FAQ
FAQ
Wood and Materials
Why choose a wooden window?
What types of wood are used?
What is heat-treated wood?
What finishes do you use?
Lifespan and Maintenance
How long does a wooden window last?
How often should the finish on a wooden window or door be renewed?
Does heat-treated wood age differently?
What happens if an exterior component is damaged?
Design and Installation
How do you approach the design of the installation joint?
Who performs the installation?
What standards do you follow for installation?
Do you also manufacture subframes?
Performance
What U-value must a Passive House-certified window or door have?
How do you achieve good acoustic comfort?
Do you provide documentation for the specifications?
Wood is the only window and door material that provides natural insulation. It is renewable, can be custom-crafted without any limitations on shape, builds character over time, and ages while revealing its unique character. At Eurofinestra, wood is combined with cork according to the 2008 European patent “Process of an eco-modular window”: the adaptable cork composite insert ensures the continuity of the insulating layer within the frame.
The collections are crafted from select fir, oak, ash, larch, and walnut, all sourced from sustainably managed forests. For exterior cladding, we use heat-treated ash, fir, and poplar.
It is wood that has been subjected to temperatures above 165° in a controlled atmosphere. Above that threshold, the chemical structure changes permanently: the hemicelluloses degrade, the sugar compounds that serve as food for fungi and mold are eliminated, the ability to absorb water is reduced, and dimensional stability increases. This is not a surface treatment but a transformation that penetrates the entire cross-section of the material, without the addition of chemicals.
Water-based paints, made from 100% renewable raw materials, with very low solvent content and bio-based binders. The guaranteed coating systems ensure resistance to UV rays and weathering, with durable, flexible, and breathable protective films. For oil-based finishes, we use certified products with low or zero VOC emissions.
In the popular imagination, wooden windows are considered the highest-quality option among window frames, but they are still perceived as delicate and requiring constant maintenance on the exterior. We’ve worked on three levels to extend their useful life. In terms of design, we’ve simplified the geometry and adopted the concept of “sacrificial wood”: the parts exposed to the outside are modular and removable, making future maintenance or replacement easier. In terms of materials, we have spent the last fifteen years researching and testing vacuum-heat-treated woods, which enhance durability, dimensional stability, and resistance to weather and biological agents. Regarding the finish, we have developed water-based formulations and application cycles that ensure durable, elastic, and breathable protective coatings, backed by a ten-year warranty.
The water-based coating systems we use provide durable, flexible, and breathable protective films, with a ten-year warranty on the exterior surface. The actual frequency of maintenance depends on exposure: a facade exposed to the sun and heavy rain requires more attention than one protected by overhangs or porches.
Yes. The change in its chemical structure reduces water absorption and increases dimensional stability, limiting seasonal movements that, over time, compromise its durability and functionality. The natural color resulting from the treatment evolves evenly with exposure.
In systems designed according to the “sacrificial wood” principle, the exposed components are modular and removable. They can be removed using hidden screws and maintained or replaced off-site, without affecting the window or door as a whole.
Our work begins with the design of the window opening. We identify and define an aesthetic solution that is both technical and functional, drawing detailed cross-sections of each element. Upon request, we perform finite element simulations of the joints to calculate the thermal bridge values of the installation and verify the thermo-hygrometric comfort conditions.
To ensure that the product and design specifications are met, it is essential to rely on proper installation. For this reason, we use only in-house employees who have been specifically trained to install all of our systems. Upon completion and throughout the installation process, we conduct non-destructive tests—such as blower door tests and thermography—as requested, to provide tangible and transparent proof of our work’s quality.
Our installation service complies with the national guidelines set forth in the UNI 10818:2023 and UNI 11673-1:2017 standards, as well as the guidelines of private certification bodies such as CasaClima and the Passive House Institute.
Yes. We design and manufacture custom subframes and monoblocks for any wall opening, with the option to integrate window shades and sunscreens.
There is no single threshold: the Passive House Institute certifies based on climate zone.
Eurofinestra systems have achieved phA class with Uw values of 0.68 W/m²K for Zen in a cold-temperate climate, and 0.80 W/m²K in a cold-temperate climate and 0.96 W/m²K in a warm-temperate climate for Versatile Passiva. It is helpful to distinguish between Uf, which refers only to the frame, and Uw, which considers the entire window unit including the glass: the latter is the value on which certification is based, because it describes the actual performance of the installed unit.
Acoustic comfort is achieved by ensuring that the systems are installed perfectly, by properly designing the joints between the various components, and by using suitable glass. Sound insulation is one of the advantages of the wood-cork patent.
Yes. Upon request, we provide technical data sheets, construction drawings, and certification documentation. Since each window and door is custom-made, the documentation is prepared based on the specific configuration of the project.