Exterior Windows & Doors: The Ultimate Selection & Installation Guide

The foundation of every good window. Understand the behaviour of frame materials (aluminium, PVC, wood) and their technologies to choose the one that fits your climate, budget and aesthetic.

Aluminium & Thermal Break

Modern aluminium is no longer 'cold'. The integration of polyamide inside the profile interrupts heat transfer, ensuring top-level insulation without sacrificing structural rigidity.

Synthetic Windows (uPVC)

They offer excellent thermal insulation at an affordable price. Modern formulations are steel-reinforced and include special UV filters, preventing yellowing from the Greek sun.

Natural Wood & Glulam Timber

Today's wooden windows don't warp like they used to. Thanks to glulam engineered timber and water-based varnishes, they offer unmatched warmth and easy maintenance.

Hybrid Wood-Aluminium Systems

The ultimate premium choice. They combine the warmth of natural wood indoors with the total protection and zero maintenance of aluminium on the exterior.

Paint & Surface Protection

The choice of finish determines the lifespan. From ultra-durable electrostatic powder coating to pre-anodisation (seaside class) protecting the metal from sea salt.

Ecological Footprint & Recycling

Sustainability takes centre stage. We learn how using recycled aluminium and 'lead-free' PVC reduces the energy footprint, protecting the environment and health.

See all details in the Frame Materials & Finishes for Windows & Doors section.

How they open, how they function in a space and how they enhance your home's architecture. The opening type determines ergonomics, natural light and space efficiency.

Tilt & Turn Windows

The ideal combination of practicality. The tilt function allows continuous, safe ventilation in winter without the risk of the window slamming shut in the wind.

Sliding & Lift-and-Slide Systems

The solution for huge openings. Lift-and-slide (hebe-schiebe) mechanisms enable smooth movement of very heavy panels, sealing air and water perfectly when closed.

Pocket Windows & Insulation

Ideal for renovations where space is limited. However, the panel sliding into the wall requires careful study to avoid thermal bridges and draughts.

Minimal Design (Frameless)

Modern architecture demands light. With minimal systems the aluminium frames hide inside the walls and floor, leaving only the glass visible.

Bifold Doors

When the goal is full integration of indoor and outdoor space. All panels fold to one side, offering a 100% clear opening for living rooms and terraces.

Special Constructions & Atriums

Windows are not limited to rectangular shapes. Arched constructions and glass roofs (skylights) require specialised profiles and strict water drainage management.

See all details in the Window & Door Types & Architectural Applications section.

Glass occupies up to 80% of a window. Its properties determine whether your home will be warm in winter, cool in summer and whether city noise stays strictly outside.

Low-E Energy Glass

The 'invisible' technology that makes the difference. A microscopic metallic coating reflects the radiator heat back into the room, preventing energy loss.

Four-Season Glass (Solar Control)

In the Mediterranean the problem is not only cold but also the sun. They block UV and infrared radiation, keeping the home cool without losing brightness.

Triplex & Securit for Total Safety

Glass should not be dangerous. Securit shatters into harmless pieces, while Triplex is held together by a membrane, preventing break-ins and injuries.

Acoustic Comfort & Sound Insulation

Noise degrades quality of life. Using asymmetric glass thicknesses in double glazing and special acoustic membranes drastically reduces the decibels that enter the interior.

Inert Gases & Warm Edge Spacers

The air between panes is replaced with Argon for maximum thermal resistance. Meanwhile, plastic spacers eliminate thermal bridges, preventing mould at the edges of the glass.

Glass Pathology & Moisture

When a double-glazed unit fogs up internally, its factory seal has 'broken'. We explain the causes of failure and why replacement is now the only option.

See all details in the Glass Panes & Glazing Units: 80% of the Window section.

Protection from the Mediterranean sun and insects is crucial. Proper shading systems and automation protect the window, regulate temperature and simplify daily life.

Roller Shutters vs Louvred Shutters

The eternal dilemma. Roller shutters offer top security and full blackout, while louvred shutters provide a traditional look and better control of natural ventilation through the slats.

Shutter Boxes & Thermal Bridges

The roller shutter box is the weakest point of the wall. Using thermally broken boxes with strong internal insulation is essential to avoid heat losses.

Insect Screens

Essential for the Greek climate. The choice between pleated screens (no bottom track), vertical-movement screens or fixed screens depends on the opening size and frequency of use.

Bioclimatic Louvres & Zip Screens

Modern façade solutions. Motorised external aluminium louvres and wind-resistant vertical blinds (zip screens) block the sun before it even touches the glass.

Automation & Smart Home

The house reacts to the weather. Sun and wind sensors protect the shutters automatically, while allowing remote control via your smartphone.

Shading Maintenance & Faults

The shutter strap broke, the motor jammed or the pleated screen cord wore out. Practical DIY guides for immediate diagnosis and repair of the most common everyday faults.

See all details in the Shading, Insect Screens & Smart Control section.

Here lies the science of insulation. We analyse the technical terms, coefficients and physical phenomena that explain how a window interacts with air, moisture and temperature.

The Coefficient Dictionary (Uw, Uf, Ug)

The science behind the quotes. Understand how frame and glass thermal transmittance is calculated so you can properly evaluate the energy class of a window.

Moisture Physics & Dew Point

Why do brand-new, perfectly insulated windows 'sweat' in winter? We analyse the role of indoor humidity and how the condensation (mould) phenomenon occurs.

Air Tightness & Water Tightness

Lab measurements matter. We learn what the performance class ratings in testing mean, which guarantee the window won't leak air or water in heavy storms.

Proper Ventilation & Thermal Comfort

Airtight sealing demands new habits. Why a short, cross-ventilation blast of 5 minutes refreshes the air without freezing the walls, protecting the home.

Thermal Bridges & Energy Losses

The weak junction points (Ψ coefficient). When the window meets the wall without proper insulation, a 'pathway' is created through which heat escapes outside.

Passive House Buildings

The future of construction. We examine the very strict specifications required (Uw < 0.8) for a window to be certified as suitable for near-zero-energy buildings.

See all details in the Energy Performance & Building Physics section.

The most critical phase. A top-quality, expensive window performs correctly only if installed perfectly. We decode the sealing methods that make the difference between mediocre and excellent work.

The Sub-Frame Rule

The foundation of proper installation. We explain why old galvanised sheet-metal sub-frames create huge thermal bridges and why modern thermally insulating sub-frames are essential.

RAL Installation

The European standard that eliminates simple silicones. It is based on three sealing levels (interior, middle, exterior) for zero losses and absolute long-term air tightness.

Foams & Expanding Joint Tapes

The evolution of fixing materials. Why simple polyurethane foam cracks over time and how elastic foams and special tapes absorb aluminium expansion.

The Marble Sill Mistake

The most common construction error. When the floor marble is continuous (running from outside to inside), it transfers all the cold into the room interior.

Connection with External Insulation (ETICS)

The perfect application. We examine the construction detail where the wall insulation material 'overlaps' the window profile, eliminating linear thermal bridges.

Installation Errors & Pathology

How to spot poor workmanship. From windows that leak a few months after installation, to water pooling in tracks due to poor levelling and blocked drainage holes.

See all details in the Proper Window & Door Installation section.

Protecting your family and the longevity of your investment depend on the hardware. We examine security mechanisms, maintenance and repair options.

Anti-Burglary Protection (RC2-RC6)

Security is measurable. We explain how specialised hardware (such as security mushroom pins) and the perimeter locking mechanism prevent the window from being pried open.

Perimeter Mechanisms & Hardware

The 'heart' of the window. We analyse how modern mechanisms lock the sash at multiple points simultaneously, ensuring excellent sealing and rigidity.

Regular Maintenance & Cleaning

Simple steps for decades of trouble-free operation. Learn how to lubricate the tracks, clean the coatings and protect the EPDM gaskets from drying out.

Upgrading Old Windows

The economical alternative. We evaluate when it is worth it (and when it costs needlessly) to replace only the glass panes, the rollers on sliding windows or worn brush seals.

Child Safety & Accessibility

Protective solutions such as lockable handles and opening restrictors, as well as low thresholds for unimpeded wheelchair access.

Magnetic Contacts & Alarms

Shielding before danger. How magnetic contacts (traps) are discreetly integrated (flush-mounted) inside the aluminium profile during manufacture, connecting to your smart home.

See all details in the Functionality, Security & Maintenance section.

The final stretch before buying. Learn to decode quotes, calculate ROI and avoid traps and hidden costs.

'Exoikonomo' Programme & Subsidies

The main financing tool. Everything you need to know about maximum expenditure limits, eligibility criteria and the crucial role of Energy Performance Certificates (EPC).

Costing & Return on Investment (ROI)

What hides behind the 'price per metre'. We analyse how the final cost of a window is formed and in how many years the savings on electricity and heating oil pay back the investment.

How to Read a Quote Correctly

Don't compare only final prices. Learn to read the specifications (aluminium thickness, glass coefficients, mechanism types) so you can compare on equal terms.

Questions for the Manufacturer

Take control. The 10 critical questions you should ask your window fabricator before signing the order, regarding installation materials and procedures.

CE, ISO Certifications & Warranties

Your legal shield. Why it is illegal and dangerous to buy windows without a Declaration of Performance (DoP) and how the profile warranty differs from the installation warranty.

Planning Permits & Regulations

When does changing windows require a 'Minor Works Permit', what the law says about changing the colour of apartment building façades and how to stay fully legal in renovations.

See all details in the Economics, Subsidies & Buyer's Guide section.