Recognize which is the best exterior carpentry for a building or our own house is a key point that we must know to improve our energy savings and the isolation, among many other factors.
In this article we are going to focus on the features and types of PVC windows compared to the wood or the typical aluminum windows that we have many at home, recognizing its advantages and disadvantages, materials, functionalities, types of profiles, types of windows and other technical aspects in order to determine which windows we should buy according to our needs.
First of all we must recognize when we should change the windows in our house and start that small reform. We can follow a small guide that will help to understand the state of deterioration of our exterior carpentry . (Clicking HERE enlarges the next image)
With a few simple steps we can recognize if the carpentry that we have in the house is hermetic enough, if the glasses really insulate or if we are safe from thieves. According to the company specialized in PVC windows Alugalventanas, the four main advantages of changing windows they are:
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Although the dispute is always between pvc or aluminum . First we must understand that the crystal and the framework work together, they are in charge of long and medium term of providing adequate benefits of comfort and well-being for our home without counting on savings that we can obtain by outlining a better insulation in carpentry .
When we combine both in aluminum windows or pvc , and wood, we obtain the insulation capacity in the windows. In a graphic way for a better understanding would be to have – in part – attention to the following formula:
We remember that this formula is an approximation because there are other factors that also affect; if it installs well, if it has a blind or not, the thermal bridge, or the possible combinations between a very bad profile and a very good glass and vice versa.
So, actually you're talking about a set of factors that answer the question of what elements must be taken into account to choose the best window . We remember that we have an extensive article where the glass curtains and the different types of glazing to understand the glass part.
In order not to go into overly technical specifications, we We are going to focus on understanding the energy label of the windows to see which ones are the most optimal:
The letter assigned at the top is the great reference that determines the classification of energy efficiency (Van assigned from the highest A, to G). at the time of buy windows this will be what mainly influence the price that will be accompanied by the type of chosen material.
Here enter the typical user question about… Which material is better pvc or aluminum? … Or which is cheaper or more expensive, or what are the advantages and disadvantages of different types of windows, which are the best pvc windows … etc
As we see in the installer video, both types of carpentry are good and quality options. The more enters sale price than a quality factor, which is often difficult to gauge.
If we mean buying window profiles in PVC with aluminum, wood with technical specifications. We can see the following comparative table of windows according to material:
According to the data provided; the aluminum windows or wooden windows are less efficient than those of polychloride vinyl (PVC) .
The PVC or aluminum carpentry that forms the building envelope, is one of the fundamental elements of all buildings, which in addition to providing light to the different rooms of the house, isolates us from noise and protect from weather conditions (rain, cold, heat, etc).
Scheme of useful life of a window:
It is necessary to take into account that the duration and resistance of a window depends on the correct choice of the materials with which it is manufactured both from the perspective of the structural frame, the air chambers or the glass.
Here, there are contradictions when reviewing some features between the pvc or aluminum windows and the wood. To do this, we rely on two reports:
1.- A report by the Polytechnic University of Catalunya – UPC (Check from HERE) provides us with very interesting among them:
2.- A report carried out by AEA (Spanish Association of Aluminum and Surface Treatments) that we can consult here. And that graphically it is perfectly understood the comparative:
If we look at the graph above, it is quite contrary to what showing the first report issued by the Polytechnic of Catalonia. But… Who is right? Well honestly, we we don't know.
Now we are going to list the 10 advantages that will confirm us what are the best windows for a house, Recognizing that we have previously reviewed the differences between pvc or aluminum windows in a more technique on exterior carpentry in the envelope of a living place. And, roughly speaking, with reference to the material of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) we could say of the skylight what:
Unlike other materials such as aluminium, PVC window prevents energy from being lost when installing the windows, with the consequent saving economic that this supposes. If, in addition, a insulated glazing, savings in heating and air conditioning can be up to 60 – 65% with respect to the old windows . Thus maintaining a temperature pleasant without wasting energy.
Energy saving in the window
If you experience thermal insulation problems in your home , the PVC window profiles according to the different types, they can reach thicknesses in millimeters high and have several air chambers that improve the thermal bridge of windows , they are the best option to end them and consider the better insulated windows , since they prevent the cold and heat passes into the interior of the house, are the more efficient windows. The use of the heating while gaining in comfort and well-being.
The window profiles prevent the passage of sound waves, that's why the windows with PVC are very appropriate to achieve a high level of acoustic insulation as demonstrated in the calculations of noise indicated in the DB HR. In addition, they allow incorporating large windows that reduce noise remarkably, so you and your loved ones will enjoy an absolute tranquility at home, preventing noise from passing to the inside.
Thanks to their watertight closure, they provide maximum tightness against external agents such as wind, rain, dust, pollution…etc. In addition, the corners are heat welded (not glued) another of the characteristics that make them the most insulating market. With them you will enjoy a cleaner home and healthy.
The use of heating and air conditioning is reduced, thus reducing CO2 emissions into the atmosphere, as as established by the Kyoto Protocol. We can find Windows with profiles on the market that are 100% recyclable and are free of heavy metals such as lead. Always look at ecological certifications such as the Certificate AENOR Environmental (Article of interest here and how it is recycled from here)
The following graph shows the estimated consumption of energy and CO2 emissions in the extraction stage and production of materials; percentage of the total:
Another advantage of this type of windows is that they hardly need maintenance, since they resist blows, corrosion and contamination. To clean the windows PVC just wipe them with a cloth with soapy water neutral. And to get an even better result, there are specific cleaning products on the market that leaves them as impeccable as the first day. Remember to advise and consult the official installer.
Although we have to recognize that there is a varied catalog of types of pvc windows, some of which will be installed simpler and others, much more complex, yes it is true that those with a compact structure, where, for example, the drawer of blind is already included and embedded in its own profiles it can save us time.
In the following video we see how to withdraw a sale old and how to install a new one window step by step. In addition to knowing the necessary tools and some useful tips and ideas to keep in mind:
The robustness of the profiles with interior reinforcement, joined to the top-brand fittings with which many work installers (who have numerous locking points) they provide an even safer and more resistant carpentry.
This point depends a lot on the money that we are going to spend when buying good PVC windows . Of course, the market offers us infinite possibilities, but the best brands submit their products to the strictest laboratory tests, certified by independent entities.
When buying, you have to see the guarantee of the window profiles (Sometimes it changes depending on color) that usually be around between 10 to 15 years, the stability of the color, or the guarantee in adherence that in many cases depends on the installer. Advice, always certified installers and invoices in advance as well as a document that exposes the signed guarantee.
We also found a series of profiles that reproduce faithfully moldings, jambs and other decorative elements. The systems have a wide range of colors and in different finishes such as wood imitation, is an option positive result of the pvc carpentry .
Although many times the color of the windows are requirements of aesthetics in the façade considering the building, the Color does matter… Which window color choose?
Depending on the color we will have some benefits on the absorptivity of the framework for radiation (It is the fraction of the solar radiation incident to a surface that is absorbed by the same. The absorptivity ranges from 0.0 (0%) to 1.0 (100%)):
For quality weather zones it is recommended
Obviously it must have some disadvantages and problems with traditional enclosures. are aspects that must be overcome:
Of course, aluminum also has negative points highlighting:
Of course, the variety and types of windows in PVC is abundant according to what the market offers us and with the current technology, new types are appearing that reinvent the old ones by substantially improving many of their aspects including carpentry with smart glass, but in a generic way we can identify:
Within this section would enter what are the windows sliding (whose main advantage is that in its opening it does not takes up space) and the folding ones (whose main advantage is the ease in cleaning glazed food and its ventilation):
We must remember that each manufacturer also has different fittings that provide a number of abilities such as optimal handling, improving durability or the security.
In the previous graph we can test the characteristics functional in relation to the type of window. It's a theme important that it will bring us benefits according to what we need.
Depending on the type of material with which the windows we can find them with different solutions, combinations of materials and alloys:
We cannot talk about a building element without knowing what are the parts of a window PVC. Even so graphically let's explore its features:
How we can check the world of carpentry is very extensive and in this article we cover only a small part. Our main recommendation is that we do not skimp on money no price when buying the windows for our house , they are elements that we are going to live with them during a long time which can bring us great benefits.
Technical documents used and regulations:
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