Queenslander gets new Window Hoods

Queenslanders were specifically designed to provide the most comfortable living conditions year round, in the hot and humid Queensland weather.

History: Window hoods came into general use only at the end of the nineteenth century, as Queenslanders belatedly adapted their houses for the subtropical climate. They remained popular until the 1930s, and became less elaborate over time. They provided shade and diverted rain, all the while releasing trapped rising hot air, thus helping to further cool the inside of the house.

A client recently engaged Clem Carpentry to find a solution for insufficient window hoods in a Queenslander renovation. In their current state, the window hoods provided little protection from the sun or rain. As a consequence, the sun was damaging the historic timber window frames and entering the house.

Our designers discussed with the client how to protect their house from the elements while retaining its historic character.

This Queenslander renovation required major work during the removal of the window hoods. This included removing the weatherboard framing above the windows, which exposed the framing while we built. To resolve this issue, we installed flashing to keep water from seeping in. We added support framing to carry the weight of the new hoods, due to their increase in size and weight.

To ensure the new hoods matched perfectly, we custom designed and built them. They match the existing style of the house with Kwila timber (a durable and termite-resistant wood). We topped them off with corrugated iron sheets for longevity in the extreme Queensland weather conditions. Then we seamlessly attached them to the dwelling.

To further enhance the lifespan of the new hoods, we gave them a coat of paintable industrial polyurethane sealant. A fast-curing sealing with high elasticity properties makes it the perfect choice. Final touches included a fresh coat of paint. Now we left the customers to marvel at their new addition and its perfect fit.