Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re still learning whether European windows and doors are right for your next building project, you might have a few questions.Find answers to common questions about European window and door products, how to order, shipping, terms and conditions.
Product Basics
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The term ‘European windows and doors’ is a catch-all term referring to products that not only originate in Europe but also share a variety of characteristics. These characteristics usually include unique functionalities like ‘tilt and turn’ for windows and ‘lift and slide’ for doors, performance aspects such as high-end thermal efficiency, sound proofing and forced entry resistance, as well as design features like modern lines, slim profile face widths, and custom sizing and coloring options.
Due to the German origin of their design, European windows and doors are sometimes also called German windows and doors. German windows and doors became the de facto standard in Europe, and the terms are now used interchangeably.
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A modern window combines innovations in areas like material, profile design, glazing, hardware, functionality, and surface finishes into a product that caters to the current visual consumer preferences, while exceeding (or at least meeting) the performance of older products.
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Bauwerk offers a range of window and door systems with various configuration options to ensure your building project has a consistent feel throughout.
In addition to both tilt-and-turn and casement windows, we offer matching European entrance, patio, and balcony doors, as well as lift-and-slide doors, sliding doors, and folding doors.
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Our European windows and doors are available in steel, aluminum, PVC, and wood with aluminum cladding.
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A glazing package is made of at least two glazing panes with spacers in between.
The spacers are located around all edges of the glazing package so that a sealed chamber is created between the panes. The chamber is filled with a gas that has a low thermal transmittance, usually Argon.
By stacking up a glass pane, a layer of insulating gas and another glass pane, a glazing package achieves a low U-value (thermal transmittance) without sacrificing visible transmittance (because the gas has almost no impact on it). Triple glazing is the same thing, just with another layer of gas and another glass pane added.
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It’s definitely possible to get insect screens even for European windows.
Functionality
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Tilt and turn windows work by the simple turning of a single handle. There are three different positions for the handle, each of which allows unique functionality.
When the handle is pointing downward and the window is closed, at least five steel locking pins keep the window securely shut.
When the handle is turned by 90 degrees into the horizontal position, the window functions a lot like a normal door. In this position, the locking pins are unlocked and the window vent turns open, held by hinges on one side of the window. There is one hinge on the upper corner and one on the lower corner, just like you would see it on a regular door.
Only when the handle is turned by another 90 degrees, pointing upwards now, the window starts operating differently than a door. The hinge in the upper corner is disconnected. At the same time, a hinge in the other bottom corner of the vent is connected to the vent. The vent suddenly tilts inwards, held by the hinges the bottom corners.
That is possible because of an ingenious design: One of the hinges on the lower corner operates in two directions, supporting both tilt and turn. The other two hinges support only tilt or turn but are only connected to the vent if the window handle is in a certain position.
With that, the whole window can open like a door or just tilt inward by 10 to 15 degrees, moving along the hinges on the bottom of the window and allowing easy ventilation without having to worry about intruders or weather changes.
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Lift and slide doors avoid the issues of regular sliding doors by utilizing a mechanism that lifts up the door before sliding.
As you turn the handle down, the vent is lifted by a pulley system. The vent is fully released from its seals and has more clearance from the bottom rail. The door can now slide at the push of a finger.
Move the handle back in the original position and the rail is lowered, sitting the vent back down on the bottom of the frame for maximum air and water tightness. In the closed position, the rail is completely protected from debris and corrosion.
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European windows open inwards for security and weather protection, while providing ventilation. When a European window is tilted open, it’s still extremely resistant to forced entry. Plus, tilting inward helps keep precipitation outside.
Due to the German origin of their design, European windows and doors are sometimes also called German windows and doors. German windows and doors became the de facto standard in Europe, and the terms are now used interchangeably.
Performance & Energy Efficiency
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Waterproofing and thermal insulation procedures might vary depending on construction method and how a window or door is installed in the opening (flush with the outside wall, recessed in the opening, etc.). However, the most common method on a new 2-by-4 or 2-by-6 wood frame building is installing the window flush with the external sheathing, using tape to cover the gap between the window frame and sheathing. The siding is later extended over the window frame to cover the tape.
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A Passive House window meets the climate zone-specfic requirements of a Passive House design in terms of thermal transmittance (U-value) of the frame (Uf), the center of glass U-value (Ug or Ucog) and solar heat gain (SHGC) of the glazing, the overall U-value (Uw), and other factors.
Pricing
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It’s easy to get a custom quote for your next window and door project. You can either build your own quote with custom selections and sizing on our Configurator (a web app).
Or, you can contact us and we’ll build a quote for you.
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The cost of European windows depends on a variety of factors, including material, number of glazing panes, and performance criteria. Vinyl windows, which are sometimes called PVC or uPVC, are the most affordable.
That said, the cost of European windows are comparable to the cost of a traditional double-hung window, but European windows typically outperform their American counterparts. This is especially true when you start to explore premium materials like steel, aluminum and wood with aluminum cladding.
From that perspective, European windows can be approximately the same cost but a significantly better value.
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Yes, shipping and delivery are included in your final order price. However, shipping cost and taxes are not included in online product pricing.
Shipping fees and taxes are calculated based on delivery address, as well as value, size and weight of order.
Ordering
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It’s simple. To get started, either speak with one of our product consultants or begin building your quote online.
Then, our team will review the product selections, walk you through your options, and customize your order.
After placing your order, we’ll schedule shipping and delivery.
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Orders are binding once shipping fees and taxes have been communicated to the client, and client has confirmed final price.
Shipping
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Bauwerk Building Solutions ships to the Continental United States.
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Yes, shipping and delivery are included in your final order price. However, shipping cost and taxes are not included in online product pricing.
Shipping fees and taxes are calculated based on delivery address, as well as value, size and weight of order.
Installation
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While Bauwerk doesn’t offer installation, we’d be happy to connect you with one of our preferred installation partners.
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For installing windows and doors, you need at least enough tape to cover the perimeter of each window and door, plus an extra 10% for extending the tape vertically beyond the frame and overlapping tape in the corners. The perimeter is equivalent to the linear feet of all windows and doors and will be shown on most quotes.
If you don’t have a quote yet or your quote isn’t showing it, it’s easy to determine. Just add up the width and length of all windows and doors and multiply the total by two. If your measurements are in inches, divide the result by 12 to get linear feet.
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Waterproofing and thermal insulation procedures might vary depending on construction method and how a window or door is installed in the opening (flush with the outside wall, recessed in the opening, etc.). However, the most common method on a new 2-by-4 or 2-by-6 wood frame building is installing the window flush with the external sheathing, using tape to cover the gap between the window frame and sheathing. The siding is later extended over the window frame to cover the tape.
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Yes! We do have installation partners in select markets. Where we don’t have an existing partner, we offer guidance and support throughout installation.
We’re currently seeking additional installation partners. If you’re interested in becoming a certified Bauwerk installer, learn more here.
More
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We do offer a distributor partner program. Learn more.