Exclusive: Independent testing has found “frightening” failures in cheap windows imported from China, from major water leaks to frames collapsing in simulated storm conditions.
The testing found seven out of eight aluminium and glass windows did not meet the minimum standards for residential use in Australia, are not built for local conditions and failed to meet Australian Building Code requirements.
Some of the windows even failed strength tests and could potentially blow out of the frame under strong storm winds, putting lives in danger.
The testing, commissioned by Ventora, found the “failures represent a direct threat to the safety of the building’s occupants”.
The results came as this masthead launches its Back Australia campaign to champion Australian industry and encourage the purchase of Australian made products.
A window frame leaking water during testing. Picture: Supplied
Ventora chief executive officer Scott Kelly said he’d anecdotally heard the imported windows were not up to scratch but described the testing results as “frightening”.
“When I saw the results, it wasn’t just a matter that they just didn’t pass, they were so far away from meeting Australian standards that it was quite frightening,” he said.
Dramatic footage of the testing, which was conducted by an independent accredited third party facilitator, shows water pouring through the windows frames during a simulation of blustery conditions.
This would cause leaking inside a home and could potentially result in tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage to flooring, framing and cladding as well as the excessive moisture potentially leading to mould growth.
Independent testing has found “frightening” failures in cheap windows imported from China. Picture: Supplied
The Australian Glass and Window Association chief executive officer Clinton Skeoch said the footage was confronting and highlighted the risks of using products that were not suited to Australia’s climate.
“The catastrophic failures should be concerning to both governments and homeowners around the country,” he said.
“Looking at them, my response would be, I certainly wouldn’t want those in my house.”
In another test, a window dislodges from the frame during a simulation of a severe storm.
Mr Skeoch said the window popping out was concerning and raised serious safety concerns.
“A child could be walking in front of that window, or a person, some of those panels were over 100 kilos in weight, that has the ability to really hurt someone and damage them,“ he said.
Independent testing has found “frightening” failures in cheap windows imported from China, from major water leaks to frames collapsing in simulated storm conditions. Picture: Supplied
The collapse of China’s property market has left the Asian superpower with a massive surplus of finished windows, that are now being sold in Australia.
The number of dumped imported aluminium windows and doors increased by two thirds over a three-year period, according to a submission to the Anti-Dumping Commission, while the number of locally produced windows fell by a quarter.
Local businesses are struggling to compete against the imported knock offs, which are heavily subsidised by the Chinese government and can cost less than half the price of windows made in Australia.
The windows industry employs about 9000 people in Australia while the broader supply chain supports about 26,000 jobs.
Original article written by: Remy Varga
Published on: May 28, 2026, in The Daily Telegraph.