Industry updates and inspiration from our team.

Everything You Need to Specify Windows & Doors, in One Place For over 20 years, UNO Windows & Doors has supplied aluminium joinery for multi-residential and light commercial projects across New Zealand.

See UNO’s End-to-End Solution Under One Roof The best way to understand UNO’s end-to-end window and door solution is to see it up close. At our 3,000sqm factory, an UNO factory tour lets you follow the journey from specification and design support through to manufacturing, quality control and delivery preparation, all under one roof. It is a practical look at how our people, systems and processes work together to support multi-residential and light commercial projects across New Zealand. You...

It's not just about how the building looks from the outside. Commercial glazing has a direct impact on comfort, energy efficiency, glare, natural light, and the overall performance of the building.

When you’re working on a multi-residential or light commercial project, location should not limit the quality, consistency, or efficiency of your aluminium joinery supply.

In multi-residential developments, aluminium window installation sits on the critical path.When it runs smoothly, programme momentum continues. When it stalls, multiple trades feel the impact.

Changing a specification can be straightforward where equivalent-performing alternatives are proposed. In many cases, this may be treated as a minor variation, subject to council review and recording. However, the Building Consent Authority ultimately determines the appropriate pathway based on the supporting performance evidence and the effect of the change on Building Code compliance. The Building (Minor Variations) Amendment Regulations 2024 clarify that substituting a comparable product can...

With an exciting year of projects coming up ahead,we’retaking a look back at a few of our favourite projects of 2025 to acknowledge some of the amazing work delivered with our trusted partners with our UNO Awards! This year’s categories include: Best architectural designBest innovative solutionBest technical designThe UNO Award: Staff Pick

In early 2025, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) made a significant change to the way designers and builders demonstrate compliance with H1 Energy Efficiency requirements. The widely used Schedule Method has been officially removed from H1/AS1 and H1/AS2. For architects, developers, and builders working on multi-residential and light commercial projects, this is more than a paperwork tweak. It changes how projects are designed, documented, and signed off for Building...

Achieving Soundproofing and Comfort in Modern Developments In commercial and multi-residential projects across New Zealand, acoustic performance is becoming a key factor in design and compliance. Whether it’s reducing road noise in city-centre apartments, homes or townhouses, managing sound in offices, or ensuring privacy in medical facilities, acoustic glass plays a critical role.This article explores the requirements, benefits, and considerations for using acoustic glass in commercial and...

Why UNO's Key Colours Make a Difference For architects working on multi-residential projects, every decision impacts the budget, timeline, and long-term performance of a building. While colour choice might seem like a purely aesthetic decision from an outsider's perspective, selecting the right powdercoat finish for windows and doors can determine whether a project runs smoothly or faces costly delays and inefficiencies. At UNO Windows & Doors, we simplify this choice by offering a carefully...

2024 has been one for the books at UNO Windows & Doors! From Auckland to Wellington and everywhere in between, we've had the pleasure of working on some incredible multi-residential and commercial projects across New Zealand. Each of these jobs brought its own unique challenges and highlights, and we couldn’t be prouder of how they turned out. Here’s a look at a few of our favourite projects this year—each one showcasing our project capability, along with our dedication to providing a quality,...

When working on multi-residential projects, architects, builders and developers face many critical decisions, including the choice of windows and doors. One key question is: Does your window supplier have full control of their supply chain and process? At UNO Windows & Doors, our in-house end-to-end process connects specification, design, manufacturing and supply, giving project teams greater visibility and fewer handover points throughout the joinery process. It also allows us to develop...

Energy efficiency is no longer optional in New Zealand’s construction landscape, especially for multi-residential buildings. With the tightening of H1 requirements, architects and developers must consider better thermal performance and Building Code compliance. This post covers the key aspects of H1 compliance, how UNO Windows & Doors' Thermal Suites can support your project, and how UNO Hub makes accessing project-specific construction R-values easier.

When designing multi-residential projects, architects face decisions that significantly impact the long-term quality, aesthetics, and functionality of the buildings. One crucial choice is the type of window frames to specify. UNO Thermal aluminium windows offer significant advantages, particularly in terms of durability, thermal stability, and design flexibility. In this article, we’ll explore the key differences between aluminium and uPVC windows and why specifying UNO Thermal aluminium...

When specifying windows and doors, you need to choose a suite. That’s why we’ve designed three window suites, tailored to suit different types of projects. In this article, we showcase the three main suites we offer at UNO Windows & Doors, including the key differences, best applications, and customisations you can make. We also compare the energy efficiency of each suite to help you specify the right options for your next project.

When it comes to selecting the right window supplier for your projects, thorough evaluation is crucial to ensure that all proposals are compared on a fair basis. Here's a breakdown of 14 key considerations to ensure an apples-to-apples comparison:

From housing projects to farm supply stores, the UNO team has completed a variety of projects all around New Zealand. In this article, we share some of our favourite projects to inspire you for your next project and see how our windows and doors look in various residential and commercial settings.

Specifying the joinery for a building project can be daunting so it pays to understand every aspect of the process.

Planning your windows involves careful consideration of various factors to ensure they meet both aesthetic and practical requirements. In this article, we explore six key design considerations architects and developers should take into account when planning windows.

H1 requirements for commercial buildings in New Zealand depend on two things: the size of the building and whether it has curtain walling. Buildings up to 300 m² follow H1/AS1 or H1/VM1, buildings over 300 m² follow H1/AS2 or H1/VM2, and any building with curtain walling, including every building using UNO Commercial, must show compliance by modelling under H1/VM1 or H1/VM2.

For housing, the current H1/AS1 and H1/VM1 (sixth edition) use reference R-values for windows and doors of R0.46 in climate zones 1–4 & R0.50 in zones 5–6. There's no minimum window R-value; instead, your design is compared with a reference building. In light of the updated New Zealand Building Code H1 energy efficiency requirements, many architects and developers wonder which window frame materials are most suitable. The updated standards mark a major step forward for our national standards...

When choosing windows for your next project, you must consider their strength -- especially regarding cracks and breaks. In this article, we explain what thermal stress breaks are, what causes them, and how to minimise the risk in your next project. We also cover various glass types and the factors that influence their strength.

When planning a construction project and dealing with design decisions, having the right team of experts on your side makes a significant difference. The question is, how can you be confident that your architect is the right fit for the job? In this article, we share our list of top architects for residential and commercial developments, with a particular focus on energy efficiency and the updated H1 standards. To find the ideal architectural firm for your next venture, find our recommendations...

An entrance door is your opportunity to make a striking first impression. As the entry point into domestic life, a front door creates an inviting atmosphere and showcases the home’s style. It sets the tone for the entire house – welcoming guests and creating a private haven inside.

Recently, you may have noticed the phrases 'thermally-insulated', 'thermally-improved', or 'thermally-broken' cropping up and it’s more than just a buzzword. So, are thermally insulated windows worth it?

Understanding R-values is key to designing energy-efficient buildings and selecting adaptable and efficient end-to-end window & door solutions that support H1 compliance in New Zealand. An R-value indicates how well insulation resists heat flow; higher values mean better thermal performance. Knowing the required R-value for your project's walls, floors, roofs, and windows is essential to meet New Zealand Building Code H1 standards and improve occupant comfort.

*Updated October 2026 to reflect H1/AS1 and H1/VM1 6th edition and H1/AS2 and H1/VM2 2nd edition, effective 27 November 2025. Toward the tail end of 2021, it was announced by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment that the New Zealand Building Code H1 energy efficiency rules would be changing in 2022. The changes announced would be the biggest advancements to the Building Code in over a decade.

It can be hard to choose the perfect windows and doors for your project, especially when some companies might not have the capacity, or delivery network to support your needs. That’s why we’ve put together this blog explaining the jobs we’re able to collaborate on, to hopefully save you time and confusion. We know construction projects can be stressful and that you want to find the perfect partner to work with you every step of the way.

Confirming your specifications early with a supplier that controls the whole process from start to finish ensures the best value for money by providing value engineering options, construction R-Value reports, construction detail advice, compliance, manufacturing, and timely deliveries in line with the construction program. However, if we aren’t involved early, those factors can’t always be guaranteed to run smoothly!

Each new building project brings its own unique challenges and opportunities; getting the doors right is a crucial aspect of the design process. Each type of door can offer unique benefits to your space, but it’s essential to know the pros and cons before you make your decision.

Natural light, fresh air and expansive views drawing the outside in can all be achieved in your home by the doors you choose. Large glass sliding or stacker doors will open up a space, let in the light and create the ultimate indoor-outdoor flow.

Building a new home can be an overwhelming process, with many decisions to make and timelines to manage. However, investing time into considering the windows you use can greatly improve the look, feel and overall comfort of your finished home. In this blog, we’ll cover the important considerations when it comes to the windows for your new build to ensure you end up with an effective solution.

If you’re building a new house or renovating, don’t overlook the smaller features! Paying extra attention to detail when it comes to your window and door hardware can enhance the aesthetics and security of your home. From handles to locks, this blog will cover what you need to know about aluminium window and door hardware, including the different features, design and layout considerations. The right choice of hardware will improve the quality, appeal and durability of the joinery and provide...

A pop of colour at your front door can help add personality to your home and make an impressive entrance! However, when choosing a finish for your aluminium windows and doors, colour is only one part of the equation. The location of your site will help determine the performance requirements of your surface finish and ensure that the product you choose is fit for purpose. This is particularly important in harsh or exposed environments, such as along the coast. In this blog, we compare the...

When choosing new windows, most people consider the design features, such as opening style and joinery colour, however an important component that is often overlooked is the glass type. There’s more to windows than just what you see - the glass type you pick can have a significant impact on the temperature, lighting, sound and overall comfort of your home.

When considering window options there are a few things to take into consideration to ensure you get the best possible window & door solution for your individual needs. Not only are there a wide range of materials that your windows can be made from, but also a lot of glazing types and opening styles, which can make selecting windows a little bit more involved than at first thought!