Large European windows are definitely your best bet for adding a beautiful new perspective to your home. They’ll increase the value of your house by thousands of dollars more than they’ll cost you to purchase. Their large size also makes them appear less expensive than other kinds of windows. They’re (usually) cheaper than most other kinds of windows as well.

Unfortunately, European windows come with some disadvantages that make them less appealing than their American counterparts – especially when it comes to energy efficiency. You’ll find European windows listed as one of the top five worst energy efficient window options on the market. But have no fear, we’ve found a way to fix all those disadvantages and bring the beauty of these windows out of sight.

Soundproofing – We already mentioned how the large picture windows bring a lot of light into the room. And we also mentioned about the lack of insulation and the fact that sound waves travel through every crack and crevice. Because the tilt turn windows aren’t insulated, they won’t block the noise, but the fact is that because they’re so large, they do not provide any insulation at all. What this means is that the sound is bouncing off the walls in all directions – not just one direction. In addition, the larger the picture, the higher the sound waves are traveling through the glass.

Doors – On many of the tilt-up/turn-down windows, the doors are made from UPVC rather than wood. This is understandable; after all, doors and windows are heavy and strong glass. The problem with UPVC doors and windows is that they block out the light and heat passing through, meaning there is no natural warmth from windows or doors. European windows can be a great compromise between having strong doors and windows and having a little bit of heat and light passing through, as long as you have good quality, modern windows that are designed to look good rather than to block out the surrounding noise.

Sliding Doors – This is another feature of many European windows, and yet it is something that is actually very easy to do with a few simple tips. First, if you have double doors, you can hang a dowel inside each panel. This will serve two purposes: first of all, it will stop the doors from slamming when they open and secondly, it will stop any heat that is escaping as well. To do this, you need to have the slats aligned along the door-rail as well. It’s not much, but it’ll stop doors and windows from slamming in and out, which is important.

Sliding Sash Windows – The European design goes for all types of glass, even with sash and pivot doors. In fact, they go for almost any kind of glass with a little bit of imagination. What’s more, you can add a few accessories to your windows, so you can give them just a unique flair. For example, you can add cutouts of mirrors or flowers to make them look more unique. If you have windows that are big, you can use fabric drapes instead of curtains. If you have sliding sash doors, you can get custom-made ones, and there are many websites out there that will allow you to create a design for your sliding doors, using just a few basic items, and creating a one-of-a-kind look.

Locking Points – Some people think that sliding doors are bad because they tend to bend, but this is simply untrue. If you use proper UPVC windows, they won’t break even if you leave them outside for months at a time. What’s more, the locking points on most windows are actually there to keep dust out of the room, and not to stop the sliding process in the first place.

These are some great ideas for using UPVC window treatment kits on your casement windows. Don’t forget to check out our free UPVC Picture Windows article, which provides an introduction to this popular material. Remember to also read our UPVC Casement Window Tutorial and our free UPVC Sliding Door Tutorial before you start experimenting on your own. Good luck!