Which windows are better - plastic or wooden?

The question regarding the installation of window structures affects everyone who is building a new house, cottage or has decided to carry out major repairs in the apartment. Is it better to choose wooden or plastic windows for your home? More recently, there was no such choice, since all window structures were the same, they were made of wood and glass. With the advent of plastic windows, opinions were divided - and for good reason. Each type of products offered on the market has its advantages and disadvantages, which should not be forgotten when making the final choice. It is equally important to determine your own priorities and wishes so that after a few years you do not regret the decision.

How are the windows made of plastic and wood?

Any window construction consists of a frame and glass. The frame of the plastic window is made of synthetic material with the long name "polyvinyl chloride", or PVC. The profile is cut in accordance with the required dimensions and solder the frame. Inside the profile, several partitions are provided, forming sections for placing double-glazed windows. To strengthen the structure, an iron reinforcing insert is inserted inside the central chamber.

How many double-glazed windows can be inserted into the profile depends on the number of sections. This value ranges from 3 to 8. The more cameras, the better thermal insulation and less noise in the apartment.

The modern wooden window does not even remotely resemble the construction of past years with a shriveled rickety frame, which had to be insulated at the beginning of winter. Now these are high-quality, expensive products made using the latest technology, and in terms of performance, they are in no way inferior to structures made of profile.

The frame of the wooden window is made of glued beams, which prevents the natural deformation of the product when the temperature changes. To protect the wood from the destructive action of various bugs, the sun and water, it is impregnated with special solutions.

Which windows retain heat better?

The heat-insulating properties of the window structure are more dependent on the chamber nature of the glass. Two-chamber packages are installed in wooden windows; plastic ones can consist of three or more chambers.

The thermal conductivity of the plastic profile is 0.2 W / (m²* K), which is twice the thermal conductivity of glued beams. Of course, one cannot fail to take into account the species of wood from which the product is made, and when choosing it is necessary to remember that larch retains heat better than oak or pine.

Under equal conditions, a wooden window will retain heat better than a plastic one.

Breathability

Windows were invented not only in order to transmit light and keep warm, but also to ventilate the room. In the past, there were no particular problems, since basically everyone cared about how to close the cracks and gaps in the cracked frame and at least slightly reduce natural ventilation.

With the advent of plastic structures on the market, things have taken a different turn. Synthetic polymer does not allow air to pass through. Glass is also known.

In a tightly clogged room with plastic windows, a person suffers from a lack of oxygen and from increased humidity, which result in:

• microclimate violation;
• fungus spread;
• problems with the respiratory system.

Keeping the flaps open in an apartment overlooking a busy street is simply impossible. Therefore, in order to get rid of these troubles and establish regular ventilation, it is necessary to install special valves.

It is believed that wood "breathes" much better than plastic. This is indisputable, if you do not take into account that the wooden bars are glued together, impregnated with protective compounds, painted, varnished. After this treatment, the air permeability of the wood frame is reduced to zero, and again you will need to install a forced ventilation valve.

Thus, both types of structures have equal breathability.

Health safety

Those who completely reject all synthetic and non-natural, of course, will choose windows from wood. Proven for centuries, environmentally friendly material is not in doubt - unless you take into account the chemical impregnations used in the manufacture of products.

The attitude towards PVC devices is more picky, although this material has long been used in many industries, in particular in the manufacture of plastic dishes. According to the assurances of specialists, the polymer used in the profile is completely inert and, when exposed to sunlight, temperature extremes, does not emit substances hazardous to humans in the air.

All plastic products of well-known manufacturers are certified, and yet, despite this, wooden products are considered safer and more environmentally friendly.

Variety and Design

Aesthetics is another factor affecting the choice of material used to equip a window opening. Beautiful windows, in perfect harmony with the building’s facade and attracting admiring glances of passers-by, undoubtedly raise the status of the owner.

• Plastic constructions are good because the profile is easy to bend, which means that you can make arched openings. In addition, plastic is easily painted in any color, which represents a huge field of activity for designers. The PVC frame can be laminated to wood, however, the feeling of "unnatural" will still remain.
• Wooden windows are well placed in private cottages and cottages. They fit perfectly into the architecture of the old city, and in the design of new buildings. Wood can be painted and varnished, leaving the fibrous structure visible.

From an aesthetic point of view, wooden windows undoubtedly outperform plastic ones.

Resistance to external factors

Any window, whether it is made of wood or plastic, can suffer from the negative effects of external factors. In order not to regret the purchase after two or three years, when choosing a product, it is necessary to take into account the strength and stability of the structure.

For stiffness and the ability to maintain its shape at the profile for a long time, a reinforcing insert in the central compartment is responsible. If a product was produced by some “left” company and this part is missing, then the frame may be deformed. From temperature extremes, the profile will bend, the wings will not close well, gaps and gaps will appear. In addition, the plastic may turn yellow under the influence of sunlight, due to which the window will look untidy.

The wooden frame will not bend or sag, but it can also bring a few surprises to the owner. For example, a tree of light species under the influence of ultraviolet rays quickly darkens, rain and snow paint and varnish are gradually erased - the window must be tinted periodically.

In terms of strength and resistance to external factors, both types of structures have the same indicators.

Difference in care

Any windows must be properly looked after, then they will last for many years “faithfully” and will not cause the host unnecessary problems.

First of all, window care consists in setting up and lubricating metal fittings, which are installed on wooden windows and PVC structures.

• Caring for a plastic profile is much simpler than for a frame made of wood. Smooth moisture-resistant material can be washed with warm water and a detergent, wiped dry, after which the frame will sparkle with its pristine cleanliness until the next cleaning.
• With wooden windows, the situation is different. The frame will periodically have to wax, tint or varnish. Therefore, we can say that wooden windows require more thorough care than plastic.

Durability

Modern windows are not cheap, so everyone wants the design to last as long as possible, certainly not 5 years.

The durability of plastic products depends on the quality of the compound from which the polyvinyl chloride is synthesized, on the conditions of use, the integrity of the manufacturers and other factors. A high-quality plastic product can last from 20 to 50 years.

How long the windows made of wood stand, primarily depends on the type of wood:

• larch will last 50 years;
• pine - 55-60 years old;
• oak - not less than 90 years.

Service life depends on the observance of the manufacturing techniques of the product and the use of protective compounds.

Wooden windows are more durable. With proper care, they will serve more than one generation of people.

Why are wooden windows better than PVC?

To answer the rhetorical question, which windows are still better - plastic or wooden, it is necessary to summarize the pros and cons of the structures.

Strengths of PVC windows:

• low cost;
• moisture resistance;
• the possibility of coloring in any color;
• ease of care;
• practicality.

Cons of PVC:

• synthetic material may release harmful substances;
• the frame is deformed by temperature differences;
• This type of construction is not very durable.

Wooden windows have the following advantages:

• serve more than 60 years;
• keep heat better;
• made of natural environmentally friendly material;
• have an attractive appearance.

Disadvantages of wooden structures:

• periodically require painting or varnishing;
• are expensive.

Which windows to give preference to is a matter of taste. If the choice is decisive in terms of cost, then it’s worth taking plastic frames. Let them not last as long as wooden, and not too beautiful, but much cheaper and do not require special care. When the budget allows you to pay any price, it is better to focus on environmentally friendly wooden structures. An elite country house with cheap plastic windows looks poor and tasteless, and wooden frames will not only fulfill their basic functions, but will also give the building a noble appearance.