The choice of wood for windows: larch, pine or oak? What do consumers think of wooden windows with double-glazed windows? Review reviews.
Wood is considered one of the most ancient building materials and an experienced specialist, carpenter or joiner, always knows what kind of wood is needed for a particular product. The differences can be quite significant depending on the type of tree, its age and where it grows. The main thing, of course, is the type of wood: one has hard wood, the other is loose, one has a beautiful texture, while the other has no annual rings at all. One grows quickly, the other slowly, one was cut down in a nearby forest, and the other was brought from overseas, which means that the cost of such materials is different.
Let's move on to specifics and see what kind of wood they make domestic manufacturers.
Pine
Pine wood is the most common material for building joinery, including windows. have Excellent value for money and quality primarily because pine is considered the most common coniferous tree, perfectly adapted to the climate from temperate southern to northernmost latitudes. Pine is easy to process, the relatively low density of its wood allows the product to be processed protective compounds, increasing its moisture resistance. According to the regions of growth, the southern and northern pines differ in the density of wood - the northern pine is of the greatest value, which has a denser wood and a small distance between annual rings. Traditionally, the most quality material obtained from Karelian, Angara pine and other northern regions. Interestingly, the time of harvesting also matters: a tree cut in winter gives minimal shrinkage.
Larch
Larch- this is a Siberian tree, although it is also found in Europe, but it was the Siberian tree that received fame the most moisture resistant of all conifers, the least prone to decay. It is larch that builders choose wooden houses near reservoirs for laying the lower part of the house: with a possible flood, it does not threaten to rot. Larch wood is durable, has a beautiful texture with bright growth rings... Larch belongs to hard species, products made from it are strong and durable, but it is difficult to process. More resin pockets make the work of the carpenter even more painstaking. Windows have been made from larch for a long time in the north, as from the least thermally conductive wood, they are still made everywhere, they are more expensive than pine, but much cheaper than oak.
Oak
Of all the hardwoods, oak stands out. Not only for his stately appearance, but also for his hardness proverbial. The composition of oak wood contains a lot of tannins, it is quite heavy and difficult to process, and requires long drying. Although the windows and doors of ancient European castles are made of oak, our modern domestic manufacturers use the wood of trees grown in the foothills for the manufacture of windows. North Caucasus... Oak frames fit well for windows large sizes
, since they will not shrink under the weight of the glass unit.
Linden
Beautiful and healing tree linden has a not very strong wood, but has another excellent property: pleasant aroma and no harmful secretions under the influence of hot humid air... This makes it indispensable for the manufacture of windows. for baths, steam rooms or saunas... This is why its use in the production of windows is limited.
Meranti
Deciduous tree native to Malaysia, belonging to the group that make up the so-called Red tree... It is considered the most popular of this group and is widely used in Europe, due to its relatively low cost in comparison with other types of wood. valuable breeds... However, our domestic industry classifies meranti as exotic species, primarily because of the wealth of its own forest resources. In addition, although the actual processing of meranti wood is not too difficult, on an industrial scale it requires certain skills and special rooms equipped with powerful ventilation. The reason is simple: instead of the usual shavings, meranti wood gives wood dust. A feature of the structure of meranti wood is its variety of color shades, which complicates the selection of the pattern.
Cedar, poplar, alder, aspen
This is a list of well-known tree species from which windows are not made. They have beautiful wood, but too soft and unreliable, which can not withstand the weight of the glass unit.
Larch wood is widely used as a raw material for the production of double-glazed euro windows. The material is highly durable, resistant to temperature extremes and precipitation. Raw materials retain heat well, have an aesthetic texture and a universal shade. At the same time, larch is notable for its affordable price among elite wood.
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Any apartment is characterized by the presence modern windows... This building element can highlight the uniqueness of the interior and decorate the room. This is especially true of wooden windows, which are distinguished by their environmental friendliness. Pine and larch are often used for the manufacture of such products. Pay attention, on the website www.oknacity.ru of the company Windows City you can buy luxurious wooden windows, take a look at the link.
Features of wooden products
Natural wood has always been distinguished by its aesthetics, nobility and high performance properties. These windows are the most expensive. The cost is formed by the high price of natural wood. It is not difficult to find out more about windows made of wood of different species by following the link to the website oknacity.ru.
Natural material is environmentally friendly, but for a long service life of the product and resistance to atmospheric precipitation, the wood is impregnated with special chemical compositions and cover polyurethane paint... This prevents wood cracking and decay processes, but also reduces air permeability.
Making a wooden window is a laborious and time-consuming process. For the product to comply with the European quality level, it is important to comply with all necessary steps technological process. The selected wood must go through several stages of preparation. These include drying, removing defective areas, chemical impregnation, and varnishing. All these steps are necessary to protect the tree from the effects of atmospheric agents and to give the window an aesthetic appearance.
Glued wood lumber is used instead of the usual metal profile... Fittings and double-glazed windows are selected depending on the type of wood and the expected load on the product. Pine, larch and other trees are common materials for the manufacture of modern windows.
The advantages of wooden products:
- environmental friendliness of the material;
- tightness of the structure;
- soundproofing;
- protection from the cold.
Pine windows
The most common material for making wooden windows is pine. it soft breed wood that is easy to handle. This quality of the material makes pine products inexpensive, they can be produced in a short time.
The pine profile is lightweight, which reduces the load on the fittings (it will last longer). The tree is resistant to temperature extremes, does not interfere with natural air exchange. Windows using pine look beautiful and fit into interiors with dark and light shades of furniture. Also unique element may be decorative strip on a double-glazed window.
Among the shortcomings, one can note the fragility of the material. Due to their softness, pine frames are prone to dents and scratches. If they are not varnished, decay processes can occur there, and the wood itself can turn blue. To prevent destructive processes and increase the service life, pine wood is saturated with chemicals. For this, the deep impregnation method is used. After it, the pine becomes resistant to decay and mechanical stress, but acquires properties similar to plastic. These windows can release chemicals into the room.
The advantage of modern pine windows is their affordability and aesthetics. Wood is considered more environmentally friendly material, especially in comparison with plastic. The pine profile has good sound insulation, retains heat in the room, has a beautiful appearance.
Larch windows
In nature, this tree secretes phytoncides, which are prevention viral diseases... Wood has antiseptic properties, so fungi and mold do not develop in it. Larch windows are optimal combination excellent quality and value of the product.
Larch wood is characterized by high strength (30% higher than that of pine) and moisture resistance. In terms of hardness, this breed is on a par with oak. Wood is more difficult to process and dry than other materials. Products made from it are optimal for areas with a humid climate, excluding wood rotting and swelling, the appearance of mold and mildew. The larch tree gives the windows their uniqueness and makes them stand out from overall interior due to its reddish shade.
Larch frames and window sills withstand increased stress. They are resistant to wear and tear. Furrows and dents from objects located on it will not remain on the windowsill. The wood does not require impregnation with special chemicals, that is, it remains a durable and environmentally friendly material.
Window selection and care
To buy a high-quality wooden window, you need to consider the following factors:
- The appearance of the product, its color. Aesthetics and reliability.
- Wood material and quality. They must be free from defects.
- Treatment. The wood should be free of cracks and chipping. The wood must be impregnated with special protective compounds that extend the life of the product. Finishing can hide defects (opaque paints) or emphasize the dignity of wood and its texture (varnishes).
- Fittings. It must be of high quality.
Wooden windows do not require special care... Cleaning consists in wiping the product with a damp cloth. It needs to be renewed every 5 years protective covering wood. Such products are suitable for city apartments, private houses and cottages. They fit perfectly into any room, match the furniture, complement the interior with their solidity and nobility.
Standard plastic euro-windows in wooden house- not the best solution: for maximum environmental friendliness, it is still worth giving preference to wooden frames. However, this does not mean that you have to endure the cold and drafts due to the cracks in them. Now many manufacturers make wooden windows under the euro from glued laminated timber.
In terms of quality and reliability, they will not be inferior to the most expensive ones. metal-plastic structures... It is important to navigate correctly in the choice and determine where wooden euro-windows will be cheaper and from what material they should be made.
Features and types of designs
Euro-windows is a term that is more often used in relation to plastic systems, since it was they who first began to be produced in European countries. However, they have an important disadvantage: they do not provide natural ventilation therefore excess moisture builds up in the room and mold may develop. The wooden Euro-window is devoid of this drawback.
The updated design has retained natural environmental friendliness natural material and at the same time has several important technical improvements:
Among other things, Euro-windows are distinguished by a variety of designs: they can be one-, two- and three-part, the sashes can be deaf, swing or sliding. True, unlike metal-plastic ones, they cannot be swing-out. But the structure of natural wood does not interfere with the implementation of normal air exchange, so there are no problems with ventilation. You can install domestic or imported fittings with a wide range of options.
Wooden euro-windows with double-glazed windows are offered in a wide variety of prices. First of all, the cost depends on the number of layers of lamellas in the frames, as well as on the rock used for the manufacture. Let's consider the most common options.
Pine frames attract buyers, first of all, for their low cost - this is the cheapest and most affordable solution for a wide range of people. Pine remains one of the most widespread species; windows from it are made both in Russia and abroad. This is wood light color, it has rather soft fibers and is easy to process, which allows it to be used in the production of a wide variety of structures, including arched ones.
Almost any double-glazed windows can be inserted into such windows; you can purchase both two- and three-chamber options. Pine has several features and important benefits:
- Light wood looks beautiful and can be coated with a wide variety of materials. When the frame is made of laminated veneer lumber, neither knots nor resin pockets are allowed in the structure, therefore it will retain such an impeccable appearance for a very long time.
- The wood is resinous, and this substance protects it from decay and insect attack. For additional protection during production, it is impregnated with various antiseptics, and the treatment has to be periodically repeated.
- She has very good parameters energy efficiency, that is, it retains heat well, so the frame will not freeze even in harsh cold weather. For production, they take northern wood - this material is the most dense and durable, it initially grows in harsh climatic conditions.
A fresh product has light shade, however, it later darkens quickly. Because of this, it is preferable to paint them, manufacturers offer big choice colors. A correctly chosen tone will perfectly harmonize with the design of a lumber, log or other structure, and the window will become a harmonious part of the home interior.
The pine also has many disadvantages. It is soft enough that it is easy to damage it with a sharp or heavy object. Due to the not very high strength, the service life is limited, in addition, wood, like any other tree, can swell and, conversely, decrease with fluctuations in humidity. If you want to order frames from this particular material, you will have to carefully choose yourself. window blocks, and the installer.
Larch constructions
Larch is a very special breed, therefore it is highly valued. Compared to pine, it is much stronger and heavier, and difficult to handle. But on the other hand, the purchase of larch windows is an acquisition for centuries, they serve for decades. Let's consider the main advantages of this breed:
- Dense wood does not burn, which for wooden house important. The installation of such window blocks increases the fire safety of the building, especially if the walls themselves are made of logs or beams of the same breed.
- Maximum resistance to decay and other destructive biological factors... Larch frames serve for a long time, as they are not damaged by mold, blue, rodents, insects - this is the most durable type of wood.
- Good thermal insulation properties. She also keeps heat very reliably, the opening will not freeze, and it will be comfortable in the rooms.
With all these advantages, we must not forget about several significant disadvantages. First of all, this is a high cost: not everyone can afford to purchase larch windows, their installation is also quite expensive. This is due to their increased weight and the complexity of processing. It is very difficult to work with the material; in the future, even a nail will be difficult to drive into such frames.
Larch windows are worth purchasing if density and durability are critical to you. Its external decorative qualities are inferior to pine and oak, although in this case you can save a little on additional finishing.
Oak frames
Light brown oak windows with a special texture will adorn the facade of any house: they give the building a solid and stable look, and emphasize the financial well-being of the owner. This is a truly elite option in terms of strength, cost, and decorative qualities.
In addition, oak blocks will provide good sound insulation, and the residents will not be disturbed by extraneous sounds. They serve for a long time: due to its high density, oak wood successfully resists decay.
There are also several disadvantages to oak windows. Firstly, this is their high price: oak is always expensive, and quality processing and the installation will be even more expensive. Secondly, oak wood is considered cold, it is worse in thermal insulation qualities than pine, spruce or larch.
It weighs a lot, the installation of such systems should be carried out only by professionals. In addition, all accessories must be selected at the appropriate level and price category, and all of this is also expensive.
According to statistics, many people, when choosing wood for windows, take into account the opinion of friends, their own preferences and whether they have seen similar products anywhere else. And only a few listen to the opinion of experts. And this is important, if only because the quality and properties of wooden windows largely depend on the choice of wood. Therefore, today we will talk about how to make this choice.
Types of wood for windows
In the manufacture of wooden windows, you can use the most different breeds wood. There are no particular restrictions here. At the same time, only a few are really common in this area. here it is larch, oak and pine. Their popularity can be explained by the fact that these trees grow almost everywhere in our area. Accordingly, their cost is quite adequate.
Although you can also find windows from other species on the market. Structures made of merbau and Siberian cedar... But they are also much more expensive. But according to operational properties practically do not differ from the same larch, for example.
And in order to determine from which breed to choose windows for ourselves, we propose to consider these three most popular options.
Pine
it coniferous... There are resin passages in the wood. Thanks to this, it exudes a pleasant forest scent, even if treated with special protective compounds. It also releases special substances into the air that have a beneficial effect on human health. Therefore, if you install pine windows at home, then it will be easy to breathe into the room. This is especially important for those with respiratory problems.
The advantages of pine, which are manifested in the manufacture of windows, include:
- Flexibility and ease of handling. Pine is a pleasure to work with. Therefore, windows of any shape, including carved ones, can be made from it.
- High breathability. Pine windows provide excellent ventilation of the room.
- Ease of repair. Even if such a window fails, it will be possible to correct the shortcomings with your own hands.
- Durability. The constructions have been serving for more than seventy years.
- Affordable cost. Due to the fact that pine grows everywhere and is easy to process, products from it are not inexpensive.
Disadvantages of pine:
- Fragility. Because of hard blows or other mechanical influences on the windows may be damaged.
- The likelihood of shrinkage. If the structure is processed incorrectly, then it will react to changes in the environment.
- Simplicity of appearance. Pine wooden windows do not look as attractive as those of the same larch.
Larch
This is also a coniferous species, so it has all the same advantages as pine. And also a number of their own. For example, larch windows look much more attractive. Especially if it is late wood, which has an unusual dark brown hue.
At correct processing such wood can last for more than a century. And in their own technical specifications larch is thirty percent stronger than pine. Moreover, it does not warp so much.
Advantages of larch windows:
- High strength. These structures are difficult to damage, even when subjected to severe stress.
- Resistance to warping. Larch is a unique coniferous tree that practically does not rot and does not even allow neighboring structures to rot.
- Durability. Larch products have been successfully used for even more than a hundred years.
- Air permeability. These windows provide optimal air exchange.
- Benefit for health. Natural larch windows fill the air forest scent and will have a beneficial effect on the health of those who live in the room.
Disadvantages of larch:
- Complexity of processing. Only specialists can cope with the manufacture of windows from larch, because in the wood itself there are many resin passages.
- Low resistance to mechanical stress. Such windows can be damaged if force is applied.
It is considered one of the strongest breeds. Oak windows can serve for centuries. And even with aging, they only acquire an increasingly attractive appearance if they receive the necessary care.
Among the advantages of oak windows, experts distinguish high strength and the hardness of the material itself. Moreover, it is easy to paint. Oak also resists well various influences... He is not afraid of decay, over time it does not crack.
But windows made of this wood also have disadvantages. For example, making them is even more difficult than making larch products. And the oak itself is not easy to polish. Such structures are very expensive.
What should you choose?
All three options are quite different high quality... But optimal ratio both are observed in larch. In terms of its parameters and cost, it is exactly in the middle. And the windows from it will perfectly complement any room.