Which is better to install wooden or plastic double-glazed windows? Wooden windows or plastic ones - which is better?

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 what is better in this regard, plastic windows or wooden.

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, it's a tree natural material, and it breathes, but modern wooden windows (Euro-windows) have an important feature - they are impregnated with various kinds of substances that will not allow bugs to get into the wood, lose color, and prevent the 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 to pass through. 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 they breathe, but that's 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 for 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

No less important indicator 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 give great opportunities 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.

When starting a conversation about which windows to install, it is important to understand what we expect in the end result, depending on functional purpose systems, our budget constraints and aesthetic preferences.

In the last 20 years, we have observed a trend when people began to massively abandon wooden windows, replacing them with plastic ones. Less than 10 years have passed since the tree regains its lost positions, but in a slightly different interpretation.

The main dilemma facing buyers is wooden or plastic windows, which is better. A self-respecting specialist is unlikely to answer the question unequivocally, but it is perhaps worth outlining the main advantages and disadvantages of each option.

So, today there are 3 types of windows:

• made of solid wood;
• from laminated veneer lumber;
• metal-plastic.

Having understood the advantages and disadvantages of each option, we can make our choice based on individual capabilities and needs.

What you need to know about wooden windows

Solid wood

The main materials for such systems are: pine, ash, beech, oak, maple, hornbeam. These are most often hardwood trees that are less susceptible to mechanical damage. If we order such a window for ourselves, and do not buy a ready-made one, we will have to wait for some time, since each element of the frame will be cut on sawing machines and processed separately.

Solid wood window

In order for the window to be of high quality and serve its intended life, it must be treated several times with special impregnations that prevent rotting, infection by fungi, and damage by insects. After which staining, priming and varnishing just begins. Naturally, such windows will cost a pretty penny and will take a lot of time.

Glued laminated timber

Windows made from laminated veneer lumber are essentially no different from their solid wood counterparts. Timber is thinly cut, glued planks (lamellas) obtained by cutting raw materials. The material differs in the number of lamellas per unit: three and five, on which its thickness depends.

Laminated timber window

The production time for such frames requires a little less and the cost will be more affordable.

If we talk about the quality characteristics of wooden windows, then it is worth paying attention to their advantages and disadvantages.

Benefits of wood:

• wood is an environmentally friendly product, safe for allergy sufferers and asthmatics;
• durable and strong;
• has a high level of noise and thermal insulation;
• provides natural air circulation;
• maintains a constant temperature;
• ensures a normal level of humidity in the room;
• it's just beautiful.

Disadvantages of wood:

• change in size in different time of the year;
• high price;
• labor-intensive manufacturing;
• duration of production;
• flammability of the material;
• difficulty in maintaining (compared to plastic windows, but more on that later).

So, wooden windows, no matter what option we choose, solid wood or laminated veneer lumber, it is beautiful, practical, and environmentally friendly. The main thing is to decide on the type of wood and order production from a good carpenter who will do his job efficiently.

Plastic windows

Plastic windows are also known to us as PVC (polyvinyl chloride). It's relative new material, used for the production of plastic structures and suspended ceilings. Today PVC technology has strict quality standards and sanitary and hygienic standards that control and prohibit the presence heavy metals in the alloy, thus protecting consumers from toxic and chemical fumes that are harmful to health.

Plastic window

Since the 80s of the last century, a ban was introduced on the use of lead and zinc in the manufacture of polymer profile, they were replaced by less toxic chlorine, the vapors of which begin to be released at temperatures of +270°C and above.

Advantages:

• durability;
• complete sealing of the room;
• ease of construction;
• no restrictions on form;
• ease of care;
• complete noise and sound insulation;
• possibility of installing an upper rotary mechanism;
• protection against insects entering the room.

Flaws:

• the possibility of the appearance and growth of mold;
• absence natural circulation air;
• condensation formation due to convection failure;
• lack of ability to correct mechanical damage.

What's the result? Plastic windows modern version wooden analogue. They are easy to use, quickly manufactured and suitable for any size and design features. They may have child protection, an anti-burglary system, do not burn and do not change their size depending on weather conditions.

Safe windows

When choosing which windows are better, wooden or plastic, manufacturer reviews about the safety of the system are no less important for consumers.

Safe windows

We have already figured out the material from which windows are made, now we just need to understand what safe windows are. When choosing safe options, it is important to carefully select not only the material for making the window unit, but also pay attention to the glass unit and fittings.

A double-glazed window is not a set of glasses in a frame, it is a sealed space filled with gas, which performs the function of heat and sound insulation, preventing heat from escaping to the street, which is especially important during the heating season.

When choosing what will be the main window material, wood or plastic, you can choose a combined option, when a double-glazed window is inserted into a wooden frame, in which case both the disadvantages and advantages of the systems merge together. We receive an environmentally friendly product and save natural ventilation indoors, protecting yourself from street sounds and reducing heat loss during heating season.

What kind of windows are there?

What is it made of?

• Let's figure out what plastic windows are made of: polymer and a collection of chemical elements from the entire periodic table in one bottle.

• What are wooden windows made of? Wood window unit- these are several dozen thin environmentally friendly wood strips, cleared of resin pockets and knots, glued with special moisture-resistant glue, impregnated with drying oil, varnish, primer, which in turn also contain a lot of chemical elements.

Technical side

But to do it right choice our school and college years will help us and a little logical thinking. In the production of plastic windows, polymers of a high safety group closer to class A are used (the profile class depends on the price and honesty of the contractor). Also, all the profiles that make up plastic structures have special chambers and outlets for micro-ventilation and moisture removal, a network of seals and an equally large network of silicone beads from a gun.

“Budget” wooden windows often do not have chambers for moisture removal, do not have a channel system for micro-ventilation, but have the ability to absorb moisture, become damp and swell if they are not manufactured correctly by the manufacturer.

Video: the pros and cons of plastic windows

Video: features and advantages of wooden windows

What about reliability?

Not quite familiar to our mentality that survived the Soviet times, plastic windows, of course, cannot replace ordinary wooden ones with vents, but they are able to protect the home from noise, dust and dampness.

Wooden profiles with double-glazed windows, provided they are manufactured well, can also protect, but, alas, they will have to be serviced every year, no matter what the manufacturers say - wood, even in Africa, wood and under any coating can either rot or accumulate moisture and crack. And this is a fact known to everyone.

But still, as practice shows, for example, in Europe, almost all houses have plastic windows, and only a few wooden windows are installed there. And why? They are cheaper, maintenance consists only of wiping the profile with a rag, adjusting the fittings from time to time, and replacing the seals after a certain number of years.

In a good situation, wood will last a long time, but not as long as plastic. Polymers lose their properties after more than 300 years, but what about wood? Air, moisture, sun and wind - and after 20 years the window is in dust (remember the old frames from your grandmothers). Two bags will also not save the tree from moisture and erosion.

But with a competent approach from the manufacturer, with high-quality priming of the timber in several layers, no less weak painting and impregnation with fire retardants, and so on, the tree can also last a long time, but the price will then be equal to double the cost of a plastic window.

Video: is purchasing wooden windows worth it?

Probably, each of us, when building a house, or when replacing dilapidated frames in an apartment, was faced with the problem of choosing windows - plastic or wooden? Warped and cracked, difficult to close, dusty between the cloudy openings of rattling glass, these construction elements dating back to Soviet times have become the subject of numerous ridicule and are an eyesore for caring family owners.

Why plastic windows?

In many ways, it was the stereotype formed from the past that contributed to the boom in construction know-how - plastic windows. More precisely, metal-plastic, because the frame is reinforced with metal from the inside for rigidity. Production of products began back in the 1960s in Europe. At first there were imported ones from Germany and Poland. Then production was established in our country.

Plastic quickly conquered the window market in Russia, standing out favorably in the first place insulation characteristics, tightness, durability, aesthetics. And also the absence of constantly jamming vents and latches, as it is equipped with a convenient opening system in two (three) directions.

Competently and culturally structured service marketing also played a major role in activating demand for plastic windows. Manufacturers and PVC suppliers windows, we immediately established service and maintenance, offering the buyer turnkey installation of products.

PVC – polyvinyl chloride – the main composition of the material.

It is enough to pay the purchase price - and there are no problems: delivery, replacement of old structures, installation, even cleaning and removal of construction waste.

Wooden windows could not boast of such attention to themselves.

Firstly, they were not included in the assortment at woodworking enterprises, so there were no significant changes in production technologies established back in Soviet times.

Secondly, manufacturing in the 90s was in the artisanal segment of the economy, and therefore there was a high percentage of defects. Moreover, it was difficult to legally punish such a manufacturer for dishonest work.

Thirdly, an inexperienced buyer had to choose wooden frames, and look for an installation specialist - again, from the above-mentioned “traditional craftsmen”.

And most importantly, the ease of use of PVC windows and their cleaning, compared to wooden ones, was undeniable.

Why wooden?

Few people know, but plastic windows in Europe have long lost ground to wooden windows. For example, today wood accounts for 60% of the European market. It is not without reason that in the EU countries a huge amount of appropriate tools and lines for the production of wooden windows are produced.

Therefore, in the 90s, manufacturers of plastic windows, in order not to lose sales, began to develop the markets of post-Soviet countries, offering tempting prices and service, the quality of which we mentioned above.

Gradually, thanks to thoughtful marketing and advertising, a stereotype was created for residents of the “scoop” that PVC windows are a symbol of wealth and prestige. At the same time, in Germany, Austria, France or Switzerland, on the contrary, wooden Euro-windows are a symbol of prosperity and respectability, being aesthetically attractive and environmentally friendly.

But also more expensive, because the manufacturing technology cannot be compared with the Soviet “ancestors”.

Previously, in the USSR, solid pine timber was used to make windows, which was economically beneficial, but caused deformation window frames influenced by humidity and temperature.

In Europe, a wooden blank made of three or four-layer laminated veneer lumber is used. For production, pine (the inside of the timber), oak, ash, and Siberian larch are selected, but there are also production technologies from mahogany - meranti.

For example, light red meranti has characteristics similar to oak, slightly inferior in hardness.

Products made from beech and chestnut are classified as elite and expensive. There are almost none of them on the market, not so much because of the high cost, but because of the complexity of preparation source material and processing. For example, the manufacture of an oak window is preceded by three years of drying the blanks under certain conditions.

Manufacturers - especially small ones - replace the natural drying of wood with an electric dryer. This leads to the fact that the profiles may become covered with black spots.

Note that a compromise in terms of “price-quality” is windows made of expensive wood on the outside and a layer of pine on the inside.

The blanks are processed and impregnated with chemical compounds that improve moisture resistance, protect against rotting, but at the same time do not interfere with the wood’s ability to “breathe.”

It is worth noting the diversity paint coatings for wooden windows. It is better to give preference to German, Finnish and Dutch paints, which preserve the properties of wood, improve the appearance of products, and emphasize the structure of wood (if “varnished”). Wide color and texture palette.

Differences between wooden and plastic windows: pros and cons

There are conflicting reviews both heard and on the Internet. But it is worth noting that most of them are initiated by interested parties, and therefore are subjective, speculative, and pursue the goal of “drowning” a competitor or promoting their product.

To objectively evaluate wooden and plastic windows, it is more correct to compare the advantages and disadvantages that have appeared during many years of operation. From the point of view of how these products have proven themselves in practice, common reviews and opinions are analyzed. So let's get started.

1. PVC windows are easy to use

Because of this quality, they have gained popularity in our country. But let us remember that plastic windows appeared in our country against the backdrop of a pitiful state in the production of similar wood products. Modern wooden ones have an elegant appearance, and the profile is in no way inferior to plastic ones in terms of convenience. In addition, it is provided partial renovation wooden windows, the color can be easily refreshed or changed.

2. Plastic windows have excellent tightness

But, unfortunately, they are even too sealed, and poor ventilation leads to the formation of mold and moisture condensation. This is one of the main disadvantages of metal-plastic products. To avoid this problem, you must either buy windows with a built-in ventilation system, or purchase separately supply valve. Wooden ones are almost free of this drawback, because, as they say, they “breathe”. According to average data, a standard wooden frame passes through its pores about 2.5 cubic meters per day. air. Thus, wooden products help maintain optimal air consistency, since wood stabilizes the humidity regime better than other materials.

3. PVC windows have high thermal insulation

The question is controversial. Air chambers metal-plastic windows significantly reduce heat transfer. But the main merit in this is not so much the profiles as the double-glazed windows. And modern wooden frames are also equipped with high-quality one- or two-chamber packages (glasses connected along the contour, between which an air-filled space is formed). In addition, the wooden frame itself, due to its natural porous structure, has lower thermal conductivity than PVC, which is especially important in conditions of Siberian cold or Asian heat. The same quality of wood prevents, unlike plastic, the appearance of condensation on the doors.

4. Plastic is highly sound insulating

The statement is also controversial. As in the previous paragraph, everything depends on the quality of the double-glazed window and the number of glasses in it: the more, the more noise is delayed. But wood, thanks to its texture, is an excellent soundproofing material, not inferior to, or even superior to, plastic profiles.

5. Plastics are easy to care for and wash, even with the use of abrasives

It's right. Wooden crafts are more demanding in the use of detergent compositions, especially cannot tolerate abrasive ones. Without proper care, they age quite quickly and become unusable. But on the other hand, unlike metal-plastic structures, wooden structures do not have electrostatic properties - they do not attract dust - so they do not need to be washed as often as plastic ones. This is especially important in industrial or arid steppe areas.

6. PVC windows can withstand high humidity without problems

This is true. Even more: plastic is a hydrophobic substance (repels water). Unlike wooden competitors, plastic windows very well withstand even prolonged contact with moisture or the influence of precipitation. Modern technologies are not yet able to completely protect wood from destructive moisture, which is the main cause of rot and mold.

7. Metal-plastic windows tolerate temperature changes well and are frost-resistant

The statement is quite controversial. Frost resistance - this function is assigned exclusively to double-glazed windows. But very low or high temperatures (-40 – +40) are perceived differently by wooden and plastic construction. Wood is a natural material, hardened under the mentioned temperature conditions, so it is physically more resistant. Due to its natural origin, wood, unlike all other materials, also has the lowest coefficient of expansion, which makes it ideal for use, for example, in very cold conditions. That is why wooden windows are especially popular in the northern countries - Finland and Sweden. PVC windows, especially considering the presence of metal parts in their structures, are quite vulnerable in this regard: a large temperature difference over time leads to a loss of insulating properties and, in general, structural strength.

8. PVC windows are less susceptible to deformation and are more durable

A very controversial statement. It is too early to draw conclusions about the durability of metal-plastic windows, since this product has been in use for at most 20-30 years. In fact, each of us has often seen old houses in which the wooden frames have not been changed for a hundred years or more. Even if their paint is peeling, the doors may not fit well, but with proper repairs they can last for many more years. And these are windows made at a time when they did not even think about the advanced technologies and materials used now. The only enemy of wooden windows is moisture, which leads to their deformation and infection with fungus and mold. But with proper care, this danger can be avoided. Plastic windows are also susceptible to other misfortunes. The main one is the high coefficient of expansion with temperature changes, which gradually leads to loosening and loss of strength. And not only in the plastic itself, but also in the places where it meets the window opening.

The fact is that wooden frames are made from homogeneous materials (the same in physical properties), which have a similar expansion coefficient and perceive the same external influences. PVC windows in their design have different materials(especially - metal fittings inside), and therefore tolerate significant temperature changes worse than wooden ones.
There are no plastic ones without a metal base: polyvinyl chloride itself is a very fragile material, so without proper reinforcement the profile can be deformed. Another significant problem with metal-plastic windows is rubber seals. Even high-quality ones lose their properties over time, harden, and begin to crumble, especially under the influence of low and high temperatures, detergents, exhaust gases from the street, etc. They are inexpensive, but replacing the entire profile is a troublesome task.

9. Plastic is dangerous for the environment

Polyvinyl chloride from which it is made window profiles, extremely dangerous for humans. No less dangerous are various additives (plasticizers, dyes), which are released into the air in small quantities (especially when heated). It is this fact that is often cited as the main argument in favor of wooden windows. But not everything is so scary. Firstly, most toxic and poisonous substances enter the atmosphere not from the finished window, but during the production of PVC raw materials.

Secondly, if you take into account the amount of plastic in the window and the volume of the room in which it is located, then the “harmfulness” from the released substances is reduced to virtually zero.

Thirdly, although the structure of the material contains harmful substances, this does not mean that they must necessarily enter our body (unless, of course, we burn or inhale combustion products). In addition, we are already surrounded by a huge number of products containing plastic: linoleum, toys, vinyl wallpapers, various packaging, etc.

Yes, there is virtually not a single thing around that does not contain some kind of poison. Another argument popular among opponents of plastic windows is that, unlike wooden ones, when polyvinyl chloride ignites, very toxic and poisonous substances are released. In this case, there is only one piece of advice: do not burn plastic windows in your apartment! Just a joke, but... But if, God forbid, it comes to a situation where the windows in the room are already on fire, then these fumes are unlikely to be significant in the overall picture of the tragedy. As is the environmentally friendly burning of wooden windows.

A person values ​​his health more than anything in the world, so concepts such as the harm or safety of a product have become one of the main tools in the struggle for consumers between competitors. Not surprisingly, this is the area most susceptible to subjectivity and bias. Sometimes a product that is hazardous to health is advertised as almost healing, and vice versa: a neutral product is presented as an environmental disaster.

10. Wooden windows look attractive

Wood products have always been valued for their beautiful texture, aesthetic and attractive appearance. But there is no arguing about tastes. For example, to modern building“concrete-glass-aluminum” are more suitable metal-plastic structures than wooden ones. In addition, PVC windows are now very diverse both in shape and color (about 50). Wooden ones are somewhat limited in the arbitrariness of their designs (the radius of the arch is limited).