Why Thermally Broken Aluminium Frames Are Ideal for Office Builds

Summary
  • Topic

    Thermal Rating

  • Sector

    Performance & Comfort

Article

Benefits of Thermally Broken Aluminium Frames in Office Buildings

Thermal Breaks: The Gap That Changes Everything

Aluminium is great. It’s strong, sleek, recyclable, and doesn’t warp in the sun. But left to its own devices? It’s also a highly efficient thermal conductor. Which, in an office building, can mean unwanted heat streaming in through your perfectly framed windows.

Enter: thermally broken frames — a small change with serious upside.


How It Works

A thermal break is just what it sounds like: a non-conductive material inserted between the inner and outer aluminium sections of a window frame. This stops heat (or cold) from moving through the metal — creating a barrier that keeps your interior climate steady.

No more metal frames radiating heat like a barbecue plate on a summer afternoon.

Why It Matters in Offices

Office buildings live and die by thermal comfort. Whether it’s a CBD tower or a business park in the burbs, these projects need to:

  • Meet energy efficiency targets

  • Control internal temperatures without overloading HVAC

  • Provide comfort for workers without complaints about hot desks by the window

Thermally broken aluminium frames make it easier to:

  • Hit U-value targets under NCC

  • Reduce energy bills

  • Support Green Star or NABERS ambitions

  • Create façade systems that perform year-round

Hunter Windows Has You Covered

We manufacture and supply a full suite of commercial-grade thermally broken systems, engineered to:

  • Work with double or triple glazing

  • Meet compliance specs for commercial and high-rise projects

  • Support WERS and energy modelling with accurate data

Need to meet a tight Section J report? Designing a facade that balances glass area with insulation? Or just want consistent comfort across every floor, all year round?

Thermal breaks may be invisible. But you’ll feel the difference — and so will your client’s energy assessor.

Our Projects

Hunter Windows Macquarie Tower Charlestown
Hunter Windows Macquarie Tower Charlestown
Hunter Windows Macquarie Tower Charlestown
Hunter Windows Macquarie Tower Charlestown
Hunter Windows Macquarie Tower Charlestown

Macquarie Tower

Client: GWH
Duration: July 2024 – June 2025

Hunter Windows manufactured, supplied and installed a comprehensive suite of aluminium and glazing systems for the 15-storey Macquarie Tower commercial development in Charlestown.

The scope included:

  • Ground Floor Shop Fronts featuring high-performance glazing systems

  • Child Care Centre (Level 3) with fixed glazing, sliding and hinged doors

  • Curtain Wall façade across Levels 4–7

  • Mixed glazing package across upper levels incorporating sliding doors, fixed glazing, hinged doors, sliding windows and awning windows

In total, over 3,698m³ of glazing and 2,376 individual glass panels were installed.

Comprehensive QA and compliance processes were implemented, including:

  • 202 shop drawings produced to document design and fabrication

  • 416 QA ITPs completed (one for every window)

  • Watertesting undertaken in conjunction with façade consultants Indesco to verify design performance and watertightness

Aluminium Windows and Doors
Aluminium Windows and Doors
Aluminium Windows and Doors

Hive Childcare

This truly is a unique, bespoke development located in the heart of Morisset business park. The site consists of two independent buildings, home to The Hive Academy childcare and Coastal Commercial Flooring.

Get In Touch

Contact us for a quote, to submit tenders or with any of your production selection questions. Our experts are on hand.

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