Which windows are better to put in an apartment and a private house

Every person in life has a moment when it is necessary to replace old wooden windows with more modern and functional systems. In this case, the owners of houses and apartments face a difficult choice, since the number of options is very large, there are many manufacturers. Modern window systems are made from different raw materials, with distinctive glass types, thickness and other characteristics. To understand which windows to put in an apartment, you will need to familiarize yourself with the assortment, types of structures, their pros and cons.

Features and characteristics of a glass unit

A glass unit is a transparent part of a window that occupies the main area, due to which it is important to understand the characteristics of such an element. The glass itself is used to protect against noise, heat or cold, and to protect against intruders, whereby manufacturing companies continually improve strength and insulation performance.

A double-glazed window includes several glasses, and the space between them is called chambers. The edges are installed in a common frame, and many firms also use hygroscopic granules that help protect the room from moisture that can pass inside.

Based on the number of chambers, there are designs in a different range from 1 to 5 chambers in each glass unit. The larger the quantity, the better the insulation parameters. For Russia, it is not recommended to install models with 1 camera. The most popular and demanded models are double-glazed windows with 2 chambers, and you can choose from different glass thicknesses. The standard value will be 4 mm, and the increased value will be 5-6 mm. All this affects the isolation from street noise.

The distances inside the glass unit can be different, this solution has a positive effect on the insulating properties.

The voids between the glasses can be filled with different means:

• Dehumidified air is a commonly used option and is affordable.
• Sulfur hexafluoride - rarely refilled, but provides the highest possible heat insulation.
• Inert gas - the cheapest option would be filling with argon, krypton is more expensive, but has better properties. There may also be xenon, but it is used extremely rarely and more often on an individual order, since the cost is very high. This gas reduces heat loss and protects the glass coating.

When choosing windows with the last type of filling, you need to know that from time to time it needs to be refilled and this period is 10 years. Even with the best sealing, the gas will start to evaporate by 3% annually. It is impossible to check what exactly is used as filling during the purchase, therefore the purchase of windows should be carried out in trusted companies.

The main types of glass in a glass unit

When deciding which plastic windows to install in an apartment, you need to know that the properties of glass play an important role in the entire structure. Among the main types are:

• Float glass is the most common option, characterized by a high degree of transparency and good thermal insulation properties. This model is created by distributing tin oxide hot on the glass, after which it is baked, which increases its strength. The technique has been used for over 40 years and is outdated.
• Triplex - produced by pressing several glasses with polymer, which gives high strength, the product is not subject to mechanical damage. Often, triplex is made as a bullet-proof type of glass, since small fragments do not form when it is broken. Glass remains completely on the polymer material, but numerous cracks appear in the form of a cobweb. This type perfectly absorbs the noise of the streets.
• Tempered glass - during the manufacturing process, paint and other compounds are applied, which are then heated. This makes it possible to make any color, and due to the paint, the glass is put in one piece, it turns out, to achieve high strength. On impact, the window shatters into fragments, but its edges are rounded.
• Sun-protection glasses are an excellent alternative for sunny rooms where it is impossible or unwilling to install blinds or other protection from rays. On sale there is tinted glass, which is obtained by adding dyes during manufacture.
• Self-cleaning glass is an innovative development that will allow the window surface to remain clean on the street side for a long time. This eliminates the need for constant washing. Any debris does not stick, and possible dirt under the sun's rays is destroyed and is washed off with the first rain without streaks. This type is very expensive, so it is not suitable for everyone.

Profile material for the window system

First of all, you need to pay attention to the profile, since the main characteristics, beauty and durability of the entire structure will depend on the materials. Today, almost every manufacturer offers 4 main options: plastic, wood, aluminum and a combination of wood with aluminum elements. Each type has certain characteristics that allow you to determine which windows are best for an apartment or a private house.

Wooden profiles

If you choose which windows to put in a private house, then structures with a wooden profile will be one of the best. Modern models differ from the old ones, they are more aesthetic and functional. The profile itself is made of laminated veneer lumber in 3 layers, and solid wood is not used. All fibers are in different directions, and for fixation, a specialized glue will be used that repels water. Finished models are durable, rigid and more reliable than solid wood. Pine, oak or larch is often used in production.

In addition, you can find on sale not only wooden profiles with double-glazed windows, but also classic models that were used many years ago. Today, they are supplemented with a sealing contour so as not to glue the profile for the winter, and special technologies give good noise and heat insulation characteristics.

Pros:

• Naturalness of the material.
• Excellent appearance of real wood.
• Heat retention and noise insulation are better than plastic profile.
• High strength.
• Long service life and the possibility of repair.
• The dust practically does not settle on the surface.

Minuses:

• High price.
• Large mass.
• The need for constant treatment with protective substances in order to keep the tree from external factors.
• Flammability, even if the material is treated with special compounds.

The combination of wood and aluminum is only a subspecies of wooden windows. All characteristics are the same, but the wood profile itself is protected by metal, which increases durability. As a result, there may be no need for continuous wood preservation treatments. Besides, aluminum will keep the window from burning. The cost will be slightly higher, but this is only caused by the protective properties, the other pros and cons do not change.

Plastic profile

Such designs are the most popular and demanded among people. Plastic structures are widely used for private houses, summer cottages, apartments and office buildings. The profile itself is made of PVC, and with the help of steel it is reinforced to strengthen and achieve optimal strength. Inside there are partitions for a certain number of chambers. The larger this amount, the better the noise from the street will be suppressed, and more heat will be stored inside in winter.

Pros:

• Excellent tightness of the system. High-quality plastic allows you to keep maximum heat inside and does not let a lot of noise into the room.
• Durability. After correct selection and installation, the structure will serve for 20 years, since it is not exposed to weather and other external factors.
• Fire safety. The plastic profile is very difficult to ignite, in addition, manufacturers use such a material that, even when burning, will extinguish on its own.
• Appearance. Plastic windows can be made in any color, covered with laminated film like wood or stone. According to the shape of the company, they make classic rectangular or square shapes, as well as round, arched and others.
• Simple care, which does not require the use of detergents and other protective agents.
• Complete safety for humans, since PVC contains no formaldehyde and other harmful substances.

Minuses:

• The devices do not allow air to pass through and cannot maintain the required humidity in the room, therefore, high-quality ventilation is needed.
• If the profile is scratched, one part cannot be removed for replacement.
• The static electricity is very high, so dust and other debris will collect quickly.

Aluminum windows

Previously, such models were installed only for non-residential buildings, but at the moment the situation has changed. The aluminum profile is made using a hot press of an aluminum-magnesium-silicon alloy. Its thickness is about 2 mm. If you need to install windows in industrial premises, then a single-chamber structure, which is called a cold profile, is suitable, since there is no normal thermal protection. For residential buildings, there are warm aluminum profiles, polyamide is located between the alloy, and the thickness ranges from 1.5-4.5 cm, which provides sufficient protection against noise and heat retention inside the premises.

pros:

• High strength, which makes it possible to install double-glazed windows of any weight, therefore the structure is often used for panoramas.
• Light weight, even the largest profiles will be light, which eliminates additional load on the supports.
• Safety for humans.
• Non-flammability.
• Long service life, such devices can stand up to 70 years.
• Easy care.
• The profile is not afraid of external factors and is not exposed to them.
• Can be repaired.
• High plasticity, which allows you to make any shape.
• Different appearance, color, imitation of wood, stone and other materials.

Minuses:

• The cost is higher than the plastic profile.
• After installation, you need to consider ventilation, since the structure does not allow air to pass through.

Window shape

This parameter is not the most important when choosing windows, but it allows you to improve the external characteristics of the room and make the interior unique. In apartments, standard designs are often used, but in a private house any form can be used.

Manufacturers can offer the following options:

• Square.
• Rectangular.
• Round and oval.
• Arched.
• Triangular.
• Trapezium shape.

You can choose from partitions to create a specific effect. In addition, there is another type of decoration - rods, stained glass, and so on.

Opening direction

When choosing which plastic windows are best to put in an apartment, it is imperative to determine all possible methods of opening the sashes. And there are a lot of options:

• The pivoting method is the most common, it makes it possible to open the window in width to let in as much air as possible, opening inward.
• Flip-up method - the sash will open at a 45 degree angle at the top. An excellent choice for a utility room, basement or garage, as well as places where space is limited.
• Rotary–folding technology - often used in private houses and apartments, will allow one handle to make different opening of the sash and eliminates the need for the use of vents.
• Suspended method - opening the bottom.
• Swivel vertically - the sash is divided into 2 parts according to the type of opening, so one side goes into the street, the other into the room. Ideal for a round shape.
• Parallel sliding method - the window moves in parallel, like modern wardrobes.
• Folding type - involves opening by the accordion method, but in practice it is almost never used.

Ventilation of premises

Since modern window structures are very airtight, air does not penetrate into the room and moisture is not removed, therefore, it is recommended to provide for ventilation when purchasing. On windows, there are several types:

• Micro-ventilation - using a certain position of the handle, the window is opened, a minimum gap is created that allows air to circulate, while maintaining the basic insulating properties.
• A comb is a special device that fixes the window at the required distance from the profile, which provides optimal ventilation of the premises.
• A window leaf is the simplest option, which is used very rarely in window structures today.
• The ventilation valve is an innovative type of ventilation with high efficiency. With its help, it turns out, start the air and remove the exhaust. The valve can be mechanical and automatic, of different designs, and the overall appearance is not disturbed after installation.

Useful Tips

When choosing windows for a house or apartment, you need to consider a few more important tips:

• Hardware is kind of a trifle, but very important for windows. This includes locks, handles and hinges. Their shape and color can be any, and the possibilities will also differ based on the requirements. For maximum protection, the handle can have an anti-burglary function or a child lock. Hinges come with standard overlays, mortise and others. The most effective burglar retardants that increase security. Hardware in general helps to increase durability, quality and reliability. The best manufacturers are Roto, Aubi, Winkhaus, Siegenia, Maco.
• Be sure to immediately install a mosquito net after buying windows so that insects and debris do not enter the house. It is easily attached and can be opened if necessary.
• The window must be supplemented with an ebb, which will serve as a water barrier, as well as a window sill.
• When choosing, take into account the degree of noise in the area, since the thickness of the glass in the glass unit, as well as the voids between them, depends on this.
• When choosing to look at the quality of raw materials that will or already be used in production, the service life and other parameters depend on it.

In addition to the parameters described, you need to choose the best manufacturer to get an effective product. Preference should be given to brands with a worldwide reputation or high demand in the CIS countries.

Which company is better to install windows in the apartment

When choosing windows, it is imperative to understand which manufacturers make the best products. If we talk about which windows, which company should be installed in the apartment, then we can distinguish 5 best companies:

• Salamander is a brand from Germany, characterized by high-quality profiles, materials and offers a large selection of windows with different parameters. The products are quite high quality, but the cost is high in comparison with other manufacturers. There are many fakes on the market, so you need to be careful when buying.
• WDS is a Ukrainian company that supplies windows to the CIS countries. The profiles are fully adapted to the climate, which helps to maintain an optimal microclimate.There are many options to choose from, which differ in cost, number of cameras and other characteristics, which will allow you to choose a product for a specific budget. The products fully meet all the requirements and standards of different countries, the materials are safe for humans. Windows with excellent insulation, stylish and easy to use.
• KBE is a German brand of Russian production with excellent quality and great variety. This allows the profile to be tailored to specific regions to better suppress street noise, keep warm or protect from the sun. All materials are of high quality, a modern technological base is used for manufacturing, so the windows last for 50 years.
• VEKA is distinguished by high quality products that fully meet modern requirements. Products are in great demand within the Russian Federation and over 40 countries around the world. Profiles are exclusively A class, therefore they are effective against external factors and are characterized by durability in any climate.
• REHAU is the most famous and best brand with a durable and modern profile that is completely safe for humans. The company always introduces innovative developments, has its own laboratories for conducting tests, there are no defects, and each stage of production is strictly controlled.

A wide range of materials and technologies in the manufacture of windows allows you to make the room more functional, forms can improve the interior. Modern windows are not only beautiful, but also perfectly retain heat, protect from noise, sun and other external factors. It is enough to study the main characteristics once, which will help you buy a quality product.