Thermal break windows: the features and our price guide. Find out what these windows are and how they work.
Today I'm talking about
thermal break windows: characteristics and price guide for aluminum, pvc and wood. Find out what they are, how they work, strengths and weaknesses of this type of windows.
Let me introduce myself: I am
Elia Caneppele , a digital entrepreneur specializing in the sale of
hardware for doors and windows.
Follow me on this journey where we will go to see the pros and cons of
thermal break aluminum frames and thermal windows in general.
What are thermal break windows?
Let's start by explaining what
thermal break windows are: they are windows equipped with a particular structure capable of cutting heat flows. This particular technology is called
a thermal bridge and has the specific task of blocking the heat from the external environment inside and vice versa.
This feature is essential in places with high temperature ranges and particularly cold seasons.
How do thermal break windows work?
Thermal break
windows interrupt thermal conductivity because they are able to cut the
heat flow thanks to the materials they are made of.
Thermal break windows are an interesting investment with a view to saving on house bills: a decrease in the costs of heating and cooling the spaces of the houses. I point out that it is particularly important to have the right thermal break in roof windows.
Thermal frames: how to recognize them
We often hear about thermal break aluminum, but in reality this technology is often applied to different
types of window openings . Aluminum frames with thermal break are the best known because this material alone is not capable of having good insulation.
In fact, the
cold cut aluminum frames , which are opposed to the thermal break aluminum, have poor performance in the sense that they easily transmit the cold from the outside inside the house (and the same for the heat in summer).
Cold-cut aluminum windows are to be avoided and for this reason they are now only found in old houses. If you still have them you should consider replacing them as soon as possible.
On the other hand, aluminum thermal break windows are able to achieve the correct thermal insulation, even according to today's strict standards.
Insulating a house is not only the task of thermal frames, but without them it is difficult to achieve this important goal. For example, having good
insulation for roller shutter boxes is an equally important element.
Do aluminum windows with thermal break also condensate?
The aluminum frames with thermal break DO NOT condensate. In fact, there is a particular
channel between the two glass panes of the thermal break window to prevent condensation from forming.
The channel
avoids contact between the layers of glass which have different temperatures. In fact, one glass is placed inside while the other undergoes the impact of external atmospheric agents. In this way, infiltrations and, in the worst cases, the presence of molds are avoided.
On the other hand, cold-cut aluminum frames, i.e. those of the older generation, create condensation. This is because they behave like a hanging bottle pulled out of the fridge at home: in a few moments the annoying droplets appear on the surface.
Thermal break windows in pvc: characteristics
Perfect for large windows,
PVC thermal break windows are very light and allow very little heat to pass.
Obviously, PVC is already an excellent insulator and allows excellent energy efficiency even without the presence of the thermal bridge. For this reason, PVC thermal break windows are considered the best in terms of bad conductors. The insulation of the house will be guaranteed.
The price of PVC thermal break windows is more advantageous than that of thermal break aluminum windows. Furthermore, the aesthetics will be less bulky because the necessary insulating layer will be less thick.
The duration of
PVC windows and the lack of maintenance are additional advantages of a PVC thermal break window.
Thermal break windows in wood: strengths and weaknesses
Let me start by saying that the most expensive of all are the
thermal break windows in wood . However, it must also be said that thermal break wood frames have a low transmittance index and guarantee a warm climate when combined with parquet. Furthermore, the great aesthetic impact of wooden frames is beyond question.
As in the case of PVC, wood is also a material that allows excellent thermal insulation. Precisely for this reason the thermal break windows in wood have similar performances to those in pvc. However, they need more maintenance and last less. They also weigh more and that's why I don't recommend them for very large windows.
Thermal break windows prices
Thermal break window prices: if we want to tackle this topic we need to know the
thermal transmittance , that is how much energy the window loses through the surface.
The lower the index, the higher the energy performance (but also the price). The
thermal transmittance index affects the consumption class, a fundamental value for accessing
tax deductions .
In order to help you evaluate the prices of thermal break windows I have considered a simple square window of one meter by one meter. The price increases with the addition of
special handles , locks or
anti-burglary technologies.
PVC thermal break windows prices
Thermal break windows in pvc: the average price changes according to the class.
- Thermal break window pvc energy class B - Measurements: W100 * H100 - Estimated price: 180 €;
- Thermal break PVC window, energy class B, dark walnut effect - W100 * H100 - 250 €;
- Pvc thermal break window class B, cherry effect (transmittance 1,4 W / m²K) - L100 * H100 - 250 €;
- Pvc thermal break window class A (1.2 W / m²K), gray pine effect, hinged opening and vasistas - W100 * H100 - 500 €.
Prices for thermal break windows in wood
Here is how the prices of wooden thermal break windows vary.
- Window L100 XH 100 - varnished pine - class B (Transmittance 1.3 W / m²K) - tilt and turn opening 500 €;
- Window L100 XH 100 - pine with film - class A (Transmittance 1.2 W / m²K) - tilt and turn opening 600 €.
Prices for aluminum thermal break windows
Here is an estimate of how the price of thermal break aluminum fixtures changes as the size increases. The prices indicated also take into account the cost of VAT, transport and labor.
- Window size L 50 XH 50 - about € 250;
- Small window of dimensions L 100 XH 100 - about 350 €;
- Medium sized window L 120 XH 120 - about 350 €;
- Medium size window L 140 XH 140 - about 400 €;
- Large window of dimensions L 160 XH 160 - about 450 €;
- French door of dimensions L 180 XH 180 - about 450 €;
- Large French door of dimensions L 200 XH 200 - about 550 €.
If you are interested in these topics, I would also like to point out this article of mine:
PVC or aluminum frames? Selection guide .
Thank you for reading this guide to the end. If you want a clarification on the subject you can comment below.
