Why choose wooden windows for the house you are renovating or building

Wooden windows are normal, natural. Wood has always been used to make windows, and in the past no one thought of any other material for their frames. They used wood from species that had proven their resistance over time and were carefully worked to avoid factors that could jeopardize this resistance. This is why we see houses over 100 years old that still have their original windows.

The period of rapid development following the Second World War meant that wood was exploited less responsibly. Wood that had not yet reached maturity or less resistant species was used, manufacturing technologies favored production efficiency over window durability, so that windows ended up deteriorating in a relatively short time. This quickly led to the conclusion that wood was unsuitable for windows because it would rot in the weather and in the sun. Alternative materials soon appeared, tempting in price and performance. But it wasn't long before their weaknesses began to show, and wooden windows came back into the spotlight.

The advent of industrialized wood, impregnation treatments and modern construction solutions has meant that the guarantee on these windows has increased dramatically. In the Nordic countries, for example, there are companies that give a guarantee of more than 50 years for the windows they manufacture. And so we come back to wood, remembering that it is a renewable material and using it in window manufacturing contributes to sustainable and durable construction. And the multiple design and finishing possibilities mean that wooden windows can be adapted to any architectural style. Let's take a look at the main arguments in favor of choosing wooden windows for your home.

Wooden windows are sustainable and make your home energy efficient

Windows are now made of laminated wood which makes them much more durable and energy efficient. Studies have shown that using this type of industrialized wood results in windows lasting more than 50 years. The overlapping layers of solid wood make the window frames very stable and prevent dimensional changes when the outside humidity varies, dimensional changes that could lead to cracks or warping.

Modern wood treatment and finishing solutions also increase the durability of windows. Treating wood using environmentally friendly chemical modification processes results in profiles with reduced water absorption capacity, increased resistance to decay and rotting and dimensional stability. Also, wood can be impregnated under vacuum or pressure with substances that increase its water resistance, making it more durable. The increased durability also contributes to finishing systemswhich are also getting better and better.

The construction solution chosen and the ancillary materials used in the manufacture of windows are of equal importance to wood in terms of durability. Construction solutions that do not allow water to puddle, help condensation to drain away quickly or protect the bottom of the window from dripping raindrops are what make windows stand up very well over time.

Great design and look

When we want to build or renovate our home, we want to invest in a product that is both good quality and aesthetically pleasing. Laminated wood windows meet both requirements and can meet the demands of any architectural style. You can choose from vintage, classic or modern designs, with traditional details, distinctive architectural shapes and a wide variety of colors. Different types of wood can be used, their natural beauty contributing to the windows' unique look.

I have often seen old houses with beautiful architecture that had lost all their charm because of new windows. The old windows were not airtight and led to heat loss, so they were replaced with new thermopane windows (find here Thermopan windows story). But plastic windows were chosen, made of straight profiles. So the original arched window architecture was ignored. The arguments used were that wooden windows are not "thermopane" and that PVC windows are cheaper. Indeed, wooden windows are more expensive, but the new windows lowered the value of the house by much more than the price difference between the two versions. And that "thermopane" refers to the window glass, not the frame. Laminated wood-framed windows can have a glazed surface of 2, 3 or even 4 layers of glass, contributing to very good thermal insulation.

Contribute substantially to the energy efficiency of your home

Windows play an important role in the thermal insulation of a house. It is as much about the glass as the frame or the way it has been fitted. All are ways that heat from inside or outside can get inside. Wood is a good thermal insulator, and this makes the heat transfer through it much lower. Laminated wood has an even lower heat transfer coefficient, with the way the layers of wood are laid and the number of layers contributing to the lower heat transfer coefficient. A material is a better insulator the lower its heat transfer coefficient. Detailed information on the influence of laminated wood-framed windows on the energy efficiency of your home can be found at here.

If the finish is damaged, the finish is restored and the window does not need to be replaced

Wood's vulnerability to sun and rain is solved by protecting it with appropriate materials. Finishing materials have the role of increasing the durability of the window, in addition to the aesthetic one. Manufacturers of such materials are continually doing research to find the best solutions to increase the guarantee period of windows. The advantage of using wooden windows is that they can be repaired or the general appearance of the house can be changed by refinishing. Windows can be sanded down to wood, just like any furniture, and refinished, changing the materials to increase their strength over time or just the color. Scratches or dents that become permanent defects in windows made of other materials can be repaired.

Wooden windows are environmentally friendly, recyclable and sustainable

Existing studies show wood joinery to be environmentally superior to plastic or composite alternatives. Every wooden window chosen instead of the alternatives reduces the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The manufacturing process of plastics and composites removes carbon dioxide, whereas the tree from which the wood came consumed decades of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere before it was harvested.

Wood is a renewable material, but it must be harvested sustainably so that it remains a permanent resource. Over-harvesting without replanting, as well as a lack of maintenance and rejuvenation of the forest can lead to significant long-term impacts. This is why more and more producers use wood from sustainable sources and have regular replanting programs.

Wooden windows are easy to maintain

Exterior finishing materials have warranty periods of between 3 and 10-12 years. Sometimes, under strict operating conditions, they can be up to 15 years. Compared to what I was saying at the beginning, 50-60 years seems rather short. It should be noted, however, that this term does not mean that after that period the window breaks down and needs to be replaced. They represent the time after which the first cracks may appear in the finishing coat. Until then the coating materials do their job of protecting the wood. In order to prolong the life of the protective materials and thus of the windows, attention should be paid to their maintenance.

Wooden windows are very easy to maintain. The only annual maintenance required is cleaning/washing of the outside frames. Depending on exposure and weather conditions, windows with the right wood and the right materials will need an exterior finish refresh every 5-7 years, and then at 5-year intervals thereafter. Most companies that carry window refinishing materials also carry maintenance kits. This restores wooden windows to their original beauty and extends their life.

Wood is prized for its natural beauty and the warmth it inspires. Choosing wooden windows for newly built or renovated homes adds beauty, elegance and value.