Why H1 Compliance Is Not the Same as Good Window Design

Passing H1 does not guarantee comfort.

H1 sets minimum energy efficiency requirements. It does not ensure long-term performance.

South Island projects often sit in higher climate zones. Window performance becomes critical. Thermal breaks, glazing, and airtightness work together. Weakness in one undermines the rest. Most compliance failures happen late. Windows are often selected after layout, budget, and consent pressure are already set. Early window decisions reduce redesign, consent delays, and construction risk.

Good projects treat H1 as a design input, not a box to tick.