A&L in 2024

One of our biggest years to date – 2024 has seen A&L grow as a national leader in energy-efficient glass solutions, supporting our partners and customers to navigate major updates to regulatory codes and continuing to commit to the highest standards in service and product quality. From offering helpful ‘how-to’ instructional videos to the release of an industry-leading range of energy-efficient products, take a look at the year that was.

1. Transition to VENTORA

In July 2023, A&L’s parent company – JELD-WEN – welcomed a significant name change and ownership structure when it joined the Platinum Equity portfolio of companies.

An internal competition within our 4,500+ workforce helped to choose a name that reflects the impact we aspire to have on our customers and our communities.

JELD-WEN Australasia Group is now known as the VENTORA Group, which signifies our commitment to enhancing aesthetics, pursing energy efficiency as core to our product development goals and ensuring security.

Since our beginnings in Bayswater in 1980, A&L has grown into one of the largest residential window manufacturers – something that has been achievable under the support and leadership of the wider VENTORA brand.

2. Helping our community embrace updates to the National Construction Code (NCC)

Following on from the NCC’s major updates to its code in 2022, a range of new requirements came into effect as of 1 May 2024. These included:

• New livable housing requirements
• Updated energy efficiency and condensation mitigation requirements

In response to the updates, we collaborated with builders and energy raters—like Carlisle Homes, Plantation Homes and Energy Lab—to prepare for the new phase of requirements.

As part of this, we’re proud to have released the ComfortSmart Optimal range and Energy Efficiency webpage to help customers understand what’s possible for their projects.

With everything in one place, customers can discover the potential of performance technologies like Double Glazing, Low E Glass, Thermally Broken Sash and our Inline reveal. With a Good, Better, Best product tier available across the A&L range, our customers are better equipped to comply with new building standards, reduce energy bills and increase the comfort of their homes.

3. Announcing the release of ComfortSmart Hybrid: for exceptional energy efficiency at minimal cost

We’re proud to maintain a long history of designing and delivering innovative products and solutions. And with the increased focus on energy efficiency and supporting builders to achieve a 7-star energy rating and a whole-of-home rating of no less than 60, forward-thinking product innovation has never been more important. The new ComfortSmart Hybrid range (consisting of a Slimline and Wideline Thermally Broken Awning Sash) makes life easy for builders to meet the mandated code requirements, while delivering exceptional comfort and reduced energy bills for homeowners.

By creating a barrier between the inner and outer window frames, our cutting-edge Thermally Broken Awning Sash technology reduces heat transfer to cut down on heating and cooling costs. Combined with one of our three grades of double glazing, Thermal Break Sash technology is NATA engineered and tested. It offers U-value coverage to help you meet 7-star energy efficiency requirements at a competitive price point.

To download our brochure and view size charts, head to our ComfortSmart Hybrid page.

4. We released the second phase of products in our ComfortSmart range

In addition to the launch of ComfortSmart Hybrid, we also extended what can be achieved with our ComfortSmart series.

ComfortSmart Ultra Hinged Door

The ComfortSmart Ultra Hinged Door features a thermally broken frame that offers high levels of energy efficiency and is uniquely designed to help new home builders reach 7-star rating requirements with ease.

The ComfortSmart Ultra Hinged Door is available in single and double door configurations, with open in, open out, side lite, and high lite options.

ComfortSmart Ultra Door Hardware

We have also designed and launched a range of new hardware options, including:

• Flush Pull Door Handle in black and brushed nickel
• Door Pull Handle and Escutcheon in black and brushed nickel
• Hinged Door Handle in Brushed Nickel, in both inside and outside configurations
• Our Research and Design team were recently acknowledged in the 2024 NSW AGWA Design Awards for ‘Most Innovative Component’ category for our new range of hardware.

ComfortSmart Sliding Windows

The ComfortSmart Sliding Window is a thermally broken energy-efficient window optimised to meet the new rating requirements with ease. The slim-profile frame creates a minimalist style and maximises viewing area and natural light.

To view all of these and more energy-efficient products, view the Comfort Smart Series.

5. We launched our Accessible Sliding Door and Handle

The NCC’s 2024 updates also included new requirements for livable housing design. The updates are all about making homes easier to use and adaptable to the needs of people with different abilities.

Practically, that involves things like reducing steps in a home, providing more space in the bathroom, designing wider doors and hallways, and catering for future add-ons or modifications.

To help builders and homeowners achieve greater accessibility in their home designs, we worked in close consultation with independent assessors to design and launch our Accessible Sliding Door and Handle. It’s packed full of inclusive design features for easy use, security and independence at home while being cost-effective to install and compliant with a range of accessibility standards. You can read more about the accessible sliding door and handle here.

 

6. 10 more ‘how-to’ videos to help customers and homeowners get the most out of A&L products

Good service sometimes means pointing our customers in the right direction when they need help. In line with that approach, we’ve created a series of easy-to-follow product maintenance videos.

From learning how to remove a fly screen on an A&L Awning Window to measuring out your angles correctly, we’ve collated these how-to videos based on the conversations we have with our customers every day.

Check out the full library of how-to videos.

7. We celebrated major milestones and awards in 2024

This year we celebrated the 20th anniversary of a major Australian partner of A&L – Carlisle Homes.

An award-winning home builder, Carlisle Homes have been a mainstay for exceptional service and home design in Melbourne, and have had an ongoing partnership with A&L – currently offering double glazing as standard in all their Affinity and Inspire Homes.

On top of this major milestone, at A&L we were proud to help contribute to Carlisle Home’s achievement of ‘Best Overall Performance’ Award for Carlisle 2024 Supplier of the Year Awards.

 

Thank you to everyone who contributed to making 2024 such a successful year for A&L. We look forward to striving for even greater heights together in the coming year!