Window replacement in Chambéry.

In Chambéry, as everywhere in Savoie, windows are one of the weak points in a house's envelope against a demanding Alpine climate. Nestled between the Bauges and Chartreuse massifs, the city of the Dukes has cold winters, sharp temperature swings and draughts funnelled between the valleys: old windows, single-glazed or with worn seals, let heat escape and damp get in. The result: a house that is hard to heat, a feeling of cold walls and condensation on the panes.

The first benefit of replacing your windows is reducing energy losses: windows alone account for 10 to 15% of a home's heat loss. Replacing single glazing with high-performance double glazing eliminates the cold-wall effect, stabilises the indoor temperature and lowers your heating bills for the long term — a gain that also improves your DPE (energy performance certificate) rating. In the old buildings of the historic centre and Chambéry's many jointly owned buildings, the improvement is often spectacular.

Comfort is not only about heat. New windows bring a real improvement in sound insulation: asymmetric or acoustic laminated glazing to reduce noise from the street, the railway or the town centre's busy roads. Add to that better security (burglar-resistant glazing, anti-lift hinges) and a genuine increase in your property's value. To go further, discover our approach to energy renovation in Chambéry.

PVC windows — the most common choice, and for good reasons: excellent insulation-to-price ratio, no maintenance, very long service life. PVC offers high thermal performance and suits the vast majority of replacement projects in Chambéry, in white or in a colour.

Aluminium windows — aluminium allows slim profiles, large glazed areas and a contemporary finish. Fitted with a thermal break, it combines modern looks with good insulation. It is the ideal material for large glazed openings and the contemporary architecture of the conurbation's newer neighbourhoods.

Timber windows — warmth, charm and excellent natural thermal performance: timber enhances older suburban houses and the old buildings of the historic Sardinian-era centre. It requires regular maintenance but remains unbeatable for looks and comfort, and is often required in areas regulated by the Architecte des Bâtiments de France. The timber-aluminium composite option combines the warmth of timber inside with the robustness of maintenance-free aluminium outside.

As for glazing, high-insulation double glazing (with argon gas and a low-emissivity coating) is now the standard. Triple glazing is justified on the façades most exposed to cold or noise. Depending on your needs, we adapt the type of glass: acoustic, solar control or burglar-resistant. We advise you on the right combination of material and glazing for your home, your budget and the orientation.

Front doors — your front door contributes to the insulation and security of your home. We fit aluminium, PVC or timber doors with enhanced insulation and multi-point locks, in a style that enhances your façade.

Sliding patio doors and French windows — to open your living spaces onto the garden, the terrace or the view of the Bauges and Chartreuse, an aluminium sliding patio door offers wide glazed areas and a flat, accessible threshold. French windows, in PVC or aluminium, combine light and insulation for step-free access.

Shutters and blinds — to complement your new windows, we install roller shutters (built-in or retrofit, motorised and connected), aluminium or timber hinged shutters, as well as blinds and adjustable louvred sun shades. Beyond blocking light, they improve thermal insulation in winter and protect against overheating in summer.

Replacing your windows with high-performance units makes you eligible for energy renovation grants: MaPrimeRénov', Energy Saving Certificates (CEE), the zero-interest eco-loan and certain local grants from Grand Chambéry. The windows must meet thermal performance thresholds and be fitted by an RGE-certified company. As Atelier NovAlp is RGE-certified, we prepare the grant applications for you. To find out more, see our RGE energy renovation page and all our services.

The quality of a window depends as much on the fitting as on the product. A high-performance window that is badly fitted loses most of its benefit. Depending on the configuration, we carry out renovation fitting (over the old frame, quick and with little mess) or full removal (which maximises the glazed area and insulation). In jointly owned buildings and the old buildings of the centre, we take into account the appearance requirements imposed by the conservation area and the ABF. In every case, we take great care over air- and watertightness: packing, expanding foam, seals and sealing tapes, to eliminate thermal bridges and leaks.

As architect and project manager, Atelier NovAlp manages the entire job: choice of windows, measurements to the millimetre, coordination of made-to-measure manufacturing, removal, fitting and interior finishing. This well-managed approach is also the one we apply to the energy renovation of your home.