Comparing wooden, wooden-aluminium and PVC windows
Wooden windows
Maintenance of wooden windows
In production, Jelovica wooden windows are protected with water-dilutable coatings, which protect the windows from external influences in the long term. To ensure a long lifespan of wooden windows, we recommend cleaning them once or twice a year and treating them with a caring milk.
Price of wooden windows
Considering the non-repayable subsidy for wooden or wood-aluminum windows, we can dismiss the belief that wooden windows are significantly more expensive than plastic ones. To learn how to obtain the non-repayable subsidy from the Eco Fund of the Republic of Slovenia and the amount of non-repayable funds you can obtain, check the Eco Fund’s website.
Jelovica has been creating wooden and wooden-aluminium windows for over a hundred years. To date, we have manufactured and installed more than a million. All are made from the highest-quality Slovenian wood, and our modern production line allows for the manufacture of various shapes and sizes according to the customer’s wishes.
Wood is people-friendly
Wood is a hypoallergenic material. This means it has a beneficial effect on the human respiratory system. In its microstructure, it is diffuse, which means it allows for the passage of air, enabling the exchange of indoor and outdoor air. Unlike wood, PVC does not have diffusive properties, which means it is not breathable, but rather hermetically seals the living space. As a natural material, wood has excellent electrostatic properties. This means it never becomes electrically charged, so it does not attract or retain microorganisms, dust, pollen, etc. Thus, wooden windows help create an anti-allergic living space.
Wood is environmental-friendly
The production of wooden windows is clean, meaning it uses less energy and produces fewer carbon dioxide emissions compared to plastic windows. Wood can also be recycled and reused, and it is a biodegradable material. Since our wooden windows are produced in Slovenia, the local supply contributes to the environment. When producing wooden windows, our quality checks start with the tree where the wood is sourced.
Wooden-aluminium windows
Wooden-aluminum windows are an excellent hybrid that ensures all the advantages of wooden windows, all while protecting the wood from negative environmental influences with aluminium cladding. Another advantage of wooden-aluminum windows is that you can match the interior look with the style of the interior decor, and coordinate the exterior aluminum cladding with the wall assembly. It can be said that wooden-aluminium windows are a premium version of wooden windows, which also reflects in their price. The higher price of wood-aluminum windows is justified by their incomparable durability, strength and long lifespan.
PVC windows
PVC windows are cost-effective
PVC windows are most often chosen by customers guided by price. If you want to ensure that your home is energy-efficient, but have very limited resources, PVC windows are the right choice for you.
Maintenance and renovation of PVC windows
Just like wooden windows, PVC windows also need to be cleaned regularly, and the PVC profile and the hardware also need to be taken care of once a year. Admittedly, PVC windows do not need to be painted, but exposure to sunlight can slightly discolor them and – unlike wooden windows – PVC frames cannot be renovated or repainted.
Appearance of PVC windows
White PVC window profiles, which are the most common choice among customers, can create a cheap and sterile look. Apartment block residents often opt for PVC windows to match the plastic windows already installed by other residents. For those who want to add a more personal touch to white windows, decorative films are also available, for instance in the imitation of wood.
Disadvantages of PVC Windows:
- PVC is a carbon-intensive material;
- PVC window sashes cannot be renovated, repaired or repainted;
- PVC windows can sag and warp in larger dimensions, while wooden windows withstand greater pressures;
- PVC does not have diffusive properties, so it is not breathable, but rather hermetically seals the living space;
- PVC is an electrostatic material and as such less suitable those suffering from asthma or allergies.
A window can only be as good as its installation
Regardless of which material you choose for your window frames, we advise you to pay close attention to the installation offered by the manufacturer. We recommend an installation where the contact between the frame and the structure is sealed on three levels, as this ensures the best sealing and highest energy efficiency. In other words, we recommend an installation that is in accordance with the principles of the German RAL guidelines.
In summary, PVC windows are an excellent choice for all tho who are guided by price and easy maintenance of windows. If you swear by natural materials, like environmentally friendly products and want to bring the warmth of wood into your home, wooden windows are the best choice for you. And lastly, if you want wooden windows that require almost zero maintenance, you might want to pay a bit more and choose wooden-aluminium windows which are protected on the outside by an aluminum cladding.
We are happy to help
We are available at our points of sale throughout Slovenia, at info@jelovica.si or on the toll-free phone number 080 23 23.