Windows Republic manufactures and installs uPVC double glazed windows across Melbourne from its factory in Cheltenham, Victoria. Every frame is made in Australia — not imported — using multi-chambered uPVC profiles filled with argon gas between two panes of low-E glass. The result is a U-value as low as 1.1 W/m²K, dramatically lower energy bills, and interior noise reduction of up to 40 dB compared to single glazing.
A double glazed window consists of two panes of glass separated by a sealed cavity — typically 12–16 mm wide — filled with argon gas. Argon is denser than air and a poor conductor of heat, which dramatically slows the transfer of thermal energy between inside and outside. Windows Republic uses low-emissivity (low-E) glass as standard: a microscopic metallic coating on the inner pane reflects radiant heat back into the room during winter and blocks solar heat gain in summer.
The uPVC frame compounds the thermal benefit. Unlike aluminium, uPVC does not conduct heat or cold. Windows Republic frames use a multi-chambered internal profile — typically five to seven chambers depending on series — each acting as a separate thermal break. This is why the whole-window U-value of a Windows Republic unit (from 1.1 W/m²K) is substantially better than a thermally-broken aluminium unit (typically 2.0–2.4 W/m²K).
On the acoustic side, the same air-gap principle that resists heat transfer also attenuates sound. A standard Windows Republic double glazed window achieves an STC rating of 35–40, rising above STC 40 with acoustic laminated glass upgrades. For homes near tram lines, arterial roads or flight paths — common concerns in Melbourne’s inner suburbs — this is a meaningful real-world improvement.
Low-E filters radiation from the sun and reduces heat, helping to keep your house cooler in summer
Low-E blocks the heat inside of your home from getting out in winter, so you spend less money on heat
Low-E glass acts like a mirror, reflecting the heat back inside preventing condensation and saving you money from heat loss!
Most Melbourne double glazing suppliers offer aluminium frames. Windows Republic does not, because the physics favour uPVC at every performance metric that matters in a Melbourne climate. The table below compares the two materials directly.
| Feature | uPVC Double Glazed | Aluminium Double Glazed |
|---|---|---|
| Thermal performance (U-value) | ✓ 1.1–1.4 W/m²K | 2.0–3.5 W/m²K (without thermal break) |
| Condensation resistance | ✓ High — uPVC is non-conductive | Low — aluminium conducts cold, promotes condensation |
| Acoustic (STC rating) | ✓ Up to STC 40+ | Varies — typically STC 28–35 |
| Maintenance | ✓ None — will not rust, rot or corrode | Powder coat can fade; requires periodic repainting |
| Australian Made | ✓ Yes — frames made in Cheltenham, VIC | Most suppliers import aluminium extrusions |
| Heritage suitability | ✓ Profiles available to match heritage designs | Limited heritage profiles |
| Lifespan | ✓ 30+ years | 20-30 years |
The condensation point is worth dwelling on. Aluminium conducts cold at roughly 1,000 times the rate of uPVC. In a Melbourne winter, the internal face of an aluminium frame will frequently drop below dew point, producing the moisture streaks on glass and frames that are common in older double glazed installations. A uPVC frame stays closer to room temperature, keeping the internal surface above dew point in all but the most extreme conditions.
Windows Republic is certified Australian Made. The uPVC frames are fabricated at the company's Cheltenham facility — not shipped from China or Europe and rebranded. This matters for two reasons: quality control and lead times.
Imported windows are typically manufactured to European or Chinese standards that do not map precisely onto Australian construction requirements, bushfire attack level (BAL) ratings, or the WERS simulation used by NatHERS assessors. And because fabrication happens in-house, non-standard sizes — common in Melbourne's period housing stock — do not attract the extended lead times or price premiums that importers charge for custom orders.
Windows Republic is a member of Master Builders Victoria, meaning installations meet the workmanship standards required by Victorian building contracts and owner-builder permits alike.
Windows Republic services the entire Melbourne metropolitan area. The team has completed projects in every major inner suburb cluster, from period homes in Carlton and Fitzroy to post-war brick veneer in Hampton and Cheltenham, and newer builds in Preston and Pascoe Vale.
For heritage-overlay properties — which cover a significant proportion of homes in Fitzroy, Collingwood, South Yarra, Prahran, Kew and Hawthorn — Windows Republic's uPVC profiles can be configured to closely match the sight lines and proportions of original timber sashes and casements. The team works with homeowners to achieve the best visual match for their specific property and council requirements.
Windows Republic manufactures the full range of uPVC double glazed windows and doors from its Cheltenham factory:
Windows: casement, awning, sliding, fixed, tilt-and-turn, and sash windows.
Doors: French doors, sliding doors, patio doors, entry doors, and lift-and-slide systems.
Specialist glazing: triple glazing for extreme climate or acoustic requirements; acoustic laminated glass upgrades for high-noise-exposure sites.
Every unit is measured, manufactured, and installed by Windows Republic’s own team — there is no subcontracting of any stage of the process. This matters for warranty: if anything is wrong with the frame, the glass, or the installation, one company is accountable.
Windows Republic offers a no-obligation measure and quote service across metropolitan Melbourne. A consultant will visit your property, assess your existing windows or openings, discuss product options suited to your home type and local council requirements, and provide a written quote itemised by window or door.

Double glazed window pricing in Melbourne varies with frame size, profile series, glass specification, and installation complexity. As a general guide, a standard casement or awning window in Windows Republic’s uPVC range starts from approximately $1,800–$3,500 per window installed, with larger sliding windows and door systems priced higher. Coloured profile windows and acoustic laminated glass upgrades carry a modest premium. Windows Republic provides itemised written quotes following a free on-site measure.
The primary difference is thermal conductivity. Aluminium conducts heat at approximately 160 W/m·K; uPVC conducts at around 0.17 W/m·K — roughly 1,000 times less. In practice, this means a uPVC double glazed window achieves a whole-window U-value of 1.1–1.4 W/m²K, versus 2.0–3.5 W/m²K for aluminium without a thermal break. uPVC also resists condensation on the frame interior and requires no maintenance over its 50+ year lifespan. Please see the full comparison table above.
For a typical Melbourne home requiring 10–15 windows, Windows Republic’s installation is completed within a week. The measure and quote process takes approximately 20-30 minutes on-site. Lead time from confirmed order to installation is typically four to six weeks, reflecting the in-house fabrication schedule at the Cheltenham factory. Non-standard windows and doors or large lift-and-slide door systems may require additional fabrication time.
Yes — this is one of the most common reasons Melbourne homeowners choose double glazing. Windows Republic’s standard double glazed windows achieve an STC (Sound Transmission Class) rating of 35–40 dB. For properties within 200 metres of a tram route, arterial road, or flight path, Windows Republic recommends acoustic laminated glass, which raises the STC rating to 40–45 dB and targets the low-frequency rumble generated by trams and heavy vehicles. Noise reduction is cumulative: replacing all windows and external doors produces a more significant result than addressing windows alone.
Yes. Windows Republic has supplied and installed uPVC double glazed windows to heritage-overlay and heritage-listed properties across Melbourne, including in Fitzroy, Collingwood, South Yarra, Kew and Brighton. Windows Republic’s uPVC profiles are available in configurations that can closely match the proportions and sight lines of original timber sash and casement windows, and the team works with homeowners to achieve the best visual match for their property. Planning permit requirements vary by council and overlay; Windows Republic can advise on whether a permit is required for your specific property.
Double glazing dramatically reduces condensation compared to single glazing, but does not eliminate it entirely under all conditions. With a uPVC frame and argon-filled double glazing, the internal glass surface temperature stays well above dew point in Melbourne winters, which is why visible condensation — the water droplets common on single-glazed windows — is rarely observed. In extremely cold overnight conditions (sub-5°C), some surface moisture is possible if indoor humidity is very high. This is a fraction of the condensation produced by single glazing. Aluminium-framed double glazing is more prone to frame condensation than uPVC because the aluminium frame itself conducts cold.
Yes. Windows Republic is certified Australian Made. uPVC frames are fabricated at the company’s factory in Cheltenham, Victoria — not imported and rebranded. Glass units are sourced locally and assembled in-house. The Australian Made certification requires that at least 50% of the production cost occurs in Australia; in Windows Republic’s case, the entire frame fabrication and unit assembly process is conducted domestically. This is a meaningful distinction in a market where most double glazing suppliers import finished or semi-finished product from China or Europe.
Windows Republic manufactures and installs double glazed windows across all Melbourne metropolitan suburbs — from the inner north and south through to bayside, the south-east corridor, and the western suburbs. The Cheltenham factory is centrally located relative to Melbourne’s inner and bayside suburbs, and the installation team operates across the full metropolitan area. To confirm availability for your suburb and arrange a free measure and quote, contact Windows Republic through windowsrepublic.com.au.
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Our showroom is nice and central for you to view the product samples and check out our manufacturing facility.
ADDRESS
14B Viking Court, Cheltenham 3192
PHONE
1300 040 480
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windowsrepublic.
com.au