Features of wooden windows with double-glazed windows: designs, types, price

Glazing of openings in residential premises does not always allow the use of plastic structures, which have already become traditional. Country houses, log cabins, as well as some design solutions look more harmonious if the translucent openings in them are filled with wooden windows.

We are not talking about Soviet-made products familiar to many, which are still found today in some high-rise buildings. Modern wooden windows are complex, high-quality and environmentally friendly structures, and their presence, as a rule, indicates the wealth and serious approach of the owner to the arrangement of his home.

Construction of wooden euro windows

The design of modern wooden windows includes the following elements:

• Frame. The basic component, which is directly mounted into the opening. It is made of massive laminated veneer lumber to give the product maximum rigidity.
• Doors. They are installed in a frame, can be opened or closed. The profile of the valves is less massive than that of the supporting structure, as it is not subject to significant loads. In addition, excess weight negatively affects the fittings, contributing to their premature failure.
• Double-glazed window. Occupies the main area of ​​the window. It is mounted either in the sash or directly in the frame (in blind elements). In wooden structures, as a rule, high-quality double-glazed windows are used, providing a high level of heat and sound insulation.
• Accessories. A set of mechanisms designed to ensure the opening and closing of structural elements in the appropriate positions. These mechanisms include canopies, handles, shut-off valves, etc.
• Seals. To ensure a tight fit of the frame to the sashes, the windows are equipped with elastic seals, which are mounted in special grooves of the wooden profile, in most cases on both sides (from the street and the room). This element is the first to fail, as the rubber loses its elasticity, so the seals are made removable for ease of subsequent replacement.
• Additional elements. After installation, a drainage strip made of a metal or plastic profile is installed on the outside of the window. A window sill is mounted on the inside of the room, which is also made of wood. To protect the wood from the harmful effects of the environment, an aluminum profile can be installed outside the structure on the frame and sash.

As mentioned above, the frame and sashes of wooden Euro windows are made of laminated veneer lumber. This is done in order to eliminate deformations to which solid bars of large cross-section are subject. Deformations occur as a result of seasonal changes in ambient temperature and humidity. Since it is quite difficult to dry wood to zero, it dries out a little already in the product. As a result, the beam warps, and if it is a single piece, the deformations will be significant, which will cause problems with closing and sealing the structure. Parts made from several elements do not have these disadvantages.

As a rule, 3-4 blanks (lamellas) are re-glued, and it is necessary to ensure that the direction of the fibers in two contacting lamellas does not coincide.

Types of double-glazed windows

• Euro-windows of German type. A variety of window structures is as close in design as possible to plastic products. Its main components are a massive frame with a cross-section of approximately 70x80 mm, equipped in opening models with less massive doors (profile 60x70 mm). The cross-section of the timber used allows the use of up to three sealing contours and a double-glazed window with a depth of over 40 mm. If opening is not provided, the glazing is installed directly into the frame. German Euro-windows are most often equipped with tilt-and-turn fittings.

• Wood-aluminium. In essence, these are modernized German-type windows. Since wood does not withstand exposure to the external environment relatively well, manufacturers have improved the design by protecting it from the outside with aluminum profile linings. There are also options in which, instead of overlays, a full-fledged external glazing contour (aluminum frame and lightweight sash) is used.

• Aluminum-wood. If in the previous version wooden windows were protected with aluminum, then in these products the situation is the opposite. The German-type structure is made entirely of aluminum profiles and is sheathed on the inside with linings made of wood, usually valuable species.

• Finnish. Quite large and massive products, the depth of the frame sometimes exceeds 20 cm. The sashes in Finnish windows are arranged in two circuits and are connected to each other by a special mechanism to ensure synchronous opening. There is a gap between them (5-7 cm), which is often used to install built-in blinds. The outer sash in some cases is made of aluminum (or wood with an overlay).

• Swedish. Structurally similar to Finnish counterparts, but have more compact dimensions and less weight. The doors in them are located much closer, which allows the use of tilt-and-turn fittings.

Accessories for wooden euro-windows

Unlike plastic products, wooden structures have a noticeably greater mass, which forces the use of more durable and wear-resistant mechanisms. Otherwise, fittings for wooden windows are similar to those for other translucent structures and are classified depending on the following factors:

• Sash opening direction;
• The method of opening the sash;
• Material used for production.

To summarize

This brings us to the end of the article about wooden windows. Now you know all the necessary information about this interior element and can easily choose the appropriate option. Do not forget that if you do not know how to install windows, it is better to entrust this task to a professional team. Of course they will have to pay. But this is much better than if you make a mistake during installation of the structure. Because redoing it will be many times more expensive than calling a team of builders. If you have any questions regarding wooden windows, write them in the comments below the article. We will try to answer them as quickly as possible and in as much detail as possible. Bye everyone!

Wood species used in production

Wood species (from left to right): oak, larch, pine.
The following wood is most often used as a material:

• Pine. A common inexpensive coniferous species, it is widely used in construction and has all the necessary qualities for use in the manufacture of window structures. Pine is resistant to moisture, quite durable with appropriate processing, and is also the most accessible and easy to process. Considering the price of wooden windows, only the highest quality materials are used in their production. That is, there are no knots, resin pockets and natural defects in it, in addition, only fine-grained wood that does not contain a core is suitable for the manufacture of Euro-windows.
• Oak. Strong, hard and very durable material (100 years or more), with beautiful texture and color. The main disadvantage is the high cost due to its rarity, labor-intensive preparation and processing difficulties. The high specific weight of oak imposes a number of restrictions on the size of the opening doors, since not every fitting is able to withstand the loads that will arise later. Exposure to direct sunlight can also negatively affect oak (discoloration, cracking). Therefore, in window structures, it is either covered from the street with aluminum overlays, or in the process of gluing the timber, external slats from a different species (pine, larch) are used, which also has a positive effect on the price.
• Larch. Perhaps the most popular breed at the moment, as it combines a number of advantages of the options mentioned above. It is resistant to atmospheric influences, not as strong as oak, but still significantly stronger than pine, durable, resistant to putrefactive formations and fungus. All possible defects (deformations, delaminations) on larch appear at the preparation stage, which allows you to select a better quality material. Of the minuses, it is worth mentioning its significant mass, comparable to oak.

Larch windows

Larch windows belong to the middle class and have the “Standard” category. The surface of the product has a distinct pattern that remains unchanged throughout its entire service life.

How to choose?

When choosing a wooden Euro window, you should pay attention to the following points:

• The type of wood, the quality of its processing and paintwork. The most affordable products are made from pine. If you follow the production technology and subsequent proper care, pine windows will last no less than plastic ones. However, if funds allow, it is better to install at least larch . The performance qualities and appearance of this material are noticeably better than those of pine. In addition, hardwoods require less attention; they require re-varnishing much less often, especially on the inside. To minimize the impact of atmospheric factors from the street, you should pay attention to models with aluminum overlays or an additional contour.
• Characteristics of the installed double-glazed window. The translucent part of the window is the largest in area in the entire structure. Therefore, the level of heat and sound insulation largely depends on it. For residents of apartments located near busy highways, active construction sites, or other sources of noise, it is advisable to select double-glazed windows with different chambers and glass thicknesses.

  
  Also important is the internal filling of the chambers, for which it is optimal to use an inert gas, such as argon.

• Quality of fittings. If a window manufacturer claims to use branded fittings, it is worth checking for the presence of marked factory inscriptions on it. The color of the fittings must be uniform (except for specific design solutions). The presence of unnatural pigmentation, darkening or corrosion indicates the use of low-quality materials by the manufacturer. It’s definitely worth testing the doors – there shouldn’t be any play or sagging when opening.

TOP best manufacturers

Based on the analysis of each of the presented manufacturers, as well as on reviews of real buyers of products in the category under consideration, we can distinguish 3 best companies :

1. 
   "Window Factory" .
   A large enterprise has industrial equipment to carry out a full production cycle. The company selects only the best materials for profiles, subjecting the wood to multi-stage processing and sorting.

   The company's own design department annually introduces new developments to improve product quality.

   A large staff of employees guarantees a responsible approach to order execution at every stage with multiple controls.

   The cost of a regular wooden double-glazed window made of pine starts from only 10 thousand rubles. per 1 m2, which is the lowest price among competitors.

2. Krauts. The company's products have repeatedly been nominated for the most prestigious awards based on consumer surveys.
   Our own production facilities, combined with advanced technologies and high-quality wood, allow the company to guarantee the durability of each product supplied.

   Multifunctional German-made equipment allows us to produce not only classic windows, but also exclusive products with arched, polygonal and other arbitrary configurations. This allows the company to fulfill any individual customer order.

   The cost of products starts from 19 thousand rubles. per 1 m2 when ordering pine windows, but the high price is justified by reliability, which leads to savings on repairs later.

3. Vinchelli. About 20 years ago, the Russian enterprise was bought by an Italian company, which is why the production began to control the quality of each product produced. Vinchelli wooden windows have been produced for over 10 years. During this time, the company eliminated all errors and possible defects during production.
   The machines make it possible to produce windows with any geometric characteristics, and the 7-layer painting of each profile prevents it from wearing out over time, regardless of the degree of aggressiveness of the environment.

   The company's products cost from 14 thousand rubles. per 1 m2 when ordering a fixed window made of pine profile.

When choosing a manufacturer of wooden windows, you should pay special attention to 2 parameters. The main thing is the quality of the products produced and reliability during further operation after delivery and installation.

The second important factor is the attitude towards the client and the possibility of providing after-sales service.

Considering that wooden windows are installed with the expectation of many years of use, the presence of a long warranty period from the manufacturer will avoid significant material costs in the future.

Approximate prices

Frame made of laminated veneer lumber with double-glazed windows (fixed window, without sash):

• Pine – from 6,000 rubles per m²;
• Larch - from 8,000 rubles per m²;
• Oak - 11,000 rubles per m².

Double-leaf German type (one leaf opens):

• Pine - from 10,000 rubles per m²;
• Larch – 13,000 rubles per m²;
• Oak – 18,000 rubles per m².

Wood-aluminum windows:

• Double doors, oak trim on the inside - from 40,000 rubles per m²;
• Solid, without doors, oak finishing - from 15,000 rubles per m²;

Finnish windows, made of oak with an external aluminum sash - from 35,000 rubles to 45,000 rubles.

Glued laminated timber

In the production of window structures, three-layer laminated veneer lumber is used, from 78 millimeters thick, from any type of wood. Why is a structure made of Euro-timber better than an all-massive wooden window?

1. When making timber, lumber goes through a partial culling stage - knots, cracks and resin pockets are removed. This cannot be done with a solid piece, but due to such defects the wood is susceptible to rapid destruction.
2. At the sawing stage, internal stress is removed from the material, which prevents warping of frame parts.
3. Due to the gluing of layers, a beam with multidirectional fibers is obtained. Thanks to this, resistance to deformation due to humidity and temperature changes and rigidity increases.

Based on the presented advantages, it is clear that windows made of Euro timber are preferable to those made of solid wood.

Pros and cons in contrast to plastic windows

Advantages:

• Wood is a natural, environmentally friendly material that does not evaporate toxic substances harmful to health.
• Wooden windows look much more aesthetically pleasing, even in comparison with products made from expensive textured PVC profiles.
• The high thermal insulation characteristics of wood are combined with good absorption of external noise.
• With a relatively small weight, the wood has sufficient strength, which ensures the preservation of external attractiveness over a long service life.

Flaws:

• High price. Even the most budget designs, manufactured using the latest technology, are quite expensive compared to their plastic counterparts.
• Violation of the production regime, in particular the preparation (drying) of the material, often leads to subsequent deformations of the product, which is quite difficult to eliminate.
• Less practicality compared to plastic products, especially when it comes to soft wood (pine).

Plastic or wood – which is better for a summer house?

It is impossible to give a universal answer to this question; in this case, everyone must decide for themselves. So, if you want to save money, it is better to buy plastic windows, as they are cheaper. If you want to make aesthetic and visually attractive windows, then it is better to buy wooden ones. In addition, interior design plays an important role. So, plastic windows will fit better into one design, and wooden windows into another. If you have a wooden dacha, then, of course, a classic wooden window with a small carving is ideal here.

Care and operation

Modern wooden windows do not cause significant maintenance difficulties, as was the case with their counterparts made in Soviet times. However, some points require some attention. The paintwork on the frame and doors must be renewed periodically. The update frequency depends on the type of materials used and the type of wood. Soft woods, such as pine, require repainting more often than hard woods (oak or larch).

Also, when using soft wood, you should remember the possibility of dents, even with minor mechanical impact. If you leave a massive flower pot on a pine windowsill, a dent will most likely appear within a week. It is worth noting that this only happens with soft wood (pine, spruce); to leave a dent on oak or larch requires impacts that happen quite rarely in everyday life.

Otherwise, caring for wooden Euro-windows is the same as for plastic products. They can be washed (preferably without fanaticism) with warm water or chemically neutral detergents. You will also have to replace the seals over time (7-10 years).

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Where can I install?

In fact, you can install wooden windows anywhere: in a country house, in an apartment, on a balcony, in a gazebo, in a cottage, and so on. Moreover, now wood can be painted in any color, so you can always find a suitable option for the design of the room. In addition, wooden windows have always looked aesthetically pleasing and attractive, especially in private houses and gazebos. But for it to really look cool, you need to install them correctly.

Installation nuances and adjustment

First of all, you need to get rid of old windows. This must be done carefully, because you can cut yourself on both glass and the sharp edge of a wooden structure. In addition, the windows themselves are heavy, so it is advisable to take two or even three of them to the landfill. Then the window opening must be thoroughly cleaned and the surfaces leveled, do not forget to check the level of deviation.

After this, you can proceed directly to the installation of new windows. Spacer blocks can be installed between the wall and the frame, and the opening can be sealed with compression tape or foam. The frame should be secured with screws, the spaces between which should not exceed 60-70 centimeters, otherwise the structure may not support the weight of the window. Do not forget to adjust the sashes, otherwise the double-glazed window will soon become covered with cracks. And only after this you can begin installing the slopes.