In under 60 seconds, Peter Wolfkamp breaks down how Ambiance is reducing waste and rethinking the lifecycle of windows. From offcut recovery to fully recyclable uPVC frames, discover how we’re building homes that are not only warmer and quieter, but also kinder to the planet. Ambiance by STÄRKE, it’s not

Step behind the scenes with Peter Wolfkamp, Resident Builder, for an exclusive look inside the Ambiance by STÄRKE manufacturing facility in Auckland. It’s the engine room of New Zealand’s next generation of high-performance windows and doors! In this factory tour, Peter uncovers the cutting-edge machinery, smart processes, and passionate people

New Zealand’s diverse climate, ranging from the sunny North to the icy deep South, presents a huge durability challenge for most construction materials. When it comes to window frames, surviving in the face of varying temperatures, high humidity, and exposure to intense sunlight is paramount. In this context, uPVC (unplasticized

We’re proud to introduce Peter Wolfkamp, New Zealand’s Resident Builder, as a brand ambassador for Ambiance by STÄRKE. Since early 2025, Peter has been part of the Ambiance family, and it’s a partnership that feels like a natural fit. Peter has spent decades championing better building practices and helping everyday

When it comes to H1 Compliance, by far the greater energy savings are possible from the worst performing elements. This seems obvious, right?  Ok, answer me this then; if you could increase either your roof or your windows by R0.01, would it make a difference which one you chose?  Most

This blog assumes you have a basic knowledge of how the code works; if you want a refresher, please read through our other blogs here. Also note that this blog covers H1/AS1 (Acceptable Solution). There are other methods of demonstrating H1 Compliance without using an acceptable solution, but these are

Updated 18th July 2022. Immediately after MBIE has published their outcome of the consultation to delay the proposed changes to H1/AS1 Version 5. Read their document HERE De-mystifying The Building Code Changes For Windows And Doors A direct, informal summary, using colloquial and easy to understand language, for everybody out there.

Good quality windows and doors deserve a good quality window installation.  And that means they should be installed recessed into your wall; not hung out over the cladding as is so commonly done! In other words, the warm barrier down the middle of the glass and down the middle of

A good R-value for a window in New Zealand is R0.65 to R0.8. You can achieve this with: How do I know the R-value for my windows? The R-values of windows are made up of two important factors, both of which you can ask to change or specify. (Also note