Wooden or plastic windows: which is better? Modern windows - what to choose: wood or PVC Which is better to install wooden or plastic double-glazed windows?

Let's try to compare the two types completely different windows and come to a certain conclusion. For convenience of analysis, we chose qualitative characteristics by which we compared the windows with each other.

After analyzing each characteristic, we evaluated the type of window being compared with the ideal, in our understanding, window. We made an assessment on a 10-point scale.

By what criteria did we compare?

• The need for ventilation
• Thermal insulation performance
• Diversity
• Aesthetics

The need for ventilation

Whatever material the windows are made of, in any case they must be ventilated. Possibility of window ventilation important characteristic on which it makes sense to compare windows. Let's try to determine which is better in this regard, plastic windows or wooden ones.

Ventilation of plastic windows

PVC, from which plastic windows are made, does not allow air to pass through, so ventilation of the room must be done using micro-ventilation or special supply mechanisms. Otherwise in hot weather a greenhouse effect is formed or the air in the room stagnates. An important feature of plastic windows is the ability to install a ventilation valve, which provides the necessary air flow for a person even when the window is closed.

Ventilation of wooden windows

There is an assumption that wooden windows “breathe”. Yes, wood is a natural material and it breathes, but modern wooden windows (Euro-windows) have an important feature - they are impregnated various kinds substances that will prevent bugs from infesting the wood, losing color, and prevent wood from rotting under the influence of external factors. These substances prevent air from penetrating through the wood. Modern wooden windows allow only 3 liters of oxygen per hour. For normal existence, one person needs 85 liters of oxygen per hour.

To ventilate wooden windows, you can use micro-ventilation and tilt the sash. It is not possible to install passive ventilation valves on wooden windows.

Result

Both plastic and wooden windows need to be ventilated equally. Wooden windows breathe, but this is not enough. We will give an estimate in 8 points And 6 points. Plastic windows receive 8 points for the ability to install valves.

Operating cost and service life

An important indicator of the quality of windows is their service life. The service life of plastic and wooden windows directly reflects the savings from the purchase. For the calculation, we used the following conditions: the windows are installed correctly, the fittings and glass units are of ideal quality, the windows are lubricated and adjusted approximately once every 5–10 years. Only under this condition will they serve their allotted time.

Operation of plastic windows

Average term The service life of plastic windows is approximately 45–50 years. By comparing the costs of plastic and wooden windows, you can derive certain coefficients of the difference between these costs. Let's calculate the cost of operating plastic windows for one day, for which we take the cost coefficient of a plastic window equal to 1, and the conditional cost - 10,000 rubles per window. Let's find out the number of days: 47.5 years * 365 days = 17,350 days of operation. The operating cost per day will be 10,000/17,355=0.58 rubles per day (58 kopecks).

Operation of wooden windows

The situation is different with wooden windows, since the lifespan of wooden windows depends on the type of wood. Windows made of pine will last 55–60 years, those made of larch 50 years, those made of oak about 90. The cost of windows is also different, for example, the markup coefficient for windows made of pine is 1.4, for larch 1.7, for oak 2.1. The corresponding cost of daily operation will be: for a pine window - 14000/(57.5*365)=0.67 rubles; for a larch window – 17000*(50*365)=0.94 rubles; oak windows - 21000/(90*365)=0.64 rubles. We get the average cost of operating wooden windows: 0.75 rubles.

Comparison result

A comparison of plastic and wooden windows in terms of cost and service life showed that the cost of use and service life of wooden windows are 30% higher. If you laminate plastic windows, wooden windows will become about 20% more expensive. We will take this possibility into account when calculating points.

Result

Comparing windows by cost, we will evaluate plastic ones - 9 points, and wooden - 7 points. When compared by service life, plastic ones receive a rating of - 7 points, and wooden 10 points.

Thermal insulation performance

An equally important indicator of the quality of windows is their ability to retain heat. Unfortunately, there is no correct data on the thermal insulation of windows, since thermal insulation, first of all, depends on the double-glazed window and the quality of the fittings, and we compare only the material from which the frames are made. But, we think, it is already clear to everyone that, under equal conditions, wooden windows are warmer than plastic ones. Plastic windows receive 8 points, wooden - 10 points.

Resilience and Reliability

Susceptibility to impact - the ability of windows to break. Fragility refers to limitations in use, as well as the likelihood of breakage under the influence of various factors. Let's not forget that a window consists of a frame, double-glazed windows, and fittings. In this section we only compare what can happen to a window frame.

Reliability of plastic windows

Over time, some manufacturers' window frames may turn yellow. The frame can shrink and expand under the influence of temperature. If the window is not properly reinforced, then under the pressure of the walls the window profile may bend in an arc. If scratches appear on the frame, they can be easily removed.

Reliability of wooden windows

Wooden windows can bring you more surprises. If the paint is light, then the sun may darken the wooden window. Also, if you accidentally scratch the frame, you will not be able to repair the scratch, so you must be extremely careful with wooden windows. Wooden windows can catch fire when exposed to fire.

Result

Plastic windows are less demanding to use and get paid for it 8 points, wooden ones - 4 points.

Diversity

As you know, windows can be of any shape, any color, in many configurations and variations. Let’s compare windows based on this indicator and determine which ones are better.

Plastic windows

Plastic windows can be laminated, you can easily make them arched, you can paint them in different colors With different sides. A window of any shape and color, in any variation, can be made from plastic. The only unpleasant moment is the difficulty of making sashes that are too small and too large.

Wooden windows

Wooden windows can also be arched, but there are significant restrictions on the shape of the arch. There are also restrictions on priming windows. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to prime one side with one color and the other with another. You can paint it any way you like, but you can’t prime it. Also, in wooden windows there are such concepts as false sash and additional timber on the sash, which, in some cases, cannot be avoided.

Size restrictions are approximately the same as for plastic windows. There is one in the wooden windows important feature- they can be combined with an aluminum trim and get a window of a completely different quality. It is impossible to install single-chamber glass in wooden windows.

Result

Plastic windows provide great opportunities for designers, and are also more versatile, for which we rate them 8 points, wooden windows receive 7 points, but only thanks to the ability to make them wood-aluminum.

Aesthetics

Windows should be beautiful. This is very important parameter windows Let's compare windows according to their aesthetic indicators.

Plastic windows

Windows can be painted any color, as well as laminated to match any type of wood. But still, the plastic will be visible to the naked eye. The artificiality of the material does not always add beauty to the windows. Whatever the design, such windows will be artificial.

Wooden windows

In aesthetic terms, wooden windows have no equal. I think you will agree that the most beautiful are wooden windows. Undoubtedly and without a doubt.

Result

Plastic windows are common and everyone has long been accustomed to them. They no longer surprise anyone, which cannot be said about wooden ones. If you have wooden cottage or a cottage, then plastic windows, even laminated ones, will look completely different from wooden ones. We evaluate the aesthetic indicators of plastic windows in 6 points, and wooden ones in 10 points.

Final result

We compared plastic windows with wooden ones and received different ratings for each parameter. To make the results clearer, we have compiled a comparison table.

conclusions

Overall result A comparison of plastic and wooden windows turned out to be absolutely the same. Of course, it is clear that for each person the compared window characteristics have different degrees of importance. For some, sound insulation is important, for others, the most important thing is for the windows to be warm. We made the comparison based on our own preferences. For us, the result was the same, so we can come to the conclusion that the need to install plastic or wooden windows varies depending on each specific case. We could not come to a clear conclusion which windows are better, plastic or wooden.

For residential buildings in the city, we would recommend plastic windows. For old buildings and buildings that are architectural monuments - plastic laminated or wooden windows. For dachas and country cottages We recommend installing wooden windows.

Wooden windows are no longer what they used to be. Implementation innovative technologies production made it possible to eliminate most of their shortcomings. Now they can adequately compete with plastic in terms of durability, practicality and functionality. At the same time, “Euro-windows” are still beautiful and safe. Let's look at the features of wooden window blocks in comparison with PVC structures.

Why don't people like PVC in Europe?

Polyvinyl chloride. Not a very beautiful and a little scary word, isn’t it? This is the name of the now incredibly popular basic synthetic polymer. This material has a number of outstanding operational properties, therefore it quickly found application in almost all industries and especially in construction. Its specific PVC characteristics receives thanks to a certain set of various additives. Plasticizers facilitate the processing of polyvinyl chloride, make it elastic, stabilizers prevent destruction during the production and operation of products, modifiers improve concrete physical properties, fillers reduce the cost, dyes make it possible to produce colored products.

For more than 80 years, polyvinyl chloride has been marching victoriously across the planet, but it is constantly being reproached regarding the safety of PVC products for humans. PVC Manufacturers They fight fiercely for their products, they are ready to prove their environmental friendliness with all their might. A countless number of tests have been carried out and many certificates have been obtained. But there are no completely safe additives for polyvinyl chloride.

Recently, one famous manufacturer plastic profiles announced that it would stop using extremely harmful lead and switch to calcium-zinc stabilizers.

And this after almost forty years of manufacturing plastic with lead? How many years from now will we be told the truth about calcium, cadmium, zinc? The Russian consumer, who is financially able to afford high-quality European windows, is at a crossroads; he is well acquainted with the terrible wooden products of the Soviet era, but something worries him about PVC windows. Many are not ready to completely and completely trust official sources and even more so the aggressive advertising statements of plastic window sellers.

Naturally, we are not trying to reinvent the wheel, but are turning to the experience of Western European countries, especially since manufacturers of plastic windows are happy to provide relevant statistical data in their booklets. When they say that Germany has a share plastic structures makes up more than 50% of installed window systems - this is true, but this percentage concerns the total mass of translucent structures. In the homeland of PVC, 70% of residential windows are made of wood, and their share is constantly growing - by 3-4% per year, naturally due to plastic. If we talk about the Scandinavian countries, more than 70% of all windows there are wooden. The percentage of windows made of wood drops slightly in countries with small differences in annual temperatures and poor forest reserves, such as Spain, Italy, France. The reality is that, despite the global financial crisis, Europeans are parquet, cotton and wooden joinery prefer linoleum, synthetics and plastic windows, and the PVC window market is quickly and confidently shifting towards Eastern Europe.

What properties do wooden windows have?

Wood is a pure, natural material that initially has excellent technological qualities: low thermal conductivity, good sound insulation, temperature resistance, high strength. Unfortunately, wooden windows are afraid of moisture. Wood needs reliable multi-stage protection, including from insects, microorganisms, and fungi. The production of translucent structures made of wood is a high-tech, time-consuming, and expensive business.

Naturalness and beauty. Wooden windows are the embodiment home warmth and comfort, the aesthetic characteristics of wood products remain beyond competition, despite fairly successful attempts to copy its texture. High-quality wooden windows can become the highlight, the core of the entire interior, and largely determine its style. Even staunch supporters of PVC windows, being adherents of the practicality and affordability of plastics, will not argue with the exceptional attractiveness natural material. Thanks to the ability to process wood manually or using digital equipment, wooden window manufacturers can offer consumers products of a wide variety of non-standard shapes. In turn, the desire of designers and developers to use some kind of “special” plastic window in the interior is simply impossible due to the official laconism of angular PVC profiles.

Strength. Any type of wood consists of fibers oriented in a certain direction, which, with a competent approach, alternating their direction in laminated timber, allows you to create very strong, durable, geometrically stable products. Compared to PVC windows, which are necessarily stabilized with a metal liner, they have a disproportionately lower coefficient of thermal expansion. On this moment Windows are most often made of pine, oak, larch, beech, cedar, fir, spruce, and mahogany. Each type of wood has its own indicators of strength and durability. But do not forget that the denser and stronger material, the greater the thermal conductivity it has.

Insulating properties. Wood has natural porosity and contains air in capillaries. Therefore, with equal profile thicknesses, a wooden window retains heat and extinguishes sound vibrations somewhat better than one made of multi-chamber plastic. On average, oak is 20-25% warmer than PVC, pine - 25-30%.

The need for protection and periodic care. The stumbling block for wooden windows is atmospheric humidity. Wood can easily absorb moisture from the air, which causes the fibers to swell—the product fails. Rapid loss of moisture causes cracking and warping with subsequent loss of insulating properties. It is precisely because serious protective measures must be taken that the overall technological chain is so long, and the cost of wood products remains consistently high. Multi-stage processing only wooden profiles antiseptic impregnations, primers and paint compositions will ensure the windows are practical and durable. However, no matter how technologically advanced the coating is, it has its own service life, so once every 3-4 years, sometimes more often, it is necessary to tint wooden window blocks, in particular the lower horizontal parts of the sashes, which are most vulnerable to rain and ultraviolet radiation. That's why combined windows appeared, as well as options with aluminum or plastic trim over wood. In addition, with each year of operation, the protective coating loses approximately 0.01 mm in thickness, which is why the wooden window should be periodically treated with special polishes and varnishes.

Environmental friendliness. To be fair, we note that, despite the obvious safety of wooden windows, their production cannot be imagined without the use of a certain amount of “chemistry”. Porosity fillers, primers, putties, paints, glazing compounds, antiseptic impregnations, glue for making timber, butyl sealants for double-glazed windows - this is what manufacturers of PVC windows talk about when discussing the environmental safety of wooden window systems.

"Breathing" of wooden windows. Manufacturers of wooden windows claim that their windows “breathe”. Some even say that through micropores wooden boxes There is an air exchange of such a volume that is capable of providing ventilation of the room, preventing condensation. They are a little disingenuous. The sashes of wooden windows have several sealing contours; the wood is treated with compounds that fill the pores - in other words, such structures are practically airtight. The air entering the room through the window will clearly not be enough for normal ventilation (GOST 24700-99 “Wooden window blocks with double-glazed windows”), condensation will appear. That is why serious companies persistently offer their clients wooden windows with installed ventilation valves, which were originally invented for PVC products.

High price. Despite all the advantages of wooden windows, their price is quite high compared to plastic ones. For example, a standard window block made of pine (1.45x1.8) already in the basic configuration will cost $600-800, any other type of wood will increase this price by an order of magnitude. This largely explains why domestic consumers prefer to order plastic windows several times cheaper, which, moreover, “don’t need to be painted,” “it’s not wood—they won’t crack or dry out,” “set it up, wipe it with a cloth and forget it.”

How wooden windows are made

The material and profile design are the main things that distinguish wooden windows from PVC products. The production of high-quality window profiles from wood is a complex, time-consuming and very labor-intensive task. It is not surprising that, as soon as the first samples of Euro-windows appeared in the post-Soviet space, energetic owners of traditional “carpentry” quickly noticed their promise and tried to establish corresponding production, but were never successful. Even now, many companies that assemble wooden windows work with a purchased profile.

In most cases, modern wooden windows are made from multi-layer laminated veneer lumber. It is not unreasonably believed that it has greater strength, better resistance to temperature changes, and less hygroscopicity compared to solid wood. Some manufacturers have mastered the technology of producing high-quality windows from solid northern pine, which is carefully selected and equally carefully dried. Raw materials intended for the production of timber undergo several rather complex stages of preparation.

First of all, the wood goes through several stages of drying, full cycle which takes some time:

• natural drying,
• processing in the chamber - steaming and dry heating with alternating temperature indicators,
• normalization of temperature and achievement of humidity balance.

Drying is designed to relieve internal stresses inside the wood, as well as eliminate the possibility of cracking during processing. Preparing the board in drying chambers carried out automatically, according to a given program for certain types of wood. Optimal humidity raw materials at the output ranges from 10-12%.

Next, the wood is discarded (optimized). Areas with knots, cracks, resin pockets, core remains, wormholes, shells and spots. This is how small planks are obtained - plots, on the ends of which jagged tenons are milled. They are coated with water-repellent glue and, under pressure, spliced ​​into one long board - a lamella. The glued lamellas are kept in a press for some time, after drying they are planed (calibrated).

The next stage of profile production is gluing the timber in thickness. The boards are glued together under pressure, flat, while the inner layers are made of spliced ​​lamellas, and the outer ones are mainly made of solid ones. As a rule, a three-layer beam is made, but some companies use technology with a larger number of layers, and some lamellas can be glued to the sides of a three- or four-layer cake.

It is very important that the fibers of adjacent lamellas are directed in opposite directions. Only such laminated veneer lumber is considered to be of high quality and is capable of ensuring the stability of the geometric shapes of the product.

Then the wooden beam is milled using numerically controlled equipment. program controlled, which results in window profile with very complex section. For the production of windows with exclusive, non-standard forms An individual approach, “handmade” may be required.

Further, the process of making a wooden window is significantly accelerated. The frame is assembled, sanded, treated with impregnation (under pressure or vacuum), primed, and painted. After graduation painting works double-glazed windows and seals are installed, fittings are installed, and sashes are hung.

Wooden window design

Modern wooden windows are structurally similar in many ways to plastic products. For their operation, the same fittings are used, which allows for not only rotary, but also tilting, tilt-and-turn opening of single sashes. They also have multiple sealing contours. For glazing wooden windows, not only sheet glass is used, but also various types double-glazed windows, including special, energy-saving ones. The main difference between wooden windows is that they can have several design diagrams depending on the number and type of sashes. Note that some constructions are historically associated with a specific country, which was the reason for their “folk” classification based on nationality.

Single-leaf windows. This is the so-called European type, “Eurowindow”, German window. In fact, this is a direct analogue of plastic windows, with the only difference being that the profile is made of laminated veneer lumber. With a profile width of 68 millimeters or more, any type of glass unit from 36 to 44 mm can be installed in them. The design of the rebate allows the use of two or three sealing contours for Euro-windows; modern fittings make it possible to control all operations with the sash using only a handle. The fittings for such wooden windows are produced by the same companies that work in the market of PVC products: Roto, Maco, Siegenia-Aubi... Naturally, options such as winter slot ventilation, stepped opening, burglary protection and others become available to the consumer. Single-leaf wooden windows are currently the most common in our country.

Windows with separate sashes are also called “Finnish”. This window block has a large frame width, about 120-180 mm. To the outside and inside boxes are hung with sashes independent from each other, as on Soviet windows. Sheet glass is inserted into the outer sash, which serves as a kind of buffer against exposure various factors environment, and the inner sash is equipped with a single-chamber, often energy-saving double-glazed window. Interestingly, the outer glass seal is not airtight, which prevents condensation from falling on it - it is just a so-called “boot”. The fittings that work in windows with separate sashes allow only rotary opening, so ventilation is carried out using a window or a sash opening limiter. Thanks to the two-chamber design, such windows have excellent insulation characteristics, the significant width of the box prevents freezing of the slope. Inside the Finnish window, between the spaced ones long distance shutters, install sun blinds, sometimes even removable grilles.

Windows with paired sashes are supplied to us mainly from Sweden. They also have a two-frame design. Their main difference from windows with separate sashes is that the internal sashes of such window blocks are connected to the external sashes by means of sliding connecting elements. The inner sash has locking tilt-and-turn fittings, controlled by a single handle. Therefore, designs with paired sashes are also called “Euro-windows” by many.

It is difficult to say for sure which wooden window design is better; each of them has its own pros and cons. For example, double-glazed window single-hung windows and double-hung window glazing (flat glass plus double-glazed windows) have approximately the same insulation characteristics. The wooden frame of double-hung windows is warmer due to its large width, but at the same time you have to take care of not two, but four planes; the separate design does not have a function that many people love tilt opening. Of course, “Scandinavian” windows are more expensive than “European” ones, but if you compare blocks with similar sound and heat insulation, the difference will not be very significant, especially when the first ones are made in Russia and the second ones are made abroad.

What should you pay attention to when ordering wooden windows?

Foreign manufacturers of wooden windows have firmly established themselves in Russian market. They are constantly working to improve the quality of wooden translucent structures and reduce their cost. Every year we are offered fresh design developments, new protective compounds and types of profiles. Western companies carry out a full cycle of work from timber harvesting to the manufacture of double-glazed windows; they have large high-tech factories. Our manufacturers work using European technologies, using imported equipment; many of them purchase profiles and double-glazed windows externally, often abroad.

Imported windows are approximately one and a half to two times more expensive than Russian ones.

From measurement to delivery you will have to wait up to three months, while domestic companies usually fulfill the order within 3-8 weeks.

In most cases, a comprehensive guarantee is provided - for the profile, double-glazed windows, protective coating, and fittings. Naturally, the window must be installed by the manufacturer's specialists. Russian companies usually give a 3-year warranty on their products, foreign ones - 5 years.

Windows made of oak are approximately 2 times more expensive than those made of pine; larch - 1.5 times.

Wooden window blocks made from timber with spliced ​​external lamellas will be cheaper on average by 15% than with solid ones.

You can save money by ordering a profile in which the outer layers are made of expensive wood, such as oak, and the inner layers are made of pine. There are options with profile finishing with veneer valuable species.

Windows of standard sizes are also somewhat cheaper than those made to order.

How longer term manufacturing, the lower the cost of the window - this is how manufacturers regulate the flow of orders. But for urgency you will need to pay up to 20%.

Blocks with paired and separate doors are 15-25% more expensive than single doors.

Often, you can order related products from the window manufacturer that match the frames in color and texture: window sills, slopes, trims.

It is quite obvious that modern wooden windows will find their place in our country; from year to year they will become more practical and affordable. The plastic boom will end sooner or later, and the share of wood windows will begin to grow, especially since the Russian climate is quite harsh, while we have decent forest reserves, and we have centuries-old traditions of wooden construction behind us.

Consumers think about which windows are better - plastic or wooden - when designing housing construction or planning renovations. Windows are installed with the expectation that they will last for years. Therefore, it is not surprising that all material characteristics are subject to careful analysis. The decision largely depends on the cost of a plastic window or a wooden one with similar characteristics.

Environmental friendliness

Regarding such characteristics as environmental friendliness, it is worth noting that many confuse it with naturalness. In fact, PVC will not be environmentally friendly compared to wooden frames. big difference. Window blocks made of polyvinyl chloride are recommended by sanitary organizations for use in children's institutions and hospitals, while wooden frames coated with special protective substances and varnish may be more harmful than metal-plastic structures.

(Only for residents of Moscow and the Moscow region), send a request to calculate the cost:

One of the questions to which there is no universal answer is “which windows are better: plastic or wooden.” And it's not just about technical specifications one decision or another. The preferences of the person himself are more important.

For example, advertising for many years has been imposing the stereotype that attractive people must be tall and not overweight. However, life shows that it is man who makes his conscious choice, based on some of its internal attitudes, and advertising... well, that’s its function. The question “which windows are better: plastic or wooden” belongs to the same group. In this article we will try to compare these two solutions from the point of view of an ordinary buyer who does not delve into the specifics of design and production.

Cheap wooden windows

When renovating a house, every owner sooner or later thinks about the need to replace old wooden windows, which have served faithfully for many years. Having sufficient financial means, there are no particular difficulties with the choice: you just need to purchase high-quality wooden windows made of laminated euro timber with multi-chamber multifunctional double-glazed windows or opt for metal-plastic solutions from renowned manufacturers. However, it is unlikely that such a person will read articles on the topic “which windows are better: plastic or wooden.”

For the majority, a situation most often occurs when they have to choose what is better: install several high-quality windows or all at once, but of a lower class. It is at this stage that the thought arises of inexpensive wooden modifications offered by carpentry shops. It depends on your luck - they can last for decades, or they may require attention in just a year. Therefore, if the old ones have not yet rotted, they can be restored: burn the paint and varnish them. This is the least expensive option.

If, nevertheless, you have to decide which windows are better: plastic or wooden, then you need to take into account a number of features.

Features of wooden windows:

Such solutions create home comfort, fitting into any interior;

The cost of a high-quality window made of Euro timber exceeds the price of the most sophisticated plastic window;

Over time, the protective coating will need to be restored;

Wooden windows naturally allow air to pass through, creating a favorable microclimate;

The material fundamentally cannot freeze, so with a good double-glazed window you won’t have to worry about the flowers on the windowsill.

The choice of plastic windows has its own characteristics:

There is no need for maintenance, except that you will have to periodically wipe them from dust;

The average service life is about 50 years (although many people think that such windows are eternal);

They can be given almost any shape.

One of the issues that worries potential buyers is the thermal insulation properties. Surprisingly, a good wooden window is more preferable for cold winters than a high-quality plastic one. Of course, provided that the manufacturing technology is followed and the same double-glazed windows are used ( old way fixing glass with glazing beads or sealant is, for obvious reasons, no longer relevant).