It is difficult to find a second structural unit in a wooden house, for which so many modifications would have been developed, as for a window block. Therefore, in order to correctly determine which windows are better to install in a wooden house, a cursory acquaintance with the characteristics of the available models is not enough, since their number is so large that it is difficult for an unprepared person to develop a clear assessment methodology.
In addition, the selection of windows for wooden buildings is complicated by the need to coordinate designs and geometric shapes, since it is in wooden houses that arched, bay window and corner windows are most often used.
This review contains material that will greatly simplify the solution of the above tasks, and also formulates the criteria necessary to compare the technical characteristics of the window and the requirements determined by the architecture of the house.
Before considering the technical features of each model, let us recall what tasks are assigned to the windows and auxiliary structures of the window block.
Daylight
The main and most important function of a window is to allow daylight to enter the interior of the house. This is such an important task that architectural standards contain quite specific standards that specify the minimum window area and the recommended amount of light required for residential or office premises (GOST 23166-99).
Separately, we note that due to the constant struggle for the energy efficiency of houses, compliance with the above-mentioned GOSTs has become less categorical, and the actual area of window openings can be much smaller. However, the matter has not yet reached the complete rejection of windows.
The second task, which is also assigned to windows today, is the adjustment of the light flux. Sunlight is good, but on summer days it is sometimes too much. Traditionally, this problem was solved with the help of curtains and curtains, but with a change in interior design, alternative options were found in the form of blinds and tinted windows.
thermal insulation
Given that windows account for up to 75% of a home's heat loss, the quality of their construction has a very specific cash equivalent in the form of saved or excess energy costs.
The main difference between modern double-glazed windows and older models is an order of magnitude lower thermal conductivity of frames and glass panels.
The final energy efficiency of the house depends not only on the design of the window, but also on the quality of installation. In modern building practice, you can find many examples when very expensive windows installed in violation of technology ended up being no better than an ordinary wooden frame with glass.
Penetration protection
When choosing a window design, an important factor may be its resistance to burglary. Of course, it will not be possible to completely eliminate penetration through the window opening due to the modified window design, but it is quite possible to significantly reduce the likelihood of such an event.
Note that the “anti-vandal effect” today is achieved not only through reinforced frame reinforcement, but also with the use of armored glass, and this is a completely different level of protection.
Safety for children
Ease of control of a modern double-glazed window, unfortunately, also has a negative side: even a small child can open such a window, which can lead to extremely unpleasant consequences.
Therefore, when choosing a design, this factor should always be taken into account, especially since the modern range of models includes windows that open according to a different scheme.
Noise isolation
The need to install windows with noise protection in private wooden houses is not as relevant as for megacities, but this need cannot be completely ruled out.
Any modern double-glazed window in itself is a good sound insulator, but besides this, there are special models where the degree of attenuation of external sound waves can reach 35 decibels.
Installation of soundproof windows is carried out according to a special technique and only by trained specialists, otherwise all the costs of not buying a special model will be in vain.
Ventilation
Despite all the arguments about the need for additional air flow in modern houses, in most cases no measures are taken to organize it, and houses are built according to the “classical” scheme, which assumes that the necessary air exchange will be provided due to natural filtration through windows.
However, all modern types of windows are characterized by almost complete tightness, therefore, when choosing a model, it is necessary to focus not only on its design, but also on the ventilation scheme in the room.
Separately, we note that there are special frame designs that allow the embedding of a profile window into a natural air exchange system.
This is done in two ways:
- with ventilation valves;
- through adjusting the density of pressing the window sashes (as a rule, two modes are supported in this way - “winter” and “summer”).
Technical types
Few people know, but some types of windows have a purely technical purpose.
These windows include:
- the so-called "dormer" windows, equipped in the attic. Necessary to equalize the pressure above and below the roof of the house during sudden gusts of wind. If they are not there, or they turn out to be too strong, the roof can be torn off the Mauerlat, followed by the collapse of the entire structure;
- ventilation windows in basement boiler rooms, the area of \u200b\u200bwhich must comply with the relevant standards;
- ventilation windows in baths and saunas, the position and size of which are specified in the SNiP for such premises.
How double-glazed windows are arranged
The fundamental difference between modern windows and classic frame structures is the use of double-glazed windows, which make it possible to make the window much more compact technologically.
As is known, the main volume of heat escapes through windows not in the form of radiation, but in the form of thermal energy transmitted through the heating of its structural elements, as well as through the air located between the window frames.
If you try to imagine an ideal window, then there should be a vacuum between the outer and inner glass (as in a thermos). But due to the large area of window openings, vacuum insulation is impossible - there will be too much pressure on the glass and it will simply crush them.
The double-glazed window was created in such a way as to get as close as possible to the effect of a thermos:
- the space between the glasses is hermetically sealed and filled with inert gas;
- inside there is a dryer that removes residual moisture from the filling gas;
- the spacers between the glass panels are made of a material with very low thermal conductivity.
In addition, the developers of modern windows have found that relatively small modulations of technological dimensions and glass thickness provide a significant change in thermal conductivity and sound insulation.
Thus, a double-glazed window allows, without significant changes in production technology, to create windows for various operating modes.
When studying the technical documentation for the window, pay attention to the following signs:
- increased width of the outer chamber provides a higher level of noise protection (12-16 mm);
- The increased thickness of the outer glass panel means that the window is more resistant to both impact loads and strong wind gusts.
The basic glass thickness depends on the area of the window:
- up to 2.5 m2 - 4 mm is enough;
- 5-2.7 m2 - 6 mm is recommended;
- over 3 m2 - 8 mm (at least for external glass).
Separately, we note the latest achievements in this area: glass blocks with energy-saving coatings (i-glasses). Instead of changing the thickness, glass with a special reflective layer is used in such structures, which makes it possible to increase their efficiency in terms of heat retention by 10-20%.
Here are a few more technical nuances, the knowledge of which will help to avoid unnecessary costs:
- a single-chamber double-glazed window with i-glasses is equivalent to a two-chamber one;
- The maximum thermal protection is provided by double-glazed windows assembled from i-glasses and with the addition of argon to the gas mixture of the working chambers.
Manufacturing materials
It is safe to say that not every developer will be able to give an exhaustive answer to a simple question, what windows are made of. The number of technical solutions implemented in this area of building technologies is simply huge, and it is unrealistic to cover them all in one review.
Please note that when they say that "a window is made of such and such a material", they mean the material from which the frames are made.
Consider the most popular models most often used in the construction of a log or timber house.
Wood
Despite the great popularity of PVC windows, wood is still the most natural type of material for the manufacture of window frames in timber and log houses.
But it should be borne in mind that “wooden windows” today are called two structures that are completely different in cost and status.
The first is a more perfect version of the classic two-frame window. The main drawback of the old design - shrinkage and collapse of the frame - was eliminated by treatment with antiseptic and stabilizing coatings.
Note that a well-made wooden window in terms of heat-insulating qualities is no worse than plastic double-glazed windows.
The second, more modern version of a wooden window is an imitation of profile products, where glued wood compositions are used instead of metal-plastic profiles.
In terms of performance, such windows are almost identical to plastic ones, but due to the natural texture of wooden frames, they are considered more status.
Combinations of aluminum and wood
Glued frames made of larch or oak are at least equal in strength and durability, and possibly even superior to polymer counterparts. But the outer part of the frames, constantly in contact with the external environment, after a few years still loses its original appearance.
To compensate for this shortcoming, combined versions of wooden windows were developed, in which the outer side of the frame is protected by aluminum lining.
To date, this technology has been used to produce the most durable and at the same time the most expensive windows.
Note that a significant part of the cost of a combined window is aluminum protection, which can also be inserted in an abbreviated version in the form of mini-sills installed in the most “dangerous” places.
Combination of plastic and wood
Some of the window manufacturers have conducted market research and found that many buyers of wooden windows are more often motivated by their status appearance than by environmental qualities.
To fill this market niche, a cheaper combination was developed - a plastic profile with a wooden cladding.
In cases where the construction budget is limited, but there is a desire to give the facade of the house a more respectable look, the installation of such windows can be considered justified.
In terms of durability, frames made of plastic and wood have a minimum period of maintenance-free operation, since the external wooden finish will require updating the protective or varnish coating in 2-3 years.
Metal-plastic profile
All of the above types of frames can be classified as "exclusive". The main sales volume, despite all the arguments about environmental friendliness and differences in heat-shielding qualities, falls on metal-plastic profiles, which are produced in a very wide range of models and can contain up to 6 chambers that prevent the penetration of cold.
Installing plastic windows is easier (because they are lighter than wooden counterparts), they are much cheaper and require virtually no maintenance.
The only criticism is the discrepancy between the appearance of a polymer window and a wooden frame, but this problem is easily solved by purchasing adapted versions of windows in which the desired color shade is created using factory or manual lamination.
Conclusion
The company "Master Log Houses" accepts orders for finishing, repair and restoration work performed in wooden houses and in newly delivered log cabins, including the installation or replacement of windows and all related structures. You can clarify the details of cooperation and order a specialist visit to develop a detailed work plan by contacting us at any coordinates published in the section.
The installation of the window frame and windows begins only after the shrinkage of the log house, not earlier than six months after the installation of the wall kit. It is important to carry out the installation correctly, to choose a high-quality reliable design that will not violate the environmental friendliness of a wooden structure. Otherwise, the heat-insulating properties of the log house will be lost, the window opening will be blown through.
As a result of improper installation of windows, the choice of low-quality materials and fittings, it will be cold in the house, and the log or timber will soon deteriorate due to the negative effects of moisture, wind, and temperature changes. Wooden materials will begin to crack, mold and rot. Therefore, it is important to choose reliable designs and perform high-quality installation. Let's figure out which windows are better to put in a wooden house. Learn how to install window structures in a log house.
Which windows to choose
First of all, the question arises which windows to put in a house made of wood, plastic or wood. Every expert in wood construction will tell you that it is better to choose natural wood structures. Only they do not violate the environmental friendliness and aesthetics of the house, they retain heat for a long time.
In addition, wood products will harmoniously fit into the concept of the building. However, we note that modern plastic is also quite environmentally friendly and safe. In addition, it is easier to maintain, durable and affordable. Let's look at the pros and cons of each type.
| Window types | Advantages | disadvantages |
| Plastic | Good thermal insulation; Long service life; Do not require special care; Wide choice of colors; The plasticity of the material allows you to get any shape of the structure; Low cost; Easy installation. |
Get very hot; When heated, they emit an unpleasant odor and harmful substances; They do not allow moisture to pass through, so a greenhouse effect may occur in the house; Good at attracting dust Stand out against the background of a wooden house. |
| Wooden | High thermal insulation properties; Ecological cleanliness, naturalness and safety; Pleasant wood scent Attractive appearance; Resistance to high temperature and frost; The material “breathes” and maintains a comfortable humidity regime in the room; Creates a pleasant atmosphere in the house. |
The cost is higher than that of plastic windows; Vulnerable to the negative effects of moisture and insects, therefore periodically require special treatment with protective equipment; Wood is not difficult to scratch and deform; More labor-intensive installation than plastic structures. |
Despite the advantages, the owners of wooden country houses prefer wood to plastic. Modern wooden windows are made using high technology, so they are resistant to moisture and have an attractive appearance. In addition, the finished structures are already impregnated with protective compounds.
Subsequently, you only need to renew the coating every 5-6 years and treat the windows with antiseptics, and then the structures will last a long time. At the same time, you will maintain the environmental friendliness of a wooden house. A comfortable and favorable atmosphere will reign inside, and the windows themselves will optimally fit into the design of buildings.
By the way, panoramic glazing is in fashion today. It is not only stylish, but also functional. Such windows make the room spacious, bright and airy. They visually increase the interior space and decorate the facade of the house. In this case, it is also easy to install wooden structures. You will find many projects of country cottages and country houses, including those with panoramic windows, in the MariSrub catalog.
How to choose fittings for windows
Fittings are of great importance in the installation and service life of windows. You will need sashes and handles, reciprocal strips and hinges, side clamps and trunnions, additional parts for micro-ventilation. In addition, you can use anti-burglary elements that will not allow you to open the window from the outside and ensure the protection of the house. What else can be applied to protect a country house, read.
It is important to choose high-quality and reliable fittings. These products must meet the following requirements:
- Wear resistance is at least 10 thousand cycles (one cycle includes one opening and one closing of the window);
- Interchangeability. Choose affordable products that can be replaced if necessary. Of course, exclusive details look spectacular and original, but the repair of such elements in the future will be expensive;
- Metal parts must not corrode. Therefore, choose only high-quality stainless steel fittings or with a special coating;
- Easy operation. Windows should open and close easily. Jamming will lead to rapid wear and destruction of window mechanisms.
It is important that the windows in a wooden house have high-quality reliable fittings and high thermal insulation properties, fit well into the exterior and interior of the building. It is equally important that the structure is properly installed. Competent installation, as well as correctly selected materials, directly affects the appearance and aesthetics of windows, the durability and strength of structures.
How to install windows in a wooden house
Installing windows in a log or timber house has a number of features. This is due to the fact that the frame is gradually shrinking, which is why the window structures are deformed and cracked, and the frames are squinting. To avoid this, you need to wait six months for the main shrinkage of the wooden house to pass. After that, it is important to install the casing box or pigtail.
The installation of such a box or pigtail requires correct measurements, care in manufacturing and installation. An improperly assembled and installed structure will lead to a skew of the window and wooden walls, which worsens the appearance of the building. In addition, heat will quickly escape through the cracks and cold air, moisture and wind will penetrate.
Consider 80-90 centimeters as a suitable distance from the window sill to the floor, while the tabletop is made just below the window sill. A box for wooden windows is made of bars, and after installation, the grooves and technological holes are filled with jute or linen insulation. For the installation of plastic windows, polyurethane foam is used as a heater. Such structures are sealed, but they lose their environmental friendliness and safety.
Insulation increases heat and sound insulation, protects wood from moisture and insects. From above, foam or natural material is sealed with tape, and only after that window frames, slopes and ebbs, window sills, fillets and platbands are installed. When you have inserted windows and fittings, adjust each element and check for performance.
Installation of windows in the house is a fairly operational process that takes 1-2 days. However, it requires careful adherence to technology and the correct selection of materials. If you want to get a high-quality and durable result, contact the MariSrub construction company.
Masters of the company "MariSrub" competently take measurements, select suitable materials and fittings, quickly and reliably install windows. We carry out a full range of works! It includes the creation of a project and the manufacture of a log or beam, the installation and connection of communication networks, the installation of a foundation and roof, the assembly of a log house and a complete finish. Finishing including installation, insulation and waterproofing of windows. We guarantee high quality of work and strict observance of deadlines!
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In this article, I want to talk about the principles by which it is worth choosing the main parameters of windows for your own home - the frame material, the structure of the double-glazed window, fittings and the size of the window opening. I will give the regulatory requirements for windows, my considerations for choosing one or another solution, and share my own experience in operating windows.
Let's get started.
Dimensions
- What should be the dimensions of windows in a private house according to GOST?
GOST 24699-81 regulates the production of wooden window and door blocks for residential and public buildings. According to this document, the standard sizes of windows for a private house are as follows:
| Overall dimension | Value in centimeters |
| Height | 86; 146; 116; 176; 205; 206 |
| Width | 57; 72; 87; 117; 132; 147; 177; 207 |
It is curious: the standard proposes to equip residential buildings with only single-leaf and double-leaf windows. The designs of window blocks with a large number of sashes are not given in the document.
- What other regulatory documents regulate the number and size of window openings?
According to SNiP 23-101-2000, which describes the methods of thermal protection of buildings, the total area of windows should not exceed a quarter of the facade area. Another SNiP, numbered 31-01-2003 (it refers to multi-apartment residential buildings, but why not use these recommendations as well?), indicates that the area of light openings should be related to the floor area as 1/5.5 - 1/8 .
Let's explore these limitations with a couple of examples.
- The facade area from the glazing side is 3.5 * 6 = 21 m2;
- 25% of this area is equal to 21/4=5.25 m2;
- The glazing area approximately corresponding to this one will be provided by two openings measuring 176x147 centimeters.
SNiP 23-101-2000 limits only the maximum area of light openings. In practice, it may be less than the value given in the document. Reducing the size of the windows will reduce the heat loss of the building in cold weather and its heating in the heat - alas, at the cost of reducing the insolation of the premises.
What is the optimal size and number of window openings for a 40 square meter room?
They, according to SNiP 31-01-2003, should have an area from 40/8=5 m2 to 40/5.5=7.27 m2. It will be provided, for example, by two windows measuring 205x147 cm or three windows measuring 176x117 cm.
- What will happen if you neglect the recommendations of SNiP and GOST?
If the recommended window area is significantly exceeded, you risk getting unreasonably high heat losses in winter and indoor heat in summer. If you deviate from the recommended values downwards, your house, even on sunny days, will have to be illuminated with electricity. However, there are a few subtleties here:
- Multi-chamber double-glazed windows with energy-saving glasses differ little in terms of heat transfer resistance from the main walls. I will talk about them in the corresponding section of the article;
- The insolation of a room depends not only on the area of the windows, but also on their orientation to the cardinal points, on the location of neighboring houses and outbuildings in your yard. Floor-length windows facing the north side of the house and shaded by a garage or barn may provide less light than a small window on the south side.
Now about the compliance of the dimensions of window blocks with the recommendations of GOST 24699-81. The standard sizes of plastic windows in a private house do not give the owner no benefits at all. Frames and double-glazed windows are made to order according to your size.
The only scenario where the standard dimensions of the openings will allow you to save money is the purchase of factory-made wooden window frames. But who needs ill-fitting and often made from raw wood frames in the 21st century?
- Do plastic windows have any restrictions on the width of the sash?
Yes. I do not advise making a sash opening in a horizontal plane wider than 70-80 centimeters. B about Large width means a serious load on the profile due to the solid mass of the double-glazed window. As a result, the window frame gradually sags and needs constant adjustment.
- What is the optimal height of the window opening?
I cannot give any regulatory restrictions, except for the standard height of window blocks for typical houses. But I can state my thoughts on this matter.
The limiting factors are only the embedded beam above the window opening (usually it is 20 centimeters below the ceiling) and the window sill niche, which houses the radiator, which creates a thermal curtain in the opening. With a standard radiator size (50 cm between the axes of the collectors), the window sill is mounted at a height of about 90 centimeters. With a ceiling height of 2.7 meters, the maximum possible opening height will be 2.7-0.9-0.2 = 1.6 meters.
I happened to live in a stalinka with a ceiling height of 3 meters and a height of light openings of 1.8 meters. The windows looked great and provided ample light throughout the rooms.
French windows look even more impressive; however, the height of the window from floor to ceiling will force you to look for an alternative way to create a thermal curtain: for obvious reasons, the heating radiator under the window opening will have to be abandoned.
Summary: in my opinion, openings should be made as high as the design features of your home allow.
- What is the best window size for a toilet??
If you want to organize full-fledged natural lighting in the bathroom, follow the above recommendations of SNiP 31-01-2003. Say, for a combined bathroom with an area of 6 m2, the minimum window area will be 6/8 = 0.75 m2. It will provide the dimensions of the opening 146x57 centimeters.
If the skylight is needed only as a backup light source in case of a power outage, its area can be significantly smaller. In my house, the glazing of the light windows has a size of 20x40 cm, and this is quite enough to navigate the room with the lights turned off, even on the most cloudy day.
The form
- What window sizes to choose - we somehow figured it out. What shape can they be??
Comrades, I cannot give an unambiguous answer to this question. Everything is determined solely by your aesthetic preferences and the architecture of the house. I will only allow myself to draw your attention to some features of non-standard windows:
- A round window, for obvious reasons, will deprive you of a window sill;
- Not all manufacturers of metal-plastic windows undertake the manufacture of arched and round windows. Often you will be able to offer only a frame in the form of a polyhedron, which does not look so impressive;
- For windows of complex shape, it is much more difficult to finish the internal and external slopes. As a rule, they have to be made plaster, and the appearance of the slopes is determined by the skill of the plasterer: to bring out an ideal semicircular surface, not to mention more complex shapes, is a non-trivial task.
By the way: an additional element of window decoration can be a layout - the division of a double-glazed window into segments with profiles of different thicknesses. They stylize an antique window, imitating stacked glazing in wooden frames.
Position
- How to arrange windows in a long wall of a large room?
Symmetrically and, if possible, at regular intervals. In this case, the room will be lit most evenly.
In addition, the location of the openings should provide the brightest possible natural lighting for the main working areas of the room: a table in the office and living room, a stove and a work surface in the kitchen, a workbench in a home workshop, etc. Accordingly, to plan the position of window openings, you will have to consider the design of the rooms and the arrangement of furniture in them.
Material
- Which windows should be preferred - plastic, aluminum or wooden?
Modern wooden windows compare favorably with clumsy Soviet-style crafts: the wood that has been pressed and preserved retains constant linear dimensions, shape and has a fairly high mechanical strength. Wooden frames are completed with multi-chamber double-glazed windows and a seal that ensures the tightness of the window.
Alas, the tree has a rather significant drawback - the price. Even if inexpensive coniferous wood was used to create the frame, the window will cost at least one and a half times more expensive than a metal-plastic counterpart. The use of noble species with a beautiful texture characteristic of them (ash, beech, oak) will at least double the cost.
Why is aluminum bad? First of all, its high thermal conductivity. Each frame will be a bridge of cold, it will contribute to the leakage of heat and will become covered with frost in severe frosts. No, warm aluminum frames are manufactured; however, their dubious advantages against the background of plastic are again nullified by their prohibitive cost.
In the bottom line - metal-plastic window profiles, which are deservedly at the peak of popularity. Here are some good arguments in their favor:
- Windows are estimated to have a lifespan of at least 50 years;
- They can be operated in any climatic zone, at temperatures from -60 to +60 degrees;
- Frames can be painted in any color (including the entire volume of the profile) or covered with a decorative film that very reliably imitates the texture of wood.
Brands
Profile
- Which profile manufacturers are worth paying attention to?
Perhaps this idea looks seditious, but I did not notice much difference between the profiles of different manufacturers. Both the inexpensive Chinese profile and the widely advertised KBE or REHAU have approximately the same performance and service life. The difference is only in a slightly greater rigidity of the German profile; rigidity is important with a large area of panoramic glazing and high wind loads.
The first Chinese-made metal-plastic profiles that appeared on the domestic market were unstable to ultraviolet radiation and quickly turned yellow in the light; it is this that largely explains their notoriety. However, in the last 15 years, I have never come across samples of such products.
Conclusion: if both the height and the width of the window opening are less than 2 meters, it makes no sense to overpay for the name of the profile manufacturer. You will not feel any difference between a cheap and an expensive product.
- Are there any advantages to multi-camera profiles??
Yes. The more insulated chambers in the profile structure, the better thermal insulation it provides. This is especially important in cold regions with winter temperatures below -30C.
accessories
- In the case of fittings, the manufacturer is also unimportant.?
No, here the picture is reversed: windows should be bought only with high-quality fittings from well-known manufacturers. The strength and durability of the fittings will ensure trouble-free operation of windows throughout their entire service life. Manufacturers whose products you can trust include:
- Siegenia-Aubi;
- Roto;
- Winkhaus;
- Maco.
When choosing accessories, you should pay attention to its functionality:
- Windows should open not only in a horizontal plane, but also in transom mode, leaning back. With the sash open, rain will not flood your window sill even in windy weather. In addition, the window opened in transom mode will not allow your cat to go on an unsafe trip at low tide;
- The micro-ventilation system (the ability to fix the sash in the half-open position by turning the handle) is a definite plus. Micro-ventilation will provide you with fresh air in the absence of drafts;
- The sash must be fixed in the closed position not only with the central lock, but also with pressure rollers. Without them, the inevitable deformation of the profile will not allow it to press the sealant at the top and bottom of the window. Accordingly, it will not close tightly;
- It is desirable that the pressure rollers have the "summer-winter" positions. In the winter position, the seal is pressed more strongly, which makes it possible to compensate for the decrease in its linear dimensions during cooling.
double glazing
- What kind of double-glazed windows should be equipped with windows?
First, let's explore all the possible options.
The number of chambers in a double-glazed window is directly proportional to the quality of the thermal insulation it provides. A two-chamber double-glazed window is warmer than a single-chamber one, a four-chamber one is warmer than a two-chamber one.
Reference: the camera is in this case just a gap between the panes. Two glasses form a single-chamber double-glazed window, three - a two-chamber and so on.
An energy-saving double-glazed window, due to the metal sputtering on one or more glasses, has a limited permeability for infrared study.
Here are a few facts that may be helpful when choosing one or the other solution:
- Currently, energy-saving glass is produced with a hard coating (so-called k-glass) and with a soft coating (i-glass). Hard coating has the worst light transmission (70% of visible light versus 90% for i-glass), but due to mechanical strength it can be used for single-strand glazing;
- I-glass is always installed by spraying inside the double-glazed window: it is easily damaged during glazing maintenance;
- A single-chamber package with one i-glass provides 25-40% less heat loss compared to a two-chamber package with ordinary glasses;
- Installing a second i-glass reduces heat loss through the glazing by only 2-3 percent;
- A double-glazed window with two i-glasses is equivalent in terms of heat transfer resistance to brickwork 70 centimeters thick.
Light-protective glass has a limited permeability (from 30 to 70%) in the visible part of the spectrum. It is useful for assembling double-glazed windows in panoramic windows facing south.
Soundproof double glazing is useful if your windows face a street with heavy traffic. Noise protection is achieved by alternating glass and spacers of different thicknesses; thus dampening the sound in the maximum frequency spectrum.
In the absence of requirements for light and noise protection, I would recommend using double-glazed windows with one energy-saving i-glass: two-chamber in the middle lane of the country and in cold regions, single-chamber in a warm climate zone.
I (let me remind you - Sevastopol, the Crimean peninsula) have single-chamber energy-saving windows. In rare frosts in Crimea at -20C on the street in the attic (60 m2) with panoramic windows with a total area of 26 square meters, comfortable +20C was maintained by one inverter air conditioner with a heat output of 12,000 BTU.
Finishing
For most sellers, the main condition for providing a guarantee for windows is their installation by company representatives. This makes do-it-yourself window installation an unprofitable event: most buyers prefer to use the services of professionals. But the decoration of window openings remains on the conscience of the owner of the house.
- The easiest way to finish the slopes of a window opening in a stone or concrete wall from the inside?
Drywall. Here are the instructions for installing slopes from GKL:
- Cut off the mounting foam protruding beyond the window frame;
- Clean the opening from peeling plaster, dust and dirt;
- Treat the opening with a penetrating acrylic primer. The primer is applied with a wide soft brush twice without intermediate drying. The primer will stick the remaining dust to the walls, strengthen the surface and improve its adhesive qualities;
- Cut slopes from moisture-resistant GKL with a small margin in width (0.5 - 1 cm);
- Lay gypsum glue cakes on drywall in increments of 10 - 15 centimeters. It will be successfully replaced by gypsum plaster or putty. From the side of the frame along the edge of the slope, a continuous bead of adhesive is laid out;
- Press the slope against the edge of the opening and align it along a fairly long rule with light strokes of the palm of your hand. Control the position of the rule with a level or a plumb line: the side slopes must be strictly vertical, the upper one - horizontal;
- Fix the upper slope, eliminating its sagging. I use for this purpose props from boards or a bar; with the same success, you can screw a few dowel-screws into the edge of the opening. The near edge of the slope can be completely glued to the wall with masking tape;
- After the gypsum glue has set, the joints between the slopes are reinforced with sickle or fiberglass and puttied twice, followed by grinding;
- The edges of the slopes protruding beyond the plane of the wall are hemmed off with a carpenter's planer.
- How to paint interior slopes?
Any water-dispersion paint. It is better to opt for a paint that is resistant to wet wear. I especially recommend the so-called "rubber" waterproofing dyes: they give a full waterproof coating that can be washed with any non-abrasive cleaners.
- How to arrange the corners of the opening?
Stick a decorative plastic outer corner on the corners. I used silicone stickers.
For cutting a corner, it is most convenient to use a grinder with any abrasive wheel. The cut is perfectly accurate; if necessary, the length of the corner can be adjusted to the nearest fraction of a millimeter by pressing its end against the plane of the rotating circle.
Ventilation
- What to do so that plastic windows do not sweat?
I ran into this problem immediately after buying a private house: when it got cold outside, heavy condensation immediately fell on the windows. The problem was solved in a complex way:
- The ventilation of the room was organized. With a lack of ventilation in the house, humidity gradually begins to increase. At a certain moment, excess moisture begins to fall out in the form of condensate on the coldest surfaces - glass, frames, slopes and corners of external walls;
The main cause of condensation is inadequate ventilation.
- An increase in indoor temperature has shifted the dew point away from the glazing surface closer to the outside. Heated windows and frames stopped fogging.
Ventilation requires a separate discussion.
I tried to provide each room in the house with its own exhaust duct. Inflow - common for all rooms of each floor; Air enters rooms through gaps between doors and thresholds.
In some private houses, however, exhaust ventilation is organized in the same way as in Soviet-era apartment buildings: only the kitchen and bathroom are equipped with exhaust hoods; leaky windows in living rooms serve as an inflow. After replacing wooden windows with plastic ones, the supply ventilation stops working, which, in fact, leads to sweating of the windows and the appearance of fungus on the slopes.
How to ensure the flow of fresh air in rooms with plastic windows?
- If you are just going to order windows, supply them with the fittings already mentioned above with a micro-ventilation function;
- Install the inlet valves on the frames. As a rule, they are equipped with adjustable dampers that allow you to reduce or increase the flow of fresh air;
- The dampers can also be mounted directly into external walls. As a rule, the inflow is installed in the window sill niche. In this case, the cold supply air is mixed with the rising warm flow from the radiator, which ensures that there are no drafts above the floor;
- Another solution to the ventilation problem is to install a window retainer - a comb. The comb itself is screwed with a pair of self-tapping screws to the frame, and the counterpart is attached under the handle of the opening sash. This simple mechanism performs all the functions of a micro-ventilation system: it can fix the sash ajar by 3-5 millimeters;
In the photo - a window retainer in my attic window.
- Finally, the simplest solution is to cut a five-centimeter piece of sealant on the frame and sash. The seal on the frame is cut from below, and on the inward-opening sash - from above. In this case, noise from the street will not penetrate into the room, and the dust carried by the supply air will begin to settle in the space between the frame and the sash, and not in the room. thank!
When choosing glazing, the owners of wooden houses often ask themselves the question - which windows to install in a wooden house? PortalOKNA MEDIA answers readers' questions.
Which windows to install in a wooden house - plastic or wooden?
There is an opinion that the owners of wooden houses made of timber are adherents of environmental friendliness and everything natural. If this were always the case, the question of which windows to install would not arise.
In terms of the use of window materials, homeowners can be divided into two categories. The first category, for which the answer is obvious and beyond doubt, is that a wooden house should only have wooden windows. In this case, the question arises of the choice of wood, color, finishes and the company that will manufacture and install it all.
The second category of homeowners is not so categorical. Comparison of different materials raises many questions - how does a plastic window differ from a wooden one? What dictates the rather high price of wooden windows? And of course the most important concern - how harmless are the windows?
Before the advent of modern window structures, the main material for the manufacture of windows in our country was wood, or rather, a wooden beam, carved from a single piece of wood. With the advent of modern technologies, plastic windows have taken a leading position - 85% of the market in Russia, according to the industry center O.K.N.A. Marketing. In Western and Eastern Europe, the share of plastic windows is also predominant - about 60%. However, the debate “what is better than plastic or wood” has not subsided for more than 50 years. Let's try to figure out whether it is worth focusing on the tree when it comes to windows in a wooden house? Or does a plastic window fully meet the high requirements of luxury real estate owners?
What is a window?
According to the definition of GOST 23166-99 "Window blocks. General specifications": "Window block is a translucent structure designed for natural lighting of the room, its ventilation and protection from atmospheric and noise influences." And this definition is equally valid for a window made of wood, PVC or aluminum.
As well as the same requirements for heat and sound insulation, dimensional stability, water and air permeability and all other important characteristics. Therefore, any high-quality window, no matter what material it is made of, must meet these requirements. It turns out that it is impossible to compare windows from different materials only by the main parameters.
What to look for when choosing windows?
Environmental friendliness. The window area is 80% glass, so they can be called glass. However, buyers judge the environmental friendliness of the design by the material of the window frame, as it echoes its name.
The environmental friendliness of wood, as a rule, is not in doubt - a natural natural material. But in order for the window to serve for a long time, it is necessary to use special adhesives for gluing timber, protective impregnations, paints and varnishes for the outer coating of windows. And without the technology of the chemical industry is indispensable. The compositions, in most cases, contain chemicals. Their quality and environmental friendliness depend on the choice of manufacturer and price.
Opponents of PVC windows rank plastic as unhealthy materials due to supposedly. Only pure lead vapor is toxic to human health. Lead in the production of the profile is used as a stabilizer in the form of a salt (sulfide), the molecules of which are securely enclosed in the PVC polymer structure. Numerous tests and sanitary documents confirm the harmlessness and safety of the plastic profile.
In addition, a window profile can be called an ecofriendly product - friendly to the environment. Plastic frames and sashes are easily recyclable.
Production time. In the vast majority of cases, a plastic window, even a laminated or decorated one, is made much faster than a wooden one. This is due to the complex technology of manufacturing a wooden profile from glued laminated timber and assembling a window.
Window installation. You can install all windows at any time, the main thing is that heating works during the cold period. Installing windows in an unheated house is equally bad for both plastic and wooden windows.
During repair and finishing works, wooden windows require careful and careful handling, they must be covered with special materials to protect the surface and at the same time not create a “greenhouse effect”. Humid air under a dense film can destroy a wooden window in a very short period. While a plastic window with careful handling can not be covered at all, or you can use a regular stretch or plastic film
Practicality in operation. Plastic windows are highly practical in operation. They do not change color and surface quality during the entire service life. Caring for a plastic window during the entire service life comes down to washing (twice a year is enough) and lubricating fittings and seals with special compounds (they can be purchased at any window sales office). For this ease of handling, they are so loved by property owners.
Photo: wooden windows require periodic painting
Wooden windows 1 time in 5-10 years require updating the paintwork. About 100 microns of paint disappear from the window surface every year. Over time, the paint layer thins and the wood becomes unprotected.
In the event that the surface of wooden windows is treated with a transparent composition, then the application of a new coating can be carried out independently.
If the painting was carried out with covering paint, then it will be difficult to stain at home. Initially, the application of such a coating was carried out in special chambers. To restore it, you need to call a specialist from the manufacturer's company. Exterior painting work complicates the process, especially if there is a deaf element in the design.
Protect wooden windows from the negative effects of the environment can aluminum lining on the outside of the profile. But not all connoisseurs of natural materials like it, and the increase in the cost of construction will be quite significant.
Maintainability. Plastic windows are easier to repair. If the surface of the white PVC profile is damaged, it can be easily restored using grinding pastes and special care products. Minor damage to the laminated profile is also quite easily masked with special waxes and pencils. If the damage to the laminating film is significant, then it can be corrected with the help of special films of an absolutely identical color right on the object, without the need to dismantle the window.
In a plastic window, it is enough to simply replace the double-glazed window or even the sash if necessary. And the new laminated sash will be exactly the same color as the old one.
Damaged wood surfaces will in most cases require replacement or a complex and expensive restoration process.
The operating costs for 25 years of wooden windows made of hardwood are two, and softwood three times higher than the operating costs of a plastic window. The ever-increasing costs of maintaining timber windows in working order are associated with the need for their periodic painting and restoration, as wooden frames rot in critical places.
Appearance and decoration of windows. Wooden windows captivate with their natural beauty. It is enough to treat the surface with protective agents or tint a little and the window will acquire an elegant appearance.
The possibilities of finishing plastic windows are much wider. Lamination technologies can not only make PVC windows colored, but also create an imitation of "wood", "stone", "leather", "aluminum". The surface of the films is smooth, textured, with a 3d effect, tactilely and visually conveying the properties of the imitated material. The variety of laminating films allows you to embody styles and decors for every taste in plastic windows.
Price. Of course, an important factor when choosing a window is the price. The cost of plastic windows is at least 50% lower than wooden windows made of three-layer glued pine timber of class "C".
The price of a turnkey eurowindow made of various materials, rub*.
Source: O.K.N.A. Marketing
* - the price is indicated without taking into account the production and installation of casing (pittings)
If you order windows made of precious wood species (oak, ash), then the price automatically increases by 2-3 times relative to PVC windows.
"Breathing" plastic windows in a wooden house
The difference in air permeability of wooden and plastic windows is not a consequence of the natural structure of wood. The reason here often lies in the unstable dimensions of the profile section along its entire length. This creates micro-gaps in the porch of the frame and sash, which slightly increases the amount of incoming air.
Plastic windows can also be "breathable", if the manufacturer provides for the possibility of air exchange at the stage of designing and manufacturing the profile. As did the largest Russian manufacturer of window profiles, ExProf *.
The company has released and patented a model of "breathing" plastic windows Exprof Aero - with a wide frame of 101-118 mm, inside of which there is a labyrinth of channels.
Photo: the principle of operation of the "breathing" window ExProf Aero *
The air coming from the street, passing through the labyrinth, slows down and warms up during the cold period, which eliminates drafts. ExProf Aero creates and maintains a healthy microclimate in any room, including a wooden house.