Windows Near the Sea: PVC, Wood or Aluminium in Istria?

Replacing old windows is one of the most common jobs foreign owners ask about in Istria. The old frames rattle when the bura blows, the paint peels after a few summers, and single glazing makes the house cold in winter. The question is always the same: PVC, wood or aluminium?

There is no single right answer. It depends on how close you are to the sea, which way the windows face, whether the house is in an old town or protected area, and how much maintenance you are willing to do while you are away. Here is an honest comparison.

What the coastal climate does to windows

Three things wear windows out on the Istrian coast:

• Salt. In houses close to the water, from Umag and Novigrad down to Rovinj/Rovigno and Pula/Pola, salty air settles on frames, hinges and handles. Cheap steel fittings rust, and poor coatings on aluminium can corrode.
• Sun. South- and west-facing windows take strong UV and heat for months. Paint and varnish on wood break down faster, and dark frames get very hot.
• Bura and storms. The cold north-easterly bura comes in strong gusts in winter, and storms from the south (jugo) bring driving rain. Frames need good seals, solid fixing in the wall and properly sealed joints so that water is not pushed in.

For more on how the climate affects the whole house, see our article on bura, salt and sun.

PVC windows: practical and low-maintenance

PVC is the most common choice for houses and apartments in Istria today, and for good reasons.

• Pros. Does not rot or need painting, handles salt air well, good insulation with modern multi-chamber profiles and double or triple glazing, usually the most affordable option.
• Cons. Frames are wider than slim wood or aluminium, which matters on small stone windows. Dark-coloured or wood-effect foils can heat up in strong sun, so ask about profiles suited to dark colours. Not always accepted in historic old towns.
• Best for. 1970s–1990s houses, apartments, holiday rentals and any house where low maintenance matters most.

Look for good-quality fittings (hinges, handles, locking points) with proper corrosion protection. The fittings usually fail before the frame does.

Wooden windows: beautiful, but they need care

Wood is the traditional material in Istrian stone houses and old towns, and in some protected areas it may be what the local rules expect.

• Pros. Looks right in a stone house, slim traditional profiles possible, good insulation, can be repaired and repainted.
• Cons. Needs regular maintenance. On sunny, exposed facades the outside finish may need attention every few years. Neglected wood lets water in at the bottom rail and starts to rot. Usually more expensive than PVC.
• Best for. Stone houses and old-town properties where appearance matters and someone can look after the windows.

A compromise is wood-aluminium: wood inside, an aluminium cladding outside that takes the weather. It costs more, but it reduces maintenance on exposed sides.

Aluminium windows: slim and strong

• Pros. Very strong, allows slim frames and large glass areas, ideal for big sliding doors to a terrace, does not rot, stable in heat.
• Cons. Must have a thermal break, otherwise frames get cold and can cause condensation. Quality of the coating matters near the sea. Usually the most expensive of the three.
• Best for. Modern villas, large terrace openings, sea-view windows and newer houses.

Shutters (škure), blinds and mosquito nets

In Istria the window is only half the story. Traditional louvred wooden shutters, called škure, are part of the look of most stone houses and are one of the best ways to keep a house cool in summer: they block the sun before it reaches the glass while letting air through.

• Wooden škure. Traditional and often expected in old towns. They need painting from time to time, and the hinges and catches should be checked so that the bura does not slam them.
• Aluminium shutters in a wood look. Very low maintenance and popular for rentals, but check whether they are accepted in your area.
• Roller shutters and external blinds. Common on newer houses. The roller box should be insulated, as it is often a cold spot.
• Mosquito nets. Almost essential from late spring to autumn. Fixed frames, sliding or pleated nets can be fitted to most windows and doors; plan them together with the windows so that they fit the reveal.

Installation matters as much as the window

Even the best window will leak or cause damp if it is badly fitted. Points to check:

• Measuring. Old stone openings are rarely square. Every window should be measured on site, not from drawings.
• Sealing the joint. The gap between frame and wall should be sealed properly inside and outside, not just filled with foam and left exposed to sun and rain.
• Sills and drainage. Outside sills need a slope and a drip edge so rain runs away from the wall.
• Reveals. After removing old frames, the plaster around the opening usually needs repair. Ask whether this finishing work is included.

Our window and door installation service covers measuring, fitting, reveals and mosquito nets, and we coordinate any painting needed afterwards.

When to replace and how to plan

Window makers in Istria are often busiest before the summer season, so ordering in autumn or winter is usually easier, and installation outside the hot months is more pleasant for everyone. See the best time to renovate in Istria.

If you are also insulating, plan both together. New airtight windows change how an old house breathes, as explained in our guide to insulating an old house in Istria.