s p ec i a l f e at u r e
01
Creating the Road
to Recovery one
product at a time.
Window
WeatherGuards
Invention & Innovation
As a tradie repairing buildings with storm
damage in the Gold Coast, Andrew Cottle
saw first hand the effect wet weather had on
the interior of a home when sliding windows
were left open. In fact, he also experienced
how hot and stuffy homes could be when
windows were kept closed.
It was a "...very familiar story, one I'd heard
many times," recalls Andrew. "When
[homeowners went] out [they] preferred to
keep [their] windows open in the locked vent
position to maintain a fresh, healthy efficient
air-flow throughout the house. The problem
[is that they'd] return home to find the
curtains, carpet and furniture soaked with
rain." This is what led Andrew to invent the
Window WeatherGuard - a simple solution
to a very real and costly problem.
The award winning Window WeatherGuards
are designed specifically for sliding windows
to allow fresh air to flow through a home
while keeping the weather out. They are
easily affixed to the outside of the window
frame on the operable side and are available
in five sizes - 600mm, 900mm, 1000mm,
1200mm and 1500mm. For existing homes
there is a Retro DIY version; for new window
fabricators, a unique performance and value
adding opportunity exists for them to use
OEM branded WeatherGuards that self-lock
22 Australian Window Association
into a simple everyday fly frame section.
Window WeatherGuards are suitable for
homes and buildings up to three stories in
height and can be fitted to most Australian
standard sliding windows.
Window WeatherGuards are suitable for all
types of dwellings and are especially useful
for modern homes constructed without
eaves. "This style is increasingly popular
among modern builders, but unfortunately
offers no protection against the elements,"
explains Andrew. "Window WeatherGuards
addresses this problem, while saving you the
added expense of installing awnings; in fact,
once installed, they're almost invisible!"
Andrew has been working tirelessly to bring
Window WeatherGuards to the mainstream
02
A life changing experience during
the development of Window
WeatherGuards has led to the
creation of the Road to Recovery
Foundation.
market through a licensing arrangement. "I'm
extremely excited to announce that highly
respected Queensland based manufacturers
Protective Plastics and Haigh Australia Pty
Ltd are bringing Window WeatherGuards to
market," Andrew states.
Andrew's Road to Recovery
The road to bring Window Weatherguards
to market was no small feat. In the early
2000s, while Andrew was in the process of
signing licensing agreements for Window
Weatherguards, Andrew's life took a
harrowing and unexpected turn. Andrew
was involved in a horrific car accident at the
hands of a drunk driver.
From that moment on, the person that
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