Which windows are better - plastic or wooden?

The issue regarding the installation of window structures affects everyone who is building a new house, cottage, or has decided to carry out major renovations in an apartment. Is it better to choose wooden or plastic windows for your home? Until 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 product offered on the market has its own 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 in a few years you will not regret your decision.

How are windows made of plastic and wood constructed?

Any window structure consists of a frame and glass. The frame of a plastic window is made of a synthetic material with the long name “polyvinyl chloride”, or PVC. The profile is cut according to the required dimensions and the frame is soldered. Inside the profile there are several partitions that form sections for placing double-glazed windows. To strengthen the structure, an iron reinforcing liner is inserted inside the central chamber.

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

A modern wooden window does not even remotely resemble the design of past years with a cracked, rickety frame that needed to be insulated at the beginning of winter. Now these are high-quality, expensive products made using the latest technologies, and in terms of performance characteristics they are in no way inferior to structures made from profiles.

The frame of a wooden window is made of laminated veneer lumber, which prevents the natural deformation of the product when temperatures change. To protect the wood from the destructive effects of various bugs, sun and water, it is impregnated with special solutions.

Which windows retain heat better?

The thermal insulation properties of a window structure largely depend on the chamber size of the glass unit. In wooden windows, two-chamber bags are installed, while plastic ones can consist of three chambers or more.

The thermal conductivity coefficient of the plastic profile is 0.2 W/(m²*K), which is twice the thermal conductivity of laminated timber. Of course, one cannot help but take into account the type of wood from which the product is made, and when choosing, you need 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 to let in light and retain heat, but also to ventilate the room.In the past there were no particular problems with this, since everyone was mainly concerned with how to seal 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 took a different turn. The synthetic polymer does not allow air to pass through at all. Glass, as you know, too.

In a tightly sealed room with plastic windows, a person suffers from a lack of oxygen and high humidity, which results in:

• microclimate disturbance;
• spread of fungus;
• problems with the respiratory system.

It is simply impossible to keep the doors open in an apartment facing a busy street. Therefore, in order to get rid of these troubles and establish regular ventilation, you have 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 wooden blocks are glued together, impregnated with protective compounds, painted, and varnished. After this treatment, the air permeability of the wooden 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 everything synthetic and unnatural will, of course, choose wooden windows. The environmentally friendly material, proven for centuries, is beyond doubt - unless you take into account the chemical impregnations used in the manufacture of products.

The attitude towards devices made of polyvinyl chloride is more picky, although this material has long been used in many industries, in particular in the manufacture of plastic tableware.According to experts, the polymer used in the profile is completely inert and, when exposed to sunlight or temperature changes, does not release substances hazardous to humans into the air.

All plastic products from 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 influencing the choice of material used to construct a window opening. Beautiful windows, completely in harmony with the facade of the building and attracting admiring glances of passers-by, undoubtedly raise the status of the owner.

• Plastic structures are good because the profile is easy to bend, which means you can make arched openings. In addition, plastic can be easily painted in any color, which represents a huge field of activity for designers. A PVC frame can be laminated to look like wood, however, the feeling of “unnaturalness” will still remain.
• Wooden windows are good to install in private cottages and dachas. They will fit perfectly into the architecture of the old city and the design of new buildings. Wood can be painted or varnished, leaving the fibrous structure visible.

From an aesthetic point of view, wooden windows are undoubtedly superior to 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 in two or three years, when choosing a product it is necessary to take into account the strength and stability of the structure.

The profile's rigidity and ability to retain its shape for a long time is ensured by the reinforcing liner placed in the central compartment.If the product was produced by some “left” company and this part is missing, then the frame may be deformed. Temperature changes will cause the profile to bend, the doors will begin to close poorly, and cracks and gaps will appear. In addition, plastic may turn yellow when exposed to sunlight, making the window look untidy.

The wooden frame will not bend or sag, but it can also present the owner with a few surprises. For example, light-colored wood quickly darkens under the influence of ultraviolet rays; rain and snow gradually wear off the paint and varnish - 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 “reliably” serve for many years and will not cause unnecessary problems to the owner.

Window care primarily involves adjusting and lubricating the metal fittings that are installed on both wooden windows and PVC structures.

• Caring for a plastic profile is much easier than caring for a wooden frame. The smooth material that does not absorb moisture can be washed with warm water and detergent, wiped dry, after which the frame will sparkle with pristine cleanliness until the next cleaning.
• With wooden windows the situation is different. The frame will periodically have to be sanded, tinted or varnished. Therefore, we can say that wooden windows require more careful maintenance than plastic ones.

Durability

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

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

How long wooden windows last depends primarily on the type of wood:

• larch will last 50 years;
• pine - 55–60 years;
• oak - at least 90 years.

The service life depends on compliance with product manufacturing technologies 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 better - plastic or wooden, we need to summarize the pros and cons of the designs.

Strengths of PVC windows:

• low cost;
• moisture resistance;
• Possibility of painting in any color;
• ease of care;
• practicality.

Disadvantages of PVC:

• synthetic material can emit harmful substances;
• the frame is deformed due to temperature changes;
• This type of structure is not very durable.

Wooden windows have the following advantages:

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

Disadvantages of wooden structures:

• periodically require painting or varnishing;
• are expensive.

Which windows to choose is a matter of taste. If cost is the deciding factor when choosing, then you should take plastic frames. They may not last as long as wooden ones and may not be very beautiful, but they are much cheaper and do not require special care.When the budget allows you to pay any price, it is better to opt for environmentally friendly wooden structures. An elite country house with cheap plastic windows looks poor and tasteless, but wooden frames will not only perform their main functions, but will also give the building a noble appearance.