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Modern windows
The basic task of any window is to let natural light through into the room. Modern technologies provide additional characteristics including energy saving, protection from noise and burglars. Hence, windows differ in price. Unfortunately, many customers are still guided primarily by price, which might result in opting for products of poor quality. Therefore, the OKNA.ua platform does not recommend choosing windows basing only on one criterion, which is the minimal price. It is often not reliable enough. Such window might not be able to serve neither 30 years, nor even the shortest warranty period for windows, which is 3 years.
Advantages of new windows
New products in contrast to Soviet-era goods solve the problem of drafts and are simpler to take care of. They can be airtight and better keep heat inside the room. Also, you can order products with other important features:
- improved thermal insulation and burglar resistance by means of special fittings,
- child safety,
- increased protection from noise and sunlight.
However, you need to be prepared that the price of the window is going to change compared to the basic model.
To improve child safety and burglar resistance, we recommend using a lock on the window handle in combination with burglar-resistant accessories. The lock blocks the sash and does not let children open it, and the accessories prevent criminals from pushing the sash out. Certain modifications of the handles are provided with the option of slight opening of the window intended to let air change called 'child mode'.
The noise protection of the window is basically provided by the double glazing and sealants, whereas sun protection is provided by external shutters, vertical blinds or special multi-functional double-glazed windows. Curtains or internal blinds are barely effective for protection from sunlight, since they let sun heat the room. Their task is to reduce volume of natural light. Curtains also protect the premises from heat generated by sun rays only to a certain extent.
Rise of room temperature in winter after replacement of windows
Energy saving windows make rooms warmer, customers admit. For instance, let us draw the reliable data from the report of the secondary school in the city of Dnipro, provided by the Program of social partnership. The school replaced the old windows with double-glazed plastic windows and two i-glasses, and temperature in the classroom grew by 2-4°C (to 18-21°C).
Energy efficiency
Eurowindows are demanded at the Ukrainian market due to their energy efficiency. Local climatic conditions, growing heating tariffs and market requirements, - such as rising standards for thermal insulation, also contribute to the matter. The need to insulate homes is becoming more acute, and often the insulation begins with replacement of transparent structures. This is the first important step in the thermal insulation of the building. Next, its walls, roof and footing are insulated.
State program of 'warm loans'
The state program of energy efficiency helps to reduce expenses for purchase of energy-efficient solutions. The state partially reimburse the loans for the purchase of energy-efficient materials for individuals (35% of the total amount of the loan), the association of co-owners of an apartment building and the housing construction co-operative (40% of the total amount of the loan).
Participants of the program follow five steps:
- 1. Contact the authorized bank and provide the necessary documents. The list is determined by the bank, but if you are awarded with a subsidy, a copy of the supporting document will be required.
- 2. Receive a loan.
- 3. Confirm that the money was used for the intended purpose. Present a billing invoice for the sale of windows, an act of completed works etc.
- 4. The Bank submits the registers of borrowers to the State energy efficiency agency (on the monthly basis).
- 5. The State energy efficiency agency transfers money to a bank account.
The State agency on energy saving and energy efficiency of Ukraine declares that the process of reimbursement takes up to two months.
Service life
The service life of European windows is determined by durability of the components. The service life can reach 30 years. There are already cases when German plastic windows have served over 40 years. They still perform their functions, but they are outmoded, because the market has produced more energy efficient and convenient solutions. Progress never stops.
The minimal admissible service life duration is indicated by the manufacturer in the warranty. The warranty is added to the contract. This is one more reason to conclude the contract with the vendor. The contract obliges the manufacturer to eliminate any malfunction arising due to its fault for free during the warranty period. Improper application of the product is not covered by the warranty.
Make sure the contract is concluded for the production and installation of structures, it indicates delivery terms and warranty for the product itself and its installation. The sale of window sills, slopes, mosquito net, gratings, etc. is indicated separately.
If the manufacturer indicates that its window or door units meet the requirements of the national standard DSTU B В.2.6-23: 2009 ’Window and door units. General technical conditions’, then the warranty period for the finished windows should exceed 5 years. Or 3 years in case they correspond to DSTU B В.2.6-15: 2011 ’PVC window and door units. General technical conditions’.
If the warranty is not explicitly stated in the contract, then, according to the Law of Ukraine "On protection of consumer rights", it is valid for at least 2 years from the date of purchase.
Companies catalogue at OKNA.ua
To select a company, it is convenient to use the catalogue of the OKNA.ua portal. On the one hand, the catalogue presents the most comprehensive database of enterprises from all over Ukraine, which makes some 8,500 companies. It provides all the necessary information on the market players in any specific city or town. On the other hand, additional search options (type etc.) can narrow down the search results.
Visitors are provided with simple and convenient process of windows selection and purchase, because OKNA.ua is the catalogue with the largest number of offers from Ukrainian manufacturers.
OKNA.ua has been operating since 1999, and remains the leading Internet portal at the Ukrainian window market.
