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02 will make uPVC even more affordable, which will in turn enable us to sell more.”
In Dave’ s view, the tide is already turning in favour of high-efficiency frames.“ Because we are competing directly against aluminium, we will have an extra advantage when the government decides to increase energy building regulations favouring double-glazing,” Dave predicts.“ Only around 5 per cent of residential houses had uPVC frames when I arrived in Australia, now it’ s definitely on the rise.”
Getting the technology mix right is crucial.“ Doubleglazing has definitely improved, but it still has to be done right,” Dave says.“ An IGU manufactured with 3 mm glass is just too thin – 3 mm glass should be in picture frames where it belongs. There should be a minimum 10 mm air gap to stop heat transference and a maximum gap of 20 mm, as in anything larger, the gas inside will convect.”
It’ s the challenges of the technology that keep things interesting for Dave.“ I enjoy being as hands-on as much as I possibly can, pushing the boundaries and doing those really difficult windows,” he says.“ Sometimes you have to be resourceful to make a name for yourself – I recently did a job at Mt Martha, almost at cost to get the job above aluminium window manufacturers, for example. I love that competitive aspect.”
Dave sees extensive scope for further growth.“ The use of uPVC is steadily growing in Australia,” Dave observes.“ However, it would be a great help if the government updated the building codes to ensure decent windows have to be installed in all houses. High-volume builders carry on producing houses with insufficient insulation – I often see plans with very poor U-values of 6 and 7, and 4 mm glass that doesn’ t keep heat or cold in or out. Australia compares unfavourably to New Zealand in this respect, which enforces minimum U-values of 4 in all new houses – here it’ s 6, which is inadequate.”
Progress in Australian legislation is slow.“ While all commercial windows in Victoria now have to be doubleglazed, this still isn’ t the case for residential,” Dave explains.“ As a result, many people are moving into poorly insulated houses that they can’ t afford to heat
and cool. To make things worse, our current energy rating system has little logic. For example, you can boost your energy rating by half a star by installing a water tank, even though this has no relation to energy conservation. The codes need to be far clearer about which measures save energy and which don’ t.”
Despite these lax regulations, the economic case for installing uPVC definitely stacks up.“ Double-glazed uPVC windows can pay themselves off within ten years,” Dave says.“ Poor building practices complicate the matter, unfortunately. Sometimes houses are only guaranteed for seven years and sometimes builders don’ t last that long before going out of business.”
Even when it comes to his own home, Dave is focused on efficiency.“ I live in a mass-produced house, built 12 or 13 years ago. As a first-time buyer, I bought a modest house that I could afford,” he says.“ But I went to Bunnings when they were building it and bought 20 bags of wall insulation, which I installed when they were doing the plaster and brickwork. That move really paid off!”
In his spare moments, Dave indulges in the high-octane hobby of classic motorcycle racing.“ I’ ve always ridden motorbikes,” he says.“ After not riding for some time, I’ ve recently got back in the game and riding a Honda VFR 400.”
Dave’ s motor racing schedule keeps him busy.“ I race at Broadford, Phillip Island and Winton on Saturdays doing short 4 – 6 lap races, which give me a break from work,” he says.“ It’ s taken me a while to get to this point, as I’ ve often worked six or even seven days, and have only recently got it down to five. That extra time has given me the opportunity to race regularly.”
Dave and his wife have made a permanent home in their adopted country.“ We spend a couple of weeks in the UK once a year to see our family and friends, and I take pains to leave my work behind me,” he says.“ I’ ve even learned to take my SIM card out at the airport to get some peace!”
It’ s a savvy move from a man with an unbeatable work ethic.
01 Dave O’ Connell with his Honda VFR 400. 02 Dave O’ Connell, CEO of Weatherall Windows.
Windows Magazine Autumn 2017 15