Window technologies, explained

A window is not just a frame and a piece of glass. Inside a modern unit there is a whole chain of decisions — how many panes, what gas fills the chamber, whether the glass has a metal coating, which hardware locks the sash, how the room breathes when the window is shut. The sections below walk you through each choice in plain language, so you can talk to any installer on equal terms and pick the configuration that actually fits your home, your street and your budget.

Glazing — what's inside the glass unit

The glass unit takes up roughly 80% of the window. It is also where most of the heat, noise and light pass through. Get this part right and the rest of the window has an easier job.

Glass units — the complete guide

The full overview: how sealed units are built, what "chambers" and glass formulas mean, plus decorative grids, triplex safety glass and the acoustic package — everything that sits between the frames.

Warm-edge spacers

The thin bar around the perimeter of the glass unit. A plastic-composite warm-edge version keeps the glass edge warm, stops condensation strips and adds a tenth of a point to the window Uw.

Ventilation — letting the house breathe

Sealed modern windows are great for energy and noise, but a house still needs fresh air. These three approaches deliver it without opening the sash and without losing comfort.

Anti-burglary package

Mushroom-head pins, lockable handles, reinforced strike plates and optional laminated glass. Rated to RC1 / RC2 in the EU standard.

Hardware, finishes & extras

Beyond the glass unit, a window is a set of choices that shape how it looks and how it lives day to day — the colour of the frame, the bars across the pane, the handle in your hand and the screen that keeps summer insects out.

Decorative grids

Internal, surface-mounted or between-glass bars give a window the look of French panes, classic Andalusian frames or modern grid patterns — without losing the energy performance of a single sealed unit.

Coloured lamination

Laminated foils across the RAL palette, woodgrain decors and matte finishes — applied inside, outside or both. Match the frames to your facade and interior without giving up the durability of PVC.

Handles & locking

From standard and lockable handles to anti-burglary pins, multi-point locks and micro-ventilation — the hardware decides day-to-day comfort and the security rating of the window.

Mosquito screens

Frame, sliding, pleated and roller screens keep insects, dust and pollen out without sacrificing ventilation. Pet-proof and anti-pollen fabrics available for special needs.

Ready to spec your windows?

Use the 3D configurator to size up your windows and see a fair market price. Or compare the leading PVC and aluminium brands side by side.