Hello everyone, next week our windows are going to be planned, and I want to gather some information beforehand about what we should choose. A window manufacturer we spoke with a few months ago recommended ALUPLAST IDEAL8000 PVC windows. The specifications are:
- 6-chamber system
- Installation depth: 85 mm (3.3 inches)
- Steel reinforcement fully enclosed in the frame
- Misalignment lock (tilt-and-turn windows)
- Hardware equipped with two anti-burglary locking points per window sash
- System with 3 seals
- Glazing with insulating glass units up to 51 mm (2 inches) thick
- Standard glazing is 4th/18Ar/4/18Ar/4th [Ug=0.5]
- Option for concealed hardware available
- Recommended for building passive houses
We are planning a 170 sqm (1,830 sq ft) single-family house, built with T10 solid bricks. No ventilation system and no additional insulation. The bricks comply with the energy-saving regulations but not with KFW standards. There will be a wood stove in the living room. I have considered the following three points:
- Sound insulation
Our house will be built on a moderately busy street. A few hundred meters away there is a school, which means that a few buses pass by on the north side of the house in the morning and at noon. Otherwise, the area is fairly quiet. Aluplast states the IDEAL8000 window has a sound insulation rating of 48 dB. Does this mean that if I assume 100 dB from the street noise, I subtract 48 dB, and the remaining 52 dB would be audible inside the house? Of course, this is just theoretical, but having a rough idea like this would probably help me. I would like the interior to be quite quiet, so good sound insulation is important. There are no significant noise sources on the other sides of the house.
- Thermal insulation
Since our house will not meet KFW55 or similar standards, we have no special requirements. IDEAL8000 is triple-glazed and “suitable for a passive house” (which sounds like marketing to me). We will have five large patio windows on the south side, which will by far be the warmest side. There is an additional option called “warm edge” for the windows. As I understand it, the edges of the glass inside the window are additionally insulated by the frame. Is it possible that the window insulates “too well” and this could cause, for example, condensation or other unwanted effects?
- Security
We will live in a rural area where there are practically no break-ins. Still, I would like somewhat more than the usual protection. After all, you only build once, and the windows should remain in place for a long time. Therefore, I would choose the additional option of concealed hardware. Does that make sense, or are these hardware solutions easy for burglars to overcome? I understand that a burglar will get in if they really want to, but I would like to delay them as long as possible.
Thanks in advance for your opinions.
- 6-chamber system
- Installation depth: 85 mm (3.3 inches)
- Steel reinforcement fully enclosed in the frame
- Misalignment lock (tilt-and-turn windows)
- Hardware equipped with two anti-burglary locking points per window sash
- System with 3 seals
- Glazing with insulating glass units up to 51 mm (2 inches) thick
- Standard glazing is 4th/18Ar/4/18Ar/4th [Ug=0.5]
- Option for concealed hardware available
- Recommended for building passive houses
We are planning a 170 sqm (1,830 sq ft) single-family house, built with T10 solid bricks. No ventilation system and no additional insulation. The bricks comply with the energy-saving regulations but not with KFW standards. There will be a wood stove in the living room. I have considered the following three points:
- Sound insulation
Our house will be built on a moderately busy street. A few hundred meters away there is a school, which means that a few buses pass by on the north side of the house in the morning and at noon. Otherwise, the area is fairly quiet. Aluplast states the IDEAL8000 window has a sound insulation rating of 48 dB. Does this mean that if I assume 100 dB from the street noise, I subtract 48 dB, and the remaining 52 dB would be audible inside the house? Of course, this is just theoretical, but having a rough idea like this would probably help me. I would like the interior to be quite quiet, so good sound insulation is important. There are no significant noise sources on the other sides of the house.
- Thermal insulation
Since our house will not meet KFW55 or similar standards, we have no special requirements. IDEAL8000 is triple-glazed and “suitable for a passive house” (which sounds like marketing to me). We will have five large patio windows on the south side, which will by far be the warmest side. There is an additional option called “warm edge” for the windows. As I understand it, the edges of the glass inside the window are additionally insulated by the frame. Is it possible that the window insulates “too well” and this could cause, for example, condensation or other unwanted effects?
- Security
We will live in a rural area where there are practically no break-ins. Still, I would like somewhat more than the usual protection. After all, you only build once, and the windows should remain in place for a long time. Therefore, I would choose the additional option of concealed hardware. Does that make sense, or are these hardware solutions easy for burglars to overcome? I understand that a burglar will get in if they really want to, but I would like to delay them as long as possible.
Thanks in advance for your opinions.
To clarify once again: 99% of people will not notice the difference or will only notice it to a limited extent.
The general contractor might simply work with just one type of stone or brick. In that case, it is best that they stick to it. But they should please state this openly.
The general contractor might simply work with just one type of stone or brick. In that case, it is best that they stick to it. But they should please state this openly.
B
boxandroof7 Jan 2020 21:38The explanations regarding soundproofing, thermal insulation, and safety do indeed seem somewhat unstructured.
If you only put a little effort into safety or soundproofing, you likely won’t be satisfied in the end.
If something is really important to you, bring in professionals who specialize in that area, and if necessary, be prepared to invest accordingly or educate yourself thoroughly. Simply configuring a window a bit or relying on the general contractor is not effective. If something isn’t important, it’s better to save that money and invest it in the things that matter.
If you only put a little effort into safety or soundproofing, you likely won’t be satisfied in the end.
If something is really important to you, bring in professionals who specialize in that area, and if necessary, be prepared to invest accordingly or educate yourself thoroughly. Simply configuring a window a bit or relying on the general contractor is not effective. If something isn’t important, it’s better to save that money and invest it in the things that matter.
B
boxandroof7 Jan 2020 22:01Just my advice, I experienced the same.
Some things simply don’t match here: triple-glazed windows and the building energy code, the masonry, and the desire for soundproofing. Set clear goals and then consistently follow through.
Some things simply don’t match here: triple-glazed windows and the building energy code, the masonry, and the desire for soundproofing. Set clear goals and then consistently follow through.
If you worry about every little thing, you won’t last long. Heart and all that... Rural area, low traffic, windows closed, and it should be quiet... well, just close the windows—that’s enough. Triple glazing, it insulates and absorbs a lot. To protect against heat, use shading, so don’t skimp on the roof overhang. And in the south, avoid having too much glass.
Nordlys schrieb:
If you worry about every little thing like that, you won’t live long. Heart and all.... Countryside, low traffic, windows closed, and it should be quiet.... well, just install the windows. That’s more than enough. Triple glazing provides great insulation and soundproofing. To protect against heat, use shading, so don’t skimp on the roof overhang. And in southern regions, avoid too much glazing. That was actually my first thought too, but as a non-expert, I’d rather ask. Right now, I’m leaning towards the mentioned windows in the RC2 version for the ground floor and without RC2 for the upper floor.
It was definitely important for me to know that you can’t install windows that insulate too well.
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