Windows are absolutely natural and familiar elements of the building. Windows primarily serve as a source of daylight and provide visibility. But also the window, as an architectural element, expresses the individuality of the building. At all times, architects and architects have paid Special attention combination of shapes and configuration of windows in appearance building.
The oldest windows were unglazed openings in the walls that let into the room. Fresh air and daylight. The first window panes appeared in Rome, and glazing became widespread in the 13th century. in church building, and in the XVI century. in residential construction. The resulting diversity of window styles testifies to their importance in architectural aesthetics.
Shape, material, equipment and other features window structures in different countries dictated climatic conditions terrain, the level of development of technology and building traditions.
American windows
For example, Americans are distinguished by their practicality, optimal use of space and comfort. So for America Windows with a sliding opening system are characteristic. Most windows are occupied by systems with a vertical direction of the sash shift. These windows are already popular. long time and we all saw them in American films.
Vertical sliding design the window has no hinges, the sash rises up and is fixed in this position with special clamps. AT southern regions In America, blind windows using a narrow profile are common.
German windows - practicality and durability
The main criterion for choosing windows in Germany is the durability and operational strength of structures. Exactly Germany is the birthplace of plastic windows, which have high thermal insulation, reliability, practicality and ease of maintenance and operation. German windows in most cases are equipped with tilt-and-turn fittings.
German REHAU profile systems are known and popular all over the world. The company has been a leader in production for many years. profile systems due to high quality, which is controlled at all stages of production; great choice systems for consumers with different incomes, as well as through the introduction advanced technologies to achieve maximum protection and durability of structures.
English windows
Traditional English windows are distinguished by their height and narrowness, they are usually divided into square sections, which can be blind, open outwards or vertically. This method of opening allows you to save a maximum of internal space, which is typical for the prudent British. Interestingly, the British do not install double-glazed windows, but mostly single-glazed windows, although the average annual temperature is quite low.
Double frames Scandinavia
Windows in Scandinavian countries differ significantly from European windows. Modern and so popular plastic windows never took root in the Scandinavian countries, instead the Scandinavians use wooden windows similar to Soviet.
The cold climate of the countries has led to the use of double-glazed windows. The inner frame is equipped with double glazing, and the outer one with single glazing. The entire window structure is equipped with a single locking mechanism.
Windows in Italy
The peculiarity of windows in Italy is determined by the warm climate of the country. The windows are wide external slopes, which allows you to protect inner space from sunlight and keep the house cool. Windows usually have small size , which is also explained by the predominance sunny weather. Italy is also characterized by arched windows.
french charm
The French really appreciate the good natural lighting of the premises. Therefore, the windows in France are large, floor-to-ceiling glazing is often used, the so-called "French balcony". Big windows allow sunlight to fill the space, make it more spacious, warmer, visually erase the boundary between nature and the room. Interesting feature french windows- This even number sashes. The shutters open to the inside of the room.
French windows are usually made of plastic. Wooden structures not popular, as the French take care of environment. Popular in France skylights located in the roof of the house.
Windows in Ukraine
AT winter period enough for Ukraine low temperatures, That's why high thermal insulation is one of the key factors when choosing glazing. Therefore, on the territory of our country, plastic windows using multi-chamber profile systems and double-glazed windows with an energy-saving coating are popular.
Traditionally, windows consist of two or three sections, they open into the interior of the room with the help of tilt-and-turn fittings. But in new buildings more and more often use panoramic glazing.
Where did the expression "window to Europe" come from? The author of the famous phrase is an art critic, Italian Francesco Algarote, who lived in the 18th century. He named the city of St. Petersburg in this way, describing his journey in the essay “Letters about Russia”. The city on the Neva, founded by Peter I, was the first seaport connecting Russian state across the Baltic Sea to Europe. The phrase itself became popular and famous after A. S. Pushkin used it in the poem “ Bronze Horseman». Modern meaning catchphrase- a metaphor for trade or cultural interaction with Europe.
From Europe came to us and. Plastic was invented in the 19th century, but the material itself began to be used in industry only in the 30s of the last century. And in the 70s, PVC windows were already used here for housing construction as one of the ways to save energy. And what windows are popular today in European countries?
The European consumer's approach to the choice of windows is dictated, first of all, by high energy prices. Accordingly, the main thing that draws attention to is the energy efficiency of translucent structures. Plastic windows with a 3-chamber profile and a simple double-glazed window have long gone from the European market. For housing glazing, a warm 5-8-chamber window profile with a width of 70 mm or more is used; double-glazed windows are in demand complex configurations with and argon. Colored plastic windows make up the largest part of sales, and shades and tones are of great variety. It should be noted that in countries with a temperate warm climate (Spain, Italy, Greece), wooden windows with double-glazed windows are also popular.
Despite the fact that glazing with plastic windows in Europe has reached its limit, the PVC window industry is developing rapidly. The fact is that a European resident changes windows as often as necessary to maintain effective heat saving. The production technologies and design of windows are being improved more and more, the demand for high-tech window systems with enhanced functionality.
The departure from standard shapes and sizes greatly distinguishes outwardly European windows from those used in our country: the architectural possibilities of buildings are wider - more non-standard designs. The design of the windows is characterized by minimalism and sophistication of lines. Stained glass glazing from ceiling to floor with massive translucent structures is popular. Latest developments in the window sphere are represented by models with hidden sashes. The window profile is invisible from the outside, almost the entire surface of the plastic window is double-glazed. This design creates a visual openness of the windows, does not burden the structure and fits seamlessly into the modern architectural style, in addition, the light-transmitting capabilities of windows increase. A special installation technology with this type of glazing allows you to achieve high energy saving parameters. Simple turn-and-turn and tilt-and-turn fittings can no longer cope with the growing demands of the consumer for a locking and security system - they are becoming more and more high quality and sophisticated.
The increased demand for designer windows in Europe and the improvement of energy-saving capabilities of systems give a new impetus to the development of the window industry, replenishing lineups new product line with unique features.
Plastic windows have spread all over the world. The combination of price, functionality and reliability has made them very popular. However, each country has retained its own "window traditions", in accordance with which PVC windows are produced and installed.
british plastic windows
In Britain, narrow and high window openings are traditionally made, under which PVC windows are created. If you are building your house in English style, then take care of finding just such windows, since for our realities this is quite custom shape. English window structures are made up of small square sections that do not have hinges and move on special wheels. Even the British, as a rule, do not install double-glazed windows, despite the fact that the average annual temperature in the country is quite low.
PVC windows in France
The French put windows that open into the room. The number of gates must be even. The French love it when the room is well lit by sunlight and when the room can be quickly ventilated. Popularity in France panoramic windows, floor-to-ceiling and attic structures.
scandinavian windows
Scandinavians are not used to PVC windows. They most often use ordinary wooden windows, which are very similar in design to Soviet ones. In connection with the cold climate, windows with double frames and a single locking mechanism are installed. The outer frame has single glass, while the inner frame contains double glazing.
Plastic windows in Germany
The Germans are famous for their practicality in everything, including the approach to glazing their own homes. In Germany, it is customary to install windows made of metal-plastic profiles, absolutely airtight, which will last at least 50 years. As a rule, these are single-frame structures with the possibility of opening the sash vertically and horizontally. Such windows are widely used in our country.
Italian plastic windows
In Italy, very often window openings are in the form of an arch, so windows arched shape often referred to as Italian. Italian window- this is a wide arched structure, sometimes with aluminum profile. In order to keep the room cool, the windows are placed deeper in the wall than, for example, it is customary with us.
American tradition
Inhabitants North America are accustomed to using window structures without hinges with a vertically sliding opening mechanism. We often see such windows in American films.
Where to order PVC windows?
Glaze your home in an original and high-quality way. When ordering windows from us, you receive products High Quality. Decide on the style, and if you need any advice, call us!
Problem: The housing society I belong to is forcing me to install plastic windows in my apartment. As an asthmatic, the quality of the air I breathe is very important to me and I am very concerned about the harm of PVC.
PVC - polyvinylchloryl or "vinyl", as it is also called in abbreviation - is one of the most popular types of plastics used in modern world, it can be found everywhere, from toys to computers. But, it is also considered potentially hazardous material. And here's why: the main problems of PVC are initial stage production and expiration date. During the production process, the main components, such as ethylene dichloride and vinyl chloride, are emitted into the atmosphere as gases. These are carcinogens and cause damage to the liver, kidneys, and nerves.
But that's not all, when PVC is disposed of, say by burning it, dioxin, one of the most toxic substances in the world, is released.
And this is where your health concerns come in, and this is not surprising, because there are a lot of reasons for concern.
The main commercial move in sales window frames PVC is that they cost virtually nothing to maintain. But ultraviolet radiation, ultimately making the material brittle and loose. And as it degrades, PVC releases toxic fumes like vinyl chloride that inevitably enter the home.
But besides this, PVC contains wide range toxic additives such as heavy metal stabilizers, fungicides and "plasticizers". Plasticizers are phthalates and are believed to contribute to gas emissions and impart the characteristic odor to vinyl. Most phthalates are used to soften PVC, but they are sometimes added as hardeners to prevent brittleness of PVC such as window frames.
More toxic than PVC itself, animal studies have shown to cause thyroid and kidney cancer, possibly due to their effects on the endocrine system. Being fat-soluble, they have the ability to accumulate in the body. And steps have already been taken to ban phthalates from plastic nipples on baby bottles, children's toys and plastic pipes in hospitals. However, a broader ban is yet to come.
Recently, a Danish-Swedish team conducted a study of more than 10,000 children and found that phthalates may be one of the key factors in the dramatic increase in childhood asthma and allergies. They found that asthmatic children lived in homes with high concentrations of phthalates in house dust.
In 1995, Sweden introduced a ban on all PVC products, and Denmark introduced a tax on PVC products and phthalates. More than 150 communities in Europe have already banned PVC or are pursuing a policy to phase it out in public buildings.
Is there an alternative to PVC windows? Yes, traditional wooden windows. Modern, high performance timber windows require minimal Maintenance and will last more than 50 years, while PVC windows are only 20-25 years old. (Once positioned as a "lifetime warranty" product, PVC deteriorates faster than expected, meaning that the release of toxic gases is far greater than originally thought.)
In addition, wooden windows can be restored after 50 years, while plastic windows must be completely replaced in every generation.
Wooden windows are much cheaper than uPVC and do not need to be replaced as often as uPVC. Show this article to a local housing cooperative, and if the matter does not budge, then it's time to move this topic yourself.
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Myths - out the window! Experts on the choice of double-glazed windows, "windowers" and inventions of marketers
In the era of SpaceX and electric vehicles, an ordinary double-glazed window is perceived as a terribly simple thing that does not cause any additional questions. However, choose desired window and at the same time, it can be difficult not to overpay: marketers now and then trumpet new super-technologies, improved systems and brands of German quality. But which of these is true, and which is another ploy to get more money? We're trying to figure it out.
AT last years the range of Belarusian windows has grown considerably. They are offered for every taste and budget: energy-efficient, multifunctional, armored, tinted, with a different number of cameras in a profile or a double-glazed window ... Some are well suited for private houses in a quiet village, others - for apartments in cozy sleeping bags, others help to find balance in a bedroom with a view on the Moscow Ring Road or a noisy avenue.
- By by and large now double-glazed windows are made in the same way as they were five or ten years ago. There was no revolution in this area, but the choice in recent times has become much wider: many positions have only recently begun to come to Belarus, there is competition among manufacturers,- Vasily Gerlovsky, a representative of the Window Industry Plus company, is sure.
Is it worth it to pay extra for brands?
- There are five or six most demanded manufacturers in Minsk. Some of the popular profiles are produced here - in Slonim and Brest, something is brought from Germany, Russia and Ukraine. Due to the absence of customs clearance and travel expenses, Belarusian windows are cheaper: finished product you can save 15-25%.
People often opt for German production and are willing to pay more. Someone thinks that they know how to do better there, others simply don’t want to experiment: why take the risk and buy something new if the German Rehau has been behaving perfectly at the neighbor’s for 15 years?
Sellers often play on the combination of "German quality" and do not explain to customers that, for example, Salamander is also made in Brest, although the brand itself is German. Personally, I think that there is no fundamental difference between them, and this is exactly what you can save on without sacrificing quality: most often the same models are made from the same materials and using the same technology at all factories.
Some models are produced exclusively abroad: a class A profile (made only from primary raw materials) comes from Germany, and a class B profile (using secondary raw materials) is made in Belarus.
As explained in the press service of Profine RUS, which represents the KBE brand, the products of many German companies are manufactured under the control of the organization's headquarters, whether it be a plant in Berlin or Russian Voskresensk. In addition, all the factories of the concern have been assigned numbers included in the profile marking applied to the visible surface of the fold. From it you can always determine the place of production of PVC profiles.
Conventional, energy efficient or multifunctional?
Recently, new types of double-glazed windows have appeared on the Belarusian market: energy-saving and multifunctional. Due to the special spraying and composition, such structures are able to reflect thermal radiation, so that they perform their functions better than usual.
- People buy ordinary double-glazed windows less and less, as energy-saving ones become cheaper every day and no longer cost crazy money. Multifunctional double-glazed windows work in both directions: they not only do not release heat, but also do not let in cold. Therefore, with such windows it is cooler in summer, but warmer in winter,- the expert is convinced. - We have not yet learned how to make such things - we have to bring them, which is reflected in the price.
Wood or plastic?
Today, the whole world is striving for the naturalness of materials and is trying to get rid of plastic. However, sellers notice that not everyone can afford wooden windows in Belarus: it is better to buy expensive plastic than cheap wood.
- Experience shows that budgetary wooden windows, which are installed in new buildings, have to be changed in a year or two. In these, not the highest quality types of wood are used, which eventually begins to deform, from which the window performs its functions worse every day. If there are no restrictions in the budget, you can invest in a good wooden euro-window, otherwise it is better to stop at more durable and practical plastic.
The more cameras, the better?
One of the characteristics of PVC windows is the number of cameras ( air gaps) in the profile. It is believed that the more cameras in the profile, the better it is. Their number can vary from two to six.
- Chambers prevent the formation of condensate, and also affect heat and sound insulation. Previously, manufacturers mainly made three-chamber profiles, but competition grew, the market expanded, and companies began to improve the system, add all kinds of jumpers, increase the installation width, and so on.
This can definitely be considered one of the main indicators, but I assure you, the average person will not notice a global difference between windows with a three-chamber and five-chamber profile. The effectiveness of heat and sound insulation depends on the double-glazed window, fittings, assembly, and so on, and not only on the profile.
Companies are trying to slowly move away from single-chamber double-glazed windows - almost everyone today installs two-chamber structures with three glasses in living quarters.
Now some stores also sell triple-glazed windows, but this increases the price quite a bit, in addition, the window transmits light worse and becomes heavier. Due to a number of shortcomings, they are not widely used either in our country or abroad.
Solidarity with Vasily and specialists from the store "Comfort Industry".
- Designs with four panes are practically not produced, since there is not much sense in this: the thickness of the profile makes it necessary to reduce either the number of panes or the distance between them. For example, Salamander Streamline allows you to use a distance of 40 mm. Put at least three glasses here, at least four - practically nothing will change from this, only the price will increase,- explain in the company. - Some models with wide profiles allow you to install thick glass, but they are more expensive and not for everyone.
Since modern developments allow achieving good results, the requirements are gradually increasing. Today, even in new buildings according to the TCH, the coefficient of resistance to heat transfer should be equal to one. Five or six years ago optimum thickness double-glazed window, which meets all standards, was 32 mm, today it has grown to 40-42. To achieve such indicators, the developer must install a 70 mm profile with three glasses, one of which should preferably be energy efficient, and in addition, fill the distance between the glasses with argon to increase heat and sound insulation.
As the experts explained, the distance between the panes can vary from 10 to 20 mm, but more than 16 mm ceases to matter for heat retention, although it slightly increases sound insulation. Therefore, if your windows overlook the Moscow Ring Road or motorcyclists haunt you at night, pay attention to this indicator.