Before aluminum and polyvinyl chloride dominated the market, windows were mostly made of wood. And even if today's preferences are more towards these modern materials, wood is still a safe bet.
Longevity, resistance to wear, zero maintenance, range of shapes and colors… Not to mention affordable prices. It is true, PVC and aluminum are currently very attractive. However, wood also has many undeniable qualities. This is why this material is still so popular.
Otherwise, you can just as well make an estimate from a selection of window models for your soon-to-be-built house project. Nevertheless, for the estimate to be as realistic as possible, do not forget to specify the characteristics of the openings, but also the possible tasks that the craftsman will have to accomplish. Now, to return to the strengths of wood, the first is undoubtedly its aesthetics and elegance. But also count on its warm and authentic side.
In addition, natural and therefore completely ecological, as well as recyclable, this material is suitable for all styles of architecture. Did you know that wood has excellent thermal and acoustic insulating properties? With this type of window, it is impossible for you not to meet the requirements imposed by RT2012. You can even claim a tax credit. Otherwise, you will be spoiled for choice with the multitude of essences that exist. Prefer European woods for example, such as larch, fir, mahogany, oak, so that they come from sustainably managed forests.
However, to preserve its beauty and longevity, this material requires maintenance. Unless you have opted for exotic woods such as teak, bamboo, ipe or merbeau. Insofar as these species only grow in tropical countries with a hot and humid climate, they resist quite well to temperature changes, but also to external aggressions. Unfortunately, this is not the case with European varieties.
Thus, when placing an order, already favor wood that has benefited from anti-UV treatment. Indeed, this will slow down the harmful effects of the sun's rays on its surface which, without this protection, may very quickly fade into yellow. And always with this in mind, water-repellent solutions must also be applied to increase its impermeability. But the number one enemies of this material are, of course, xylophagous insects such as termites.
To avoid having to deal with serious problems of infestation and invasion, a preventive treatment also against fungi is also strongly recommended. It is very easy to find products for this purpose on the market. However, their handling remains very delicate since they are often chemical solutions. Finally, to be applied as a finish, the stain is ideal for preserving the natural color of the wood, while the varnish gives it a shiny appearance.
