For the manufacture of window structures, three types of materials are now most often used: polyvinyl chloride (PVC), metal (mainly aluminum) and wood. In addition, it is possible to combine some of the listed materials, for example, a fairly common option is wood-aluminum windows.
The use of one type or another depends on the design of the building, climatic conditions, preferences and financial capabilities of the owner.
Cottage windows - a choice for 50 years?
If a cottage is being built for oneself and for a long time, in order to later pass it on to children and grandchildren, then only high-quality materials are chosen for construction, including windows.
In addition to choosing high-quality window designs , it is important to choose the right set of windows for country living.
About 90% of the options required by the owner of a cottage, including heat conservation, burglary resistance, design (external and internal), are not included in the standard window package, even from well-known brands. If you compare buying a window with purchasing a car, you may find yourself in a situation where, instead of buying a Mercedes C class, you buy a Mercedes Smart.
Photo: Cars of a well-known brand, but of different classes, are visually different from each other. Windows of a well-known brand, but with different configurations and with different characteristics, are outwardly indistinguishable. It is easier to understand cars, since the design and dimensions of the models are visually different. It is difficult to understand the difference in windows: in each of them the buyer will see only white plastic and glass. But there is a lot of seemingly invisible “filling” hidden here.
Photo: The properties of windows largely depend on the components that were used in manufacturing: 60 mm, 70 mm or 80 mm profile; regular, i-glass or multifunctional glass; 1-chamber or 2-chamber double-glazed window, with or without argon
By rushing into a purchase and thinking that all windows are the same, you can end up with a technically outdated window of dubious quality, which means that instead of a comfortable life, you have to heat the street and pay high heating bills. To make the right choice, we will consider the options that can be included in the package of plastic windows for a cottage, and we will create a buyer’s guide so as not to forget anything important.
Expert recommendations: optimal profile models for a country house
The expert's recommendations will tell you how to choose plastic windows for a private home.
So, which PVC windows to choose for a wooden house? It is better to spend money, but buy products from a well-known manufacturer. This will guarantee that the profile is made of environmentally friendly materials, has a reliable design and complies with GOST and SanPiN standards.
If you are looking for the best plastic windows to install in your home, give preference to proven brands:
- Rehau is the sales leader in Russia;
- Veka;
- KBE;
- Salamander;
- Montblanc;
- LG Chem;
- Schuko;
- Provedal;
- Reynaers.
REHAU Blitz New is a three-chamber profile that has an affordable price (from 9,000 rubles).
REHAU Geneo is a premium segment model, for which you will have to pay from 21,000 rubles.
KBE Engine - three-chamber profile. A small window made of this profile measuring 0.7 m by 1.4 m costs approximately 3,500 rubles. KBE Select is a five-chamber profile, a product with a similar quadrature costs about 5,000 rubles.
Veka Softline 70 is an energy-efficient five-chamber profile. Reasonable price-quality balance. Ideal for country glazing (buildings for year-round use).
Thermal insulation of windows in a cottage
Heat conservation and heating savings are the main tasks of windows in a cottage in the context of constantly rising energy prices. A house is usually 2-3 times larger in area than an apartment (on average about 200 sq. m.), and heating costs fall entirely on the shoulders of the consumer. The owner of the house pays 100% of the actual energy consumption; there are no established standards, as in apartment buildings.
Those owners who do not have mains gas are at greatest risk. Heating a cottage with diesel fuel or electricity is an expensive proposition. The lucky owners of cheap Russian energy resources (gas) should also not relax - gas prices on the domestic market can rise at any time if the Russian budget does not receive enough income from the export of energy resources. When glazing a cottage, it is worth considering in advance all the risks of purchasing standard non-energy efficient windows with narrow profile systems and glass without selective coating. Another important aspect in glazing a house is the fashion for large windows. In this case, the windows must be warmer than the walls, otherwise the operation of such a house will ruin the owner after the first heating season. Another cost savings when installing energy-efficient windows is the cost of heating equipment. The better the thermal insulation of the house, the cheaper the heating boiler and its chimney will cost. Taking into account the difference in price of heating equipment of different capacities, it may generally turn out that the difference in the cost of windows will be more than compensated by the reduction in price of heating equipment.
Let's consider the influence of profile characteristics on the thermal insulation of windows using the REHAU profile as an example. The manufacturer's assortment includes the entire line of systems from economy to premium.
Heat transfer resistance using the example of a wide range of REHAU windows*
The higher the indicator, the higher the heat saving of the window. It is imperative to consider the thermal performance of a window system in combination with a double-glazed window .
You can reduce the cost of heating a cottage by 50% by choosing a wide profile system of 80-86 mm with an energy-efficient double-glazed window (where 2 glasses will have selective coatings, and the air chambers are filled with argon). A window in this configuration is thermally warmer than a concrete or brick wall more than 1 meter thick (!), which means energy losses through the glazing will be minimal. The heating bills for a home with energy-efficient windows will be half that of neighbors who have not studied this issue as deeply.
A warm window for a cottage should be made from a profile of 80-86 mm, 6 chambers, with a 2-chamber double-glazed window with 2 energy-saving glasses and argon.
Recommendation: To ensure that windows last 50 years, when choosing windows, choose the original EPDM seal and reinforcement recommended by the system manufacturer from 1.5 mm.
Double-glazed windows for residential premises: minimum and optimal parameters, price comparison
The formula for a double-glazed window suitable for an apartment or house located in central Russia:
- Minimum parameters: double-glazed window 4-10-4-10-4. This is a generally accepted standard with good sound and heat insulation characteristics.
Advice: if you live in a quiet area, it will be more profitable to order a single-chamber double-glazed window with I-glass. It is not as good in terms of sound insulation, but retains heat much better than the standard two-chamber option (see table below).
- Optimal parameters: double-glazed window 4-16Ar-4-14Ar-I4. There are all the necessary additions: wide chambers of different thicknesses for better noise protection, argon filling, energy-saving glass.
USEFUL INFORMATION: The best way to finish the slopes of plastic windows: 4 options, expert opinion
Now let’s compare the cost of these double-glazed windows using the example of products from the Moscow Window Plant:
| Type of glass unit | Marking | Reduced heat transfer resistance coefficient, m2×°C/W | Price, rub./sq. m |
| Standard two-chamber | 4-10-4-10-4 | 0,47 | 2884 |
| Single-chamber energy-saving with I-glass | 4-16-I4 | 0,59 | 2382 |
| Two-chamber energy-saving with argon and I-glass | 4-16Ar-4-14Ar-I4 | 0,77 | 3944 |
A three-chamber double-glazed window is expensive and weighs a lot. It is often proposed to be installed as a “super-warm” option, but its installation in a region with a temperate climate does not make sense: a two-chamber one will be quite sufficient.
Panoramic glazing – a new level of comfort
Glass walls are increasingly becoming fashionable in modern country houses. A floor-to-ceiling window or a huge sliding glass door will transform any property. The cost of such structures is high, but the sensations they give are indescribable. In a room with panoramic glazing there is always more light, the space visually expands. The price of real estate with panoramic windows is many times higher.
Sliding panoramic doors are the best way to organize access to a terrace, glaze a swimming pool or lounge area.
The construction material can be anything: warm plastic, for example, REHAU HST GENEO , universal aluminum or luxurious wood.
Recommendation: The main thing is not to forget about burglary-resistant fittings and safety double-glazed windows with laminated glass.
The maximum dimensions of panoramic doors largely depend on the selected fittings.
Tilt-and-slide (PSK) doors from any REHAU profile system reach a width of up to 4 meters, and lift-and-slide REHAU GENEO HST doors can be up to 10 meters wide with a height of up to 3 meters.
The cost of PSK doors starts from 200,000 rubles, and HS doors from 400,000 rubles.
Warm aluminum
Previously, aluminum profile windows were mainly used for glazing buildings not intended for permanent residence. They were installed in retail, office, warehouse or industrial premises. Now the situation has changed somewhat, and aluminum structures are increasingly being installed in residential buildings or apartments. There are two types - warm and cold frames.
The latter option is also increasingly used for industrial buildings or for unheated premises, for example, balconies or as glazing of country houses, in which accommodation is planned only in the summer.
The warm version of aluminum glazing is characterized by the presence of a special insert in the profile (thermal break).
Warm aluminum profile from Alutech W72
In fact, between the two contours of the aluminum profile there is a separating element made of a polymer with low thermal conductivity properties (usually polyamide is used). Its thickness is at least 20 mm, which is quite enough to prevent the profile from freezing even in severe winter frosts. Read more about warm aluminum glazing here
Colored or white windows in the cottage
Windows are the eyes of the house. The choice of color for plastic windows should be approached carefully. Saving on colored windows will spoil the architectural appearance of the house. Correcting the situation in installed windows is difficult and expensive, so it is better to decide on the color of the windows right away.
External and internal shades of windows may differ at the request of the customer. For example, the white color of the plastic will remain on the inside, and on the outside the color will be a different shade using one-sided lamination. In this way you can save on window color; the price will increase by only 10% per product.
Recommendations for choosing the color of windows for a cottage. Typically, the exterior color of windows for a home is matched to the color of the roof and base (especially if the base is high). Another way to select colors is to match the windows with the color of the soffits and roof gables. By choosing different colors of the roof and facade, you can place accents, and the appearance of the house will be interesting and not boring.
Examples of choosing colors at home:
- burgundy roof, plinth, windows and light brown facade
- green facade, white windows, soffits, gables and burgundy roof.
Window design
There are many window design options today.
The plastic profile can be covered with a reliable lamination film with a 3D effect and imitation of natural wood, aluminum, leather or stone.
For the design of double-glazed windows in cottage windows, stained glass (real, painted or imitation with colored films), sandblasting (matte patterns), and glass illumination are very popular.
Layouts in double-glazed windows are becoming a thing of the past. Colored windows in cold shades (gray, anthracite), large sizes without lintels in the glass are becoming fashionable. Nothing should block the view and disrupt unity with nature.
The image of a stylish designer window is completed by handles and hinges selected for the specific style of the house and interior decoration. Laconic, stylish stainless steel handles have become the most popular lately - they look great on a window of any color.
Recommendations for choosing the color of handles and hinges. The color of the handles and hinges may be the same or different from the color of the window (if the color is dark, the handle and hinges are light and vice versa), but must be combined in shade - warm or cold.
Photo: Gray window and steel handle and hinges. Dark brown window and gold handle and hinges. White window and steel handle and hinges. In private housing construction, it is possible to use windows of non-standard shapes: arched, round, trapezoidal. It is worth remembering that the production technology for such windows is more complex; if the process is disrupted, there may subsequently be problems with such a window.
1.3. Corner structures and other non-standard shapes
For rooms with a small area, corner glazing is an excellent option. In fact, these are two double-glazed windows of any size, connected to each other at an angle of 90°. This technique allows you to visually expand the space, provide an effective source of lighting during the day and an excellent overview of the area in the evenings.
In addition to the usual rectangular and square windows in a private house, you can also install quite unusual designs of round, rhombic, trapezoidal, arched and triangular shapes. They are well suited for any room, decorating the house inside and out.
Burglar resistance of windows in a cottage
Not only the front door, but also the windows should protect the house from the entry of uninvited guests. According to statistics from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, entry into private property through ground floor windows ranks first in popularity.
The windows in the basic configuration can be opened for a couple of seconds. A secure window must be equipped with anti-burglary fittings and triplex glass .
Windows in the basic configuration can be opened in a couple of seconds, using a simple crowbar and a screwdriver, so windows on at least the first floor in a cottage must have a special anti-burglary equipment. Installing anti-burglary fittings and double-glazed windows with triplex increases the burglary time to 20 minutes, depending on the configuration. This time will be enough for the robber to change his mind.
The cost of burglary-resistant windows with resistance to burglary for 10 minutes starts from 15,000 rubles.
Which windows to choose for country housing
A country house has a tendency to shrink. Accordingly, for the first two years you cannot install PVC windows in your home, because glass breaks under high pressure. The casing device will help strengthen the logs around the window opening. Seasonal changes in parameters are fully compensated by casing.
Glazing of panoramas
Nowadays it is fashionable for rooms to be large, bright and airy. It is not surprising that people strive to glaze as much of their home as possible. What window designs are suitable in this case so that the safety of the room does not suffer? Many experts opt for aluminum windows.
Why is this type of construction so good?
The aluminum frame is compact, and this is the main function of glazing - as much window opening as possible and less foreign structure.
There are two types of fitting systems:
- The cheapest is parallel-sliding.
- The second one is lift-and-slide.
The choice should be approached very carefully. What elements does window fittings consist of:
- loops,
- pens,
- side clamps,
- strike plates,
- axles,
- sash or door strapping,
- additional elements.
How to choose accessories?
- Interchangeability of elements. Exclusive elements are not the best option. After all, they should be well interchangeable in case of breakdown. So that finding the right part does not take too much time.
- Wear resistance. The right fittings are suitable for use for 10 thousand cycles or even more. What is a cycle? This is one opening and closing of the window. Ease of operation. It is necessary that the windows open and close without force.
- Corrosion. The reliable design has a special coating and is not susceptible to the harmful effects of corrosion.
- Anti-burglary fittings will protect your home from penetration. It differs in the shape of the trunnions. Such a window cannot be opened from the outside, only from the inside.
Soundproofing windows in a cottage
The opinion that a cottage community does not require good sound insulation can be erroneous. No one is immune from the fact that neighbors start a noisy party or a grandiose construction project with heavy equipment at the wrong time. Even running a lawn mower can be irritating and disrupt your child's sleep. It also happens that noise from flying planes or cars from nearby roads reaches your home.
The standard noise level inside residential premises is 40 dB during the day, 30 dB at night.
Photo: noise level in various rooms and from various sources You can increase the sound insulation properties of windows by using multi-layer glass (triplex) in double-glazed windows. If the noise level is constantly elevated (near a busy highway or airport), a special acoustic triplex with a layer of special film between the windows is recommended.
Acoustic triplex in a double-glazed window will create a comfortable environment in the house, even if the neighbors are tidying up their lawn or riding snowmobiles from morning to night. An additional bonus will be the anti-vandalism of the glass unit.
The cost of double-glazed windows with acoustic triplex starts from 1,000 rubles/m².
Sun protection of windows in a cottage
Increasing the size of the windows in the house allows a lot of sunlight inside, and with it, heat. solar control glass can help reduce your air conditioning costs . The most effective type of glass for sun protection is multifunctional.
Photo: windows with sun protection This glass reflects up to 50% of solar thermal energy, so the indoor temperature will always be 4-5 degrees lower than outside without air conditioning. The main thing is that strong overheating will not be created inside. The room is always protected from excessive solar radiation. The good news is that the cost of such glass is only 200 rubles/m² more expensive than usual, and the benefits from it are obvious.
No blowing
Another factor that, if overlooked, can negate all the advantages of a warm PVC profile and a warm double-glazed window is the lack of an airtight seal and ventilation.
Blowing through leaks in the narthex is one of the reasons why the characteristics of a product may be significantly lower than stated. To ensure a reliable and tight connection between the window sash and the frame, reliable fittings with locking around the perimeter must be installed in a warm plastic window. In addition, the window must have a reinforced frame profile and elastic, wear-resistant sealing of the rebate.
What prevents blowing:
- — rubber seal made of EPDM (elastic rubber seal);
- — reliable steel fittings without plastic elements (in Roto NT fittings the number of non-metallic parts is minimal);
- — reinforcement of the frame with a closed “square” section — strengthens the structure, reducing temperature changes in the dimensions of the plastic frame.
Privacy of windows in a cottage
Privacy is what country real estate is especially valued for. Protection from prying eyes will be especially important for owners of townhouses, where the distance from windows to sidewalks is minimal. Special types of glass can replace boring curtains and blinds:
Frosted glass – suitable for a bathroom, pantry, technical room. The glass allows enough light to pass through, but you won’t be able to see what’s going on inside even from close range.
Mirror glass - does its job perfectly during daylight hours. When the lighting is turned on in the evening, privacy disappears, and it is necessary to provide other options for protection from prying eyes. Mirror glass is suitable for entrance doors or panoramic glazing. For glass unit sizes from 1.5 x 1.5 meters, you need to use glass with a thickness of at least 6 mm.
The cost of mirror glass will add to the cost of the window from 650 rubles/m².
Photo: windows with adjustable transparency effectively solve problems with home privacy Smart glass with adjustable transparency is a good option for opponents of dusty curtains. Double-glazed windows with smart glass are connected to the power supply network and can be controlled by a button or remote control.
The cost of smart glass is 40,000 - 80,000 rubles/m², depending on the type of smart glass (film or electrochromic glass).
4.4. Combined frames
The combination of several materials in the production of window frames allows us to achieve better energy saving indicators. The most common combinations are wood + aluminum and wood + metal-plastic.
The combination of wood and aluminum involves partial covering of wooden elements with a metal profile. Most often, beech, ash and oak are used for production. Such structures are characterized by increased strength, aesthetics and excellent energy-saving properties. Their production uses Finnish, German or Swedish technology.
The combination of natural wood with PVC produces structures whose appearance is almost indistinguishable from windows made from timber. But they have a significant advantage - a lower price.
Ventilation
Modern windows are almost completely sealed, so there will be no drafts in the house, but to ensure the flow of clean air and reduce window humidity, you will have to open the windows regularly, which will create drafts and reduce sound insulation. If we are talking about summer residents, then they do not use their houses for permanent residence. It can be unpleasant to enter a house with stale air even after a week’s absence. And leaving the windows open at the dacha is unwise and risky. Inlet valves can be a solution to the problem. In addition to automatically ventilating the room, they allow you to solve other problems - completely abandon the use of mosquito nets and thereby improve light transmission, as well as protect the house from illegal entry, since the windows simply do not need to be opened. Structurally, the supply valves of the ventilation system can be built into a window profile, for example, REHAU Aerovent, into a double-glazed window, or installed on top of the window.
The price depends on the required performance and sound insulation requirements (with installation from 5 to 50 thousand rubles for each window).
Reminder to the buyer - the correct set of windows for the cottage
There are no trifles when creating a window for a comfortable life. You can choose your own set of windows for your cottage using the window buyer's guide. Each window in the house can have its own unique composition; they do not necessarily have to be the same. Before buying windows, go through the instructions and check all the necessary points for your quiet life. Send a table with everything you need to the window company for calculation. The table will allow you to compare prices for the same equipment and not make a mistake when choosing a window company.
Complete set of windows for a cottage - checklist
| Window components | What to choose |
| Window | Regular or panoramic windows |
| Window profile | Width at least 80 mm / 5-6 chambers |
| ✔ Profile | Matte or glossy (easier to clean) |
| ✔ Color | White or powder-dyed Colored: 1- or 2-sided lamination, possibility of imitation of wood, aluminum, stone, leather |
| ✔ Design | Rounded profile shapes, curly glazing beads, single-plane frame and sash, lower frame - more light |
| ✔ Handles and hinges | Stylish handles made of stainless steel or silver, handles and hinges to match the color of the profile or in contrast, but in the same color scheme (cold or warm) |
| Reinforcement | Thickness for white standard sizes from 1.5 mm, for color and panoramic - at least 2 mm |
| Sealant | Only original! Made from EPDM or silicone, recommended by the profile manufacturer |
| Accessories | From well-known and well-established manufacturers with a 10-year warranty |
| ✔ Opening | Pivot, tilt-and-turn, hinged, tilt-and-slide or lift-and-slide panoramic doors. Deaf - undesirable, inconvenient to wash and impossible to ventilate. |
| ✔ Management | Manual or automatic (new generation) |
| ✔ Anti-burglary | Fittings with mushroom-shaped pins, best combined with triplex, handle with key, protection against drilling of the handle, safe folding ventilation, sensors for opening the sash or breaking the glass |
| ✔ For people with disabilities | Special fittings with a handle at the bottom or windows with remote opening |
| Ventilation | Supply valves for each window or multi-stage ventilation |
| Double-glazed window | 2-chamber with i-glass and multifunctional or solar control, inert gas - 50% savings on heating |
| ✔ Anti-burglary | Laminated glass (triplex) with anti-burglary fittings |
| ✔ Security | Tempered and/or laminated glass (triplex) |
| ✔ Privacy | Smart glass or mirror glass |
| ✔ Soundproofing | Double-glazed window with acoustic triplex |
| mosquito net | Insect repellent, anti-pollen for allergy sufferers (if supply ventilation valves are installed, mosquito nets can be dispensed with) |
Accessories and their capabilities
When it comes to fittings, the first thing that comes to mind are handles and hinges. Various opening mechanisms allow you to get swing, folding, folding and other options. A good manufacturer has all the fittings of high quality. Hinges, components, and connections must be coated with anti-corrosion compounds, be easy to open, and have no backlash. This guarantees no problems with maintenance or replacement.
The most famous manufacturers on our market:
- Maco. An Austrian company that produces anti-burglary fittings. Manufactures reliable rotary and tilt-and-turn mechanisms.
- Roto. German manufacturer. All mechanisms work like a constructor. In case of breakdown, it is easy to pick up a new one.
- Winkhaus. German company with 160 years of history. Provides an extended warranty for its products.
Additional functions:
- Erroneous opening blocker - the window will not slam shut in strong winds.
- Protection against children falling out - special mechanisms that are attached to the sash. Children will not be allowed to open the window on their own.
- Microlift is a mechanism that reduces the load and prevents sagging.
- Anti-burglary fittings will prevent an intruder from opening the window from the outside.
PVC windows are designed so that the sashes close hermetically. During the cold season, condensation may appear on the glass. In winter, it is more difficult to ventilate the room, so it is worth installing special fittings:
- ventilation valve - installed on the frame. Due to it, air from the street freely passes into the room. It has almost no effect on noise and heat insulating properties;
- comb - stops the sash in the open position. The width can be adjusted;
- slot or “micro-ventilation” mode. The locking brake is a mechanism inside the handle. When turned 45˚, the sash does not fit completely, air constantly circulates.
