User preferences and problems encountered in the selection of housing windows in Turkey

In this study, the most preferred window type relating to housing in Turkey according to the quality of the material used during production, the reasons of preference, the problems encountered during the use of the preferred windows, production defects and the assessments of the users relating to windows production industry have been studied. The study is planned within the scope of Duzce city, a region with a great disaster and damage during the 1999 earthquakes in Turkey. The basic reasons for selecting the region as the study region are the socio-economical structure of the region and its position which makes it open for industrial developments, as well as displaying a faster structuring and renovation process compared to the other regions in Turkey. Direct surveys have been applied to different families living in Duzce city. As a result of the study, it has been determined that the users consider the durability of the window while selecting (71%) and this is followed by affordability (20%), availability of service facilities (7%) and other reasons (2%). Furthermore, it is also determined that the window preferences of the existing users are 54% plastic (PVC), 38% wood and 8% aluminum.