Homepage > Windows and doors > Windows determine the atmosphere of your home

Windows determine the atmosphere of your home

Here you can find out which aspects need to be considered when buying the right windows.

Windows not only determine the architectural impression your home makes. They also significantly determine how much daylight enters and how well the living spaces are connected to the garden. They also influence thermal insulation, noise levels and the indoor climate.

Käuferle - leading German manufacturer of garage doors, windows and front doors

Value inside.

We are a family business from Aichach near Augsburg and have over 50 years of experience in the construction of garage doors and partition wall systems. We have also been manufacturing PVC and aluminium windows and doors for more than 25 years. Our products are not only precisely crafted and well thought-out, they also offer a design that sets creative accents. Our aim is to protect your assets with high-quality, optimally soundproofed and thermally insulated products.

Certainly up to date

We only use profiles, fittings and glass from suppliers in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg for the construction of our windows and front doors. In this way, we reduce emissions during transport and strengthen the regional economy. At the same time, the first-class raw material of our products ensures effective protection against break-ins and a secure home.

Customised and made to measure

All our windows and doors can be configured to suit specific projects - thanks to numerous different frame profiles for building renovations and new builds. The starting point for the manufacture of our products is the customer's wishes and specific installation situations and dimensions. This enables us to individually design the character of a residential building façade - regardless of whether the windows are small or large, floor-to-ceiling or offset, PVC-U or aluminium.

Key terms and properties of windows

Basic information on the structure of a window

The window frame (also known as the frame) and sash as well as the glazing are the most important components in the window structure. In addition, there are the window fittings, which allow the window sash to move in the frame. Windows are installed in a wall opening, the side boundaries of which are called the reveal. The upper end of this opening is formed by the lintel, opposite which at the bottom is the sill, which must reach a certain height above floor level to prevent falling.

Window rebate and glazing rebate

The window rebate is the area where the window frame and sash touch when the window is closed. The stepped window rebates ensure rain and air tightness with the help of the stop seals fitted here. The latter is an essential prerequisite for good thermal insulation and therefore high energy efficiency. The glazing rebate is the recess in the window frame (for fixed glazing) or in the window sash that is used to hold the glazing.

Heat transfer coefficient, U-values & co: what they mean

Save energy and money with well-insulated windows

Thermal insulation aspects play a central role in the energy efficiency of a window. Thermal insulation measures are possible both in the window frame and sash as well as with the help of the glazing. The greater the installation depth of the frame and sash, the better the thermal insulation. And when it comes to glazing, the following applies: triple insulating glazing is better than double insulating glazing because each cavity between the panes improves thermal insulation.

Heat transfer coefficient, U-values & co: what they mean

The heat transfer coefficient of a component is called the U-value. It describes the heat transfer of a material layer and is considered a decisive parameter for assessing the energy quality of windows. The Uw value indicates the heat transfer coefficient of the entire window (w=window), the Uf value that of the window frame (f=frame) and the Ug value that of the glazing (g=glazing). As a general rule, the lower the values, the better. New windows must achieve a Uw value of at least 1.3 W/(m²K). If the value is less than 0.8 W/(m²K), windows can be labelled as passive house windows.

Passive house standard - the role of windows

A passive house is a building whose heat requirement comes largely from "passive" sources - e.g. from solar radiation or from heat recovery in ventilation systems. To achieve this, the building envelope must be airtight and windproof, free of thermal bridges and highly thermally insulated. The same applies to passive house windows. The permissible Uw value must not exceed 0.8 W/(m²K). As a rule, this is only possible with three rebate seals and triple insulating glazing.

Sound insulation for windows

Which window properties influence sound insulation?

Many criteria that ensure good thermal insulation also ensure good sound insulation. Better sound insulation values can be achieved, for example, by increasing the installation depth of window frames and sashes, by using triple instead of double insulating glazing and by using special gases in the space between the panes. Increased sound insulation in the window area can also be achieved (at least at night) by using roller shutters.

Sound insulation classes

In order to ensure a high quality of living, it is often essential to take sound insulation measures that affect the entire building envelope - including the windows - especially where there is a lot of road traffic noise. Depending on the noise level, sound insulation classes 1-6 (sound reduction index: 25-60 dB) must be achieved. It is the window structure and not the frame material that is essential for good sound insulation of the windows. Timber is just as suitable as aluminium and PVC-U.

Options for retrofitting sound insulation

In principle, it is also possible to convert old windows into soundproof windows - provided that the window frames and sashes are in good condition. If this is the case, the windows can be resealed against the masonry and in the rebate area, for example. However, it is also possible to replace the glazing (triple instead of double insulating glazing) or install replacement windows in front of or behind the existing window.

Advantages of plastic windows and recycled plastics

Advantages of PVC-U windows

PVC-U windows are robust, durable and weather-resistant. Maintenance costs are also low, especially in comparison to wooden windows. They are also easy to clean, even as sash bar windows. They also offer good thermal insulation thanks to their multi-chamber geometry. What's more, the PVC-U window profiles offer great scope for design beyond the typical white windows - various decorative foils on the inside and/or outside are possible, as are aluminium claddings in any colour.

Great scope for design - even with the colours

PVC-U windows from Käuferle don't have to be white. With a large selection of colours, foils and functions, they can be easily configured to suit individual requirements - whether large or small, with or without glazing bars. We also offer a wide variety of profiles: all-round profiles for renovation and new-build projects, slim profiles for maximum light entry, standard passive house windows and a sustainable profile system made from recycled PVC-U material.

Our Greta® window made from 100 % recycled plastic old windows and production remnants

The profile system for this window is maximally sustainable, as 100 % of the PVC used comes from old windows and production waste. The recycled Greta® window material also offers outstanding thermal insulation values at passive house level and an unusual appearance - a finely structured, tactile surface texture that can be used to create visual accents. Greta® windows have been honoured with the German Design Award 2022 and the Red Dot Design Award 2022 for their exceptional design.

Smart home solutions and contemporary design

Smart Home in your home too

Smart home solutions are by no means only to be found in high-tech offices, but thanks to advancing digitalisation, they can now also be found in the home. There, they make everyday life easier and increase living comfort while also helping to protect your health, the building and your assets. Käuferle offers numerous smart home solutions, such as finger scanners or code buttons for front doors.

Floor-to-ceiling windows with slimline profiles for maximum visibility

Large floor-to-ceiling windows are not just a current design trend. They also offer numerous advantages. On the one hand, they create light-flooded interiors, which in turn allow uninterrupted views from the home to the outside. On the other hand, floor-to-ceiling windows ensure a significant improvement in winter light and energy penetration and a cosy room atmosphere. Depending on the profile, our windows allow heights of up to approx. 2.50 metres.

Flush or offset - to suit your taste

It depends on the architectural language of a residential building whether the windows in a façade are installed flush or offset. Regardless of which of these two solutions you prefer, we have the window profiles that perfectly match your house. We offer windows in which the window frame and sash are offset, as well as flush-mounted design variants.

Barrier-free French doors

It's often the little things that make life difficult - such as French doors to the garden or balcony, which are also tripping hazards because the frame profiles are too high. Käuferle French doors offer the possibility of connecting living spaces with open areas or balconies without barriers. This is made possible by flat thresholds that can even be negotiated effortlessly with a walking frame.

Frequently asked questions about windows

Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions about windows:

Can Käuferle windows and front doors be harmonised in terms of design so that they appear in a uniform design?

At Käuferle, windows and front doors are always manufactured on a project-specific basis. Uniform profile colours or foiling for plastic elements effortlessly ensure a consistent appearance.
What security class should windows in residential buildings achieve?

In the private sector, security class RC2 offers adequate burglary protection. This is achieved, for example, with mushroom cam fittings and security strikers.
Are PVC-U windows also suitable for old buildings?

We offer windows (with glazing bars on request) whose profiles are so slim that they harmonise well with historic buildings.
How is the recycled material of the Greta® window profile system exceptional?

The profiles have an open-pored texture reminiscent of exposed concrete. This makes Greta®Window a unique design object.

KÄUFERLE WORKBOOKS

In our Käuferle Workbooks, we offer architects, planners and builders an overview of our diverse product range and our comprehensive services. So that you are always well informed.