Unique Windows today to discuss which electric window winders will best suit your high awning windows, and offer the most desirable results for your project!

Electric Windows vs. Manual Windows

Electric Windows vs. Manual Windows

Are you looking at installing electric or manual controls onto the windows in your building? Perhaps they’re high set windows that require an easily operable system, or there are a group of windows which would work more effectively if they were connected?

Either way, enhancing your windows so that they are more operable can increase the airflow and comfort in your building. Whether a school, hospital, office or commercial space, all can benefit from the installation of window controls. In this article, we compare electric and manual window controls and take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of both to discern which system is best suited to your property.

Electric window controls

Electric window controls can be fitted to a wide variety of window configurations, including louvre, awning and sliding windows. They are capable of connecting several windows in a row, allowing them to open and shut at the flick of a switch.

Electric Awning Window
Electric Awning Window Control

Advantages

Improved airflow without constant surveillance

Expert window fitters can install a wide variety of complementary systems, including rain sensors and failsafe battery backups. They can also integrate with your building’s management systems such as the smoke alarm, and a timer can be set to open and shut the windows when you aren’t there. Being able to automate high-set windows to open for a few hours at night is particularly beneficial for properties in hot climates. It means that the building can be ventilated during the evening when the air is cooler so that you don’t have to immediately turn on the air con when you enter the premises in the morning. This is usually used on garages. Visit sites like https://www.dependabledoor.com/windows/ for additional guidance.

Ease of use

Electric windows are incredibly user-friendly. There’s no crank winding involved. You can manage everything with the press of a button on a remote or wall-mounted interface. If your building has many high-set windows, installing electric controls can save you a lot of time and energy. Incorporating other systems into your window design also means less work for you! You don’t even have to keep an eye out for rain; the windows will shut themselves when the sensors detect water droplets.

Electric Servery Window

Disadvantages

Must be connected to power

Many people may be worried about the amount of energy chewed up when using electronically operated windows. It’s true that all windows will need to be connected to power, but we can assure you that they won’t need as much electricity to run as your air con does! In fact, installing electric window controls can be very energy efficient. You’re using natural ventilation methods to cool down your property rather than relying on air conditioning for temperature control. Furthermore, if you’re concerned about what will happen if the power trips, battery backups can be installed to overcome this obstacle.

Higher upfront cost

Electric windows are more expensive than manual windows when purchasing them outright. However, it’s important to consider how they will lower your energy bill long term. Automated nightly ventilation of your building will drastically decrease your use of the air conditioner. Having easily operable windows will also cut back on time spent cranking levers and keeping a close eye on the weather. Sometimes paying more upfront is worth it for increased convenience and better long-term returns.

Manual window controls

Manual window controls are ideal for banks of over four windows. They do not need to be connected to power to function. Controls can either be surface mounted or fitted into the walls, however, both options have their pros and cons. Users operate the windows by hand winders that will open several windows simultaneously.

Manual Window Control

Advantages

Environmentally friendly

Manual window controls are often considered to be the most environmentally friendly way of making windows more operable. The only energy they require is your own! By winding window cranks, you can open over four windows at a time, making manual window controls an asset for warehouses, school buildings and other commercial premises that have many windows.

Cost-effective

Because manual window controls use no electricity, they also save you money on your energy bills. The upfront cost for manual window controls is commonly much cheaper than their electronic counterparts. However, if issues arise with your system, this can result in costly repairs depending on how it is mounted, as we discuss below.

Disadvantages

Aren’t as subtle as some electronic controls

Manual window controls are usually surface mounted (on, rather than in the wall) for ease of service. Unfortunately, this means that the winders and connecting devices are visible and can disrupt the overall aesthetic of your decor. The parts can, however, be colour matched to your walls to help them blend in rather than sticking out. The type of services you’re operating in your building may impact whether or not the look of manual window controls will outweigh their environmental advantages. Premises that frequently entertain clients and customers may require more subtle controls, whereas warehouses focused on functionality may not.

Wall-fitted manual window controls can be an issue

The other option for concealing manual window controls is to have them mounted inside the wall. However, concealing the controls can limit access for servicing and maintenance of the system. If repairs need to be carried out on the controls, it is possible that the whole wall would need to be pulled apart to fix it.

Still unsure as to which window controls would best suit your building and budget? Contact Unique Windows today to discuss our range of operable window options!

The Top 10 Benefits of Operable Windows

The Top 10 Benefits of Operable Windows

Brisbane architects who utilise operable windows into their designs can transform any home, business, school or warehouse into a safer, more energy efficient and convenient building.

Operable windows are windows which function using electric mechanisms that are sometimes automated. They eliminate the need to fiddle around with many different latches or use poles and ladders to reach high-set windows. Operable windows also negate the need to use your air conditioning as often, reducing your energy bill and carbon footprint. It’s time for Brisbane architects to consider how operable windows could drastically change any home, office, commercial building or school for the better.

1. Energy efficient

One of the biggest benefits of operable windows is that they utilise natural, passive ventilation, enhancing a building’s energy efficiency. It’s good news for your client’s electricity bill, and for the environment. Being able to exploit breezes that flow around (and now through!) the building means that the client won’t have to switch on their HVAC system as much. Everyone knows what a nightmare it can be in an office situation when each person adjusts the controls to the air conditioning to suit their individual preferences. With operable windows, this irritating issue is taken out of the equation; the building remains a comfortable temperature through natural ventilation.

2. Better airflow

Encouraging airflow within the home or commercial premises will remove that stuffy atmosphere that induces grogginess and makes people feel cramped. Operable windows can be especially beneficial for airflow in commercial buildings. You can program the above ground windows to open slightly for a few hours at night when the building is not in use so that fresh, cool air flows through the premises.

3. Improved air quality

Nobody likes to walk into a smelly stuffy room! With operable windows and roller shutters Enfield, the client can now get rid of any lingering odours or airborne germs!

Nobody enjoys being stuck in an environment where the air is continually circulating in a closed up building; it smells gross and creates a stifling atmosphere that cultivates the spread of the common cold. Fresh air is better for the mind and can vastly improve the lifestyle of people prone to allergies, just like hot air from the furnace which is why we recommend to hire this furnace repair service for a check up before  winter arrives.

4. Simple to operate

Get rid of ladders that pose OH&S nightmares, and long poles used for painstakingly hooking onto window latches in hard to reach places. The user can now open and close all of the windows with the push of a button instead. Operable windows are controlled via a remote or wall-mounted switch, meaning less work for everyone!

5. Protect the home/building from severe weather

Operable windows are airtight and durable. Combined with sturdy glass or double glazed panes, they can provide superior resistance against severe weather such as high winds and heavy rainfall.

6. Optimum defence against breaking and entering

Because operable windows function via electrical components, they are incredibly secure. It would take a very high-tech burglar to jimmy open these windows! Electronically operated windows are advantageous for buildings that feature windows at ground level, which are easy to reach from public walkways.

7. Easier to clean

When designing a building, keep in mind that operable windows can allow easier access for the building’s cleaners. Cleaners can now wipe down the outside of your windows from the inside, without breaking their back or causing an OH&S nightmare!

8. Intuitive design

Operable windows can be installed with sensors to assist the user in maintaining a safe and functional building. Operable windows can be fully automated to open when a smoke alarm goes off, or close when the air conditioner is turned on, or when it starts to rain. Brisbane architects should integrate electric window controls into their designs with smoke alarms or rain sensors. This will create a truly intuitive experience for the building’s users.

9. Suit a wide range of window configurations

A large variety of windows can be fitted with window automation equipment. These include louvred windows, awning sashes, sliding windows and elliptical sunshade louvres. If you have a client that has unique windows who wish to make operable, it may still be possible. Contact Unique Window Services to discuss your options.

10. Have a failsafe battery backup

A failsafe battery backup is vital for electronically controlled windows. If there’s a storm approaching, your client will want to ensure that they get those windows closed before the power’s cut! Having a failsafe battery backup incorporated into the window’s design will give your client better peace of mind and prevent panic from setting in if they lose power to the premises.

Ready to enjoy the increased convenience that having operable windows can provide? Contact Unique Window Solutions today to discuss how to make your windows electronically automated.

How Electric Window Controls Can Save You Money On Your Electricity Bill

How Electric Window Controls Can Save You Money On Your Electricity Bill

Do the figures on your electricity bill often cause you to stare open-mouthed at the letter, scratching your head as to how it became so expensive, so quickly?

The price of energy is only getting higher, and a massive contributor to exorbitant electricity bills in Australia is air conditioning. There are over 35-degree days when we just can’t do without it. But many Australian businesses, in particular, use it as a form of temperature control when there are much less costly options available to them. We’re talking about windows. Specifically, windows fitted with electronic controls. Now you may be thinking, why swap one electrically driven device for another? Electric window controls are much more economical than using the air con and make use of natural ventilation to cool down your home, office, warehouse or school. Read on to discover how your electricity bill could be drastically reduced with the use of electric window controls.

Maintain a comfortable temperature without using your air con

Sometimes, architects design buildings that have windows in hard to reach places that require a great deal of effort to open. As a result, they often go unused. It’s much easier to switch on the air con. But this is also much more expensive than making use of that fresh, natural breeze!

Electric window controls allow you to utilise every window in your building. It just takes one push of a button on a remote to harness natural airflow, which doesn’t cost a penny! Each window is fitted with electronic mechanisms that respond to the remote’s requests; opening and closing with ease. A huge variety of windows can be fitted with electronic controls, including awnings, louvres and sliding windows.

Electric windows will not only cut costs on your energy bill, but they also require much less maintenance than your air conditioning unit. Use your air con less, only on those stifling hot, still, days when there’s no breeze in sight, and you’ll notice that you don’t have to service it as often.

How electric window controls encourage passive ventilation

Electric window controls make good use of passive ventilation in buildings. Passive ventilation is the act of harnessing natural forces such as wind to circulate air indoors. It assists in controlling the temperature in the building and ensures that fresh air is entering, and stale air is leaving. This has many additional health and wellbeing benefits and enhances the quality of the environment for people prone to allergies. You’d be surprised at how much simply opening a window can change the atmosphere for people within a building! Electric window controls make opening windows and utilising passive, natural ventilation easy. Furthermore, it saves money on your electricity bill, so that you can invest it elsewhere.

Cooling down your building overnight

Another significant element of natural ventilation is the ability to cool down your building overnight. It’s no secret that temperatures typically drop during the evening and that this is the time to catch cooling breezes and encourage them to flow through your indoor space. It may be especially beneficial for buildings made of brick, that tend to store the sun’s heat during the day and radiate it indoors. But many managers of commercial buildings and offices may not feel secure leaving windows open at night. This is where electronically automated windows come in. You can set a timer to open and close the windows at specific intervals automatically. Say, for two hours overnight to cool down the interior of the premises, ready for the following day. Furthermore, electric window controls are incredibly sturdy and provide additional security for your building. Night cooling is easy, efficient and secure with electric window controls installed in your office, warehouse or school.

Temperature control at its finest

We all know the struggle to maintain a consistent temperature when all office employees have access to the air conditioning controls and window latches. The set temperature is changed ten times a day, and windows are opened while the air con is operating. Your air conditioner is forced to work overtime to heat or cool the building and keep up with changing demands in temperature drops and inclines. With remote control operated windows, you’re in charge of temperature control. Eliminate the possibility of windows being opened while the air con is running to reduce your electricity bill. As for banning employees from toggling air con controls, you may need to introduce some duct tape and an office-wide “no touching” policy! And if things get legally tricky, don’t hesitate to consult a California personal injury lawyer.

Want to slash your electricity bill and enjoy the comfort of natural air ventilation and temperature control? Sign up to Unique Window Services’ newsletter for the latest deals and offers on electric window controls, or contact us today to design a system that works for your building!

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