Choosing a plastic window for the kitchen. Which one is better?


From a price/quality point of view, plastic windows still remain the most attractive option for glazing an apartment. And although in recent years the demand for wooden and aluminum analogues of light-transmitting structures has increased slightly, in quantitative terms their sales are clearly inferior to the sales volume of products based on polyvinyl chloride (PVC, commonly referred to as plastic).

Most of the new buildings for rent to the city are already glazed with plastic systems “by default”, so the residents living in them are not expected to resolve issues regarding the choice of windows, at least within the next few years. At the same time, for owners of housing belonging to the old housing stock, questions about replacing Soviet-style windows with modern ones are very relevant.

What kind of plastic windows should I put in my apartment? Which ones go into the rooms, and which window goes into the kitchen? In previous articles, we have already discussed which light-transmitting structures are best to choose for: a children's room, a bedroom, a living room. In the same material, we will decide which plastic window is best to install in the kitchen, describe the design features, the capabilities of modern PVC glazing, and outline some tips regarding choosing the optimal window option designed for use in a given room.

Which plastic windows are best for the kitchen?

The kitchen is an important room in any apartment. Many of us spend most of our time on it, preparing food, sitting with our family over a cup of tea, or simply relaxing with friends. For this reason, a room such as a kitchen can be called the most difficult in terms of microclimate, especially considering the high level of humidity and sudden temperature changes. Based on this, it is necessary to carefully consider a fresh air circulation system, thanks to which being in the kitchen will be pleasant and comfortable. The optimal solution in this case is the installation of PVC windows. In this article, we will look at the features of choosing plastic windows for kitchens, so that they are reliable and effectively cope with their task for many years. The rest are here, where you can choose a PVC structure for any room, of any size.

How to make the right choice

In order not to make a mistake with the design, you will need to familiarize yourself with the main operational characteristics of plastic windows: • how durable they are and how they resist the effects of the atmosphere; • heat saving indicator; • fire safety of the structure; • the sliding system should be comfortable; • there is no need to paint windows every year and cover them with insulating paper; • it is desirable that the windows be equipped with burglary protection.

The question arises: which plastic windows are better? Many people think that this is a simple solution, because in any newspaper you can come across advertisements about the proposed plastic windows. Your neighbor will always recommend this or that profile, even without really understanding it, and in stores, sales consultants advise what is profitable for them to sell, without really thinking about your preferences. There are a lot of options, and in order not to make a mistake, it is recommended to spend a little time and figure out what the differences are between existing profiles.

Features of plastic window profiles

The plastic profile is distinguished by the presence of air chambers, which affect the sound insulation and thermal conductivity of the structure itself. There is an opinion that profiles with one or two chambers retain heat worse than others. And profiles with three or four chambers have excellent sound insulation and at the same time are able to retain heat in the room. The “warmest” profile is five-chamber or more. It is worth noting that the profile must also be selected based on the climatic conditions where it is planned to install the plastic window. So, if low temperatures prevail, then it is necessary to choose a frost-resistant profile that does not deform from exposure to sub-zero temperatures.

How to choose a double-glazed window

The double-glazed window in the design of a plastic window is also an important detail, the choice of which you need to pay attention to. The thermal conductivity and sound insulation of the room also depends on it. A double-glazed window is sheets of glass that are firmly connected to each other, and between them there is a gap consisting of air, which is also called a chamber. The type of double-glazed window that contains two glasses is single-chamber. To find out the thermal insulation characteristics of a particular window, you should use the thermal conductivity coefficient. In our climate it should be 0.3 – 0.8. In this regard, sellers can advise you on specific models.

The kitchen space has its own specifics, namely, it is often ventilated, so you should not choose plastic windows equipped with thick double-glazed windows and a profile consisting of many chambers. The best option is a metal-plastic window with a profile of three chambers and a double-glazed window of two.

Additional features of plastic windows

Protection . Every person has a desire to preserve the property acquired by him and his family members. In our country, unfortunately, the crime situation leaves much to be desired: one of the most common types of offenses is burglary, committed by pressing the window sash. Professional “burglars”, with the appropriate skills and with the tools they have, are able to open a standard window in just one minute, without resorting to breaking the double-glazed window... This problem is especially relevant for residents of the extreme floors of multi-storey buildings, since it is their apartments that are the most vulnerable in this plan.

Fortunately for owners and unfortunately for burglars, you can find models of plastic windows on sale, the design of which is already prepared for burglary attempts. Due to their special design, burglary-resistant plastic windows provide effective protection in a complex: a special mushroom-shaped pin is responsible for the impossibility of pressing the frame, and triplex technology ensures the safety of the glass.


Decoration . Installing a so-called layout will help make a window located in the kitchen original and stand out from the background of other windows. The layout consists of slats assembled in a specific pattern, made of plastic and attached both to the outer glass and between the glass panes of the double-glazed window. As a rule, to make a window look richer, it is decorated with a gold layout, but various variations in color are also possible - it all depends on the capabilities of the company that sells light-transmitting structures. Therefore, decorating a plastic window with a layout is quite capable of transforming the kitchen space, making it more comfortable and visually richer.

Which plastic windows are best for the kitchen?

The kitchen is one of the important places in any home or apartment. Each of us spends most of our time here, this can be time spent on the process of cooking, holding joint family dinners, or just friendly get-togethers. Therefore, this particular room is the most difficult in terms of microclimate, given its high humidity and sharp temperature changes. Based on this, it is very important for the kitchen space to ensure timely circulation of fresh air, which will provide comfortable conditions. And the optimal solution for this would be to install a plastic window for the kitchen. How to choose plastic windows for the kitchen so that they serve well and have a beautiful appearance for many years?

Related article: How to cover windows with foil

Problems specific to windows installed in the kitchen

various kinds of troubles may arise from time to time . Some problems associated with technical malfunctions can only be solved by specialists, while almost everyone can cope with others on their own.

One of these problems that can be eliminated on your own is fogging. The reason for the appearance of many microscopic droplets on the surface of the glass is the increased humidity in the kitchen air.

As you know, the process of cooking is not possible without releasing a significant amount of steam into the air, the basis of which is water. With poor organization of supply and exhaust ventilation, over time, evaporated water may accumulate in the room, which leads to an increase in humidity levels.

When a certain threshold is reached (the so-called “dew point”), excess moisture contained in the air settles on the surface of walls and furniture. This phenomenon is especially clearly visible on the window. Visually, you can observe how the glass is covered with small droplets of water, gathering together and flowing down under the influence of gravity (sometimes this process is called crying windows).

In winter, the situation, as a rule, gets worse: due to the significant difference between the street temperature and the room temperature, the settling condensate freezes - ice forms on the window glass.

To prevent an increase in the level of humidity in the kitchen, and, at the same time, to avoid fogging up the window, a practical owner should seriously concern itself with solving a possible problem - the issue of improving ventilation must be resolved.

Right choice

In order to be sure of the correctness of your choice, you should know a number of operational properties of plastic windows:

  • durability and weather resistance;
  • excellent heat conservation;
  • fire safety;
  • convenient sliding design;
  • do not require annual painting and pasting with insulating paper;
  • have a burglary protection system.

Which plastic windows are best to install? This is a question many buyers ask themselves. It would seem that there is nothing simpler, because any newspaper is full of all kinds of advertisements for the sale of high-quality and the best metal-plastic windows. Smart-looking neighbors recommend certain types of profiles, sellers in advertised stores offer you all sorts of discounts (three windows for the price of two or free installation services, etc.). An ordinary buyer may feel dizzy from all these recommendations and suggestions, especially since at first glance all the windows are the same. And at best, he will follow in the footsteps of his neighbor. It’s good if the random choice turns out to be successful and the profile and glass unit of the plastic window turn out to be correctly selected. But miracles don’t always happen, and everyone simply cannot be lucky all the time. Therefore, before choosing plastic windows, you need to carefully understand how they differ from each other.

What is included in the turnkey installation of plastic windows?

The work takes place in several stages, the list includes:

  • Measurements of window openings;
  • Selection and coordination of designs with the client;
  • Determining the budget and drawing up estimates;
  • Dismantling of old structures;
  • Cleaning and leveling the window opening (if required);
  • Delivery of finished products to the customer’s site using specialized transport from our company;
  • Installation of a plastic frame with steel anchors (with control of deviation at a level of no more than 1.5 mm) and ebbs;
  • Moisture and vapor barrier with polyurethane foam and waterproofing tape;
  • Installation of sashes and double-glazed windows, removal of protective film;
  • Setting up fittings;
  • Decorative finishing of slopes, installation of window sills;
  • Garbage removal.

Our clients can order a full package or select the necessary services from those listed above.

The cost of work depends on the type of structure (brick, wood, panel, foam block, etc.), configuration of structures, volume of work and a number of other important parameters. It is calculated individually for each customer. In any case, our manager will offer a solution that fits into the client’s planned budget.

Which profile of plastic windows is better?

The plastic profile has air chambers, on which the sound insulation and thermal conductivity of the window directly depends. It is believed that one- or two-chamber profiles retain heat the least, while three- and four-chamber profiles have greater sound insulation and retain heat well in the room. And the warmest profile is considered to be five-chamber and higher. For certain climatic conditions with a predominance of low atmospheric temperatures, it is necessary to use a frost-resistant profile that is practically not subject to deformation at too low air temperatures.

Which windows are better to install: choosing a double-glazed window

When choosing metal-plastic windows, the double-glazed window takes second place and also affects the degree of thermal conductivity and sound insulation. Double-glazed windows are sheets of glass firmly connected to each other (two or more) with an air gap between them. As a rule, an aluminum spacer strip is built into the contour of the glass unit.

Considering the specifics of the kitchen, and the fact that in this room more often than in others the window is placed for ventilation, and at any time of the year, it is not worth buying plastic windows with thick double-glazed windows and a multi-chamber profile. But there is no need to be completely cheap in this matter either. The best option would be to purchase a metal-plastic window with a three-chamber profile and a two-chamber double-glazed window.

Which window to choose for the kitchen

For a person who is not very knowledgeable about window systems, it seems that there is no difference in what kind of window will be installed in the kitchen or in the bedroom. At first glance, they are all the same, but this is not so. Different designs serve different purposes and rooms. For example, consider which window is suitable for the kitchen.

But before we make a choice, let's briefly describe what processes take place in the kitchen:

  • cooking, washing dishes, which means there is always heat and moisture;
  • Frequently open the window for ventilation to remove foreign food odors. Only a strong mechanism can cope with such a load;
  • using the window sill as a horizontal surface, and from this it follows that the surface must be durable and reliable;
  • tea gatherings, and therefore comfort in this area is very important.

Taking into account all these features, the window in the kitchen must cope with the above requirements.

Selecting a window profile

Let's start by choosing a profile. For the kitchen, a window with 3 or 4 profiles will be quite sufficient. This is the room in the house where, in principle, it never gets cold. If a glazed balcony is also combined with the kitchen, then a 2- or 3-chamber profile will be quite enough to avoid overpaying in vain. For example, Rehau plastic windows are available in a wide range, and therefore you can easily glaze your entire house with them.

Window fittings

We talked about the fact that the window in the kitchen often opens for ventilation, which means that the fittings for it should be an order of magnitude better than the fittings for a window installed in the same bedroom or living room. It is important that the fitting mechanism ensures silent movement of the sash, and that the handle is strong. In addition, given the high humidity in this room, which can lead to the formation of condensation, it is worth choosing two opening doors: a rotary one and a tilt-and-turn one. If the kitchen is small and filled with furniture that interferes with opening the window, then we look at a window with tilt-and-turn sashes.

Related article: How to treat plastic windows against fogging

Window sill in the kitchen

The window sill also plays a very important role: we place flowerpots and small household appliances on it, and therefore the load on it is significant. Thus, it is recommended to choose a wide window sill with high strength to mechanical damage and resistance to high temperatures. An alternative to a window sill can be a beautiful countertop as an addition to the kitchen set.

Glazing thickness

It is believed that the kitchen should have as much sunlight as possible. Based on this, a 2-chamber double-glazed window will be superfluous here, since 3 windows reduce the level of illumination. The best option is a single-chamber double-glazed window with an energy-saving coating.

Additional accessories for the kitchen window

You can’t do without accessories such as:

  • mosquito net: reliable protection against the penetration of various insects;
  • glass tinting. If you don’t like tulle, curtains, blinds in the kitchen, and at the same time you want to hide the processes that take place in the kitchen from prying eyes, order glass tinting;
  • slopes: they are the ones that first catch your eye and quickly become unusable: cracks and yellowness appear on their surface. That is why it is recommended to make slopes from sandwich panels in the kitchen: they are easy to care for, wash, and wipe off grease and dirt.

Window for the kitchen - what was wrong?

We quickly moved to a new apartment. There was no time or opportunity to design a kitchen at that time. A common story for Russian families. As soon as we settled in a little, I realized that the kitchen was uncomfortable. A beautiful kitchen set lived its own life and did not match the surrounding interior.

Photo: a huge white and gray window, although it was panoramic, did not fit into the design of the “dream kitchen” at all, © oknamedia Its appearance was unsightly - developers install windows from economical materials, and this immediately caught the eye.

Hanging the kitchen windows with tulle is temporary and not the best option. I don't like these dust collectors. I wanted to put in a beautiful window that would open up the view and let more light into the kitchen.

Photo: the kitchen window from the developer was drafty in winter, and the window handle did not close all the way, © oknamedia On the advice of the designer, it was necessary to add warm shades of natural wood to the stylish gray color of the furniture in the kitchen. The windows and dining table were the focus of my remodel. The table was brought from an old apartment and required replacement after 12 years of faithful service, and the window from the developer was far from ideal.

On the way to my dream kitchen, I had to solve several problems:

  • Choose a window so that its appearance from the outside does not change - this point is specified in the apartment purchase agreement. On the inside, the plastic window was supposed to imitate natural wood.
  • Choose an identical color and texture for the inside of the window and the dining table.
  • Find window handles and hinges that match the color of the furniture and windows in the kitchen.

The tasks seemed difficult only at first glance. I knew that the possibilities of modern windows are almost limitless. So what did I choose?

How to choose the right windows for the kitchen

The microclimate in rooms where food is prepared is even more aggressive than in sanitary facilities - in addition to high humidity and regular temperature changes, a fairly high concentration of carcinogens and fats is added, with which the air is saturated. As a result, a kitchen window must be ordered taking into account intensive operating loads. In addition, such designs should be easy to use and selected taking into account the area and other individual characteristics of the room. Sometimes windows are located in the area where the kitchen unit is located - this also adds additional requirements for such products.

How to prevent kitchen windows from fogging up

Currently, three methods of maintaining an optimal indoor microclimate are widely used:

  • periodic ventilation by opening a window or setting the window sash to micro-ventilation mode;
  • organization of high-quality exhaust ventilation;
  • installation of a ventilation valve.

Window

A constantly open window (there are models of plastic windows with a window) greatly increases the likelihood of a draft in the apartment, which means a person’s chances of catching colds increase significantly. Ventilating a room with windows without vents is done by setting their sashes to micro-ventilation mode. At the same time, the incoming volumes of fresh air are clearly not sufficient not only to fully fill the kitchen with oxygen, but also to normalize the humidity level. Therefore, these ventilation options can only be used as auxiliary ones, in addition to the main method.

Ventilation

A well-functioning exhaust ventilation system can equalize humidity levels and, as a result, prevent the formation of condensation on the windows. You can check how well the exhaust ventilation is functioning yourself by holding a sheet of toilet paper to the ventilation grille - if it is held by the force of draft, it means that the hood is working properly. A sheet falling from the grille indicates that the ventilation system is not operating efficiently; to clean it, you will need to call the housing office specialists.

Ventilation valve

Installing a special valve on a plastic window, responsible for the ventilation of the room, in comparison with the first two, is perhaps the best option. The fact is that not everyone can devote time to eliminating problems with the exhaust ventilation system (resolving bureaucratic issues can take weeks, or even months).

Whereas ordering both a plastic window and a ventilation valve at the same time may be a real way out of this situation. A valve installed near the window allows you to sufficiently saturate the kitchen area with oxygen and normalize humidity. Depending on the model, such devices can operate either automatically or through manual control. We have already described the detailed operation of these products in our previous article entitled “Ventilation valve for plastic windows. Types and principle of operation”, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with it.

Which windows are better for the kitchen, plastic or wooden?

Wood is capable of providing natural air exchange between indoors and outdoors. However, this is not enough when preparing food. At such hours, in any case, forced ventilation of the room will be required, so this quality of natural material in a particular case can be attributed to conditional advantages. But wood, even taking into account new technologies used in the processing of this material, still remains vulnerable to high humidity and regular temperature changes.

If we take into account the need for regular wet cleaning and profile cleaning, it is not difficult to predict that the product will quickly lose its former aesthetic appeal. As a result, wooden windows are installed in the kitchen much less often than plastic ones. Moreover, after the advent of PVC profile lamination technology, which provided these products with a visual resemblance to natural wood. In this case, the decorative film can be applied both to both sides of the window structure, and to one - internal or external. Thus, all of the above speaks in favor of PVC windows.

Double-glazed window for kitchen window

There is an opinion that the temperature in the kitchen is almost always higher than in other rooms, so there is no need to buy energy-efficient double-glazed windows. This is a misconception that negatively affects the overall characteristics of the window. With high humidity, copious condensation forms on cold glass, the constant presence of which provokes the formation of fungus and mold, as well as damage to some elements of the window structure. When choosing a double-glazed window with a high level of thermal insulation, this problem is partially solved, since the inner glass will not be so cold in winter as to provoke excessive fogging. However, these measures are not enough - condensation can be effectively dealt with only if the window is effectively ventilated.

Why is it worth contacting our company?

Installation of plastic windows is a complex procedure that requires highly qualified employees, as well as the availability of modern tools, fasteners and materials. The WINDOWS TODAY company has been providing such services for many years. We:

  • We entrust installation only to professionals with extensive experience who are well aware of all the nuances of the work.
  • We carry out installation in accordance with the requirements of GOST 34378-2018 and GOST 30971−2012.
  • We strictly adhere to the deadlines specified in the contract.
  • We offer our clients the most favorable conditions for them, including affordable prices for services, seasonal discounts, discounts when placing a large order, promotions, etc.
  • We provide a long-term (5 years) guarantee confirming the impeccable quality of work.

A company specialist is always ready to give advice on the service for installing plastic windows (prices, timing, method, etc.). We suggest you contact him by phone listed on the website. You can also ask any questions you have about the installation of window structures by using e-mail.

Window ventilation in the kitchen

Regardless of the presence or absence of a hood in the kitchen, the window must provide the possibility of complete ventilation of the room, so the option of installing a blind model is not even considered. Today, customers are offered three main ways to complete windows:

  • folding or lifting transom;
  • traditional window;
  • full-height tilt-and-turn sash.

A transom is best able to ensure a complete air exchange process between the kitchen and the street. For convenient operation, it is recommended to equip such a sash with a mechanical or electrical remote opening device.

To ensure the flow of fresh air even when the doors are closed, a special ventilation valve must be integrated into the window in the kitchen. Such micro-ventilation systems are especially useful in winter, when it is impossible to keep the window or transom open all the time during cooking. This device not only improves air exchange, but also effectively combats condensation, which is a constant companion of kitchen windows.

Choosing the color of windows for the kitchen

When planning to purchase a light-transmitting structure for the kitchen, most buyers opt for white models. Of course, standard colors, as a rule, harmoniously combine with any type of interior. However, there is a type of buyer who is looking for something new and certainly better...

If you are one of this type of people, we advise you to pay attention to the increasingly popular technology that allows you to change the standard white color of ordered plastic windows to any other without resorting to painting. We are talking about lamination technology , the essence of which is to apply a thin layer of colored film to a window profile. As a result, a structure emerges from under the machine, not only with the desired color, but also with a certain structure (optional), imitating any building material, for example, a rare type of wood.

For a clearer understanding of the essence of the lamination process and its main advantages, we recommend that you read the following articles:

  1. Laminated plastic windows. Description of production capabilities and technology.
  2. Colored plastic windows.
  3. Wooden plastic windows. Description of technology and capabilities.
  4. Black plastic windows. Features of application in the interior.
  5. Brown plastic windows. Options for use in the interior.

The best way to open a window in the kitchen

In this matter, there is no single universal recommendation that will suit absolutely everyone. It is necessary to take into account the individual characteristics of kitchen operation. An average option, which is most often found in apartments in multi-storey buildings and cottages, is a window with a tilt-and-turn sash. This is a really convenient way, since it allows you to use the window sill for household purposes and ventilate the window. However, in terms of ensuring the flow of fresh air, this equipment option is inferior to designs with transoms.

A kitchen with a large window, which is located in the area where the lower base of the furniture set is located, is the dream of many housewives, which is why interior designers often offer their clients this option. In these situations, the window structure must be equipped with lift-and-slide windows or sliding sashes with the ability to tilt for ventilation. Rotary opening mechanisms are not suitable for such models, as they will complicate the operation of kitchen furniture. In the case of this configuration, in order to open the sash, in the area where the window opening is located, you will need to remove all dishes and household appliances from the tabletop, so experts strongly recommend giving preference to sliding mechanisms.

After choosing the optimal method of opening windows, do not forget to take care of installing mosquito nets.

Kitchen window - my choice

When choosing a window for the kitchen, there are several points that cannot be ignored, and I, of course, took them into account.

Firstly, this is the shape and color of the window from the outside - they cannot be changed under the terms of the apartment purchase agreement. The new window should not stand out from the facade of the house, so it was important to provide the following:

  • The window shape is one sash and a blind part at the bottom of the window.
  • The outside color of the window is anthracite.

Photo: the shape and color of it in the kitchen on the facade of the house should not differ from other windows, © oknamedia

Secondly, I took into account the location of the window in the kitchen - it faces east into a quiet courtyard. The sun looks into it only in the morning until about 11 o'clock, and the rest of the time the window is in the shadow of neighboring houses. I needed to take these indicators into account to correctly select a double-glazed window that would not shade the room.

Thirdly, you should definitely consider the size. My window in the kitchen is quite large (width 1250 mm, height 1790 mm), and the choice of profile and steel reinforcement inside depends on the size of the window. The larger the window, the thicker the profile and the more powerful the reinforcement.

Fourth, opening. The old large window opened only in a rotary position, and it was very inconvenient to ventilate.

Fifthly, the arrangement of furniture in the kitchen. Close to the window on one side there is a refrigerator, and on the other there is a dining group. It is necessary to ensure that the door does not hit the furniture when opening. And, most importantly, there should be no blowing.

What happened in the end?

Color of plastic window for kitchen

In my case, double-sided window lamination was required. Inside - to match the interior design of the kitchen, outside - so as not to disturb the appearance of the house.

When we filled out the documents for the apartment, we signed a clause that when replacing the windows we must preserve their shape and color of the outside. I consider this requirement absolutely fair. Facades where the owners change the glazing at will is an unsightly sight.

The exterior color of my old kitchen windows was dark gray. The exterior color of the new anthracite window is no different from other windows in the house. The surface of the film is rough to the touch and tactilely resembles painted aluminum.

On the inside it was necessary to make an imitation of a wooden window. My choice is German laminating film with a matte surface.


Photo: the pattern on the window film in the kitchen completely replicates the structure and color of natural oak, © oknamedia. Moreover, the effect is not only visual, but also tactile - the window feels no different from a wooden one! When choosing a wooden table for the kitchen, I took a sample of the film to a furniture company and said that I needed a table made of pine. But the pine sample and the pattern on the film did not match. Then the seller said that he knew how to help me and offered an option made from natural oak. Oh eureka! The pattern on the film and the oak sample were completely consistent with each other.

Photo: comparison of table samples made of pine and oak with film for the kitchen window, © oknamedia

I was very happy. I left the film with the company so that when painting the table I could create a uniform shade.

My profile for the windows is painted in a dark gray color - the 2-sided lamination looks great on it.


Photo: when the window opens, the white color inside the profile “doesn’t hurt” the eye, and it looks harmonious and stylish even when open, © oknamedia Due to the choice of high-quality designer films, my kitchen window looks like wood-aluminum, but 2 times cheaper. And compared to a white plastic window, my turnkey colored window is 35% more expensive.

Single-sided lamination adds 10-15% to the price of a turnkey window, and double-sided lamination adds 20-30%.

Tip: when choosing external window lamination for a kitchen in an apartment, choose the same color as it was originally. The interior color should match the interior doors or furniture.

Choosing a window profile for a window in the kitchen

A window profile is the basis of a window, a durable frame for a double-glazed window so that the window can serve for many years.

For the new windows in the kitchen, I chose a 76 mm wide profile with 5 air chambers inside, painted gray in the mass. Why him?

  • The dimensions of my windows (width 1250 mm, height 1790 mm) exceed the standard ones. The wider the profile, the more reliable it is and will withstand the weight of large double-glazed windows.
  • Large windows can let a lot of heat out, making your apartment feel cold. 76 mm is a sufficient profile width for panoramic windows in an apartment where there are no heating problems.
  • Powerful steel reinforcement is installed inside. Thick reinforcement is necessary because the windows are colored and large in size. Static strength calculations confirmed the profile’s ability to cope with wind loads and withstand the weight of the glass unit. This will increase the service life of the window.
  • I liked the profile design. Strict and straight lines. Nothing superfluous, everything is concise. The gray color of the profile is combined with internal and external lamination.

Tip: for a panoramic kitchen window in an apartment, a profile from 75 mm wide is suitable, in a country house - from 80 mm. The reinforcement thickness is at least 1.5 mm for white windows and at least 2 mm for colored ones.

Choosing fittings for plastic windows in the kitchen

For my windows, I preferred Roto fittings with Roto Designo II* hidden hinges and Roto Line* handle in titanium color. The sash is tilt and turn - this makes it more convenient to ventilate.


Photo: it was - it became. Now the window handle is a real decoration for the window in the kitchen, © oknamedia The color and shape of the handle had to be in harmony with the color of the window and the handles on the kitchen furniture. The original version of the handle in a light gray “aluminum” color matched the window, but it didn’t work well with the handles of the furniture set in the kitchen - it was too light. The dark gray titanium color was perfect! The handle is completely metal, reliable, and has a classic shape. The surface is resistant to air humidity, hand sweat, and light mechanical damage. The manufacturer guarantees a minimum of 10 years of uninterrupted operation.

Today, minimalism is in fashion, and industrial designers, along with engineers around the world, are trying to hide unnecessary visual elements. One accent in the form of a handle on the window is enough; visible hinges are an extra element. The beauty of a window is the main factor for me, so Roto Designo II* hidden hinges became an important design decision.


Photo: it was - it became. No matter how much simple hinges I wash, they still won’t become as beautiful as their absence. © oknamedia Having chosen Roto Designo II* hinges, I received an additional bonus - they make finishing slopes much easier. I have them made of plaster, and dust and dirt during the finishing process can ruin the hinges if they get into the mechanism. Hidden hinges do not get dirty during finishing work. The Roto Designo II hidden hinges have two further advantages:

  • They do not pinch the seal and completely eliminate blowing. This means you can sit next to the window in the kitchen and not be afraid that someone will get blown in the back.


Photo: it was - it became. Hidden hinges do not touch the seal, © oknamedia

  • Hidden hinges limit the door opening to 100°.


Photo: there is a refrigerator next to the window in the kitchen - now I can open the sash and not be afraid that it will hit the kitchen appliances and damage them, © oknamedia Since the sash is large and heavy, it has additional scissors installed - an element of fittings that securely holds the sash in reclined position.

The kitchen needs to be constantly ventilated, and I chose the multi-stage ventilation option. The sash opens quite a bit, 3-10 mm. The incoming air is enough to make the kitchen hood work like a clock.

Hidden hinges and multi-stage ventilation increase the cost of the window by 10% compared to conventional fittings.

Hidden hinges made my kitchen window not only beautiful, but also safe (the sash does not hit the refrigerator) and comfortable without blowing.

Tip: The window in the kitchen must have the possibility of ventilation - micro-ventilation, multi-stage ventilation or a high-quality ventilation valve.

Read more about hidden hinges Roto Designo II* on the manufacturer’s website

Selecting a double-glazed window

A double-glazed window occupies more than 80% of the window area. I wanted it to be beautiful, warm, sun-protective and let in enough light. All these requirements are met through a combination of multifunctional and low-emissivity glass, a warm frame and argon. In terms of heat conservation, a window becomes almost equivalent to a wooden wall!

The outer glass is multifunctional to protect against overheating in summer and retain heat in winter.

The inner glass is low-emissivity I-glass, it increases the heat efficiency of the glass unit.

All the glass in my double-glazed windows (multifunctional, I-glass and regular float glass) is made on a clear base so as not to shade the kitchen. During the cooking process, iron impurities are removed from the glass. It becomes more transparent than usual, with high light transmittance.

All glass in the double glazing unit is tempered. Tempering is a process of strengthening glass, in which it is heated to 600 degrees and cooled sharply. Tempered glass is 5 times stronger than regular glass, and if it does break, it will crumble into small pieces and cannot be injured by them. Now I’m not afraid that children are sitting next to large glass.

The distance frames between the glasses are plastic, black. Black color makes my windows look more stylish. Agree, you don’t often see double-glazed windows with colored spacers. I like the combination of the profile color and the black frame.

Photo: plastic spacer frames do not conduct heat well, unlike ordinary aluminum ones, and are also a real decoration of the double-glazed window © oknamedia Along the edges of the double-glazed windows, condensation will not fall out when the humidity in the kitchen increases when I cook.

The space between the glasses is filled with argon. Inert gas is a necessary component of real warm double-glazed windows, especially panoramic ones, as in my case.

Photo: the double-glazed windows in the kitchen window turned out to be warm, beautiful, super transparent and safe, © oknamedia The increase in the price of double-glazed windows when choosing a warm version is small - 1-3%, and savings on heating costs are up to 50%.

Advice: when choosing a double-glazed window for the kitchen, it is better to give preference to double-glazed windows with 1 or 2 energy-saving glasses (if there is little light, then on an anti-reflective base), with colored plastic spacers and argon. Tempering or triplex allows you to make glass safer (when broken) and more durable, which is especially important if the windows are located above the 8th floor or are panoramic.

Choosing a mounting method

The windows in the kitchen are installed in accordance with GOST requirements - with a 3-layer seam and mounting tapes.


Photo: with this installation, the foam is protected from getting wet both outside and inside, © oknamedia When finishing slopes with plaster, this is very important. If moisture gets into the foam, the slopes will begin to turn black, and in a couple of years I didn’t want to go through all the inconvenience and dirt that accompanies the process of installing windows and finishing the slopes again.

Choosing a window opening finish


Photo: it was - it became. The new window sill is completely identical in appearance to the window in the kitchen © oknamedia I chose an unusual window sill - aluminum with “heating” from a battery. While this new product is not very widespread, it is gaining popularity. Aluminum window sill has good thermal conductivity. This allows you to solve several important problems at once:

  • A wooden or ordinary plastic window sill that is too wide often causes condensation, as it blocks the access of heat from the radiators to the window. An aluminum window sill can be made wider than the wall without any problems for the windows. It is heated by the radiator and conducts heat to the bottom of the window. Thanks to this, there will be no condensation or ice on the window.
  • The color of the window sill matches the window perfectly because it is laminated with the same film. There are many ways to finish aluminum window sills. They can be painted, laminated or coated using the sublimation method, like a decal. All designers should take advantage of these capabilities.
  • The window sill is very durable. He is not afraid not only of flower pots, but also of the weight of a person. According to the results of a crash test, such a window sill can withstand a load of up to 600 kg without deformation.


Photo: it was - it became. The new window sill in the kitchen is wider than the old one, completely covers the radiator, in this case this can be done © oknamedia The difference in the cost of an aluminum and high-quality plastic window sill will be 15-17%.

Window sills and slopes

To design a window opening around the perimeter of the frame, it is recommended to choose special slope systems. These plastic structures have an advantage over plasterboard and cement-sand slopes, as they are easy to clean and do not absorb odors. For the kitchen, such systems are an ideal option. A wide range of decors allows you to choose plastic panels for both window profiles, kitchen furniture or wall finishing materials. At the same time, slope systems are preferable to conventional building sandwich panels, since they are additionally equipped with:

  • a special starting profile that ensures perfect fit of the slopes to the window frames;
  • convenient fixation system;
  • platbands that allow you to beautifully decorate the opening around the perimeter - in the absence of traditional curtains, which is very important.

As for window sills, in kitchens there are also increased requirements for these elements of window structures. They should be wider than in other rooms, since they can be often used in the cooking process, and also be resistant to moisture and steam. It is important that window sills are environmentally friendly as they are likely to come into contact with food. Products from the Moeller and Werzalit brands have proven themselves to be excellent in this regard. You can learn more about these window sills in a special review on OknaTrade.

Curtains for window decoration in the kitchen

Classic curtains are not suitable for privacy. This design of a window in the kitchen causes a number of inconveniences - canvases and curtains hanging along the opening make it difficult to take food and utensils, which are often placed on the windowsill during cooking. In addition, curtains in the kitchen get dirty very quickly. Blinds are considered the best option for kitchen windows. For those who, in addition to ensuring privacy, want to decorate the interior, we can recommend roller blinds with a fixation system on the frame and sashes.

Protection from intruders

In apartment buildings, apartments on the first and last floors are the most vulnerable - intruders most often enter through the kitchen window. Anti-burglary PVC windows help protect against unauthorized access from the outside. A mushroom-shaped pin prevents the frame from spinning. The glass unit is protected from damage by special glass - triplex.

Here are the most general requirements for a plastic window in the kitchen:

  • quite warm and quiet PVC profile with 3-4 chambers;
  • double-glazed window with 1-2 cameras;
  • durable fasteners Siegenia, Roto.

In the kitchen, we recommend installing a ventilation valve, burglary-resistant fasteners, and spigots in the openings. If there are small children in the house, it is better to install child locks on the windows. They block the glazing from accidental opening.

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