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Puerta de entrada de PVC en una vivienda de Valencia

Types of PVC windows: every opening style explained, with pros and cons

When you ask for a PVC window quote, terms like tilt-and-turn, tilt-and-slide or lift-and-slide come up, and it is not always clear what they mean. This guide sums them all up, with a line on when each makes sense. If you want to know what to put in each room, see which window to choose for each room.

Inward-opening windows

Fixed

Does not open. It only lets in light and views. It is the cheapest and insulates best, as it has no moving sash. It is mainly used in combination with opening sashes, for example in large picture windows.

Casement

The sash swings on side hinges and opens inwards, like a door. Simple and airtight, but you cannot ventilate without opening the sash fully.

Tilt-and-turn

The king of PVC windows. With the same handle it has two positions: it opens like a casement, or tilts in from the top, leaving a gap to ventilate safely without draughts. It insulates very well because it closes by pressing the seals all the way round. See our models in PVC tilt-and-turn windows.

Bottom-hung (tilt only)

It only tilts, without swinging open. Used for high transoms, over doors or for windows that are hard to reach.

Sliding windows

They take up no space when open. There are four variants with important differences in insulation:

Standard sliding: the cheapest, with lower airtightness.
Lift-and-slide: the sash lifts to slide and drops to seal tightly. Ideal for large terrace openings.
Tilt-and-slide: slides and also tilts for ventilation.
Bi-fold: the sashes fold like a concertina and leave the opening almost clear.

We cover them in depth in PVC sliding windows: types, pros and cons.

By number of sashes

Single sash: bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms and openings up to roughly one metre wide.
Double sash: the classic living room layout. Usually one sash is tilt-and-turn and the other casement.
Triple sash: for wide openings. Combining fixed and opening sashes keeps the price down without losing light. See three-sash PVC windows.

French windows (balcony doors)

Windows that reach the floor for stepping out onto a balcony or terrace. They can be tilt-and-turn or sliding, and usually have extra reinforcement and safety glass because of their size. You will also find them in our PVC doors section.

Special shapes

PVC can be made into arched, semicircular, triangular or trapezoidal windows, very useful in attics, stairwells and the façades of older houses.

Quick summary

Maximum insulation: fixed or tilt-and-turn.
Safe ventilation: tilt-and-turn or tilt-and-slide.
No room to open: sliding.
Large terrace openings: lift-and-slide.
Keeping the budget down: combine fixed and opening sashes.

Not sure which to choose?

At our showroom at Calle Doctor Manuel Candela, 33 (Valencia) you can try each opening type for yourself. Or calculate the price online, choosing between single, double or triple sash and sliding.

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