Window systems, selected according to the recommendations of the builders, help create comfort in an apartment, country house or country house. The temperature inside the house, protection from street dust and sand blown by the wind, humidity and other features of the microclimate will depend on the correct choice. Manufacturers offer several types of wooden and synthetic windows, which are installed to retain heat and let natural light into a room or office. Regardless of the material from which the frame shells are made - aluminum glass blocks, PVC systems, wooden windows - it offers seasonal and holiday discounts, guaranteed quality, durability and ease of use!
Comparison of plastic and wooden windows by parameters
| Plastic windows | Wooden windows | |||||||
| Frame thermal conductivity coefficient | 0.15–0.2 W/m*K. | 0.1 W/m*K. | ||||||
| Frame breathability | Low. | Low. | ||||||
| Environmental friendliness | Complies with standards, but the material itself is less environmentally friendly. | Complies with standards, but the material itself is more environmentally friendly. | ||||||
| Appearance | Any color and texture is possible, but the artificiality of the material is very noticeable. | A wooden surface always looks more attractive. | ||||||
| Variety of design forms | High. | Low. | ||||||
| Strength and wear resistance | High | Average. | ||||||
| Life time | From 20 to 50 years. | From 50 to 90 years. | ||||||
| Difficult to care for | Not demanding. | It is necessary to update the external coating over time. | ||||||
| Price | Cheaper than wooden ones. | More expensive than plastic ones. | ||||||
Several reasons to order triple glazed windows
Triple glazed windows offer a number of advantages over standard double glazed profiles. Let's list just a few of them:
- Triple glazing of windows provides better anti-burglary performance of structures.
- In some cases, the presence of two chambers is comparable in efficiency to the use of energy-saving glass.
- Windows with three glasses allow you to reliably protect the room from annoying noise, which is especially important for apartments with access to a busy highway.
- Thanks to excellent thermal insulation properties, three glass sheets guarantee more economical energy consumption.
What is the difference in the design of plastic and wooden windows?
The main element of any window is the frame. What are the differences in the structure of plastic and wooden frames?
Plastic window frames are made of a synthetic polymer - polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The blanks for them are polyvinyl chloride profiles cut into pieces of the required size, which are hermetically sealed together to form a frame. Inside, the PVC profile is divided by partitions into several (from 3 to chambers - hollow sections independent from each other. The more chambers, the higher the noise and heat insulation of the window. Inside the middle, largest chamber, a reinforcing steel liner is inserted, which gives the frame additional rigidity and protects it from deformation.
1. Window frame profile. 2. Window frame profile.
3. Double-glazed window. 4. Bead with seal.
5. L - shaped reinforcement. 6. Seal. 7. Square reinforcement.
But these are plastic windows, to which everyone has long been accustomed and which no one is surprised by. What are wooden ones? Of course, we will not be talking about “carpentry,” which was widespread in our country during Soviet times, but about high-quality (and expensive) products. Externally, modern wooden windows look almost the same as plastic ones. And in terms of durability, noise and heat insulation, they are not inferior to PVC windows. Since wooden windows with double-glazed windows originally came to us from Europe, they are often called double-glazed windows.
In the production of wooden window frames, not solid wood is used, but laminated veneer lumber. Why such difficulties? Surely, many of you have encountered a situation where in the summer the window sashes do not close well, but in the winter, on the contrary, there are gaps of serious size between the same sashes.
Using laminated veneer lumber technology eliminates the problem of material contraction/expansion as a result of temperature fluctuations. In terms of its elasticity, laminated veneer lumber is comparable to a reinforced PVC profile. Wooden blanks for frames are necessarily impregnated with special compounds that protect the wood from fungus, rot, insects, the negative effects of moisture and sunlight, after which they are primed and varnished. Double-glazed windows in wooden windows are exclusively double-chamber.
1. Three-layer laminated timber. 2. Seals.
3. Round bead. 4. Double-glazed window.
5. Casement profile. 6. Drainage profile.
What to choose
In order to make a choice, we will analyze both options according to their advantages and disadvantages.
Plastic windows
The advantages include: high noise and heat insulation properties, easy to maintain.
During installation, monitor the quality of installation of special tapes that prevent fogging of double-glazed windows and the formation of fungus. This directly depends on the specialization of the master. The disadvantage lies in complete tightness. If the room is not ventilated, this will negatively affect indoor plants and the general microclimate. When exposed to direct sunlight, harmful substances begin to be released. But no matter how manufacturers fight this shortcoming, it won’t go away.
Wooden Euro-windows
If you still have doubts about what to install, wooden windows with double glazing for an apartment are ideal. They are a kind of hybrid between “woodwork” and plastic; they complement each other, leveling out common shortcomings. The production of wooden windows with double-glazed windows began relatively recently, but they are in demand.
Advantages: do not create stuffiness in the room, large selection of models, wide variety of colors and shades. A skillfully created imitation will help create the feeling that the window frames are made of expensive wood. If necessary, they can be repaired using a putty mixture. Apply clear varnish over it.
Disadvantage - periodic renewal of the coating is required. This will have to be done once every few years, but only if paint and varnish materials from branded manufacturers have been selected.
Therefore, when deciding whether it is better to choose wooden windows or plastic windows to look like wood, you need to rely on their advantages and disadvantages. If funds allow, you can submit an application for the manufacture of custom-made wooden window frames from a specialized company.
Thermal insulation characteristics
One of the main indicators of the quality of a window is its ability to retain heat in a room. The main area of the window is occupied by a double-glazed window, and it is this that will determine the thermal insulation properties of the entire product. However, in this review we compare only the material of the frames, so we will try to find the answer to the question: do wooden or plastic frames have better thermal insulation properties?
To assess the thermal insulation properties of a material, the thermal conductivity coefficient is used. The lower it is, the less heat is lost through the material. For plastic, this figure is 0.15–0.2 W/m*K. The thermal insulation properties of a PVC profile directly depend on its width and the number of chambers.
The thermal conductivity of wood primarily depends on the type of wood:
- pine – 0.15 W/m*K,
- larch – 0.13 W/m*K,
- oak – 0.15 W/m*K.
However, let us remind you that the frames of modern wooden euro-windows are made not from solid wood, but from laminated veneer lumber, and its thermal conductivity coefficient is even lower - on average about 0.1 W/m*K
All other things being equal, wooden windows retain heat better than plastic ones.
What materials are they made from?
Mostly multilayer laminated veneer lumber is used. It has properties that allow it to cope with the effects of bad weather, ensuring the maximum service life of Euro windows.
Wooden windows are made:
- from larch. In terms of strength characteristics, double-glazed windows made of wood are superior to oak ones. At the same time, the price segment is 50% lower;
- made of oak. The value is that it has fibers of a special texture that make the appearance of the windows individual. Oak windows are durable, resistant to adverse weather conditions and the spread of rotting processes;
- made of mahogany. To produce such models, mahogany or meranti are used. They are light, but at the same time dense. Therefore they have a high degree of strength.
What the future window will be like is up to the buyer to decide.
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.
Double-glazed window design
The remote frame of the glass unit with special holes inside is filled with an air dehumidifier, which removes excess moisture from the air. Double glazing for wooden windows uses two levels of sealing. Elastic sealing - the non-hardening butyl mixture on the sides of the frame is always in a movable state, this ensures the basic tightness of the double-glazed window. Rigid sealing is a polyurethane or polysulfide sealant that ensures sealing and rigidity of the entire structure of the double-glazed window itself so that the glass does not fall off. The two levels of sealing are called double-circuit sealing.
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.
Casing - pads - installation in a wooden house
For a good carpenter, it will not be difficult to manufacture and install wooden windows with your own hands in a log house. A special feature is the shrinkage of timber buildings, which lasts about a year and is approximately 200 mm. The exception is houses made of dry laminated veneer lumber, their shrinkage is about 20 mm. The dry version of the hut (brick or block house) allows you to install frames on blocks.
To ensure that the windows in the new frame do not become deformed (they can be squeezed out by a vertical load), and the fastenings do not move or come off, casing blocks are used, installed on the wall in the window opening. Thanks to them, the uniform shrinkage of the logs is maintained, the reliable functioning of the window sashes is maintained, and the formation of gaps and cracks in the walls is prevented.
The casing structure is also called a casing.
It is attached without dowels or self-tapping screws: grooves are made inside the wall logs, and the casing board is reinforced with embedded bars. For greater strength, liquid nails are used. You cannot attach the pigtail directly to the wall; the boards of its box are interlocked with the load-bearing elements. The siege box consists of a top, bottom and side boards.
Casing diagram:
The installation of windows in a wooden frame begins with the installation of the casing. First, grooves are made in the logs of the window opening with a chain saw and the bottom is laid, which is installed on the seal (usually fabric). Then the side frames are installed, gradually sawing out and adjusting the adhesion to the walls. The upper part of the window opening should have a gap of about 50 mm, filled with a compression seal.
The casing is often made from wooden boards; laminated wood and combined materials are used less frequently. Technologically, frames can be made not only with the help of embedded bars and grooves in the log house, but also with the use of a U-shaped deck, which is installed on spikes in the corresponding part of the opening.
The “tenon” method is also used - with a T-shaped beam.
The casing must move freely when the structure shrinks, so polyurethane foam is not used to seal it. The casing is insulated with natural sealants (fabric, tow, mineral wool, etc.).
Appearance and variety
Aesthetics are as important as functionality. Windows should be beautiful, fit well into the interior of the room and not discord with the appearance of the building's facade. Let's compare plastic and wooden windows in terms of their aesthetics and the ability to vary their appearance.
Windows of any shape can be made from polyvinyl chloride, including arched windows, which are gaining popularity today. The only limitation concerns not the shape, but the size: it is difficult to make sashes that are too small and, conversely, too large. The variety of available colors amazes.
PVC profile windows can be painted in any color, and also laminated to match any texture, including any type of wood. But still, the artificiality of the material will be visible to the naked eye, which does not always add beauty to the windows. If you have a wooden house, then plastic windows, even laminated ones, will look foreign.
Wooden windows do not have this disadvantage of their plastic competitors. Wood is a living material, which is why, from an aesthetic point of view, wooden windows have no equal. They are ideal for country cottages, fit well into the architecture of old city buildings, and perfectly complement the interior of modern apartments.
There are two options for decorative and protective coating of wooden window frames - varnish and opaque water-based paint. Most consumers prefer varnish because it preserves the natural texture of the wood.
The color of wooden window structures is determined by the type of wood from which they are made. However, if desired, you can use a special primer that gives the wood the desired shade. Using a primer, you can, for example, give a relatively inexpensive pine window the color of oak, walnut or any other valuable type of wood. This saves money and opens up great opportunities for designers. Another way to refine a cheap window structure is to cover its elements with decorative layers of more expensive types of wood.
Wooden windows, like plastic ones, can be arched, but in this case there are significant restrictions on the bending radius.
From an aesthetic point of view, wooden windows are unrivaled. Plastic windows provide, perhaps, great opportunities for designers to realize a wide variety of ideas, but in any design they will look artificial.
We invite private and corporate buyers to cooperate
Buyers and partners appreciated the full range of advantages of our approach to work:
- affordable prices for the entire range of wooden windows - optimization of all work processes, reduction of costs and elimination of extraneous expenses form a low price while maintaining quality;
- large stock of finished products in the warehouse;
- the ability to produce windows in custom sizes within 1 week;
- consumables, slope cladding, window sills;
- delivery at a convenient time.
We are pleased to offer you the best discounts in Moscow on PVC frame blocks, aluminum alloy and wooden translucent elements, as well as high-quality service and comprehensive information support!
Leave a request for a preliminary calculation on our website - and get our best offer!
Strength and wear resistance
Any window, no matter how strong and reliable it may seem, can break under certain conditions or lose its original appearance. Which windows - plastic or wooden - better resist the destructive effects of negative external factors? Of course, we will talk about the strength and wear resistance of the frames themselves, and not the glass - the likelihood that the latter will be broken when a hard object hits it does not depend on whether the window is plastic or wooden.
So, what can happen to a PVC window? Under the influence of elevated temperature, the frame does not expand much, but it expands. As a result, if the window profile is not reinforced, it may become deformed. In addition, a frame made from low-quality raw materials is likely to turn yellow over time. But if scratches appear on the plastic as a result of carelessness of the house owners, then this problem is easily solvable.
Modern wooden windows, unlike products from half a century ago, do not come apart or dry out, but you can expect unpleasant surprises from them too. In particular, frames made of light wood gradually darken when exposed to sunlight. And you will have to “admire” a scratch accidentally left on a tree for many years and even decades. It follows from this that owners of wooden windows should exercise maximum caution when handling them.
A tree is a tree, and no matter how you protect it, it can eventually suffer from rain, scorching sun, or hail. An excellent alternative to wooden windows can be wood-aluminum windows, which combine all the advantages of a wooden structure and the ability of aluminum to withstand the negative influences of the environment.
Wooden windows with aluminum trims.
Plastic windows are more durable and wear-resistant than wooden ones. PVC is more durable: it has greater impact strength, is not afraid of moisture, and does not require painting. True, all this is true only for profiles made from high-quality raw materials and with strict adherence to technology.
Pass-through installation method
Installation of windows should begin with the installation of a window sill, for which a cement pad is made, aligned horizontally. Attached window sills are installed after the window is installed. The average thickness of window sills is about 30-50 mm. With greater thickness, the gap between it and the frame must be increased. Mount the window sill board with several dowels if the wall is stone, or with several nails if there is a lower mortgage. The masonry and quarter are insulated with roofing felt or polyurethane foam.
In most cases (in a house made of brick, cinder blocks or shell rock, as well as with a flat opening), windows are installed using the through-installation method, using dowels and self-tapping screws. First, the glazing beads, glass (glazed windows) and sashes are removed from the new window. Holes are drilled in the frame at a distance of 600-800 mm (for a frame measuring about 1.5 m - 3 on each side, for larger sizes - 4). When drilling holes, move up to 200 mm away from the corners.
The frame is installed in the window opening using screws that are not fully tightened and its position is leveled with small blocks. Then, inside these holes, the locations of the dowels in the window opening are marked. The frame is removed again to drill holes for the dowels in the opening, taking into account their length and diameter.
After preliminary drilling of holes and installation of dowels, the window is inserted into the opening and finally secured with self-tapping screws (fastening cannot be done through the blocks). The frame can be nailed to the window sill. At this point, the installation is complete, you can pull out the blocks (between the frame and the opening) and seal the cracks with polyurethane foam.
Life time
Modern windows, whether they are made of PVC or wood, are good, but, alas, not cheap. Therefore, every owner of a house or apartment who decides to install them in their home invariably faces a completely reasonable question: how long will such a window last?
According to various expert estimates, the service life of plastic windows should be from 20–30 to 45–50 years. This figure may vary depending on the properties of the compound used in the production of profiles, as well as on operating conditions.
Many German companies, the undisputed leaders in the plastic window market, have developed and are constantly improving the technology for the production of PVC profiles specifically for the Russian climate with its characteristic frequent and strong temperature changes.
The service life of wooden windows depends on the type of wood used in their production. Windows with larch frames will serve you for the same 50 years, but pine ones for 55–60 years. If you did not skimp and installed windows with oak frames in your house, then from such a window not only your children, but your grandchildren and even great-grandchildren will be able to admire the surrounding landscapes, because it will last at least 90 years.
Blanks for wooden windows are treated with special compounds that enhance their resistance to external influences, which helps to increase their durability.
The service life of wooden windows may be longer than plastic ones. However, this is only true if wooden windows are manufactured with strict quality control and protected with the most modern compounds.
Criterias of choice
This process is not as simple as it seems. After all, in order for a window to serve for several years, it is necessary to take into account several aspects:
- Wood. Larch and oak have a service life of up to 70 years. They should be free of resin, nicks, knots and other defects.
- Coating. Must be at least 200 microns with sun protection applied. Ask the seller to tell you in more detail what composition was used for the treatment.
- Double-glazed window. It is better to choose an energy-saving one; it costs more and is more reliable in quality.
- Accessories. Install with increased protection against illegal attacks, this will help ensure the highest degree of security.
- Production time. If the company reports that wooden windows with double glazing for a dacha or apartment will be ready in 3 days, it is a lie. This takes at least a month.
When ordering wooden windows from a company, make sure that they have a portfolio of finished work and relevant documentation.
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.
Reviews about Vikkers
We moved to a new house, and there were old, poorly functioning plastic windows... We had to install new ones. Contact Vickers. Everything was done quickly and efficiently. Thanks for the work!
Anna
Agreement No. 891564 06/24/2019, Moscow
I've been planning to change the windows in the hall for 3 years, my wife wanted wooden ones, and I wanted plastic ones. In the end they installed, guess what? Well, I’m generally pleased, it turned out beautifully.
Anatoly Igorevich
Agreement No. 156412 02/12/2019, Moscow
My granny now has brand new windows, thank you for your promptness!
Katya Zakharova
Agreement No. 179412 03/04/2019, Moscow
Finnish wooden windows with double-glazed windows: step-by-step manufacturing instructions
Finnish wooden windows with double-glazed windows are not yet as popular in Russia as plastic “Euro-windows”, but they deserve close attention, as they have a design that is ideal for the northern regions of the country with harsh winters.
Finnish wooden windows with double glazing
Their design is somewhat reminiscent of traditional wooden windows previously installed in multi-story buildings. They consisted of two glazed sashes, which were screwed together, which was extremely inconvenient when cleaning them from dirt every year. Finnish windows are made according to a similar, but improved principle using modern materials and mechanisms. Many models also consist of two doors, but they are very easily connected to each other and can be separated if necessary.
Finnish window design
A Finnish double-glazed window can be made entirely of wood or have a wood-aluminum structure consisting of frames with double, triple and even quadruple glazing. The general principle of its structure is shown in the diagram below:
Approximate diagram of a Finnish wooden window with double glazing
1 – Frame profile made using special technology. It can have different widths - usually from 160 to 205 mm.
2 – Internal double glazing.
3 – External glass.
4 – Silicone sealant applied to the inside and outside of the front glass, which can be replaced with rubber seals.
5 – Aluminum protective profile on the outside of the front frame.
6 – Drainage profile made of aluminum.
7 – Side profile made of aluminum.
8 – Fitting elements.
9 – Spacer frame between the glass panes.
Finnish windows can only have swing mechanisms and open “towards you”, swing-and-hing structures, and also in models in which part of the frame rises up. To ventilate the room, the frames are equipped with a traditional window, a transom or a ventilation valve that can be closed by a gap. Windows and transoms must have opening limiters that will hold them in the open position.
Finnish windows are considered the warmest, since a fairly wide air gap is formed between the hermetically sealed sashes, which is an excellent heat and sound insulator.
The most commonly used Finnish window scheme
The most commonly used design is the one shown in the top diagram, that is, consisting of a front sash with regular glass and an inner frame with double glazing installed in it. However, other options are also produced in which single-chamber double-glazed windows are mounted on both the outer and inner sash.
For the manufacture of wooden frames of Finnish windows, glued pine beams are most often used, which have a porous structural structure and therefore have low thermal conductivity.
Sometimes the front frame is made in a combined version, that is, the wooden frame is covered with a layer of aluminum, or it is even made entirely of aluminum.
In the design of Finnish windows, special fittings are used to connect the internal and external sashes, conveniently joining them together. Thanks to this, the window sashes can open and close separately or interact with each other.
Both doors can open simultaneously, but it is not difficult to separate them, for example, for cleaning
Blinds are often installed between the frames, to regulate which you do not need to open the shutters, since the mechanism is designed in such a way that all actions are carried out by a handle mounted on the inner frame.
Blind adjustment cords are attached to the handle, which are passed from the inter-frame space through a special hole in the inner frame.
Diagram of installation of blinds in the inter-frame space with control elements brought out
The installation procedure and adjustment process are well presented in this diagram. The blinds are mounted on brackets attached to the top of the outer frame. The blind cords are passed through an adapter into a flexible rod that will run in the interframe space. Then it is carried into the room through a special device. Two clamps are attached to the frame that will hold the blinds in the desired position - one for the cord, the other for the control handle. It should be noted that the design of this mechanism may be different, but its operating principle always remains the same.
In some models, controlling blinds is even simpler - using adjusting handwheels mounted on the frame
The advantage of this method of installing blinds is that they are protected from constant mechanical influences and dust and dirt.
Screw-in hinge for swing window sash
Finnish windows use affordable fittings from various manufacturers. These can be simple screw-in hinges and even the familiar ZR-2 handles with screws, which were previously installed on wooden windows. But a prerequisite is rubber or silicone seals.
The simplest handles are often used - latches
Despite such a simple fitting design, the frames in the overall design are so perfectly matched to each other that they comply with all existing standards for double-glazed windows. They provide high noise and heat insulation, are frost-resistant and durable.
Video: design features of “Finnish” windows
Why is wood used for Finnish frames?
Finnish manufacturers chose wood as a material for frames due to its natural qualities. As you know, Finland is a country with cold winters, so natural material with minimal thermal conductivity was chosen for windows.
According to research results, it is known that heat leakage occurs through a window of any design, which amounts to 15 to 25% of the total heat loss of the house. A window consists of a frame, glass and seals. Most of the heat is lost through the large glass surface, the rest is lost through gaps poorly sealed with seals and the frame material.
With glass, it’s clear; here they try to minimize losses by installing sealed double-glazed windows. If the seals are installed correctly and are of high quality, then only the frames remain, through which heat will be lost. And the higher the thermal conductivity of the material from which they are made, the more heat will escape to the street. A metal-plastic profile has a higher thermal conductivity, no matter what kind of insulation is placed inside it. The same parameter of wood is much lower, and it is more rational for heat conservation. This criterion predetermined the choice of wood by Finnish companies as a manufacturing material for their products.
In addition, the factor of aesthetics and naturalness of the material is important. We agree that metal-plastic also has many positive qualities, but it is not a natural “breathable” material. From time immemorial, wood has been used to make window frames and has fully justified itself. If windows need to be installed in a wooden house, then plastic options will harmonize much worse with the walls than wood frames, both from an aesthetic point of view and in terms of similar physical and technical characteristics.
Manufacturers of Finnish windows and popular models
Windows with wooden and wood-aluminum frames are produced by several Finnish companies, whose products are popular both in Finland itself and in other countries with harsh winter climates.
The top manufacturers include Lamminikkunat, Fenestra, Profin and Skaala. All these companies have been producing windows and doors for a long time. Company specialists constantly conduct research into the effectiveness of using their products, and introduce new technological developments to improve the quality of products. Everything is done in order to fully justify the trust of customers.
Read the article “Soft windows for terraces and gazebos”, and also find out their purpose, design, choice and how to install.
Window
has been producing high-quality wooden windows since 1977 and is one of the largest manufacturers in Finland. All Tiivi products undergo mandatory control tests for sound and heat insulation characteristics, as well as for deformation changes in the wooden structure. The test results were confirmed by independent experts in Europe, and Scandinavian countries in particular, since this region is the main consumer of such products.
One of the leaders in the production of wooden Finnish windows is
Using this company's technology, window frames are made from high quality northern pine wood. Then the parts are coated with environmentally friendly Teknos water-based paints or varnishes, which give the material high protection, making the windows more durable in use.
The windows of this manufacturer are installed not only in residential buildings, but also in hotel complexes, as well as in manufacturing enterprises, as they help significantly save on space heating.
Model range of Finnish windows "Tiivi"
There are four types of Finnish windows in the Tiivi model range, which differ in design and the number of glasses installed in the frame. The main characteristics are presented in the table:
| Model name and window design | Illustration | Description of design |
| "Tiivi optimi" | "Tiivi optimi" is the most affordable model in the product range of this manufacturer. Today, this type of window is produced in two versions - 1+2 and 2+2. The low price of these models is due to the installation of a more simplified aluminum profile and a minimum number of doors with an opening mechanism to ventilate the room. "Tiivi optimi" are a rotating two-frame structure installed in a wooden box made of laminated veneer lumber. The outer frame is made of aluminum, and glass with a thickness of 4 mm is installed in it in the 1+2 version, or a double-glazed window consisting of 2 glasses of the same thickness with a distance between them of 16 mm, for the 2+2 model. A single-chamber double-glazed unit with two glasses, 4 mm thick and an internal space 16 mm wide, is always installed in the internal frame made of wood. The glass unit has a selective coating, a composite frame is installed along its entire perimeter, and the sealed space between the glasses is filled with argon. The design is equipped with Abloy rotary fittings, which are also produced in Finland. The heat transfer resistance coefficient of the “Tiivi optimi” window model, which has energy saving class “A”, is U=1.0 W/m²×°K. The width of the box of this design is 130 mm, and thanks to the use of 4 mm glass and high-quality silicone seals, sound insulation from external noise is rated at Ra-33 dB. | |
| "Tiivi 1+2" | "Tiivi 1+2" differs from "Tiivi optimi" in the widest range of colors and the presence of additional equipment. In terms of technical characteristics, this model is almost identical to the previous one. It has the same glass unit parameters, but instead of a composite frame, in this case, an aluminum frame is used. If desired, you can choose the “Tiivi 1+2” model, which has a micro-ventilation valve and is equipped with a mosquito net, as well as inter-frame blinds and special glass. In addition, the width of the box of this model can vary from 130 to 205 mm, which allows you to increase the level of sound insulation to Ra-38 dB. | |
| "Tiivi 1+3" | “Tiivi 1+3”, similar to the first two designs, has two frames mounted on a rotating mechanism in a wooden box. However, the double-glazed window has not one, but two air chambers filled with argon and, accordingly, consists of three glasses 4 mm thick. The distance between the glass panes of the double-glazed window is 14 mm, it is framed by an aluminum or composite frame. The design also has class “A” energy saving, but, if desired by the customer, it can be improved. To increase the efficiency of this parameter, a different type of double-glazed window is used and the depth of the wooden frame is increased - thereby creating a more voluminous air gap between the frames. This model is also equipped with Finnish “Abloy” fittings, and the heat saving coefficient in this version of the window is higher and amounts to U=1.18 W/m²×°K. The sound insulation qualities of the model are equal to Ra-35 dB, but when used in the design of a deeper box, they increase to Ra-44 dB. Having these parameters, the model is perfect for installation in an apartment where the windows overlook a busy highway, as it can provide almost complete isolation of the premises from noise. The depth of the box of the “Tiivi 1+3” design varies - 170 or 205 mm. | |
| "Tiivi 2+2" | “Tiivi 2+2” is equipped with two single-chamber double-glazed windows, the space between which is filled with argon. The glass on the insulating glass units has a selective coating and is enclosed in an aluminum spacer frame. In the internal double-glazed window, the distance between the glasses is 16 mm, and in the external one it is 12 mm. The thickness of the glass is 4 mm. The model is equipped with Finnish fittings and has the ability to install a ventilation valve, mosquito nets, inter-frame blinds and special glass. The frame of the structure is made of laminated veneer lumber; the frame depth is 170 or 205 mm. The heat transfer resistance coefficient in this model is U=1.18 W/m²×°K, energy saving class “A”. By installing other glasses and increasing the depth of the frame, the performance can be improved. A window with 4 mm glass and a frame depth of 170 mm has noise insulation of Ra-38 dB. With increasing glass thickness and box depth, sound insulation increases to Ra-43 dB. | |
| "Tiivi" fixed window | A fixed, non-opening window “Tiivi” consists of a single-frame structure, which includes elements such as a wooden frame and a double-glazed window with the following parameters: glass thickness 4 mm, distance between glasses 18 mm. The glass has a selective coating, the chamber space is filled with argon, the perimeter of the glass unit is framed by a composite frame. The window frame is made of laminated veneer lumber; if the customer wishes, the window can be equipped with a valve for ventilation, special glass, and external blinds. The width of the box is 130-205 mm. The heat transfer resistance coefficient is U=1 W/m²×°K. In addition, the outer protective aluminum layer, also at the request of the customer, can be painted in any chosen color, which is selected according to the RAL map. The standard colors in which frames are produced are dark brown, gray and white. |
Video: review of Finnish windows
Window
The Lammin ikkunat production was founded in 1969, but previously it had a different name, and only in 1998 acquired the current trademark. During its operation, the company expanded, created new production facilities, and founded subsidiaries. Successful development is based on extensive experience and high results. Today “Lammin ikkunat” is widely known not only in Finland, but also in many European countries, including Russia.
Windows are famous for their high quality
In the production of windows, Lammin ikkunat uses high quality softwood and Finnish-made fittings.
The company produces windows according to individual orders, and in this case all design elements are determined by the customer.
The windows of this company have reliable turning mechanisms and a rigid frame. The outer wooden frame, impregnated with antiseptic, water-repellent compounds, is glazed from the inside, which makes the operation of the window durable and the thermal insulation as reliable as possible. A distinctive feature of the manufacture of windows of this brand is the presence of a protective profile on the impost and the lower part of the frame.
Standard colors that are sprayed onto the frame are black, brown and various shades of oak - from light to dark stained. If desired by the customer, the frame can be treated with special protective impregnations, which promote long-term operation without any further painting.
On finished Lammin ikkunat windows, sealing gaskets, gaskets and all necessary fittings, including clamps for transoms or vents, are immediately installed.
The company produces two-, three- and four-chamber window options. If the customer wishes, special selective glass is installed on the double-glazed windows.
The depth of the frame will depend on the customer's preference, which is usually based on how thick the walls of the building where the windows will be installed are. The standard frame depth dimensions used by Lammin ikkunat are 100, 131, 145, 175 mm, but frames with other parameters are also produced to order.
- "Lammin" double-chamber with triple glazing
This window design consists of two frames. The outer glass is 4 mm thick, and the inner one is equipped with a single-chamber double-glazed window.
Single glass window on outer frame
The outer frame is made entirely of aluminum and perfectly protects the inner frame from atmospheric influences. In addition, the glass installed in the outer frame has windproof properties, and the joints of the frame and the wall are protected by an aluminum cover.
- "Lammin" with two double-glazed windows
This design also consists of two frames, connected to each other by traditional Finnish window fittings. The outer frame is usually equipped with a single-chamber double-glazed window, and the inner frame can have a two- or even three-chamber design. The chambers of double-glazed windows are filled with argon, which significantly improves the thermal insulation qualities of the created structure. Double-glazed windows are necessarily equipped with thermal frames made of composite materials.
Window “Lammin” with two double-glazed windows - on the outer and on the inner sash
If two double-glazed windows are installed in a deep box, then a fairly voluminous air space is formed between them, which also works as a sound and heat insulating layer. If desired, blinds are placed between the frame sashes. The frames can open simultaneously or separately, which is very convenient when cleaning.
- "STAR" or "ALU STAR"
A separate row stands out for the “STAR” or “ALU STAR” models, manufactured by this company from wood and aluminum.
Wood-aluminum structures “STAR” have advantages over other structures in the following points:
— The internal frame has two sealing elements and chamfers, which simplifies the cleaning process.
— A wide aluminum gutter is installed under the lower side of the outer frame, allowing rainwater and condensation moisture to be drained away from the window.
"ALU STAR" has the strongest aluminum outer frame structure available on the market today, as its prefabricated profile is equipped with internal stiffeners. It is these elements that prevent deformation of the structure and ensure a stable position of the hinge attached to it. The glass is snapped into place in the outer frame so it can be replaced if necessary.
For any of the “Lammin ikkunat” models, when placing an order, you can select various equipment, which consists of mosquito nets, decorative grilles, blinds, and fittings. Window frames, at the request of the customer, can be laminated or supplemented with reinforcement.
It is possible to order special glasses. Thus, the manufacturer has fireproof, tinted, patterned, tempered or polycarbonate glasses in stock.
The company's designs were successfully tested at the Finnish government research center, where they were found to be in full compliance with first-class standards.
Window
is the largest window manufacturer in Finland, which produces structures from the same two materials - wood and aluminum. Every year, more than 300 thousand windows and doors made using original technology enter the market under this famous brand.
Windows are in great demand among consumers
The company produces several types of structural modifications:
- opening windows (of different designs);
- blind, non-opening windows.
| Model name and window design | Illustration | Brief description of the model |
| Fenestra Polaris | The Fenestra Polaris design has a heat saving coefficient of U=0.80 W/m²×°K, and therefore fully complies with the thermal insulation requirements of operable windows. The outer window sash, made of aluminum, has a single-chamber double-glazed window, that is, this design is equipped with two glasses with an air space between them, which provides excellent heat and sound insulation of the premises. The depth of the box can be 130, 170 and 210 mm. The outer side of the outer frame is protected from weather conditions by a durable aluminum flashing. A high-quality seal protects the internal space of the frame from dust, as well as the room from external noise. The window frame is made from high-quality laminated pine timber. The tight fit of the frames to the frame is ensured by a durable seal. “SUPERGLASS” glasses provide room protection from ultraviolet radiation and excessive heating. Fenestra Polaris windows have an “A+” energy efficiency class, and a noise insulation rating of Rw = 39÷48 dB. | |
| Fenestra Primus | This type of construction also belongs to class A for energy efficiency, and has a thermal insulation coefficient U = 1.0 W/m²×°K. The depth of the box can be 130, 170 and 210 mm. The aluminum profile of the outer frame is a reliable barrier to atmospheric and other influences for wooden parts. The design is equipped with three sealing circuits, which provides high heat and sound insulation. In this design, the internal wooden frame is equipped with a single-chamber double-glazed window. Glass with a thickness of at least 4 mm is installed in the frames. The wooden frame is assembled using a tenon joint, which makes its structure more rigid. | |
| Fenestra Phoenix | The thermal insulation coefficient of Fenix windows is U = 0.89-1.0 W/m²×°K, and the sound insulation Rw = 33 dB. The depth of the box has one size - 84 mm. The sash and frame box are made of laminated wood; on the outside they have a protective layer of aluminum, which will reliably protect the parts from atmospheric influences. The design can be opened for ventilation, just like “Euro-windows”, in two planes, because it has a tilt-and-turn opening mechanism. "Fenix" can be assembled according to a scheme consisting of two doors located in the same plane. Most often, this design does not have a vertical impost between the sashes, so when opened, they form an undivided common opening. The advantage of this model is ease of cleaning, since you only have to clean two surfaces of the window - the outer and the inner. Frames can be made in any color, which is important for interior design. And the ability to choose the right type of fittings will help make the window design individual. |
Find out which windows are best installed in a private home, and also check out the abundance of options from our new article.
Window
Finnish dates back to 1956 and specializes in the manufacture of windows and doors, supplying its products to the market of many Northern European and Scandinavian countries. In the process of its development, the company has always strived to use all emerging new technologies in the field of manufacturing window and door structures.
Windows are always the highest quality and the most innovative developments
“Skaala” is a fairly well-known company, and has gained its popularity due to the excellent quality of its products, which have a high energy saving factor.
Customers are given the opportunity to choose a model from a variety of options in the catalog
Window models from this company are in most cases made to individual orders, according to the proposed catalog of frame samples that can be manufactured. For a more impressive appearance, a removable decorative glazing is used.
Decorative glazing made from false overlays will give the window a special look.
Also, at the client’s request, a straight chamfer can be made, which will give the window severity, or an imitation of a figured glazing bead, more typical of the “classic” style.
Two main types of valves for micro-ventilation
Windows can be equipped with one of the micro-ventilation valves - “BIOBE VS” or “BIOBE DUO”
The company produces windows of different designs, which have their own names and differ in some parameters, for example, the width of the frame and the number of glasses or features of the double-glazed windows.
An absolutely gas-tight aluminum spacer frame filled with polypropylene is installed between the glasses - it serves to reduce the thermal conductivity of the box. This design increases the thermal insulation and sound insulation characteristics of the window, and also helps reduce the formation of condensation. The windows do not fog up and are highly resistant to ultraviolet radiation. In addition, installed selective glass can retain heat inside the room, protect the surfaces of finishing materials from fading, but, at the same time, provide the room with sufficient natural light.
offers several types of glazing for installation - solar control, self-cleaning, energy-saving, decorative and fire-resistant.
The standard box depth is 130, 175 and 210 mm, and if necessary, at the request of the customer, the depth can be changed to a smaller or larger size.
It should be noted that all models can be made either entirely of wood or have a wood-aluminum structure. Windows can be fixed or opening.
All products of this company are made from slow-growing northern pine wood, which is of the highest quality.
These are general characteristics for windows, but each model has its own characteristics.
| Model name and window design | Illustration | Brief description of the model |
| "Skaala Alfa" | Skaala Alfa windows have a two-frame design, equipped with two double-glazed windows (2+2), made of wood and aluminum. The window has high sound and heat insulation, the heat transfer resistance coefficient is U = 1.0 W/m²×°K. The glasses of this design are equipped with a “FrostFree” coating, which prevents them from freezing. Protective aluminum profiles are tinted to match the shade of the wood used in the structure. The windows are equipped with fittings chosen by the customer, the protruding parts of which are installed on site during installation of the structure. | |
| "Skaala Beeta" | This window model has a wood-aluminum structure and consists of two sashes. The external one is equipped with one glass, the standard thickness of which is 4 mm, but, if desired by the customer, its thickness can be increased. The interior has a single-chamber double-glazed window. FrostFree anti-freeze coating can be applied to the surface of the external glass. The parameters of this model, such as dimensions, color and type of glass, are made at the request of the customer. | |
| "Skaala Gamma" | The “Skaala Gamma” model can have a different design - it is an opening one, consisting of two sashes (2+1), having different frame depths, or a blind one, into which a double-glazed unit of three glasses is installed. One of the valve models for micro-ventilation is installed in the blind structure, so the room will not be left without fresh air. The remaining parameters and fittings, as when purchasing other models, are chosen by the customer himself. |
The main disadvantages of wooden Finnish windows can be considered two factors. The first is that painted structures will have to be periodically refreshed with a layer of new paint. And secondly, the price for such products is quite high, which not every family budget can afford. However, if such windows are installed in a house or apartment, homeowners will feel their effectiveness not only in winter, but also in the hot season, since they are able to protect the room from high summer temperatures.
There are other companies on the Russian market that produce wooden windows of “Scandinavian” design, so before ordering from one place, it is worth conducting a comparative analysis of prices. However, it is still wiser to place an order from a company that has earned high credibility among consumers due to long-term and high-quality work in the production of such window structures.
