Which windows to choose?

What are they to be made of?

If you've been thinking about replacing your windows, you may have wondered 'what is the best material for the windows?". However, to work this out, you first need to know the differences between the 3 window materials -. PVC, aluminium i wood. To help you with this, we have created this useful article.

What material for windows?

PVC windows

Plastic window, the most popular window material today, PVC is easy to maintain and highly resistant to warping, weathering and discolouration. As a natural insulator, PVC also helps to retain more heat internally. The use of multiple heat retaining chambers in modern window profiles with PVC This improves it even further, leading to cosier, more energy-efficient homes.

Aluminium windows

Aluminium windowse have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. First of all, aluminium has incredible natural strength, making window frames slimmer and the glazed area larger, allowing more natural light to enter the interior. Modern aluminium window frames are also fitted with insulating polyamide thermal breaks, which significantly improves their ability to retain heat. Thanks to aluminium's anti-corrosion properties and exceptional durability aluminium windows can last for years.

Wooden windows

Wooden windows have been used for centuries. With a grainy and textured appearance, they are known for their natural beauty, but modern wooden windows are also extremely efficient. Wood is a natural insulator and one of the most durable materials, meaning timber windows provide warmer homes and long-lasting windows.

Z PVC, wood or aluminium?

Advantages and disadvantages at a glance

What windows choose?

PVC windows  advantages and disadvantages

The cheapest option at all does not mean the worst, but on the contrary the best. Currently PVC windows offer thermal insulation comparable to aluminium i wood. Modern frames with PVC are a practical, durable and inexpensive solution. They are easy to care for and the windows Kömmerling They are also environmentally friendly and ecological. They are even available in wood imitation. Profiles Kömmerling are additionally reinforced with galvanised steel. 

Advantages (+)

• Very good price on average 30 % cheaper than wood and aluminium
• Easy to care for and converse
• They are modern
• Very durable, long service life and high deformation resistance for profiles Kommerling
• Weather-resistant 
• Resistant to the negative effects of fungi and insects.
• They do not lose heat (they are airtight) and are therefore able to reduce energy and heating costs
• They offer excellent thermal and acoustic insulation, especially selecting the best profiles on the market Kommerling 88
• Fits into any interior
• They are eco-friendly and can be recycled!
• They are very secure additionally you can use special safety glass with increased resistance to break-in and single or multi-point locks of RC1, RC2 or RC3 class for maximum safety. Your safety is of utmost importance to us, which is why we use high quality ROTO hardware for our windows with increased strength and resistance to burglary.
• PVC windows are more energy-efficient than aluminium or wooden windows
• No maintenance required
• Wide range of colours with pallets

Disadvantages (-) 

• Among other things, they do not work well in rooms where there is a lack of air circulation, as, due to how airtight the PVC windows are, water vapour can build up on the panes. However, this problem is eliminated by our use of window ventilators
• It is also common knowledge that under the influence of the sun the colour of the windows can fade and the profiles can warp, but the Kommerling profiles are so good that we haven't had a single complaint about this in 25 years, so it's important to choose a window manufacturer with a good reputation in the market who offers top quality products.

Wooden windows advantages and disadvantages

environmentally friendly, but maintenance is essential! Wooden frames offer the most natural solution. However, in order to serve for a long time, they require regular cleaning and maintenance. Therefore, they are not necessarily ideal for a rental property, for example. They feature high insulation and are available in a whole range of colours. More expensive than PVC.

Advantages (+)

• They look inviting and unique
• They offer good thermal and acoustic insulation, better than aluminium
• With good maintenance, they are very long-lasting and durable 
• Low running costs if used properly
• They add value to your property
• They are heavy, robust and solid thanks to which they have great strength
• Ecological design 
• Do not deform
• They can be made in any RAL colour.
•  They can be treated with paint and varnish so you can still enjoy their beauty               

Disadvantages (-)

• Requires more maintenance than wood and aluminium
• It is more expensive than PVC
• Wood is more susceptible to rot, insect infestation and cracking or warping due to heat and moisture. Cracks and gaps in wood can cause energy bills to rise. However, if you take good care of your windows and maintain them properly, they can have a really long life.

Aluminium windows advantages and disadvantages

They are durable and highly insulating. More expensive to buy, aluminium windows have the longest lifespan and the highest insulation factor. They are therefore an excellent investment for years to come. In 100% they are recyclable and available in a wide range of metallic colours. They are more expensive than PVC However, their price is comparable when it comes to wood.

Advantages (+)

• Aluminium windows renowned for their durability and strength, as well as their stability
• They are highly weather-resistant, the colour coatings applied to the profiles are durable and resistant to external influences
• They are environmentally friendly and also energy-efficient with the right profiles
• Very easy to maintain and upkeep
• Best for large structures Aluminium has sufficient section stiffness to allow thinner profiles and window sash frames to be designed. This means larger glazed area 
• They are safe thanks to anti-burglary systems from RC1 to RC3 and safety glass
• Any RAL colour can be chosen
• They can come in all shapes
• Recyclable - the material used in their manufacture is almost 99% recyclable and reusable
• Aluminium windows are light

Disadvantages (-)

• They can rust when used in seaside homes because of the salt in the water, but the use of special coatings eliminates this problem.
• Damaged or scratched frames cannot be repaired as they are not repairable and can only be replaced
• They are more expensive than wooden and aluminium windows especially for large structures with unusual shape and design
• Weaker thermal insulation from PVC i wood
• If they are scratched they can corrode

Still not sure which windows to choose?

The right questions to ask When it comes to window frames, there are no right or wrong choices: it all comes down to your situation, tastes and constraints. To help you make your choice, consider the following factors:

Budget: are you able to spend more initially for a long-term solution?

Maintenance: do you intend to carry out the maintenance yourself? Or will you need to call in someone? If you intend to rent out your property, who will be responsible for maintenance?

Aesthetics: Does the style of your home require a choice of wood? Or is a good imitation sufficient?

Performance: Is your home particularly exposed to the weather? What thermal and acoustic performance do you expect?

Which windows are the cheapest to buy?

PVC windows are usually cheaper than other types of window because the material is easier to manufacture. However, this is not always the case and options are available premium windows z PVC. Despite the fact that they are cheaper, PVC windows can be among the most efficient.

What are the best windows to old period buildings?

Period buildings are often fitted with vertical sliding windows and flush, which were traditionally made of wood. So, when it comes to recreating that classic period window charm, wood is an excellent material. Nowadays, however, these window styles are also built from PVC. If you decide to apply a woodgrain film to the PVC, you can give the material a rich and textured wood look.

Windows GM PLAST

Our wide selection of window profiles is tailor-made, making it easy to match any style of property. You will be able to choose from three materials: PVC, aluminium i wood and many window styles. Discover our offer today and advise you which windows select.

What windows best suited to modern homes?

It is very common for modern houses to be built with designs that emphasise minimalism. Thus, because windows aluminium tend to have the thinnest frames, thanks to the incredible strength of their materials, and work well with minimalist and modern design schemes. However, modern uPVC windows also ideally suited to modern constructions, especially new windows Kommerling 88

How long do they last windows?

PVC windows i aluminium windows have an expected lifespan of around 35 and 45 years respectively. However, it is possible that each will last longer, and the best way to maximise life expectancy is to carry out regular maintenance. On the other hand wooden windows can last a lifetime, provided they are properly cared for. Because of their incredible longevity, wooden windows offer long-term value.

What windows are the most energy-efficient?

PVC i wood are natural insulating materials. Although aluminium is a natural conductor, this is offset by the insulating polyamide barriers. As a result, our uPVC windows, wood i aluminium can achieve the fantastic energy class "A+". Guaranteed to keep more heat in the home, there is also a good chance of reducing energy bills.

However, PVC i wood have slightly better U-values of 0.8 W/m2k, while the aluminium windows values reach U values of 1.1 W/m2k. U-values measure the heat transfer coefficient, and the lower the U-value, the better insulating the material.

Do wooden windows require more maintenance than PVC windows i aluminium?

PVC i aluminium They require virtually no maintenance to keep them looking their best. Simply wiping down any material with a soft cloth and warm soapy water will keep them dirt-free. Wooden windows can be cleaned just as easily. However, they also require painting with a special varnish every seven years or so to protect them from rotting. Although this means that wood requires slightly more maintenance than other materials, periodic touch-up painting ensures that they will last for many years.

What colour options are available for the windows?

There are many colour options to choose from, regardless of the material chosen windows. At GM PLAST, the range of our PVC colours you can check here [CURRENT COLOUR PALETTE].. In contrast, to wooden windows i aluminium You can choose any colour from the RAL palette.

Summary | Which windows to choose |

Unfortunately, it is impossible to give a definitive answer to this question. We have given you the advantages and disadvantages of each material and the final choice is up to you. If you're still not sure which windows to choose then please contact us and we will do our best to help you make the best choice for your home or flat.

PVC windows Advantages and disadvantages | Aluminium windows Advantages and disadvantages | Wooden windows Advantages and disadvantages

What they are to be made of windows?