Don't throw money away anymore!

5 good reasons to change your windows and see more clearly

Take stock of all the benefits you'll gain by changing your windows. It's not just a question of aesthetics... far from it! Changing your windows means :

• Enjoying better thermal and acoustic comfort. The French Agency for the Environment and Energy Management (ADEME) has made a very simple observation: 10 to 15% of heat loss comes from windows, especially if they are old. By changing both the woodwork and adopting double or triple glazing, your heating needs will be reduced and you will also have less noise pollution. A new quality of life!
• Reduce your energy bills. Thanks to a better thermal insulation, you reduce what is called thermal bridges. By avoiding heat loss, you consume less energy. Your bills will therefore be reduced.
• Secure your home. There are anti-break-in windows that can be coupled with reinforced and laminated glass (it prevents the glass from breaking easily). These simple solutions can slow down potential burglars, or even stop them altogether!
• Enhance the value of your property. The windows dress up the house and are as much added value for the resale. It is thus possible to personalize your openings to make them unique or to give charm to your house within the framework of a renovation.
• Adopt an ecological approach. Contribute to the preservation of the planet and obtain a better energy performance diagnosis (DPE) if you want to rent or sell your property. Changing your windows has an impact on both your budget and the environment.

The question of the choice of the joineries

There are three criteria to consider when choosing materials for your windows: aesthetics, insulation and safety. Depending on the municipality, you do not necessarily have a choice. For example, if you are located within the perimeter of a historical monument, it is preferable to get information from the town hall before starting the work. Sometimes, you will even need the approval of the architect of the buildings of France.
PVC is still the best choice for carpentry, not only because of its attractive price, but also because of its performance in terms of thermal and acoustic insulation. Add to that a panel of colors that can adapt to any type of property.
Aluminum is the material of choice for your openings such as windows and sliding glass doors to obtain a maximum of glazed surface. Its main qualities are its solidity and its maintenance. For the aesthetic side, the aluminum joinery brings the contemporary side in your new house or old within the framework of a beautiful restoration. Aluminum has nothing to envy to PVC because its energetic performances are excellent thanks to a thermal break. Remember that aluminum is a heat conductor. Its strong point remains security because it offers a very good protection against burglary attempts.
Charm and authenticity are the qualities found with traditional wood joinery. Whether for an old or contemporary house, wood ensures excellent energy performance. For the undecided, there are joineries with mixed materials. This is where the choice becomes more complex!

RGE label

Have your work done by a craftsman with the RGE (Reconnu Garant de l'Environnement) label, it is the assurance of a job well done and an essential criterion to benefit from financial aid such as the Eco-PTZ or Ma Prime Rénov.

The glazing is also very important

Energy performance means adapted glazing. For a good thermal insulation, your choice must be between double and triple glazing. This depends on the solar gain of your windows and your real insulation needs. If you live in a region where sub-zero temperatures are rare and the exposure of your house guarantees you a contribution of heat and light even in winter, a double glazing will certainly be sufficient. However, think about thermal comfort as well. In a south-facing room, solar control glazing will bring you true well-being by blocking up to 80% of solar emissions. Take into account the space and the environment of each of your rooms before deciding and, above all, get advice from a professional.

Help to change your windows

In order to encourage individuals to buy efficient windows and to carry out work aimed at saving energy, the government offers a number of grants and subsidies:

• Ma Prime Rénov is an aid for financing certain energy improvement work (insulation work, heating, ventilation or energy audit). This scheme now concerns all households regardless of their income. The amount of the bonus is fixed and is calculated according to the income of the household and the ecological gain allowed by the work. The resource ceilings are categorized into 4 profiles/colors according to the different income levels (from the most modest households to the most affluent households).
• The Eco PTZ is also a possibility to change your windows. This loan aims to promote energy renovation work in housing built for more than 2 years at the date of commencement of the work. It is attributed, without condition of resources, to the owners of dwellings to be renovated (including in joint ownership) as to the landlords who wish to renovate the dwelling put in rent.
• The energy vouchers, intended for households with modest incomes, are paid each year by the tax authorities to the beneficiaries. They can be used either for heating or to finance part of the energy-saving work in the home.
• A reduced VAT rate of 5.5% for renovation work to improve the energy performance of a house that is more than 2 years old.

Stéphanie Swiklinski.