Aluminum Windows and 2024 Energy Regulations in Vigo

In 2024, the issue of energy regulations is more “street-level” than ever, and in Vigo you notice it because here the combo of humidity + wind + cool days really puts any window to the test. Does that sound familiar—having the heating on and still feeling a “draft” near the frame? Well, many times it’s not your imagination: it’s an old or poorly sealed window that lets heat escape and brings cold air in. The regulations are pushing building envelopes to be more efficient, and that translates into very concrete things: better insulation, fewer leaks, and more control over energy use. In practice, if you’re renovating or replacing windows, you’ll want the frames to have a thermal break and for the whole unit to be properly installed (because a good window, poorly installed, becomes an average window). And one more thing: in Vigo, with so much rain, sash adjustment and airtightness also matter a lot; otherwise you end up with condensation inside and that mold in the corner that shows up every winter. It’s not theory: it’s everyday comfort and fewer surprises on your bill.

If you’re thinking about replacing your windows, don’t get tangled up in catalogues: there are three things that, in Vigo, make the difference and fit with what’s being demanded in terms of efficiency. First, the glass: “standard” double glazing helps, yes, but if you’re coming from old windows, you’ll notice a real leap with double glazing with low-E (and if your street is noisy, you can play with pane thicknesses to gain acoustic performance at the same time). Second, the frame: today’s aluminium, done right, has nothing to do with what it was 20 years ago; the key is the thermal break, because that’s where the cold that used to creep in through the profile gets cut off. Third, sealing and installation: in flats in Coia or in houses around Teis, I’ve seen good windows ruined by foam that wasn’t properly protected or by poor finishing; six months later, leaks and condensation. Ask them to explain how they’re going to seal the perimeter and how they finish the junction with the façade: that’s worth more than any pretty “extra”.

Let me paint you a very real scene: a home in Vigo, a bedroom facing the estuary, an old sliding window. In winter, in the morning, wet glass, a frame that feels cold to the touch, and a black stain starting to appear in the corner of the wall. The person thinks: “maybe I don’t ventilate enough.” And yes, airing out helps, but the underlying problem is usually that the whole assembly doesn’t insulate and the cold spot forms exactly where it shouldn’t. With modern, well-adjusted aluminum joinery and the right glazing, you reduce that “fridge effect.” Also, if you switch from an old slider to a system with better perimeter sealing, the difference in airtightness is huge: less air getting in, less moisture condensing, and a more stable temperature feel. That said, it’s not just a matter of changing the window and calling it done: if thermal bridges around the perimeter aren’t corrected or the sealing is done poorly, condensation can continue—only it “moves” somewhere else. Careful installation, proper adjustment and hardware, and glazing designed for your specific case. That’s what brings you in line with the 2024 energy requirements and, above all, with your day-to-day comfort.