How to Choose Windows for Your Apartment: Complete Guide 2026
The right window choice is an investment for 20-30 years. Window quality affects the warmth in your home, noise levels from outside, and even utility costs. In this guide, we’ll explain what to look for when choosing windows for your apartment. Kyiv residents can contact UWS experts for a free consultation on choosing the optimal windows for their apartment.
Choosing a PVC Profile
Profile is the foundation of a window. Its quality and design determine the service life and energy efficiency of the structure.
Main Profile Parameters
- Profile width: from 60 to 80 mm. For typical apartments, the optimal choice is 70 mm
- Number of chambers: from 3 to 8. Minimum for an apartment is 5 chambers
- Outer wall thickness: at least 2.8 mm (class A per EN 12608)
- Reinforcement: steel or combined
UWS Expert Tip: For apartments on middle floors, a 70mm profile with 5-6 chambers is sufficient. This is the optimal price-to-quality ratio. In Kyiv, this is the most popular option for typical panel and brick buildings.
Comparison of Popular Profile Systems
| Parameter | 60 mm (Economy) | 70 mm (Standard) | 80 mm (Premium) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chambers | 3-4 | 5-6 | 6-8 |
| Thermal Insulation | average | good | excellent |
| Sound Insulation | up to 30 dB | up to 38 dB | up to 45 dB |
| Price Category | economy | average | higher |
Types of Glass Units
Glass unit occupies up to 80% of the window area and is responsible for thermal and sound insulation.
Single-Chamber Glass Unit
- Consists of 2 panes, 1 chamber
- Thermal insulation: R = 0.32 m²·K/W
- Suitable for unheated rooms or as a temporary solution
Double-Chamber Glass Unit
- Consists of 3 panes, 2 chambers
- Thermal insulation: R = 0.49 m²·K/W
- Most popular choice for apartments
Triple-Chamber Glass Unit
- Consists of 4 panes, 3 chambers
- Thermal insulation: R = 0.63 m²·K/W
- Recommended for top floors and corner apartments
Additional Glass Unit Options
- Low-emissivity coating (i-glass) — reduces heat loss by 30-40%
- Tinting — protection from sun rays
- Noise protection — asymmetric glass of different thickness
- Safety glass (triplex) — breaks into small fragments
UWS Expert Tip: Even the most expensive profile won’t deliver desired results without a quality glass unit. We recommend choosing a double-glazed unit with low-emissivity coating — this is the ideal option for most apartments.
Hardware and Mechanisms
Hardware is the “hands” of a window. Its quality determines how comfortably and long you can use the window.
Main Hardware Elements
- Hinges — hold the sash, ensure rotation
- Locks — fix the sash in the closed position
- Handle — controls the opening mechanism
- Comb — regulates micro-ventilation
- Restrictors — protect against unauthorized opening
Opening Types
- Turn — standard opening inward
- Tilt — sash tilts from the top for ventilation
- Turn-tilt — most common option, combines both modes
- Parallel-slide — for balconies and loggias
- Lift-slide — for large openings
Hardware Quality
Choose hardware from well-known European brands:
- MACO (Austria) — reliability and durability
- ROTO (Germany) — wide range
- Siegenia (Germany) — innovative solutions
Important: Cheap hardware can fail after just 2-3 years. This leads to leaks, drafts, and inability to close the window properly.
Energy Efficiency Classes
Energy efficiency class determines how well a window retains heat in the room.
Energy Efficiency Scale
- Class G — minimal efficiency, for unheated rooms
- Class F — basic level, for temporary residence
- Class E — acceptable level for budget solutions
- Class D — standard level for most apartments
- Class C — increased efficiency
- Class B — high efficiency, recommended for apartments
- Class A — very high efficiency
- Class A+ — maximum efficiency
- Class S — premium segment, best performance
What Affects Energy Efficiency Class
- Profile — number of chambers and width
- Glass unit — number of panes and coating
- Hardware — quality of seals
- Installation — correctness of installation
UWS Expert Tip: For a standard apartment, class B is the optimal choice. It provides good thermal insulation without extra costs. If your apartment has large window openings or faces north, choose class A or higher.
Installation Tips
Even the best windows won’t deliver desired results if installed incorrectly. In Kyiv, there are many companies, but not all follow installation technology. We recommend contacting UWS professionals, who perform window installation in all districts of the capital — from Obolon to Pechersk.
What to Look For
- Opening preparation — walls must be even and clean
- Proper reinforcement — window must be securely fixed
- Insulation of installation seam — use mounting foam and vapor barrier tape
- Hardware adjustment — sashes must fit tightly
- Installation of sills and window sills — protection from precipitation
Installation Types
- Rough installation — window installation during construction before finishing
- Finish installation — installation after repair with minimal damage
Why Trust Installation to Professionals
- Warranty on installation work
- Proper load calculation
- Compliance with installation technology
- Use of quality materials
Contact UWS: Our experts will help choose the optimal window configuration for your apartment. We consider the floor, cardinal orientation, opening size, and your preferences. Get a consultation at uws.com.ua. UWS performs window installation, window repair, and glass unit replacement in all districts of Kyiv — Solomianskyi, Darnytskyi, Shevchenkivskyi, and others.
