Design
Whatever it is made of, the exterior window is probably the most sensitive part of a building’s shell. That is why we pay particular attention to every technical feature that determines its quality, durability and reliability.
Watertightness and insulation
Poorly sealed windows often let water or draughts into the house. Moisture usually appears where the window meets the opening (sill, lintel, sides) or at the glazing rebate, while air leaks are mostly found where the sash meets the frame. Poor design, low-quality materials and lack of know-how are among the main causes.
Most heat exchange in a building happens through the glass, and to a lesser extent through the frame and sashes. Wooden windows insulate far better than metal or plastic ones.
Old windows
Most problems are found in buildings constructed before thermal insulation of the shell became compulsory, because of their old-style windows.
Another serious drawback of those windows was single glazing, which provides neither sound nor thermal insulation.
Modern double glazing makes a real difference to thermal and acoustic insulation. The gap between the panes matters too: a small gap (14mm) limits performance, which improves when the panes have different thicknesses and the gap is filled with a special gas (argon).
A few words on wooden windows
After many years of development, modern wooden windows are building elements with state-of-the-art specifications and technology.
- Tilt opening for ventilation.
- Double and triple insulating glazing with special gases (argon, krypton, etc.).
- Special profiles with insulating seals, up to four seals.
- Painted with high-strength, water-based, eco-friendly impregnating paints.
- No old-style maintenance (scraping / repainting).
- 3-ply laminated timber (three “slices” of wood glued crosswise) and panels made from laminated timber combined with special high-strength marine plywood.
- Timber that has been dried and treated against insects.
- Fully adjustable, German-type perimeter hardware: advanced, secure and functional.
