Today we will consider all the pros and cons of wooden and plastic windows. Safety, eco-friendliness, durability, price - everything is on our agenda
Wood or plastic, centuries-old traditions ormodern technologies? Let's figure it out. A plastic window is based on a set of polymers. A wooden window is based on several dozen glued planks of wood, cleared of resin and knots, impregnated with drying oil, varnish and primer. It is clear that both have a complete set of the periodic table. In both cases, the environmental friendliness, safety and reliability of the material are proportional to its price and the honesty of the manufacturer. And yet there is a significant difference.
Tatyana Serova, "Windows into the House":— Don't trust companies that promise to deliver you a wooden window the day after tomorrow. It is technologically impossible. The minimum manufacturing period for such windows according to the customer's dimensions is 30 days. The wood needs to be dried, painted or tinted, varnished, "cut in" fittings, and so on. But a plastic window in especially urgent cases can be manufactured even in a day, especially if the company has its own production. vdomokna.ru
The price of the issue
The labor intensity of working with wood is quite highThe price of raw materials are the main reasons why wooden windows gave way to plastic at one time. A good wooden "Eurowindow" will cost about 3-4 times more than a window with a PVC profile. And yet, companies producing wooden windows do not experience a shortage of customers. A special love for wood as a material is a national feature.
Eco-friendliness
No matter how high-quality and expensive it isa plastic window, no matter how well it meets European standards, is still made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). At high temperatures, in extreme heat or during a fire, it will emit much more harmful substances into the environment than a wooden profile. But our ideas about the ability of a wooden structure to "breathe", unlike a plastic one, are a pure myth. A modern wooden "Eurowindow" is made very hermetically and does not let in more air than a plastic one.
Reliability
The average service life of a plastic window is approximately40 years. Wooden is guaranteed to "work" for about 10. After that, there are options. Plastic has already proven itself in the difficult Russian climate with sharp changes in temperature and humidity. But wood, even carefully primed and impregnated with special compounds, remains wood and is subject to erosion. We all remember from our childhood what a wooden frame turns into under the influence of air, sun, wind and moisture.
Service
One of the obvious advantages of a plastic window isspeed and ease of installation. With minimal experience in construction, it is easy to install it yourself. With a wooden structure, this option is impossible. Its installation is a complex process that requires additional skills and special devices.
All maintenance of plastic windows in most casescases comes down to periodic wiping of the profile with a rag, adjustment and lubrication of the fittings, lubrication and replacement of the seal. A wooden window, which can dry out or absorb moisture, will probably require much more attention. On the other hand, a wooden profile can be restored in case of damage or scratches. Plastic will have to be replaced. However, it is much more difficult to scratch a plastic profile.
Tatyana Serova, "Windows into the House":— If your double-glazed window is broken, or you just decided to replace it with a more advanced energy-saving one with a plastic profile, it will not be difficult to do this within a few days. With wooden windows, this problem is more difficult to solve. The double-glazed window is firmly glued to the sash with silicone sealant, and the glazing bead is securely attached. It is very difficult to remove the double-glazed window without damaging the glazing bead, since wood is not a flexible material at all. If the manufacturer is domestic, you can solve the problem in a week or two. But if it is imported, it will take at least a month. All this time you will have to live with a broken or damaged window. vdomokna.ru
Aesthetics
The plastic profile can be laminatedany color and material. Even to imitate valuable wood species. But it still won't become wooden. The difference will be noticeable. The beauty and elegance of wooden windows, the warmth and comfort they create in the house are the main reason for their "charm" and popularity. It is no coincidence that restorers and architects of expensive individual projects almost always prefer wood: it gives great freedom of creativity.
Tatyana Serova, "Windows in the house":
— Unlike plastic, modern woodenprofiles allow you to realize virtually any fantasy of the customer and can "fit" into any architectural style. The height of the frame and the plasticity of the material itself make it possible to create the most non-standard designs of complex shapes and sizes. Wooden profiles look spectacular in houses with a glazed wall from floor to ceiling, in curved bay windows, with stained glass. True, the manufacture of such windows is a long, painstaking and very expensive business. vdomokna.ru
vdomokna.ru, pinerest.com
