Whether you live in London or another big European city, you might have noticed that timber windows have lately been regaining popularity. Although until recently, plastic frames – cheaper and easier to manufacture – seemed ubiquitous, today it’s the timber products that draw consumers’ attention.
On the market, you can find windows made of PVC or different types of wood. Timber products are definitely worth considering, as they have a long list of advantages: they make any room cosier and look charming from the outside, they are much more eco-friendly and have excellent acoustic and thermal properties. If you find these features appealing, here’s a quick guide on how to choose the type of timber windows that will best satisfy your needs!
Timber windows – types of wood
Timber windows can be divided according to the type of raw material used in the process of their production. The most commonly used types of wood include:
- pine,
- spruce,
- larch,
- oak,
- meranti,
- eucalyptus.
Before deciding on either of the materials, it is worth considering their respective characteristic features. For example, pine windows are popular due to the low production costs and great acoustic properties. Oak guarantees increased durability and weather resistance. Exotic wood, for instance meranti, is considered by specialists to be of generally superior quality, but is more expensive and less waterproof. Think carefully which of these properties will be the most useful with regard to your financial situation, place of residence and the usual weather.
Window styles
Once you know which type of wood you prefer, the time comes to pick a window style. In the UK, you can come across the following options the most often:
- sash windows,
- casement windows,
- tilt and turn windows.
In London, casement windows are definitely a hit. They can be purchased for a relatively good price, despite being regarded as luxury products. It is worth mentioning that casement windows can be tailored to your individual needs in terms of size, shape, type of wood and of window profile. If you decide to add micro-ventilation, it’ll have a positive effect on the overall level of thermal insulation.
Timber casement windows – advantages and disadvantages
Before you buy casement windows, you should carefully consider all pros and cons of this window style. The former include mainly:
- luxurious, elegant appearance,
- functionality,
- high resistance to mechanical damage and weather,
- wide range of available subtypes, shapes, and designs,
- ease of repair of minor damage,
- possibility to paint the frame in any colour.
Casement windows also have a couple of disadvantages, which are, however, rather unlikely to occur if the wood is regularly cleaned and well conserved. When buying casement windows in London, you should expect that:
- years later, the wood may not look as good as it did right after the purchase – in the majority of the cases, this is, however, a result of improper or irregular maintenance,
- the price will be slightly higher than that of uPVC windows (but so will be the quality),
- they will need regular refreshing: cleaning and repainting.
Having analysed all advantages and disadvantages, we can safely conclude that timber casement windows will be an excellent choice for anyone who appreciates high-quality workmanship, solid, natural materials and durability which guarantees years of trouble-free usage.
Casement windows – what should you take into consideration?
If you are planning to purchase timber casement windows, keep in mind that their price and general final outcome may vary depending on multiple factors:
- the type of wood,
- the tools used by the fitter,
- the window sizes,
- the type of seals,
- whether the windows are custom-made,
- access to micro-ventilation,
- level of thermal and acoustic insulation,
- the reputation of the manufacturer,
- your place of residence.
Flush casement windows – London
If you want to follow the trends, you’ll probably find flush casement windows even more appealing. This subtype of casement window differs in that once it’s closed, a smooth, flat surface is created – with no protruding areas. It adds, therefore, to the functionality, comfort, and appearance of the basic casement window.
