Apt Choices for the Windows from the Darlington Company

They contribute to the general aesthetic of the home (both outside and inside), but they also fulfill decisive practical functions, windows deserve to be chosen according to selection criteria carefully considered in advance. When it comes time to replace them, how do you make sure you make the right decisions? Here are some tips before choosing a window design that will help you find the perfect compromise between your decorative choices, your specific needs and your concern to save as much energy as possible.

Anticipate needs room by room

Usually, we do not recommend installing the same windows for all the rooms of the house: each space is exposed differently, the needs are not the same and the decoration can also change.

With this in mind, some very clever little choices can make your life considerably easier:

• A tilt-and-turn model in the bedrooms, to have a little air in summer while sleeping comfortably.
• A sliding version in the kitchen, for easy ventilation without wasting space on the worktop.
• A sliding window in the living room, in order not to reduce the living area by a single square meter and to make the most of natural light.
• Obviously, in private spaces such as the bathroom or the toilet, we rely on frosted glazing, which preserves privacy while providing good light.

Do you want to improve the performance of your home and reduce your energy bills? Find an efficient solution thanks to our online simulator.

Insulate based on exposure to sunlight and noise

Very clearly, a north-facing glazed surface must be insulated as much as possible, with triple glazing to avoid any heat loss in winter, in the absence of sunlight. But you must also plan for hot summer periods: for all windows facing south, ask for solar control treatments. These can considerably reduce the heating of the room under the effect of UV rays.

For your personal comfort, do not forget – either – the sound insulation of the interior spaces . All the openings that open onto busy streets (pedestrians, heavy vehicle traffic) deserve acoustic glazing. We are now developing high-performance solutions, with glasses of different thicknesses and a so-called “laminated” layer, ideal for staying calm in all circumstances.

Choose the right materials: wood, PVC or aluminum?

In the window market, three competing devices exist and meet varying requirements. To begin with, you should know that our openings today are mainly made of PVC, for several reasons. Above all, it is an affordable, durable and easy to maintain alternative. In addition, it gives very good results with regard to thermal insulation.

At the same time, aluminum tends to develop, because it shows itself to be very flexible and adapts to all architectural choices. It will be more expensive to buy, but less restrictive to install. We can completely include aluminum windows in a construction project compliant, knowing in addition that this material is 99% recycled. On the other hand, it is less resistant to the wind, it is not recommended on coastal or highly exposed areas.

Conclusion

Finally, wood remains an undeniable classic, for its cachet and authenticity. Like aluminum, it can be recycled and it also performs very well when it comes to insulation. Better heat resistant than aluminum, however, it requires more maintenance and a greater expense to purchase.Note that the most undecided can also opt for windows combining aluminum and wood, under the advice of their installer.