Combined windows

The materials used for the manufacture of window sashes have their pros and cons. The desire to minimize the disadvantages and use the advantages to the maximum, has led to the creation of new combined windows. Which are divided into wood-plastic, aluminum-wood and wood-aluminum.

The materials used for the manufacture of window sashes have their pros and cons. The desire to minimize the disadvantages and use the advantages to the maximum, has led to the creation of new combined windows. Which are divided into wood-plastic, aluminum-wood and wood-aluminum.
Wood-aluminum or metal-wood windows are the most common at present. Wood is a natural, eco-friendly material with low sound and thermal conductivity, which fits perfectly into any style and interior. But even the highest quality wood frame needs protection. For this, aluminum is used – a durable and lightweight material that is highly resistant to external factors and does not require repair throughout the entire service life.
After processing, aluminum products are not subject to corrosion caused by snow, rain, smog and heat. The leading manufacturers of such windows are the Scandinavian countries and Germany. Metal-wooden windows are also manufactured in Russia using Swedish, Finnish and German technology.

Windows made according to Finnish technology have two separate sashes in the block. The inner one is made of wood, and the outer one is made of aluminum. The doors open alternately or simultaneously. The disadvantages of such windows are sashes that open in one plane and a lot of weight. And the advantages include a high degree of sound insulation and the possibility of placing sun blinds between the frames. On the Russian market, these windows are represented by Finnish manufacturers FENESTRA, DOMUS, TIIVI. Outwardly, all windows look very attractive, and it is rather difficult to notice any special differences between them. However, each window manufacturer has certain technological features. For example, DOMUS uses the VAC protection technology. In this case, wooden parts are impregnated with a special composition that does not change the color of the wood, in a vacuum, which allows the surface to be tinted as you like in the future. FENESTRA uses a technology that prevents the appearance of dark spots on the surface of the box. This effect is achieved by applying a special protective compound to the inside of the window sash. TIIVI manufactures windows with double sashes with the possibility of installing blinds between them. Windows made using Finnish technology in Russia are 10-15% cheaper than foreign ones.

Windows of the Swedish type consist of two frames with double siding: the inner one is made of a wooden profile with a double-glazed window, and the outer one is made of aluminum with a single glass. These windows are presented by TIIVI. The advantages of Swedish-type windows include the ability to open in 2 planes and a window box that allows you to install interframe blinds. Windows made according to Swedish technology cost about $ 800 in Russia, and Finnish-made windows for almost $ 1000.

The windows, made according to German technology, have one wooden frame, protected by an aluminum plate along the entire perimeter. It can be fixed to a wooden frame with special clips.

According to experts, the fastening clips ensure the drainage of moisture and ventilation of the room due to the fact that they leave a certain gap between the aluminum plate and the frame. At the same time, the aluminum cover, if necessary, can be easily removed and put in place, which increases the service life of such windows up to 50-60 years. Windows made in Germany with swing-out doors cost: pine $ 750-780, oak $ 1450-1500. Russian windows made using German technology will cost you: pine $ 500-590, larch $ 550-560, oak $ 900-1500.

Wooden window structures can, if desired, be tinted with water-based varnish or tinting composition. Products can also be painted in any color, which is 10-15% cheaper..

Aluminum-wooden windows are made of aluminum profiles, and the interior is made of wood. The aluminum frame is durable, strong, reliably protected from atmospheric precipitation, and thanks to the use of wooden overlays that perform a decorative function, the window from the room looks warm and cozy. In Russia with long winters and cold climates, the most popular are the designs of “warm” profiles, the inner and outer shell of which are connected by a thermostat (polymer gasket), which interrupts the heat flow and thereby improves the thermal insulation properties of the window sash. The main advantage of these windows is fire safety..

In addition, unlike plastic, aluminum is much slower to get dirty, which makes it possible to manufacture windows of any size and shape, separation of skylights and types of opening. Another advantage of aluminum frames is easy maintenance. Windows made of Italian wood and profiles using Italian technology cost from $ 1300 (with oak cover) to $ 1500 (with exotic wood cover). A model with two thermostats for harsh climatic conditions costs from $ 1,500. Windows made of Russian materials using Italian technology will cost almost 20% less.

Wooden-plastic windows are protected with plastic from the outside. Such a system is still not widely used in Russia. In this case, plastic replaces aluminum in wood-aluminum window structures. The moisture-wicking system and hollow PVC profiles are maintenance-free and perfectly protect the window from adverse weather conditions. The PVC profile is attached to the wood with special holders that reduce the stress of different expansion coefficients of PVC and wood. A pine log window costs about $ 500, an oak window costs about $ 1000, and a mahogany window costs almost $ 600. These profiles are not so expensive and are in no way inferior in physical characteristics to other types of combined frames.

According to experts’ forecasts, the combined window market will expand in the near future, new technologies and manufacturers will appear.