Choosing wooden windows with double-glazed windows: reviews, pros and cons, choosing a profile

Modern wooden windows are not at all similar to the products that were equipped in old Soviet apartments and houses.
Today, the products of factories producing such products belong to premium class goods. Manufacturers offer a wide range of products in stock or to order.

The profiles are made from valuable wood, double-glazed windows ensure the tightness of all connections, and reliable fittings guarantee ease of use and durability of the structure.

Choosing the right manufacturer of wooden windows is not easy, especially considering that the market is developing rapidly. Given the large number of brands, the owner of a residential premises may make a mistake, which will lead to problems when using a wooden window.

Advantages of wooden windows with double glazing

1. As a rule, the most modern materials and fittings . Thanks to this, you get a very high quality and beautiful window.
2. Finished products have very precise geometry and can have any shape, size and configuration. Everything depends on the wishes of the customer.
3. Most often, a wooden frame is made of high-quality timber, glued together from well-processed thin lamellas impregnated with a special composition, so the wood does not deform due to temperature changes, does not absorb moisture and is not damaged by mold , mildew and other pests.
4. The wooden frame provides good air exchange. The room will never become too stuffy.
5. Double-glazed windows will reliably protect your home from heat loss, street noise and dust.
6. Modern window glass is coated with a special compound that reflects infrared radiation . This allows you to avoid severe overheating of rooms located on the sunny side of the building.
7. Window units are equipped with modern fittings, which allow you to open and close them very conveniently and smoothly.
8. Windows with frames made of high-quality wood look much better than their plastic counterparts. Treated valuable wood has a rich and saturated color and a unique pattern .
9. Scratches on a wooden frame are easy to fix.
10. Wood, unlike plastic, does not attract dirt and dust.
11. Windows with wooden frames are an environmentally friendly material.
12. The durability of modern Euro-windows made from combined materials is much greater than that of domestic joinery products.
13. Service life 10 – 25 years.
14. You can make such windows yourself, but you will have to try very hard.

Retail prices

Each of the mentioned manufacturers produces products from 100% natural materials. It is a mistake to believe that a window profile can be made from a standard board, which is used in the construction of a country house. For such structures, only the best sorted material is accepted, which undergoes multi-stage processing and preparation. All this inevitably entails an increase in price.

In this regard, windows made of natural wood belong to the category of expensive goods. The minimum cost of the product per 1 m2 of finished product with installation for each manufacturer is given below :

1. "Rehau":
   2nd class pine (up to 10% - 15% knots) - from 11 - 12 thousand rubles.
2. 1st class pine (less than 5% knots) – from 13 – 15 thousand rubles.
3. Larch – from 18 – 20 thousand rubles.
4. Krauts:
   Pine - from 19 thousand rubles.
5. Larch - from 23 thousand rubles.
6. Oak - from 23 thousand rubles.
7. Wooder:
   Pine - from 19 thousand rubles.
8. Larch - from 21 thousand rubles.
9. Oak - from 24 thousand rubles.
10. Red meranti – from 29 thousand rubles.
11. “Dana” - the company offers products made from high-quality pine at a minimum price of 20 thousand rubles.
12. "Yukko":
    Pine – from 12 thousand rubles.
13. Larch - from 22 thousand rubles.

14. 
    "Dentro":

    Pine - from 16 thousand rubles.
15. Larch - from 18 thousand rubles.
16. Oak - from 25 thousand rubles.
17. Vinchelli:
    Pine - from 14 thousand rubles.
18. Larch - from 16 thousand rubles.
19. Oak - from 23 thousand rubles.
20. Skandiokna:
    Pine – from 12 thousand rubles.
21. Larch - from 16 thousand rubles.
22. Oak - from 19.5 thousand rubles.
23. Red meranti – from 29 thousand rubles.
24. "Window Factory":
    Pine – from 10 thousand rubles.
25. Larch - from 11.5 thousand rubles.
26. Oak – from 18.5 thousand rubles.

All the above prices based on 1 m2 are accepted for the simplest products with 2-chamber glazing in a solid design. Prices are taken from the official websites of the brands described.

Wood for production

Slats for window frames are made from valuable wood.

It could be:

1. Pine is a wood that is light in weight. Thanks to it, a good microclimate is created in the room, and it is relatively cheap.
2. Oak is a very strong and durable wood that has a pleasant color and texture. Quite expensive building material.
3. Larch is a very moisture-resistant wood . Larch is a natural antiseptic; thanks to it, a favorable microclimate is created in the room, beneficial for the health of residents.
4. Meranti is an incredibly beautiful wood. This breed is considered exclusive. Meranti has a beautiful color, velvety texture, light weight and high strength .

Breathability

Have you forgotten the old Soviet windows, the huge cracks in which every year with the onset of cold weather had to be sealed in order to at least slightly reduce heat loss? With the advent of modern plastic and wooden windows, we got rid of this problem, but acquired another one. The gaps in the “joinery” brought us a lot of trouble, but they provided a constant flow of fresh air.

Sealed modern windows tightly “clog” the room, preventing air exchange, as a result of which the humidity inside increases and people experience a lack of oxygen. Let's try to figure out which window is better in this regard - plastic or wooden?

Polyvinyl chloride is a material that is absolutely impermeable to air. To prevent air from stagnating in the room where plastic windows are installed, regular forced ventilation is required. An alternative option is to install a ventilation valve on the window, providing fresh air flow even when the sashes are closed.

Window with ventilation valve.

In this situation, many people rely on “breathable” wooden windows. Wood, being a natural material with a fibrous structure, is truly capable of permeating air. However, the amount of oxygen penetrating through wood is so small compared to human needs that it can be safely neglected.

In addition, the wooden elements of Euro windows are impregnated with various substances that prevent wood from rotting, losing its color, the appearance of grinding bugs, etc., and are varnished. Such impregnation further reduces the breathability of wood. From all this it follows that wooden windows, just like plastic ones, need to be periodically opened slightly to ventilate the room. It is also possible today to embed a passive ventilation valve into a wooden frame.

The difference between wooden and plastic windows in terms of air permeability is negligible. Both do not allow (or almost no) air to pass through, which means that the room must be purposefully ventilated.

Window profile

Not only the quality of the wood is important for the future window, but also the shape of the profile.

The modern HOLZ profile is a very popular solution.

This window profile is presented in the following types:

1. HOLZ . Double-glazed window and three-layer wooden frame. This option is perfect for city apartments and country cottages .
2. HOLZ+ . Designed for windows that are used in aggressive environments. These could be windows facing the sunny side or onto a busy highway.
3. HOLZ+2 . Single-chamber double-glazed windows and wooden frame with aluminum trim on the front side. This frame provides reliable protection from adverse weather conditions and street noise .
4. HOLZ-Elite . Double-glazed window with a “velvet baguette” frame. They look very beautiful and perfectly highlight the unique design of the room.
5. HOLZ-Comfort . This is a profile with drainage. Designed for windows of buildings built according to special projects.
6. HOLZ-Optimal . A profile that effectively emphasizes the interior and is suitable for windows located in aggressive climatic conditions .

You can choose the material and profile shape based on the interior design, your taste and the functional features of the room. All designs are assembled by hand by experienced professionals .

Our experts will tell you in detail how to properly adjust a plastic window with your own hands. You can learn about the choice, price and nuances of installing a warm electric floor from the article

Types of laminate, methods and recommendations for laying high-quality flooring, as well as the cost of these types of work are described in detail here

Comparison of German and other manufacturers

Among hundreds of enterprises producing wooden window structures operating in every region of the country, only a few of them produce products of impeccable quality. Below is a comparison table of the best wooden window manufacturers. These brands were selected in accordance with reviews from experts and real consumers.

Reviews

“I don’t advise anyone to try to make wooden windows with double-glazed windows on their own. You will only waste your time and end up with an incomprehensible parody of a normal window. It’s better to order them from a professional company.” Nikolay, Voronezh

“We installed Finnish wooden double-glazed windows with energy-saving glass at the dacha. They look very cool! They withstood 35 degree frosts with a bang! Now I want to replace plastic double-glazed windows in my city apartment with just such windows.” Vladimir, Moscow

“We made double-glazed windows in the bathhouse with a larch frame. This breed is well suited for wet areas. Linden windows would also work. With such frames, the bathhouse is quickly ventilated and the moisture on the windows quickly evaporates.” Sergey, Mozhaisk

“When choosing a wooden window, pay close attention to the quality of the wood. I didn't notice any blueness in the wood under the paint, and window makers don't accept this claim. It’s a shame that we spent so much money on a low-quality product.” Mikhail, Krasnoyarsk

“We decided to install oak windows in the nursery. We have never regretted it. They look very nice and the room is now comfortable and not stuffy. Now we want to replace the windows in the entire apartment with wooden ones.” Dmitry, Yakutsk

Consumer Opinions

The products of each of the brands listed above are very popular among consumers.
Windows from these companies have been purchased and installed at various facilities for many years. Owners of residential premises often share reviews and their own opinions about the products of each company, based on experience during operation.

Buyers highlight both the advantages and disadvantages of products, and this information is given below.

Wooden windows belong to premium class products and goods of a higher price category.

When contacting a manufacturer, every buyer wants to get the highest possible quality for their money. Thus, based on consumer opinions, we can highlight the strengths of each of the brands listed in the rating :

• "Rehau" . Professional installers and residential property owners note the high degree of product reliability and high-quality installation. A long-term warranty is provided for the entire range of products.
• Krauts . High-quality materials, quick professional installation, excellent sound insulation properties. The optimal balance of functionality, reliability and relatively low price for products in this category.
• Wooder . The surface of the wooden profile is pleasant to the touch; after installation, the level of comfort in the house increases. The material for the profile is well prepared and does not shrink. After several years of operation, cracks and signs of warping do not appear on the outside.
• "Dana" . High level of sound insulation of double-glazed windows; the glass surface does not produce glare or distortion. High-quality paint and varnish coating of the profile, good resistance to ultraviolet radiation.
• "Yukko" . Reliable strong frames, hermetically sealed connection of the double-glazed window to the profile, absence of drafts. Increased attention of company employees to customers, accurate preliminary calculations, constant final cost of the goods.
• "Dentro" . Excellent protection from drafts and freezing, decent appearance. Made to order in 2 - 3 days, fast and high-quality installation, long warranty period.
• Vinchelli . The product is of a higher price category, which allows the manufacturer to use premium paints and protective coatings. The profiles are selected without knots and microcracks. Special wood impregnation completely eliminates the risk of rotting and fungus formation.
• Skandiokna . Excellent build and installation quality. The manufacturer pays attention to every detail - slopes, junctions, window sills. Each individual unit has its own structural element, plug or protective cover.
• "Window Factory" . High-quality German fittings ensure reliability and ease of use. A large company, a large number of customer service employees, well-coordinated work of each department.

Given the rapid development of the market, a large number of companies are increasingly competing with each other, trying to attract as many customers as possible.

This leads to increased quality, faster production processes, improved service and optimized prices. Thus, each of the manufacturers listed above, which are leaders in the domestic wooden window market, annually expands their customer base.

The high price of wooden windows forces the consumer to pay more attention to every defect in the ordered products. Clients who are willing to overpay for windows made of natural materials belonging to the premium segment highlight the following objective disadvantages of products during their operation :

• 
  "Rehau" .
  Production is on stream, there are few options for individual interior design solutions. It is not possible to order a non-standard shape, configuration, or type of window opening.

• Krauts . When ordering structures, errors and discrepancies between measurements and the manufactured structure occur. Such problems are identified after delivery of products to the site, which significantly increases the order execution time.
• Wooder . Poor-quality polymer sealing materials - in severe frosts they lose elasticity, and it is possible to blow out in the porches. Adhesive compounds do not provide proper adhesion; rubber bands often come off and tear, requiring replacement.
• "Dana" . Problem with installation and adjustment of fittings. Over time, the sashes begin to sag, cracks and gaps appear, which entails the formation of drafts. In rainy weather, the lower part of the window at the junction is damp to the touch.
• "Yukko" . Poorly developed after-sales service, lack of warranty repairs. The handles on the windows become loose over time, reducing the level of comfort during operation.
• "Dentro" . Some of the company's clients note a lack of proper attention to customers and delays in delivery of goods.
• Vinchelli . Most consumers note the high price of products, which corresponds to excellent quality. Installation of a standard oak profile window with tilt-and-turn sashes costs no less than 55 thousand rubles.
• Skandiokna . High price, lack of an individual approach to the client, small selection of profile shapes and colors.
• "Window Factory" . A large company, popularity entails increased demand and a large flow of customers. Managers do not pay proper attention to each consumer. It is difficult to order custom products. Representatives of the enterprise are reluctant to agree to fulfill exclusive orders.

Most reviews of the listed companies are subjective, based on the attitude of the company's employees towards clients. As for the quality of products and installation, almost each of these enterprises supplies reliable products that can be used for a long time without any complaints.

Reviews from real consumers of products from production and installation companies:

• 
  You can find information about Rehau windows here and here.

• About Krauts windows follow the link.
• About Wooder windows here.
• About Dana windows on the website.
• About Yukko windows in this source.
• About Dentro windows here, here and here.
• About Vinchelli windows follow the link.
• About Skandiokna windows here.
• About Window Factory products here.

Difficult to care for

Plastic windows are easy to use. All that is required of you is to occasionally wipe the frames with a damp cloth, removing any dust that accumulates on them. Plastic does not require any special care.

Modern wooden windows also do not bring much trouble, as was the case with their counterparts several decades ago. However, occasionally you will still have to work hard: it is recommended to renew the coating of wooden frames after a certain amount of time.

PVC profiles are easier to maintain than wooden frames, as they do not require renewal of the external coating after a certain number of years.

Ecological cleanliness

Today, environmental issues concern not only pundits, but also ordinary people, although the latter mainly only on an everyday scale. Many people are beginning to wonder how safe certain materials around us are. A lot of heated debate flared up around the windows.

Let us hasten to cool the ardor of ardent opponents of plastic windows. The polyvinyl chloride from which the profiles are made is, under normal conditions, a chemically inert substance. It is no coincidence that it is approved for use in the food industry. Of course, we should not forget about various stabilizers, modifiers, pigments and other additives that give the PVC profile its properties.

However, manufacturers of plastic windows value their reputation and therefore carefully monitor the environmental friendliness of their products, trying to replace all potentially dangerous additives with more harmless analogues. Thus, lead salts, previously used as a stabilizer for polyvinyl chloride, have today been replaced by zinc and calcium compounds that are safe for humans.

The products of all self-respecting enterprises supplying window structures to the market undergo certification. The results of the examinations indicate that when exposed to sunlight and/or moderately elevated temperatures, PVC profiles do not emit any substances indoors.

Let us, however, be completely honest: the environmental problem regarding plastic windows still exists. And it will become acute in a few decades, when the service life of the window structures installed today expires. The fact is that a method for competent and safe disposal of polyvinyl chloride has not yet been found.

Wooden windows are an excellent option for those people who, on a subconscious level, do not trust everything that is obtained through chemical synthesis. True, this category of consumers is worth recalling that in the production of windows, impeccable wood from an environmental point of view is treated with all kinds of impregnations in order to protect against insects, mold, rot, and the negative effects of moisture and UV rays. All these compounds are also obtained chemically and in their pure form are also not at all beneficial to human health.

Wood beats plastic in the race for the title of “Most environmentally friendly material”. However, all the “horror stories” about the dangers of plastic windows are groundless and greatly exaggerated. Today, both wooden and plastic windows, produced in compliance with technology, meet all environmental requirements and standards.