Tips for choosing the right window

When choosing windows for one's home, you have to choose between several types of openings, the material of the frames and the type of glass. In this article, we are going to see some tips to know which options are more convenient for us. The different options will be analyzed, mainly from an economic and energy efficiency point of view. However, we will also talk about some other details that can make us choose one or the other.

TYPE OF CLOSURE OPENING
The most common types of opening are sliding and casement windows. In addition to these two types, tilt-and-turn windows are becoming more and more frequent, allowing it to be opened just like casement and at the same time allowing it to be partially opened from the top. From an economic point of view, the cheapest option is the sliding window. However, this saving occurs only in the initial investment, since it is the worst system when it comes to isolating, so that the initial saving, in the long run, may come out expensive. In general, the closure of a casement window is more hermetic, and therefore, there are no air currents that cause energy losses. There are other considerations regarding the closing system that can make us opt for one system or another, for example, the size of the window or the space right in front of the window, the ease or difficulty of opening, etc.

MATERIAL FOR THE WINDOW FRAME
As for the window frame, the usual thing is to find windows made of wood, aluminium or PVC. Wooden windows are increasingly in disuse, perhaps due to their higher price and constant maintenance, although they are still an option to consider for some for aesthetic reasons. Wood is a very insulating material, so in terms of thermal insulation, they work very well.

PVC windows are the most used in new construction in Europe. Its main advantage is that PVC is a very insulating material, so thermally it is an option to take into account. Although its main disadvantage is the price, which is usually a little higher than aluminium. The thickness of its profiles, larger than those of aluminium, can also be a disadvantage, even though this is a matter of taste. Another disadvantage to consider is fire safety. On the one hand, very harmful gases can be produced if breathed in, and on the other hand, they can melt, preventing the use of the window to leave the room.

Aluminium windows have the main drawback in that it is a low insulating material, so thermally they are the worst option; it can even cause condensation around the frame. Its main advantage is the price, undoubtedly the cheapest of the three options. There are profiles with a thermal bridge break, which is nothing more than the introduction into the profile of a thermal insulator, that mitigate the insulation problem. There are them of different qualities; obviously, they also increase in price. Aesthetically there are many more aesthetic finishes in aluminium than in PVC.