To date, a huge number of window products is represented on the market. What plastic windows relate to the category of the highest quality and how are high-end products from cheap fakes? When choosing plastic windows, you need to be guided by the main characteristics and reputation of the manufacturer. The cost of products does not always correspond to its quality, as often sellers will unreasonably overestimate the price. Also should not be overpaying for those features of the design that you will not be suitable in your conditions. What you need to know about plastic windows in order to choose a quality product?
The main characteristics of plastic windows
Plastic windows consist of the following elements:
- Window block and frame (profile) from PVC;
- double glazed windows (glass winds);
- sealant;
- Window fittings.
Each component has the technical characteristics, on which the operational quality of the window as a whole depends. Let us dwell on how to match each of the elements.
Attention!
High-quality PVC windows are made under the control of the ISO 9001 standard and have a corresponding certificate.
Profile
The profile made of high-quality polyvinyl chloride is resistant to mechanical, chemical and thermal influences. The life of its operation is 50 years.
What indicators determine a good profile from PVC? Before choosing the manufacturer, read the main characteristics of the product.
- Profile width. It all depends on the purchasing power. The wider profile, the better and warmer. One nuance: A wide profile must have more rigid ribs, otherwise the strength of the product will suffer.
- The number of thermal insulation chambers. For good thermal insulation, it is better to choose a profile that has at least 5 cameras. In the area with very low winter temperatures it is better to consider options where the cameras are filled with inert gas.
- Reinforcement. For rigidity, the profile of PVC is reinforced from the inside with steel inserts. One-piece outline is more durable, but if the priority is heat-insulating properties, it is better to put windows with an open circuit - they are warmer.
- Profile Manufacturer Country. Traditionally, German products are considered high quality. But often, such windows produce in Russia in German technology. In this case, the price must be lower.
Article on the topic: Lamps for a teenager room
How to choose a glass?
Double-glazed windows are chosen in accordance with the requirements necessary in your conditions. This is what structures are double-glazed windows:
- Single-chamber - two glasses;
- two-chamber - three glasses;
- Three-chamber - four glasses.
Important detail - glass thickness and distance between glasses. The more this value, the better the heat and soundproofing characteristics of the window. On average, the optimal glass thickness ranges in the area of 4-5 mm (the outer can be thicker than the internal), and the distance between them is about 10-16 mm with a total thickness of at least 30 mm.
In addition, the window cost will be higher if you put glasses with advanced features:
- energy saving;
- armored;
- sunscreen;
- reinforced;
- hardened;
- self-cleaning.
Profile color is traditional white. If you choose PVC poor quality, it can burn out in the sun and acquire a yellowish tint. In addition to white, you can put windows and other colors. In this case, the paint is applied to the surface of the profile or is added directly into the plastic mass during the manufacturing process. There is a variant like lamination - the painted film is glued to the profile.
What is the seal?
The seal plays a significant role in thermal insulation and participates in the drainage system, provide the tightness of the window. He must go around the perimeter of the flaps and fit tightly to both surfaces. For its production, the following materials are used:
- rubber;
- silicone;
- Special rubber;
- rubbing.
The material must be elastic, soft, but elastic, resistant to external influences. It is better to put a seal made from ethylene-propylene-thermopolymer rubber (EPDM).
Choose accessories
Furnitura provides opening of window sash. Put good accessories - it means to lengthen the service life of the window as a whole and protect yourself from unpleasant surprises. The opening mechanism is simple - turning, or more complex - swivel-folding; With a slotted opening (winter ventilation). High-quality accessories are made of high-strength grades of doped steel. At the request of the client on the windows you can put anti-burglar accessories, handles with blocking and lock, hidden overlays against drill.
Article on the topic: Warming overlap The attic in a private house - effective ways to keep warm
Good fittings are resistant to corrosion, has a smooth move and the optimal ratio of metal and plastic in the design.
The leading manufacturers of accessories for plastic windows include firms:
- Siegenia-Aubi;
- Roto;
- G-U;
- Maco;
- Winkhaus.
Products of these firms are recommended to be set to ensure reliability of the design.
Window design
The cost of windows from PVC directly depends on their design. There are rectangular and square windows, you can put profiles in the form of arches and semi-colors, swing and sliding models, with fixed and opening flaps. The large size of the window is mounted from several glasses, for giving strength to divide them with aluminum profile crossprises. Modern manufacturers are ready to fulfill any whim, of course, for your money. The more non-standard window you wish to put, the more open and turning mechanisms in it, the higher the final cost of the product will be.
Manufacturers and prices
What manufacturers are considered the best? In Russia, about ten firms engaged in the manufacture of windows from PVC have proven well in Russia. Products of both domestic and foreign production are used in demand. All of them occupy their niche in the ratio of "price-quality", which makes it easy to choose the appropriate option.
- Profile of Veka, Naro-Fominsky district, D. Gubtio. The product was assigned a German quality mark, and the production control is carried out under the auspices of European technologies. The undoubted advantages of VEKA windows include stable quality and wide range of products. By minuses - the high cost, which does not cause as much as the quality of how many brand.
- Rehau profile, Gzhel. Today, by the number of products manufactured, the company leads in the Russian market. Pluses of the REHAU profile: high quality and manufacturer's warranty, a large range of products. The disadvantages include high cost of products.
- Profile of KBB (KBE), Resurrection. Another German company engaged in the production of in Russia. At the same time, along with high quality, characteristic of the first two manufacturers, the KBE profile today has a slightly lower price, which is explained by successful marketing strokes.
Article on the topic: Car curtains: species, fastening features
These manufacturers occupy leading positions in the plastic windows market. In addition to them, in the TOP-10, the following firms include varying success.
- Profile Salamander, Türkheim, Germany. Pros: European quality control, dealer control from the manufacturer, profile design. Cons - the cost of products.
- Profile "Mont Blanc", Elektrostal. Benefits include: low cost, large range, product quality. Disadvantages - no ISO certificate.
- Profile Kaleva, Moscow. Pros - excellent design, full production cycle. Cons - no quality management certification.
- Profile Proplex, Podolsk. This is a Russian company that has created a full cycle of production. Profile advantages: Low cost. Disadvantages - outdated designs, lack of international certification.
- Profile DECEUNINCK, Belgium, branch - G. Protvino.
- Profile Juice, Syzran. The company has no own profile, but makes it at the ProFine Concern (Kve) plant. The windows are characterized by traditionally high European quality, but a small choice and unreasonably overestimated cost of finished products.
In general, the question "What windows is better to put?" Can't be a definite answer. It all depends on the conditions in which they will be operated. For residential premises, more expensive designs are chosen for localities with low winter temperatures, and in other cases you can save on the number of chambers and double-glazed windows, accessories and glass characteristics. Before putting the windows, it is determined for themselves the characteristics to which they must comply and refer to the leading manufacturers with a good reputation and all relevant quality standards.