Doors and windows are integral to a residential house, office, or commercial complex. These architectural features, which earlier existed only for shielding the rooms from external elements, are also used today as elements that greatly influence the design of the building.

However, being a barrier to the physical weather conditions, the windows and doors are continually exposed to the harsh fluctuations of the weather outside, which sharply contradict the conditions indoors. Besides, in numerous regions, like Western Australia, in places like Kimberley and Pilbara, and anywhere in and around Kununurra, Exmouth, Port Hedland, Karratha, Carnarvon, or Broome, tropical cyclones often develop.

These cyclones are especially distinguished for their significant wind pressures and damaging traits. Along with rendering severe damage to flora and fauna, the Australian cyclones critically affect houses, and properties, where the windows and doors are among some of the most affected architectural elements.

Using cyclonic glass can be an effective remedy when it comes to commercial windows or doors for your office/commercial complex as well as your residential properties. However, if you are looking to install commercial glasses, cyclonic glasses, and more for commercial windows and doors, then you can simply reach out to Com-Al Windows who will install them all to AS1170.2, AS2047 and AS1288.

What are Wind Loads?

Whether they are cyclones or not, the wind loads can be counted as a considerable force that acts on buildings and their windows and doors. Wind loads are dynamic and vary significantly in terms of intensity from time to time. The windward side has to bear the highest wind pressures, whereas the leeward side is primarily subjected to low-pressure conditions. Besides, the leading edges or corners also experience higher wind forces due to wind acceleration.

As the windows of the buildings are among the most affected parts of buildings, they need to be built with fitting material and should be constructed in an appropriate design. The performance criteria of the windows are set by AS 2047:2014 for the Australian buildings. Such requirements fall into 2 distinct categories:

• Clause 2.3.1 Housing
• Clause 2.3.2 Residential and Commercial

Window Designs and Their Compliance With Wind Loads

If you are wondering about constructing commercial windows and doors in your office or commercial space and wondering about the designs that you should go for in Australia, then here are a list of things you need to bear in mind:

The Windows Should Perform Perfectly Under all Usual Design Actions

The National Construction Code (NCC), which defines the primary set of technical design and construction provisions for buildings, states that the buildings should perform adequately under all reasonably expected design actions.

They Should be Compliant With 1170.2 Structural Design Actions – Part 2 Wind Actions

If you are looking forward to designing your commercial windows then they need to be compliant with 1170.2 Structural Design Actions – Part 2 Wind Actions, which is the primary engineering standard to be considered during the designing of buildings. Following the standard will help your buildings and their windows and doors resist wind actions. It is the same standard used for buildings constructed throughout Australia.

The windows should go by AS 4055 Wind Loads for Housing

The AS 4055 Wind Loads for Housing section of Volume 2 of the NCC (Class 1 and 10 buildings) brings an easy set of requirements, which are asserted especially for houses that meet certain geometric limitations. The house sites are classified under 6 non-cyclonic regions with N-ratings and 4 cyclonic regions with C-ratings based on their geographic location, topography, and the effects of shielding. Key Message – Guide to Housing elaborates more on this.

If your building does not fall under the mentioned category, you need to ensure that you are compliant with AS/NZS 1170.2 when it comes to design wind pressures as per Clause 2.3.2 of AS 2047.

However, if you need to avoid all of the hassles involved in ensuring your windows are compliant with Australian standards, then you can simply trust Com-Al Windows.

The Perth-based commercial glass, cyclonic glass, auto doors, aluminum windows, and doors provider is one of the most reputed companies in the window contracting industry.

It will bring you the best collection of effective and aesthetically appealing doors, windows, glass facades, and curtainwalls.