How to choose windows: modern designs and tips for choosing windows for a private house and apartment

Plastic windows have already replaced versions based on a wooden frame, and they are practically everywhere. Even the owners of private houses were no exception, but what is there - shops, government agencies, schools, kindergartens and trailers for workers are insulated with them.

But some people believe that they are all the same and there are no special differences. In fact, this is not a correct opinion, since only plastic and the use of glass are common.

Next, we’ll figure out how to choose good windows for houses and apartments to save heat and ensure they fit into the design.

Types of windows

In order for you to get the maximum information, it is worth considering the types of windows and comparison for the right choice for any room.

To do this, we divide the window into components - a plastic profile and the applied double-glazed window (quantity and quality of glass). These parameters directly affect how long a plastic window can last, and its ability to retain heat and create a barrier to the penetration of cold and moisture.

Accessories

Fittings are a window mechanism with the help of which the sash opens and closes and ensures its tight seal in the closed position.

When deciding on the brand of fittings, you should give preference to recognizable brands that have long been present on the domestic window market because Little-known brands of accessories quickly appear and quickly disappear; in the event of a breakdown, there is no way to find the faulty spare part. As a result, the client is forced to replace the window completely.

The fitting brands Roto, Maco, Sigenia, Winkhaus have established themselves as manufacturers of high-quality fittings for enclosing structures.

High-quality fittings are characterized by smooth movement when switching from one position to another. It has a sufficient number of locking points for the rebate to prevent blowing, several degrees of adjustment and additional options for safe and reliable operation of the structure:

• micro-ventilation (infiltration) allows you to maintain optimal temperature and humidity in the room through a micro-slot in the vestibule, which appears after fixing the handle in the 45-degree position;
• The erroneous action blocker blocks the rotation of the handle if the sash is in the open or tilted position. An erroneous turn can lead to sagging of the sash on the lower hinge, and threatens to break the entire mechanism;
• microlift - this small device lifts the sash, making it easier to close (open). In many brands of accessories, the blocker and microlift are combined in one element;
• A child safety lock solves the problem of protecting children. Without a key, the window can be opened for ventilation, but the child will not be able to open the sash on his own;
• An opening limiter and a step ventilation mechanism will allow you to open and fix the sash at a certain distance.

In order to protect the house from criminal attacks by entering through the window sash, the use of more expensive anti-burglary fittings is justified. The trunnions of the anti-burglary mechanism are shaped like mushrooms. They are securely fixed in the strikers, preventing the sash from being pressed out using a pry bar. The fittings, which have a higher class of resistance to burglary, also have special metal plates to prevent drilling of hinges and handles.

Photo: ikomfort.by

Companies producing window fittings are constantly working to improve and modernize their products. Fittings with hidden hinges are a modern solution for improving the performance characteristics of enclosing structures.

Hidden hinges have the following advantages:

• The hidden location of the loop group protects it from construction debris and plaster mortar, significantly increasing the service life of the mechanism.
• There is no need to install decorative plugs, which change color over time and require replacement.
• fittings with hidden hinges are made with anti-burglary elements, which makes it difficult to break into the structure from the outside.
• eliminates the problem of blowing through the window unit in the area of ​​the hinge groups as a result of deformation of the seal.
• simplifies the work on finishing slopes.
• gives the window a modern design and impeccable appearance.

What are the profiles?

The base is created around a PVC frame with reinforcement. But it is divided into cameras - they are used for a separate purpose:

• The first is necessary to prevent condensation;
• On the basis of the second, a reinforcing strip is installed;
• The third allows you to secure the fittings.

In the most reliable plastic windows, the number of cameras can reach up to six compartments. But the increased quantity will affect the thickness of the frame. Usually it is at least 58 mm based on the version with 3 cameras.

But here too there is a division into classifications:

• A frame with a size of approximately 58-62 mm is considered budget class;
• Based on 64-76 mm – average;
• Premium class starts from 80 mm.

Various expert tips for choosing windows relate specifically to the width of the profile and the number of cameras. They explain that having an increased number of chambers will not improve efficiency, since the width of the profile is what matters most.

For example, for the 58 mm profile version, it is recommended to use 3 cameras, and adding 4 or more will not give anything.

Requirements for double-glazed windows

A well-established brand is not the only condition for choosing a quality profile. The following parameters require special attention:

• the glasses must be at least 16 mm apart from each other;
• the permissible thickness of internal panels is 4-6 mm, external ones - about 1 cm;
• The filling for the chambers can only be dried air, argon or krypton.

Formula used for glazing double-glazed windows

Return to content

Why is the thickness of the plastic important?

This parameter is also included in various instructions for the correct selection, since the thickness of the outer part of the plastic wall affects the characteristics of the structure. The thickness should not fall below 3 mm, otherwise the performance characteristics will decrease sharply.

Models with a thickness size less than this level are called: thin-walled or object versions. They stand out with significantly reduced characteristics:

• Less resistant to external influences;
• Their thermal characteristics are significantly reduced;
• The reliability of welds and corner connections is significantly reduced;
• The duration of high-quality operation is greatly reduced.

It is very important to prevent the erroneous installation of such profiles on a window opening leading to the street. Sometimes unscrupulous small “firms” install them, although the customer pays for a more serious version of a plastic window. Therefore, this must be monitored during the mounting process.

But such versions can be used for installation as partitions between rooms, but use as a balcony door is not recommended. A wall that is too thin may spin quickly due to the heavy load, and the door may stop opening.

Large front windows to your home: pros and cons

Large facade windows, roof windows that fill large roof surfaces and even windows installed on flat roofs are the answer to the modern human need for natural interior lighting - now everyone has the opportunity to illuminate even those places and rooms that were previously deprived sunlight.

Modern architecture is developing in parallel with the building materials market. Such extravagant architectural solutions or modern energy-saving construction would not exist if not for new technologies and innovative building and finishing materials. All this equally applies to country houses with large glazing - one of the distinctive features of modern architecture.

The production of large glass panels, metal frames that can support almost any weight of glass, as well as frames with increased thermal insulation parameters, hydrophobic coatings, and improved window ventilation - all these technological capabilities have made large windows a more affordable and popular solution among private housing developers .

What are the advantages of a large glass area?

Large areas of glazing today are increasingly used by architects and valued by owners of private houses. Not surprising, because they fill the interiors with a huge amount of light and open them up to views of the surrounding nature and environment. They also give the building lightness and unusual design.

Large windows in houses today often replace entire walls. Of course, the larger the glass, the heavier its weight. To avoid problems with their maintenance, manufacturers use special fittings that ensure comfortable movement of windows when opening. Many models of modern large windows are equipped with electrically driven fittings, which not only make them easier to open and close, but can also be programmed to operate automatically, depending on rain, ambient temperature, and the presence or absence of the owner in the house.

Not so long ago, all windows and doors were double-leaf. However, such solutions, although cheap and easy to assemble, had serious size limitations. In addition, such doors and windows could only open inward and thus took up space in the room. Wide glass without extra sashes and mechanisms has become an alternative to traditional windows and patio doors.

Due to the larger glazing area, such houses receive not only more sunlight, but also solar heat. And windows installed on the south side of the house can even warm up rooms without the heating on. Scientists have proven that natural sunlight has a positive effect on our well-being.

What are the disadvantages of a large glass area?

Beauty requires sacrifice. And a house with a large glass area definitely loses more heat than with blank walls. This is physics. Walls retain heat better, and nothing can be done about it. This means that we will have to spend more money monthly on heating such a house.

Why doesn't this stop builders, engineers and architects? The fact is that despite the fact that glazed surfaces are much cooler than walls, large windows today have become an integral element of energy-saving architecture. Located on the sunny side: from the south, southeast and southwest, such windows can provide the interior of the house with solar energy so much that they compensate for possible heat losses on cold and cloudy days.

Of course, the heat emission through the windows is small, since modern frames are characterized by high thermal insulation properties. The most important parameter, which determines how much heat is transferred on the outside of the window, is denoted by the abbreviation U. When choosing windows, especially if they have a large glazing area, we must be sure that this parameter will be as low as possible.

The optimal U value for stone houses should be no less than 1.0 W/(m2 K), for passive houses - 0.8 W/(m2 K). And it is very likely that very soon, such parameters will become a standard in the window market.

More glazing means more solar energy

The great popularity of energy-saving and passive houses in the West has led to the fact that today developers are actively considering any alternative energy sources.

The sun's rays penetrating through the windows can just become a new source for heating the house. If we consider the energy efficiency of a house from this point of view, then the larger the glazing, the better it should be heated by the sun. But do all windows receive this energy equally? Of course not.

Different sides of the house are illuminated by the sun from different angles at different times. There is even a so-called g factor, which indicates how much solar energy enters the window. By choosing windows with a correspondingly high g, you can understand how much of the heat loss caused by large windows is compensated by sunlight. However, this is only possible if such windows are located on the sunny side.

Some scientists note that to more effectively capture sunlight, it is recommended to deflect the glass surface at an angle of 15-20 degrees. From the point of view of the efficiency of light entering through windows, the shape of the windows is also important - elongated windows allow more light to enter than wide windows. However, the practical and aesthetic component of such windows is a big question.

Note that large glazing with a high g factor is a common cause of overheating of rooms in the summer. So we can say that so far architects have not yet figured out how to effectively heat houses using windows.

How durable are large windows?

High thermal insulation of windows is not the only condition for using large glazing. They must also have appropriate strength parameters, which directly depend on the rigidity of the profiles.

Large windows are designed to withstand changing weather conditions, they are not afraid of heavy rain, hail, snow and gusts of wind - their high strength is ensured by reinforced rigid profiles, selected according to the weight of the glass, as well as the density of the glazing.

The best in this regard are windows made of aluminum alloys containing silicon with hardening properties and magnesium, which gives them greater strength. As a result, aluminum profiles provide glazing for almost the entire wall, providing sufficient structural rigidity.

However, manufacturers of PVC profiles do not lag behind market trends. Large glazing can be framed with plastic profiles with increased installation depth and with solid reinforcement, as well as insulating inserts. Or using a composite material with the addition of glass fibers. So there are no questions about the strength of such structures.

The best plastic windows of this year

In order not to overload you with complex technical information, we will explain which windows are best to choose in 2021 based on ratings from experts.

It includes three brands offering optimal plastic windows:

Leading window manufacturers

Today in Russia, double-glazed windows from three leading manufacturing countries are very popular.

Return to content

Finnish windows

Since the climate in our country is similar to its northern neighbor, these are the profiles most often installed in our country. The most famous companies are:

1. Tiiv. Since 1977, windows have been manufactured using aluminum and northern pine. The top of the frame is covered with water-based paints, which preserves its original neat appearance for a long time.
2. Lammin Ikkunat. The company produces combined windows using softwood and metal. The line is represented by two-, three- or four-chamber profiles.
3. Skaala. This brand has been on the construction market since 1956. It produces profiles only from timber, occasionally combining it with aluminum or PVC. Skaala products are characterized by increased energy efficiency.

Schematic structure of the Finnish window design

Return to content

Swedish producers

Brands from Sweden are not so often found on the Russian construction market. Despite the high price, two brands have proven themselves well:

1. SP-Fonster. Wooden structures are made with increased resistance to moisture. The company works for the mass market and carries out individual orders, designing frames of any shape.
2. Hajom. This company has been in the double-glazed window market for almost a hundred years. It produces traditional profiles and also produces panoramic glazing using proprietary technologies.

Return to content

Veka

Windows from the manufacturer Veka are also highly rated in 2021. Among their advantages:

• Increased service life;
• Excellent noise and thermal insulation;
• Guaranteed tightness;
• Latitude of lines offered;
• A rubber version of the seal is used - resistant to low temperatures.

But these windows also have a drawback - they come with a very high price.

Large glazing - big problems

As we noted above, a large glazing area leads to large heat losses in the house during the cold season, especially in winter. This problem is aggravated by the fact that in the Moscow region, and in most regions of Russia, there are not so many sunny, cloudless days a year to compensate for these losses with solar energy.

But these are not the only problems with large windows:

1. Such structures are very heavy, one window can weigh 50-100 kilograms, and even more if with a door (terrace structure). Opening and closing them without an electric drive will be problematic for children, pensioners and people with impaired physical capabilities;
2. Large windows are difficult to wash and clean. Requires special tools. And if you don’t want to do it yourself, you’ll have to spend more money on cleaning services;
3. With large windows there is less privacy - you are “in full view” of all your neighbors;
4. Houses with such windows are more attractive to burglars. Even equipping windows with anti-burglary fittings does not provide any guarantee against penetration;
5. Through large windows, not only more solar heat enters our home, but also UV rays and even solar radiation, which theoretically can cause skin cancer if left near them for a long time;
6. And finally, such structures are very expensive - from 15,000 rubles per m2, corner ones - from 20-25 thousand rubles. per m2. So glazing your house with panoramic and large windows can cost you a tidy sum of several hundred thousand rubles.

Conclusion

If the issue of finances is not an issue, and the main thing is aesthetics, panoramic glazing is an excellent design move. The fact that many people are confused by the “aquarium” mode, in which everything is visible, can be solved with multi-format glass or ordinary curtains. The technical side of the issue will not become an obstacle, provided you follow certain recommendations from the forum craftsmen.

• The panorama is laid out at the design stage in order to take into account both the specifics of installation and the requirements for floors, since regardless of the type of glazing, stained glass cannot serve as a support.
• In addition to conventional heating, you will need underfloor heating in the area of ​​panoramic windows or convectors. Even heated windows by themselves will not heat the room.
• You shouldn’t skimp on materials and professional installers; with the total cost of glazing being hundreds of thousands, a couple of dozen won’t make a difference and will spoil your blood.

Specific calculations, formulas, stained glass options and a lot of debates in which the truth is born are available on FORUMHOUSE, in the branches: “Glass and double-glazed windows” and “Panoramic glazing”. This is where the flight of creative thought and professional advice from respected Rexther, Gagsuv, Chudodesert, RuslanR, Glazier 152 and other aces are. And be sure to watch our video, where a carpentry technology specialist tells how to make fabulous window openings in a log house.

Subscribe to our Telegram channel Exclusive posts every week

Flaws

Unfortunately, there is no perfection in the world, but it is necessary to strive for it, so panoramic windows have a solid list of shortcomings.

• Expensive. Yes, a panorama is not a cheap pleasure; the cost of construction or repairs will jump if such windows are installed. It will not be possible to significantly reduce costs, but it is possible to look for a manufacturer who will produce custom-made structures. There are representatives of similar companies on the forum, you can ask users who shopped and where.
• Difficult to install. If you can actually perform many construction manipulations yourself, you won’t be able to save on panoramic glazing. Due to the considerable weight of large windows, you will most likely have to use special equipment, but for high-quality assembly of such a complex system you need knowledge and experience, which most people do not have.
• Care. It’s difficult, but doable, to clean the panoramic windows on the first floor from a stepladder, but to clean the panorama on the second floor you’ll either have to call a professional or rent it out.
• Safety. Many forum members are concerned about the issue of security: a floor-to-ceiling window looks like a good invitation to visit the property in the absence of the owners. This issue was raised by Nikasan, who planned large windows along the entire perimeter of the first floor. The topic was picked up, and many options for executing panoramas were expressed. Gagsuv from Moscow gave good advice; he offers impact-resistant glass, roller shutters and alarm systems. What is typical is that he is the most active participant; his professional recommendations can be found in all forum threads on panoramic topics.