Wooden or plastic double-glazed windows. Which windows are better to choose - wooden or plastic? It is important to consider when replacing wooden windows with plastic ones

Hello dear friends!
My name is Dmitry Provorov, I work as the head of the client department at Prosto Okna. As you may have guessed, I will talk about windows in my blog. And I understand the windows.

There are a lot of offers on the window market: there are just not so many! And there are not so many areas where the range of prices for the same order would be as great as in the windows. And this is if we talk about honest companies. I will tell you in detail about the dishonest ones and how to recognize them in the future. I'm going to reduce the essence of my blogs to one thing: how to understand which windows you need, how to recognize really useful suggestions from advertising "chips", and choose the most the best way in terms of price and quality ratio. With all this, we will destroy marketing myths) I hope it will turn out to be interesting and informative.
So let's get started. Let's start with what to choose: plastic windows or wooden windows? Many articles have been written about this topic. But the point is that they are written by marketers of either a company dealing with plastic windows, or their rivals - "woodworkers". Well, and, of course, marketers are very far from building physics and practical experience. Well, I have more than enough knowledge in these areas. At the same time, I will try to maintain neutrality and objectivity of assessments.
Plastic windows, I think, everyone has a clear idea of ​​himself, since at the present time this is the most widespread option. These windows are made of polyvinyl chloride (pvc). Naturally, the composition also contains various stabilizers, pigments, and more. Many people think that it is not environmentally friendly. But I am sure there is not a single chemist who would think the same way. Because all these materials strictly comply with all sanitary and epidemiological standards, guests, snips and others. However, I still do not recommend eating or smoking plastic windows, but I think you were not going to do this anyway)

A small nuance. The windows are positioned as German, English, Austrian and God knows what. It does not matter. Absolutely all pvc profiles are manufactured in Russia. There is, of course, the same Rehau Brilliant or Geneo, which many are positioning as brought from Germany itself. I know only one company that carries Rehau Brilliant from Germany, but their price will be about 25 thousand for square meter window. And I know many companies that deliberately mislead the client, simply by deceiving. They can even make fake certificates.

It's okay, of course, that the profiles are made in Russia. But everyone positions the profile differently. And this often happens with a loss in quality in order to reduce the cost. Therefore, the company that will implement your order must be chosen very carefully. I think my next post will be about this.


Everything is much more complicated with those windows that are made of wood.

They can be divided into several types: old Soviet (carpentry); new cheap (these are sometimes put in new buildings); wooden euro windows; Swedish; Finnish.
The old Soviet windows must have seen everything, and many still have them. Sometimes they stand for decades. They knew how to build then! But everything comes to an end and they also need to be changed.
In new buildings, sometimes, quite rarely, they put wooden windows with installed double-glazed windows and fittings, of a modern design. The quality of the wood and the workmanship is simply disgusting. I myself once lived in a new student dormitory with just such windows. Cold winter, then a hot summer - and the windows were incredibly warped. The cracks are such that the birds almost flew in. This option is even worse than the cheapest plastic windows from the developer.

Wooden euro windows... They are exactly what they mean when they ask: which windows are better - plastic or wooden.

According to the principle of operation and the vestibule with a frame, such windows are similar to plastic ones. Double-glazed windows are installed there the same. They differ only in the material of the profile.

Such windows are made of three-layer laminated veneer lumber of various, usually valuable, wood species. (Pine, larch, oak). You will not find exact technical characteristics, for example, sound insulation or heat transfer resistance. Each case is different. But, approximately, according to these two indicators, these windows correspond to the middle class of plastic windows.

Everywhere they write that such windows "breathe" and are environmentally friendly. This is pure marketing. Nothing breathes there - it's not just an untreated solid wood, it's a three-layer glued timber. Which is carefully processed with aseptics, fire protection, paint and so on. Environmental friendliness is questionable here, it's like inserting a wooden bar inside a PVC profile.

These windows cost 3-4 times more expensive than plastic ones.



It would seem then: why are they needed at all? But, for example, in Germany, where plastic windows were already everywhere in the 70s, they are being replaced by wooden Euro windows. Here, of course, it is worth making an amendment that in Germany everything is in order with the quality, but in our country they can be deceived. It is not so easy by sight to distinguish an ordinary pine near Moscow from Siberian larch. Although, perhaps, in 20 years, plastic windows will be perceived as now Soviet carpentry.

In the meantime, wooden windows are a matter of image. It's expensive, it's cool. It's like an insert into a dashboard in a Maybach made of Karelian birch. Otherwise, they are definitely no better than many plastic ones. At the same time, more careful care is required.
Well, now let's move on to the exotic) Swedish windows... Sweden is a country where they are clearly not fools in natural conditions with a climate similar to ours. Therefore, their windows are really cool) If we talk about ordinary euro-windows, then the principle of their construction is about the same as that of pvc. Everything is clear here.

Swedish windows have a different design. There are two double doors. The inner (the one in the room) sash is equipped with a single-chamber double-glazed window. And this sash is paired with another sash, which is 10 centimeters less than the inner one. And there is no longer a double-glazed window, but sheet glass. The outer sash itself is attached to the inner sash and can be opened to, for example, wash windows. Doesn't this design, by the way, resemble our carpentry?)

It turns out that the frame there is, as it were, double: one for the inner sash and one for the outer. This results in more connection points between the frame and sash compared to the classic design. This, of course, is good) Plus, a wide space is obtained between the outer and inner sashes. The truth is not hermetically sealed. And due to convection, it is difficult to say unequivocally whether it is good or bad, that there will be a wide distance. But you can install blinds there)



There is also finnish windows) They are almost the same as the Swedish ones, only the valves are not paired there. That is, two separate doors. The rest is the same.

In my opinion, the most significant difference between Swedish / Finnish windows and Euro windows / PVC is a wide box. Due to this, the slopes freeze less. Another big plus is the more sealing points of the frame and sash. If money allows - a very good option.

Well, and again about the price. Swedish / Finnish windows will cost 2 times more expensive than wooden euro windows. At the same time, very few people in Russia are still doing this. Therefore, it is necessary to search in very large cities.



In general, a start has been made. I will regularly add new posts. In the meantime, this is a test of the pen. Happy renovation to everyone. And remember, in fact, windows are not that difficult. I would even say, Simple)

Today the consumer is faced with a difficult choice - are the windows made of wood or plastic? Both the first and the second have advantages, all the advantages are so diverse that they force a lot of time to be spent in analysis and reflection.

Are plastic or wooden windows better?

Why are plastic windows better than wooden ones? Affordable price, easy care and moisture resistance are the main advantages PVC profile in front of a wooden beam. Plastic windows are not afraid of mold, they do not rot or corrode. A high-quality profile serves for at least 30-40 years.

Why are wooden windows better than plastic ones? First of all, its environmental friendliness, disposition to air exchange when closed. Luxury, respectability is associated with natural wood, and therefore wooden windows are perceived by many as a status item. From an aesthetic point of view, wooden windows no competitors, but plastic windows fit perfectly into interiors classic style or a minimalist design.

Alternative to wooden windows - PVC laminated windows

The PVC profile can have a color and texture similar to natural wood due to lamination, which allows it to be used as widely as possible. Laminated window combines attractive price, practicality and durability of plastic windows and elegant appearance wooden.

It is important to consider when replacing wooden windows with plastic ones

Plastic windows are often installed today when renovating apartments, offices and private houses instead of old wooden ones. What should be considered when doing this? The old windows were probably annoying with drafts, this was facilitated by both the cracked frame structure and the loosely inserted glass. Plastic windows are completely devoid of such flaws, but after all natural ventilation is necessary, since in most old houses, forced ventilation is not provided for by projects.

In order not to be stuffy in the room, it is necessary to order plastic windows with ventilation valves or use fittings with a micro-ventilation system, as well as such inexpensive accessories as a comb, opening rotation limiter.

Can wooden windows be as expensive as plastic ones?

Wooden windows can cost the same as plastic windows from multi-chamber German profile with modern double-glazed windows. The most advanced technologies for the production of PVC profiles are mastered in Germany and the best products come to our market from this country. Naturally, its cost is higher standard material but also the performance characteristics are higher. High-quality wooden windows cannot cost as low-cost plastic windows for a simple reason: the cost of laminated veneer lumber is more expensive, and the labor intensity of the work is higher.

Comparison of prices for plastic and wooden windows

* The cost is calculated with a discount.

3 simple steps to find out the cost of structures according to your dimensions

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Wooden windows are not the same for a long time. The introduction of innovative production technologies has eliminated most of their shortcomings. Now they can compete with plastic in terms of durability, practicality and functionality. At the same time, the "euro windows" are still beautiful and safe. Let's take a look at the features of wooden window blocks in comparison with PVC structures.

Why PVC is not liked in Europe

Polyvinyl chloride. Not a very pretty and a little scary word, is it? This is the name of the now incredibly popular base synthetic polymer. This material has a number of outstanding performance properties, therefore it quickly found application in almost all industries, and especially in construction. PVC receives its specific characteristics due to a certain set of various additives. Plasticizers facilitate the processing of polyvinyl chloride, make it elastic, stabilizers prevent damage during the production and operation of products, modifiers improve specific physical properties, fillers reduce cost, dyes allow the manufacture of colored products.

For more than 80 years, polyvinyl chloride has been triumphantly marching across the planet, but it is constantly reproached about the safety of PVC products for humans. PVC manufacturers They are fiercely fighting for their products, they are ready to prove their ecological cleanliness with all their might. A myriad of tests and tests have been carried out, and many certificates have been obtained. But there are no completely safe additives for PVC.

Recently, a renowned manufacturer of plastic profiles announced that it is phasing out the extremely harmful lead and switching to calcium-zinc stabilizers.

And this after almost forty years of history of making plastic with lead? How many years will they tell us the truth about calcium, cadmium, zinc? The Russian consumer, financially able to afford high-quality Euro windows, is at a crossroads, he is well acquainted with the creepy wooden products of the Soviet era, but something is alarming him in PVC windows... Many are not ready to fully and completely trust official sources and even more so the aggressive advertising statements of the sellers of plastic windows.

Naturally, we are not trying to reinvent the bicycle, but are referring to the experience of Western European countries, especially since the manufacturers of plastic windows in their booklets are happy to provide the relevant statistical data. When they say that in Germany the share of plastic structures is more than 50% of installed window systems - it's true, but this percentage refers to the total mass of translucent structures. The windows of residential premises in the homeland of PVC in 70% of cases are made of wood, and their share is constantly growing - by 3-4% per year, naturally due to plastic. If we talk about the countries of Scandinavia, there generally more than 70% of all windows are wooden. The percentage of timber windows falls slightly in countries with small fluctuations in annual temperatures and scarce forest resources, such as Spain, Italy, France. The reality is that, despite the global financial crisis, Europeans prefer parquet, cotton and wood joinery to linoleum, synthetics and plastic windows, and the PVC window market is rapidly and confidently shifting towards Eastern Europe.

What properties do wooden windows have?

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

Naturalness and beauty. Wooden windows are the epitome home warmth and comfort, the aesthetic characteristics of wood products remain unrivaled, despite fairly successful attempts to copy its texture. Well-made wooden windows can become a highlight, a core of the entire interior, and in many respects determine its style. Even staunch supporters of PVC windows, being adherents of the practicality and availability of plastics, will not argue with the exceptional attractiveness of natural material. Thanks to the ability to process wood manually or using digital equipment, manufacturers of wooden windows can offer the consumer 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 unrealizable because of the bureaucratic laconicism of angular PVC profiles.

Strength. Any kind of wood consists of fibers oriented in a certain direction, which, with a competent approach, alternating their direction in glued beams, 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, mahogany. Each type of wood has its own indicators of strength and durability. But do not forget that the denser and stronger the material, the more thermal conductivity it has.

Insulating properties. Wood has natural porosity and contains air in capillaries. Therefore, with an equal thickness of the profiles, a wooden window keeps heat and dampens sound vibrations somewhat better than a window 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 leads. The rapid loss of moisture causes cracking and deformation with consequent loss of insulation performance. It is precisely because it is necessary to take serious protective measures that the overall technological chain is so long, and the cost of wood products remains invariably high. Multistage processing only wooden profiles antiseptic impregnations, primers and paints and varnishes will provide the windows with practicality and durability. However, no matter how technologically advanced the coating is, it has its own service life, therefore, once every 3-4 years, sometimes more often, it is necessary to tint wooden window blocks, in particular the lower horizontal parts of the folds, which are most vulnerable to rain and ultraviolet radiation. This is why combo windows have appeared, as well as options with aluminum or plastic overlays on top of wood. In addition, every year of operation protective covering loses about 0.01 mm of thickness, which is why a wooden window should be periodically treated with special polishes and varnishes.

Environmental friendliness. For the sake of fairness, we note that, despite the obvious safety of wooden windows, their production cannot be imagined without the use of a certain amount of "chemistry". Porous fillers, primers, putties, paints, glazing compounds, antiseptic impregnations, glue for the manufacture of timber, butyl sealants for double-glazed windows - this is what the manufacturers of PVC windows are talking about when discussing the environmental safety of wooden window systems.

"Breathing" of wooden windows. Wood window manufacturers claim that their windows "breathe". Some even say that through the micropores of wooden boxes there is an air exchange of such a volume that is able to provide ventilation of the room, preventing condensation from falling out. They are a little cunning. 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 obviously 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 customers wooden windows with installed ventilation valves, which were originally invented for PVC products.

High price. With all the advantages of wooden windows, their price is quite high compared to plastic ones. For example, a standard pine window block (1.45x1.8) is already in basic configuration Will "pull" by $ 600-800, any other wood species 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, “do not need to be painted”, “this is not a tree - it won’t crack, it won’t dry out,” “put it down, wiped it with a rag and forgot”.

How wooden windows are made

The material and structure of the profile is the main thing that distinguishes wooden windows from PVC products. The production of a high-quality window profile from wood is a complicated, long and very labor-intensive business. It is not surprising that as soon as the first samples of Euro-windows appeared in the post-Soviet space, the energetic owners of traditional “carpenters” quickly noticed their prospects and tried to establish appropriate production, but did not achieve success. Even now, many companies that assemble wooden windows are working with a purchased profile.

In most cases, modern wooden windows are made of laminated glued beams. It is reasonably believed that it has greater strength, better resistance to temperature extremes, less hygroscopicity compared to solid wood. Some manufacturers have mastered the production technology quality windows from the solid northern pine, which is carefully selected and dried no less thoroughly. The raw materials intended for the production of timber are subjected to several rather complicated 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 moisture balance.

Drying is designed to remove internal stresses inside the wood, as well as to exclude 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. The optimum moisture content of the raw material at the exit ranges from 10-12%.

Further, the wood is rejected (optimized). Areas with knots, cracks, resin pockets, remnants of the core, wormholes, shells and spots are cut from the board. This is how small planks are obtained - plots, at the ends of which toothed spikes are milled. They are coated with water-repellent glue and spliced ​​under pressure into one long board - lamella. The glued lamellas are kept in the press for some time, after drying they are planed (calibrated).

The next stage in the production of a profile is gluing the timber in thickness. The boards are glued together under a press, 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 timber is made, but some companies use a technology with a large 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 glued laminated timber is considered to be of high quality and is able to ensure the stability of the geometric shapes of the product.

Then the wooden beam is milled on numerically controlled equipment, as a result of which a window profile with a very complex cross-section is obtained. For the manufacture of windows with exclusive, non-standard shapes, it may be required individual approach, "handmade".

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

Wooden window construction

Modern wooden windows are structurally very similar to plastic products. For their operation, the same fittings are used, which allows not only pivoting, but also tilt, tilt-and-turn opening of single doors. They also have multiple sealing circuits. For glazing wooden windows, not only sheet glass is used, but also of various types double-glazed windows, including special, energy-saving ones. The main difference between wooden windows is that they can have several design schemes, depending on the number and type of sashes. Note that some constructions are historically associated with a certain country, which was the reason for their "popular" classification according to nationality.

Single sash windows. This is the so-called European type, "Euro-window", German window. In fact, this is a direct analogue of plastic windows, with the only difference that the profile is made of glued timber... With a profile width of 68 and more millimeters, a double-glazed window of any type from 36 to 44 mm is installed in them. The design of the vestibule allows you to use two or three sealing contours for euro windows, modern fittings make it possible to control all operations with the sash only with a handle. The hardware itself for such wooden windows is produced by the same companies that operate on the PVC product market: Roto, Maco, Siegenia-Aubi ... Naturally, the consumer becomes available to such options as winter slot ventilation, step opening, burglary protection and others. Single-leaf wooden windows are currently the most common in our country.

Windows with split sashes are also called "Finnish". Such a window unit has a large frame width, of the order of 120-180 mm. On the outer and inner sides of the box, sashes independent from each other are hung, as on Soviet windows. Sheet glass is inserted into the outer sash, which serves as a kind of buffer against the effects of various environmental factors, and the inner sash is supplied with a single-chamber, often energy-saving glass unit... Interestingly, the outer glass seal is not airtight, which prevents condensation from falling on it - this is just a so-called "boot". Fittings operating in windows with separate sashes allow only rotary opening, therefore ventilation is carried out using a vent or a sash opening limiter. Due to the two-chamber design, such windows have excellent insulating characteristics, the considerable width of the box prevents the slope from freezing. Inside the Finnish window, between spaced long distance shutters, sun blinds are installed, sometimes even removable grilles.

Double sash windows are supplied to us mainly from Sweden. They also have a double frame design. Their main difference from windows with separate sashes is that the inner sashes of such window blocks are connected to the outer ones by means of sliding connecting elements. The inner sash has tilt and turn locking hardware controlled by a single handle. Therefore, many people also call structures with paired sashes "euro windows".

Which design of a wooden window is better is difficult to say unequivocally, each of them has its own pros and cons. For example, a double-glazed unit of a single-leaf window and glazing of double-paned windows (sheet glass plus a double-glazed unit) have approximately the same insulating characteristics. Wooden frame double-leaf windows are warmer due to their large width, but at the same time you have to take care of not two, but four planes; the separate design does not have the tilt-opening function that is loved by many. Of course, "Scandinavian" windows are more expensive than "European" ones, but if we 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 you should pay attention to when ordering wooden windows

Foreign manufacturers of wooden windows are firmly entrenched in the Russian market. They are constantly working to improve the quality of wooden translucent structures, to reduce their cost. Every year, we are offered fresh constructive developments, new protective compounds and types of profiles. Western firms 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 according to European technologies, on imported equipment, many of them buy profiles and double-glazed windows on the side, often abroad.

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

From measurement to delivery, you will have to wait until three months while domestic companies usually complete an order within 3-8 weeks.

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

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

Wooden window blocks made of timber with spliced ​​outer 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, for example oak, and the inner layers are made of pine. There are options for finishing the profile with valuable wood veneer.

Window typical sizes are also slightly cheaper than custom made.

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

Blocks with paired and split leaves are 15-25% more expensive than single-leaf units.

Often from the window manufacturer you can order related products in terms of color and texture to the frames: window sills, slopes, platbands.

It is quite obvious that modern wooden windows will find their place in our country as well, they will be more practical and more accessible from year to year. The plastic boom will end sooner or later, and the share of timber 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.

With the development of new technologies and the emergence of new materials, a lot of myths arise around them.

Which windows are better - plastic or wooden?

It was once thought that plastic was "terrible, how harmful", but today it is ubiquitous in the food industry and in the manufacture of goods for children. Supporters natural materials prefer wooden windows, but agree that forests need to be cut down to produce them.

Those who choose plastic windows say that they care about the preservation of trees, but at the same time stand out in the production of plastic different substances, the influence of which on our planet is still not clear.

The debate over which is better in quality window profiles: plastic or wood runs the risk of escalating into a rhetorical question about a chicken and an egg. Is there any competition between these materials at all? Let's figure it out!

Plastic double-glazed windows - advantages and disadvantages

These windows are versatile in cost. Everyone can choose a profile to their liking and the capabilities of their wallet. In addition, reinforced-plastic windows give a few points ahead in comparison with wooden windows in everything that concerns construction and design.

Architects got incredible ample opportunities for the construction of all new forms of windows only thanks to the appearance of plastic profiles.

Plastic takes any shape and size, it can be of all colors of the rainbow and is able to successfully imitate a wide variety of wood species, including valuable ones.

If you are concerned about issues related to the environmental friendliness of this material, then the new PVC plastic is an absolutely inert substance, it does not react, does not emit harmful vapors and even resists open fire.

Plastic windows or wooden ones?

Yes, plastic can hardly be called a “living, warm” material, but this is already from the field of subjective tactile sensations and perception. In addition, today there is a technology that allows you to give plastic profiles not only color and texture natural wood, but also its texture, that is, you can feel all the most insignificant roughness and patterns of wood by touch.

In addition to the above advantages, windows with a plastic profile are durable, not affected by weather conditions, are sealed at the seams and joints, perfectly heat and sound insulate the room. Thanks to its high density PVC is resistant to mechanical damage, it is difficult to scratch or chip off.

Plastic windows are easy to care for (maintain)

It is very easy to care for plastic windows, the profile perfectly tolerates the impact of almost any household chemicals and is not afraid of abrasive cleaning agents.

Advantages of metal-plastic windows:

  • Affordable price;

  • Durability;
  • Good sound insulation;
  • Long service life.

Disadvantages of metal-plastic windows:

  • The impossibility of even partial repair;

  • Complete tightness makes the air in the room stuffy;
  • When heated, plastic can release harmful substances (in minimal quantities).

Wooden windows - advantages and disadvantages

First of all, wood is an environmentally friendly material without any "buts". And this greatly affects the pricing of everything related to products from it, including double-glazed windows. In addition, wood is prestigious, natural in the world. artificial materials rules the ball.

But this is not the only reason why the price of wooden windows today has increased significantly in comparison with ordinary carpentry, which stood in any house a couple of decades ago. The fact is that due to the maximum compliance with the quality characteristics that plastic double-glazed windows offer, technological process the production of wooden analogs had to be almost completely modernized. Technical regulations requires significant costs, both financial and labor hours.

The wood itself also affects the price of the product. If we talk about the increase in cost, then you can build such a chain: pine, larch, ash, spruce, beech, oak, Siberian cedar.

The advantages of wooden windows:

  • Environmental friendliness;
  • Low thermal conductivity;
  • Resistance to temperature fluctuations;
  • Possibility of renovation.

Disadvantages of wooden windows:

  • High price;
  • Poor resistance to weathering;

  • Relatively short service life.

PVC or wood - which is better, comparison

Thus, both plastic and wood have their own merits in the eyes of their customers and it is pointless to argue about which material is better. An unambiguous answer to the question: "Which windows are better to choose - wooden or plastic?" you can't give. The main selection criteria are price ranges, secondary properties of each type of windows.

Plastic or wooden - which is cheaper?

Separately, I would like to describe the cost of plastic and wooden windows - this issue has always been a stumbling block for future owners (buyers). At the moment, the situation is as follows - if we consider a fairly high-quality segment of PVC and wooden windows, then, of course, PVC windows are cheaper. Wooden windows at the moment are an indicator of status and prosperity, since their high-quality performance can be several times more expensive than PVC.