PVC window installation in Sintra
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- Town
- Sintra
- District
- Lisboa
- Position
- 38°48′ N · 9°23′ W
- Tilt and turn: opens to the side and tilts for fresh air.
What will it cost? Start with the sizes
Window type
Material
Colour
Sizes
Between 600 and 1800 mm
Between 300 and 2200 mm
A rough size is fine.
Extras
Window schedule
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About Sintra
Sintra lies between the Sintra hills and the Atlantic. The hills, of granite origin, are shaped like a long blade and end abruptly at the Cabo da Roca cliff, 13 kilometres from where they begin. The highest point of the municipality is at 528 metres. The hills are classed by UNESCO as a Cultural Landscape.
Travellers and the aristocracy rediscovered Sintra in the 18th and 19th centuries, drawn by the scenery and by a climate wrapped in fog for much of the year. Hence the palaces and estates, such as Pena, Monserrate and Ramalhão, among trees from many countries.
Today it is the second most populous municipality in the country, with 385,606 inhabitants in 2021. About 38 % of the territory is forest and 33 % farmland, but the densest urban settlement is on the Sintra–Amadora axis, along the railway line and the IC19, with apartment blocks.
There are several municipalities within one: the old town and the hills, the coast from Colares to Cabo da Roca, and the urban belt next to Lisbon. Each has its own climate, its own homes and its own window.
What the climate of Sintra asks of windows
According to Wikipedia, Sintra has a temperate Mediterranean climate that in some areas tends towards oceanic. The hills act as a barrier: they force damp sea air upwards and cause fog, cloud and rain. Mean air humidity is 79 % and the mean annual temperature is around 15 °C. Summers have little rain but a lot of fog. The north slope is damper and cooler; the south is warmer, drier and exposed to ocean wind.
Sintra sits between the hills and the sea. The hills catch damp Atlantic air and make fog and rain.
The drawing shows a house on a hillside. Each slope is different: the north is cool and damp, the south warmer and drier.
- Wind and rain from the hills
The Sintra hills force sea air upwards, and the prevailing winds blow from the north and north-west. When it rains, the water arrives slanting and hits hard on frames facing those sides. Frame drainage, the seal and the edge finish with the wall decide whether water stays outside.
- Fog and sea air
Near the coast, between Colares and Cabo da Roca, the air arrives from the Atlantic, damp and salty. According to Wikipedia, fog is frequent in the municipality. Weak metals rust and hardware seizes up if not cleaned.
- Damp and cold in the hills
With mean humidity around 79 %, water on the glass and mould appear early, especially on the north slope, which is damper and cooler. Single glazing or old frames make the problem worse. Good double glazing and daily ventilation are the starting point.
- Little light, lots of shade
Solar radiation falls towards the sea and, in the hills, cloud leaves fewer hours of sun. The house is cooler in summer, but can get dark. So a slim frame and glass that lets light through count a lot, and sun protection weighs less than in other municipalities.
| Condition | Level | Climate sheet |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Medium | Cool in the hills, warmer to the south and inland. |
| Winter | Medium | Colder in the hills and in the north-east of the municipality. |
| Rain | High | More rain in the hills, mostly in autumn and winter. |
| Wind | Medium | North and north-west winds prevail. |
| Humidity | High | Fog and damp air, even in summer. |
| Sun | Low | Less sun in the hills, because of cloud. |
Levels for comparison, not measurements.
SourcesWikipédia: Sintra
Solutions table for Sintra
| Window | Glass | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local condition | PVC | Aluminium | Double glazing | Triple glazing |
Wind and rain from the hills | SuitableGood against wind-driven rain, with a double seal. | Needs careCheck the frame drainage and the seals in heavy rain. | SuitableA good base. Wind and rain mostly get in through gaps. | It dependsHelps with the hill cold. Ask about the hardware weight. |
Fog and sea air | SuitableDoes not rust or rot. Good in damp, salty air. | Needs careDamp, salty air calls for a good finish and cleaning. | SuitableThe glass does not mind. Look after the seals. | SuitableSame as double glazing on this point. |
Damp and cold in the hills | SuitableVery good against cold and damp. Think about ventilation. | Needs careOnly with a good thermal break. Damp weighs more here. | SuitableThe sensible minimum. Single glass gives a lot of water. | SuitableHelps in cold, damp homes on higher ground. |
Little light, lots of shade | SuitableGood. On the north slope sun is scarce; the frame should not block light. | SuitableSlim frames let in more light on a grey day. | SuitableA good choice. It needs little solar coating here. | It dependsMay darken the room. Ask how much light it lets through. |
- Suitable
- Needs care
- It depends
On a hillside, ask the installer to check the frame drainage and the seals in rain. The rest is confirmed on site.
Homes in Sintra
The homes in the area change what is worth asking of the windows.
Historic centre
The old town of Sintra, among palaces and estates, has old houses on sloping streets. The hills are a UNESCO Cultural Landscape, so replacing facade windows may have rules. Talk to Sintra town council first and ask the installer for solutions that respect the design.
Detached and semi-detached houses
On the slopes and on the coast, from Colares to Cabo da Roca, there are houses and estates surrounded by woodland. Tree shade and fog keep walls damp, and wind is felt on exposed sides. Ask for the walls to be assessed before choosing the frame.
New apartments
On the Sintra–Amadora axis, by the railway line, apartment blocks predominate. There is less fog there and more road and train noise, and flat windows have to cope with the heat of south-facing facades.
Local notes
The Sintra hills are classed by UNESCO as a Cultural Landscape. In old houses of the historic area, replacing facade windows may have rules. Confirm with Sintra town council.
How it works
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Measure the opening on the drawing and confirm your town.
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We do not make or fit windows. We connect people and explain.
Towns near Sintra
Do not live right in Sintra? These are the neighbouring municipalities and two areas of the municipality.
Cannot find your area? Write it in the request.
North and south of the hills
According to Wikipedia, the Sintra hills split the climate into two slopes. On the north, damper, cooler and greener, it rains more and damp weighs. On the south, the setting is warmer, drier and exposed to ocean winds. The same window does not suit both sides: on the north damp and cold weigh, on the south wind and sun do. Tell the installer which side of the hills your home is on, and whether it faces the sea or inland. For homes near the ridge line, between the two slopes, the best thing is to ask for a visit and see how the house behaves on a foggy day.
Homes in the classified area
The Sintra hills are a UNESCO Cultural Landscape, with palaces such as Pena, Monserrate and Ramalhão. People who live near those monuments, or in an old house in the town, should expect facade rules. Ask the council before deciding. If the facade has to keep its old design, the frame and colour of the window are chosen with more care, and the time to decide may be longer. Ask the installer for examples of solutions for protected houses. If in doubt, keep the council’s answer in writing and attach it to your requests for quotes.
General notes
Do windows cope with fog and damp in Sintra?
They do, if the frame, the seals and the drainage are good. PVC does not rot in damp, and double glazing reduces water on the glass. But only airing the home avoids mould in the corners. In houses in the middle of woodland, it also pays to clean the tracks.
Can I change windows in a house in the historic town?
There may be rules, because the hills are a UNESCO Cultural Landscape. Talk to Sintra town council first. In buildings with a residents' association, the administration also decides. Only then ask for quotes.
Is triple glazing worth it in the hills?
It can be in high, cold, damp houses, especially on the north slope. In low, warmer areas, double glazing usually does the job. Triple is heavier and needs strong hardware. Ask the installer for an opinion.
Rain comes in through the frame when windy. What to do?
Check the frame drainage and the seals, because rain arrives slanting from the north and north-west. Well-sealed gaps matter more than the type of glass. If the window is recent, the installer should check the edge finish again. In old windows, the water may come from the wall.
My house is dark and cool. Can windows help?
They can. Slim frames let in more light, and clear glass, without much solar coating, does not darken the room. Orientation counts: south-facing windows get more sun. The house stays cool in summer, so the problem here is light more than heat.
I live in Colares or Queluz. Can I ask?
Yes. The municipality is big and varied, so say whether you live on the coast, in the hills or by the railway line. That way the request goes to the right area. JanelaCerta does not install windows.
Related guides
- PVC window buying guide: what to compareHow to ask for a quote, what to check before you sign, which questions to ask and which warranties to request.
- Window problems: condensation, cold, noise and leaksCondensation (also between the panes), draughts, leaks, noise, mould: the most common window problems and what to do.6 min
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- 10 questions to ask a window installerThe 10 questions to ask the installer, each with the reason, to see whether the quote is serious.5 min
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