The end of summer is the time to consider changing windows to improve insulation, and gain comfort in the face of the colder months. Environmental awareness and the rise in the price of electricity lead us to improve insulation to avoid energy loss and optimize resources.
In this point, having the right windows will help us enormously to have an efficient house to obtain a good thermal insulation that prevents the cold from entering, and the heat from escaping. But what windows can we choose to insulate our home thermally and acoustically? To be safe We have spoken with the experts at Leroy Merlin to give us the definitive keys to choosing the perfect window for your home.
Opening systems
When choosing the type of window, factors such as the space, the room, or the use that are going to give it influence. The most common types for their functionality are:
• Tilt and turn: This system is our favorite, since it is a very versatile system as it allows both lateral and inward inclined opening. It has the same advantages as a casement window and also provides the best sound insulation. These windows are perfect for bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and bathrooms, spaces that need great ventilation and / or little noise.
Tilt-and-turn walnut PVC window with shutter, measures 100X115 cm. Price: 299 euros.
Tilt-and-turn walnut PVC window blind 100X115 cm
• Sliding window: The blades slide horizontally. It does not take up additional space when opening, which makes it perfect for areas limited by pillars, corners, furniture … Among its drawbacks: the opening angle is limited to one leaf and the closure is not hermetic.
Sliding aluminum window with ARTENS blind, measuring 120x115cm. Previous price, 219 euros, current price, 199 euros.
Aluminum sliding window ARTENS 120x115cm
• Folding: Side opening of the window sash (s), so they need more space available for this movement, but offer a total opening and hermetic closure.
• Swing: Inward sloping opening. Leaning is not possible in this type of partial opening windows recommended for bathrooms and garages.
• Pivoting: The window sash rotates around a central axis. It is used in attics, roofs …
The best glazing for a more comfortable home
Glazing is key to guarantee insulation, both thermal and acoustic. And sadly, it is not always given the proper importance. The glazing can be single or double, the latter is a combination of two crystals separated by a chamber of dehydrated air or gas, and offers much greater thermal and acoustic insulation.
Glass is always 4mm thick, but the camera can range between 6 and 25 mm. Obviously, the thicker it is, the greater the thermal insulation.
Regarding the types of glass, we can distinguish between transparent, translucent, tempered or safety glass and low-emissivity, with great insulating capacity. The acoustic glass protects from noise, and that is why it is the perfect option for bedrooms or for homes that are in high traffic areas.
A second layer: blinds and shutters
The blinds can be made of PVC or aluminum, the latter incorporating an internal insulating layer. The material of the drawer, where the roller blind is housed, and its location also influences when assessing its insulating capacity. The PVC ones are the best in this aspect, although they can only be placed towards the interior of the house.to.
The aluminum one is ideal if the drawer is on the outside, as it is more resistant to humidity and inclement weather. The built-in wall model is the one that insulates the least. To increase this capacity without replacing the blind, it would be enough to install an insulation sheet inside the drawer, a simple and affordable operation that will help us reduce energy consumption when heating or cooling our home.
To improve insulation without changing windows, shutters they are a quick and temporary solution. They protect against cold, heat and noise, but are completely opaque and do not let outside light pass through.
The frame, not just an aesthetic question
In the market we can find wooden, aluminum, aluminum window frames with thermal break (RTP), which between the inside and outside include an insulating material to prevent the transmission of cold and / or heat and, even so , fails to achieve the thermal insulation of PVC windows, which offer better energy efficiency in the home, with savings of up to 50% compared to aluminum and 15% compared to wood.
Regarding acoustic insulation, wood and PVC lead the ranking of efficiency, however, PVC hardly requires maintenance while wood needs periodic care. Aluminum only wins in fire resistance and decorative possibilities since it can be made in a wide range of colors and textures.
What is the perfect window?
If you want to get a energy savings of up to 50% minimizing the losses of cold and heat between the interior and the exterior, it is best to bet on a PVC model with double glazing and tilt and turn opening.
Within the range available, at Leroy Merlin we have found this white PVC window with two tilt-and-turn leaves, 16 mm thick double glazing, low-emission treatment, and a 100×115 blind. It has been manufactured in Spain and achieves a saving of 66% on the heating and / or air conditioning bill. And it costs 159 euros.
Tilt-and-turn white PVC window blind 100X115 cm
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