Bay of Plenty's best windows & doors

Tasman Aluminium's profile in the market has continued to grow.

Windows and doors have come a long way over the last 40 years. And local business, Tasman Aluminium, has been at the forefront of the industry with innovation and service since 1976.

Windows and doors in traditional New Zealand homes were built using timber frames, with some steel options available. In the late 1960s aluminium was introduced as an alternative, providing a lightweight, durable solution without the issues of rotting and rusting associated with traditional materials.

Local businessman, John Lear, saw the opportunity, and Tasman Aluminium began manufacturing aluminium windows and doors in 1976. A keen sailor, John named the business after the Tasman Sea.

Product solutions were fairly basic in Tasman Aluminium's early days. Awning and louvre aluminium windows were available with timber frames. Windows were selected from a range of standard sizes in only two colour choices. Supplied to Tasman Aluminium in a kitset from the factory in Auckland, John and the local team manufactured and installed them.

Through the 1980s Tasman Aluminium expanded its range to include sliding doors with full aluminium frames, followed by a biparting sliding door which allowed much wider openings for increased liveability. Increased colour options came through the introduction of powder coat finishes. And windows and doors moved from standard sizes to the made-to-measure model still used today.

Under the Lyte brand of windows and doors through the 80s and 90s, Tasman Aluminium also began manufacturing commercial joinery. The company completed many of Tauranga's biggest building projects. Major Mt Maunganui developments in the late 1990s included the Twin Towers, the Beaumont and the Atrium.

Tasman was also involved in recladding the Westpac building on Devonport Rd. Unlike today's construction processes, no cranes were used in this project, and the glass panes were carried up the scaffold by hand.

In 2000 Tasman joined Fairview's manufacturer network, and quickly become one of New Zealand's largest manufacturers of aluminium windows and doors. Large commercial projects like Rotorua Events Centre and Number Eleven Maunganui apartments were skilfully managed and implemented by the Tasman team. These buildings still look great today.

In the residential market new products increased the options available to homeowners - bifolding doors, stacker sliding doors and a wide variety of glass and aluminium entry doors; powder coat colour options increased to over 30 standard colours, and more choice in door handles and window catch styles.

More recently, glass innovations have driven change in window and door solutions. Increased sizes and double glazing are now every day options. And speciality products like energy efficient low-e, safety, acoustic and UV/glare reduction glass provide even greater benefits to home owners.

Tasman Aluminium's profile in the market has continued to grow. Now in an exciting new step, the business is launching a bold new face, reinforcing its tie to the Fairview Windows & Doors brand. The same professional team continue to deliver exceptional products and service to customers, such as the recently completed ACG gymnasium at Pyes Pa, and other exciting projects around the Bay of Plenty and Waikato.

Tasman Aluminium thanks customers and suppliers for their support, and looks forward to delivering continued excellence and innovation for the next 40 years.