5 keys to take into account to choose the windows of your home

Do you have old windows that let in the cold and noise? Do you want to save on heating or air conditioning? Or if you are concerned about improving the energy efficiency of your home and you want to reform your house, we will give you all the details so that you are able to choose the type of windows that best suit your needs.

Buying windows is something that happens very rarely in life. Therefore, people who face this situation do not want to make mistakes when choosing them. The decision is not usually easy, because there are a lot of types of windows, different models and varieties in each model, types of materials and benefits according to our choice.

Therefore, we will always advise you to be advised by qualified professionals, capable of studying each project from scratch to determine the best solutions to specific needs.

We have compiled all the information available to answer the question What windows do I choose? with a step-by-step guide written in the simplest way and without going into technical details that only complicate your choice.

¿How to choose the type of window that best suits your home?

Not all windows are the same, you know, and more so if you have already started to investigate this world.

Each material, each complement, each design decision has positive and negative points, making them more suitable for some needs or others, for some areas or others, to solve some challenges or others.

A window is good to the extent that it helps you live better and be happier.

¿What points should you take into account to choose your windows?

First of all, we must consider the type of profile that best suits our needs: PVC, aluminum or wood.

Second, glazing is a fundamental element in determining the performance of a window and its greater orientation towards solving certain problems or challenges.

We must also define what type of opening is the best for us based on how our interior and exterior spaces are and the type of use that we are going to give it.

The shape of the windows is also a very important aspect when deciding on one manufacturer or another.

Increasingly, the degree of energy efficiency of a window is a fundamental decision element due to its greater contribution to savings, comfort and quality of life for families.

Finally, another of the trends that are here to stay is the concern for the aesthetics of the windows, becoming decisive elements for the style and decoration of the different spaces.

Types of windows according to the type of profile

Profiling is the type of material from which window frames and sashes are made. Each material has a series of characteristics and properties that translate into specific benefits for users.

Therefore, it is very important to correctly choose the type of profile that best suits our needs.

Wooden windows

Wooden windows are the most traditional option. Wood is a good natural insulator and aesthetically they are very attractive. In addition, it can be worked with relative ease, giving rise to true works of craftsmanship.

However, it also has its drawbacks.

It is the most expensive material, both in cost and maintenance. Wood absorbs moisture, which can cause it to swell, crack and curl, plus it is more affected by pollution and exposure to changes in temperature and sunlight.

This affects its thermal and acoustic insulation properties. In addition, despite being a natural material, the production of wooden windows causes the felling of numerous areas of forests and the consequent impact on the environment.

Aluminum windows

Aluminum windows are offered in a very wide range of colors and finishes, foliated or lacquered.

However, as a metal, aluminum is a good conductor of energy, so its insulation properties and energy efficiency are lower than those of other materials. In addition, this fact is coupled with the need to screw the corners because it is impossible to weld them hermetically, with the consequent entry of air and noise.

To counteract this, today high-end aluminum windows are designed with a Thermal Bridge Break: a plastic separation that is placed in the central area of ​​the profiles to reduce the entry of cold and loss of color.

Another of its strengths is the wide range of profiles and accessory accessories and the ease of working, although at the cost of a more expensive price.

And finally, aluminum is a very light and resistant metal but it has a tendency to generate condensation and scratch, being exposed to oxidation and corrosion.

PVC windows

More than 30 years ago it began to take its first steps in Europe for its greater insulation and efficiency properties.

PVC, a resin made up of 57% common salt, was the last material to be added to this list. Today, it is the present and the future of windows.

PVC windows are characterized by their excellent thermal and acoustic insulation, since, in addition to the PVC itself, they are designed and extruded with several internal air chambers, adding in the case of Ecoven plus windows a reinforcement of galvanized steel in all profiles.

It is a material of very high durability and very low maintenance cost, you only need soap and water, since it is immune to pollution and very resistant to condensation and inclement weather. The color remains stable over time and, thanks to the new foiling technologies, they can be produced in a wide range of colors and wood and metallic finishes, smooth and textured, as well as in the new ultramatte Spectral finish, a great revolution for the aesthetic possibilities of windows.

Another of its great advantages is its ability to be 100% recycled and its lower environmental impact in the manufacturing process: according to a study by the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, PVC windows are 45% more efficient than aluminum windows and a 15% more than wood in reducing CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.

Types of windows according to glazing

The glazing of a window is a fundamental element, since it represents most of its surface. Although it is still possible to create single pane windows, Ecoven plus windows are designed to withstand double or triple glazing, with air chambers that provide greater insulation and reduce energy loss.

In addition, there are glass specifically designed to reinforce the main benefits of windows.

Low-emission glass windows

Low-E glazing is designed to make it difficult for cold and heat to go from the inside to the outside, managing to maintain the temperature of the home with great energy savings and, therefore, an obvious reduction in heating and cooling costs.

Solar control glass windows

These glasses have the

ability to filter solar radiation. They let in almost all the light, but they minimize the heat that is introduced from the outside, which makes them especially useful in areas of high insolation and high temperatures.

Acoustic glass windows

In noisy places, poorly insulated windows are one of the main causes of loss of comfort in the home. To avoid this, acoustic glasses, laminated with special butyrals, have the ability to

reduce the entry of noise into a building without sacrificing thermal insulation or safety.

With the right combination, you can achieve an attenuation of up to 48 decibels, equivalent to going from the noise of an airplane turbine to the normal sound of an office.

Safety glass windows

A security glazing is made up of two or more glasses joined together through a plastic sheet that, in the event of breakage, makes them stick and does not come off.

Several levels of security can be achieved: physical protection, anti-theft, against firearms, against explosions ...

Types of windows according to the type of opening

There are many aspects that determine the best opening for the windows of a home. Interior space, exterior space, light needs, need to allow passage between spaces ...

Each house, each project, each need is unique and that is why each particular case must be studied.

Fixed windows

Fixed windows are those that only consist of a glass frame. That is, they do not allow their opening, only the passage of light and energy, to a greater or lesser extent.

On many occasions, these windows are usually joined together and forming part of the same set with a mobile window or a door.

Swing, casement or openable windows

A casement window is one that allows the opening of one or two leaves that rotate on the side frames, to which they are joined by hinges. We could say that it is the most traditional window.

Oscillating, tilting or projectable windows

An oscillating window is very similar to a casement window, with the difference that the leaves do not rotate on the side frames, but on the lower frame (tilting window, which opens from above) or on the upper frame (projection window, which is opens at the bottom).

Tilt-and-turn windows

Most modern windows are tilt-and-turn windows, which combines the previous two: a window whose leaves not only open by turning on the side frames, but also have a third handle position -usually upwards- that allows turning on the lower frame to leave the leaf open at the top, allowing good ventilation.

In these windows, the hardware plays a fundamental role since it is subjected to a greater stress and weight. For this reason, Ecoven plus windows are equipped with the activPilot perimeter hardware from Winkhaus.

Sliding or sliding windows

We usually think of the terms "sliding window" and "sliding window" as synonyms.

That is not entirely accurate, since, although in the past, sliding windows were practically the only type of sliding window that existed, today we have several systems that allow a window to be opened by sliding one of its leaves.

Each of these systems is adjusted to a specific need, although they all share their special indication for places where the interior space is very limited and large window openings are needed.

Sliding window: the leaves slide on one or more guide rails, installed on a frame or on a sill (at ground level). Together with a special pocket closing system, it is also achieved that all of them are inserted into the wall itself, allowing the total opening of the hole. On the contrary, in general its level of tightness is lower than that of other systems.

Tilt-and-turn window: it is a system that combines two leaves; one tilt-and-turn and another that slides in parallel on guides towards the inside when opening and closes in the same plane. This closure is also perimeter, so it offers greater tightness and security.

Lifting window: it achieves the highest levels of insulation and efficiency thanks to its powerful hardware, which supports the full weight of the sash when opening it and allows its perimeter and hermetic closure. These windows reach the largest dimensions and weights and, even so, the sliding of the sash is very smooth and comfortable.

Folding window: they are characterized by the accordion-type folding of the leaves together, making it possible to fully open large gaps.

Pivoting windows

A pivoting window, or also revolving window or tilting window, is a system that allows the sash to rotate on an axis - usually horizontal - in the center of the frame.

It has three opening positions: an intermediate one, in which the leaf remains open in a diagonal plane; a short one, in which the handle allows a small ventilation hole; and a complete one, in which the sash rotates until it is parallel to the window.

Types of windows according to the shape

Although it may seem like a minor matter, the shape of the windows is very important when choosing some materials or others depending on the design needs and the experience and training of each manufacturer and their professionals.

Straight windows

Straight-shaped windows are the most common, especially in developments and blocks of flats. Its greater ease of assembly favors the automation of processes, using the most advanced technology in order to minimize the risk of human manufacturing errors, although it does not necessarily imply mass production.

At Ecoven plus, each window is unique, personalized and made to measure, and we constantly invest in our production process. In fact, we are completing an ambitious expansion and modernization work that has allowed us to have more than 16,000 square meters for production and logistics, always with the aim of minimizing delivery times and offering the best service to our customers.

Curved windows

Curved windows are those in which one or all of the frames have been designed with a curved shape. There are them with a circular shape, with a semicircle or with the shape of arches of different styles (semicircular, lowered ...).

Depending on the material from which the profiles are made, making a curved window presents a different degree of difficulty.

Thus, while aluminum and wood are simpler materials to work with, PVC represents a huge challenge. Most manufacturers of PVC windows are not able to achieve this, but the Ecoven plus Special Solutions Team stands out for its capacity and experience, working almost by hand to carry out the solutions that our clients require.

Viewpoints with drawer

A special type of window are gazebos with a mitered blind box, very common in different areas of our country.

As in the case of curved windows, not all manufacturers are capable of making this type of joint, since they require a degree of specialization and special precision, with a team of experienced professionals and almost artisans, such as the aforementioned Team of Special Solutions Ecoven plus.

Types of windows according to efficiency, comfort and savings

As we are seeing, not all windows are the same. Even less in terms of its benefits and its contribution to energy efficiency, comfort and savings for its users.

We can establish a triple classification.

Passivhaus windows or high efficiency windows

They represent the highest level. They are very high-performance windows, specifically designed to achieve the best performance in insulation and airtightness and comply with the demanding Passivhaus standard. These windows have very wide frames and leaves (82 mm) and very powerful glazing, as well as their hardware to support the extra weight.

An important concept when talking about the efficiency of a window is its thermal transmittance, also called the U-value. Without going into very technical aspects, the transmittance represents the speed at which the window lets heat and cold in and out.

The lower the transmittance, the higher the comfort.

For a window to be considered passivhaus, its transmittance must be Uw ≤ 0.8 W / m2K. But this is somewhat misleading, because the Uw is the transmittance of the window as a whole, not that of the glazing (Ug) which is always lower and therefore they are not comparable.

In addition, the transmittance also depends on the size of the window and the proportion of glass, so that two Uw cannot be compared without having more data.

Efficient windows

In many cases, especially in renovations and renovations, windows must fulfill the function of substantially improving the insulation of the home, resulting in a very evident and direct way in comfort, savings and quality of life.

Properly combining the different elements of the window -profile, hardware and glazing-, an expert should be able to advise the best solution for each particular need.

In the case of aluminum windows, as we have said, in order to break the good conduction of the metal and increase its insulation, it is necessary to resort to profiles with Thermal Bridge Break (RPT) that incorporate a plastic element in their central area.

Low-end windows

Of course, there are still low-end options on the market such as siding solutions. Narrow aluminum or wooden windows with simple glass, PVC profiles of Asian origin ... they are very economical options, although, logically, the benefits are not the same.

Types of windows according to the finish

A few years ago, each material conditioned the color of the window. PVC windows practically only had the possibility of being sold in their characteristic white base color.

Now, however, everything has changed thanks to the folios, which not only give color, but also texture and shine to the windows, with aesthetic possibilities previously unthinkable. Which, together with the trend to stop hiding the windows behind thick curtains to give them a leading role in the style and decoration of the home, has led to a revolution in the sector.

At Ecoven plus, we are also able to make windows with a different finish for the exterior and interior.

Something of vital importance in the case of buildings that require maintaining a uniform aesthetic on the façade, because we want our clients to have the possibility of enjoying maximum customization, making their homes personal and unique spaces.

Solid colored windows

Thanks to the foils, PVC and aluminum windows are available in almost any shade. You can also opt for lacquering, although the costs can increase significantly.

Wood finish windows

In addition to wooden windows, PVC and aluminum windows are capable of imitating wood-colored finishes. With a smooth or even textured finish, thanks to the quality of the current sheets, PVC windows imitate wood very well.

Metallic finish windows

Similarly, metallic finishes are no longer exclusive to aluminum windows, but can be recreated on PVC with astonishingly realistic results and in a wide range of hues.

Spectral windows

Finally, Spectral is the latest and greatest revolution in the finishing of VEKA PVC windows, exclusively.

With Spectral, the PVC window becomes art, definitely becoming an element of enormous importance in the aesthetics of the home.

It is a special technology that combines foiling and lacquering to give the windows an ultra-matt appearance and a unique silky touch, as well as greater durability and resistance to weathering, scratching and abrasion.

 

If you liked the article and want to know more about our PVC windows, contact us!

as a second option we are going to classify

THE MATERIAL PVC, ALUMINUM OR WOOD?

Basically, these are the 3 materials that we can choose for our windows. Nowadays the use of PVC is very widespread since it is cheaper and among its properties is that it is not a good conductor of temperature, that is, PVC itself insulates well. However, there are equivalent solutions in aluminum (always with thermal break) and even in wood.

The main difference between some aluminum windows and others made of PVC is that, in the former, we can have a thinner profile, however in PVC the profiles (the window frame) are usually thicker, which will leave less space with glass. On the other hand, if we talk about very large windows, we may be forced to choose aluminum as it is more resistant than PVC and can support larger and heavier glass.

Wood is possibly the most expensive option from an economic point of view, but it also performs very well. Remember that wood is a non-conductive material by nature, a good thermal and acoustic insulator. If we have old wooden windows in the house, we may be interested in changing the glass and restoring them and preserving the frame, all this as long as the fittings and the entire closing system work properly (it is important that they maintain water and air tightness ).

We can also find windows that combine aluminum (on the outside) and wood (on the inside). We must not forget that wooden windows require more intensive maintenance (protective varnishes and other treatments) than PVC or aluminum.

The type of window opening is also important if we want to optimize the well-being and energy consumed in our home. As a general rule, we must know that windows with hinged closures are more hermetic than sliding ones. On some occasions, in enclosures that give access to a terrace or an outdoor garden, we may be interested in a sliding door solution for aesthetics, a good option for these cases are lift-up or tilt-and-turn sliding doors, which have a more hermetic closure than the standard ones, although they also have a higher cost.

As we have already said, if what we are looking for is good thermal-acoustic insulation, it is best to avoid sliding windows and place hinged, tilt-and-turn or even pivot windows.