My late grandmother, when I was still a schoolboy, thought very seriously about replacing our wooden windows with modern plastic analogues.
I even remember the moment when among her friends there were those who dissuaded her from replacing the old windows. They said in all seriousness that after the first frost the new glass would lose its smoothness or even burst!
The situation is classic - an old “Stalin” building with wooden windows and the same balcony opening. At that time, the house was exactly 50 years old.
When my grandmother started contacting different companies to install PVC windows, they immediately started telling her about double- and triple-glazed windows, throwing the old lady into a stupor. I'm not even talking about profiles, which are also divided into cameras.
A story from my subscriber Konstantin.
What does this technical characteristic mean and what does it affect?
At that time it didn’t bother me much, but just yesterday, when my cat once again jumped on the mosquito net and tore it off, I remembered those same craftsmen and the time when two men installed these windows for us in the murderous heat.
I even remembered that one of them was the director of the company himself, named Morozov. It was he who spent almost an hour telling my grandmother the whole essence of intimacy.
Such “cuts” are usually found in the offices of “window operators”, do you see the third example? There are two cameras, two samples too. I'll explain below.
The company is small, but the guys are so responsible, fanatics, in short, they stage it as if it were for themselves. So, the chamber in our case is the space between the partitions:
- in a double-glazed window - between the panes;
- in profile - inside a polyvinyl chloride (usually white) frame.
Some call the glass or partitions themselves cameras - this is wrong! We take only the air space (some craftsmen, I heard, manage to pour foam inside the frame), which affects the level of thermal insulation.
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What are the advantages of double-chamber windows?
Even despite the principle that Morozov pointed out, “the more there are, the better,” double-glazed windows and profiles also have their advantages, only here there is a nuance.
What are the advantages? Before single-chamber or three-chamber analogues?
And before the first, as it turned out, and before the last. It’s easier with single-chamber products: for double-chamber products, the degree of thermal insulation is approximately one and a half times higher. Compared to three-chamber competitors, there are completely different advantages:
- a product with two chambers is lighter, which speeds up the installation process and makes it safer;
- it is about 25% cheaper without taking into account any “window” discounts and promotions;
- lets in more light.
A two-chamber product is quite sufficient in warm regions with good room heating in winter;
One of the chambers of the two-chamber package is simply made wider so that there is more space in it, for what - you already understand.
The following regularity also applies - the more cameras, the higher the sound insulation.
Double-glazed windows are the most popular due to the above features. How much can such windows cost? For clarity, we give an example of prices in the company Balcony Factory, Moscow.
Price per product, excluding installation
Single-leaf window - from 6,500 rub. Double-leaf window - from 7,500 rub. Three-leaf window - from 9,500 rub. Balcony block - from 13,500 rub.
Details
How to replace double glazed windows
Modern PVC windows are reliable and practical systems that can last for decades. But sometimes there are situations that require replacing the glass unit. The reasons can be very different:
- Damage to glass.
- It is necessary to increase the tightness of the window structure, improve sound insulation and heat insulation qualities.
Regardless of the situation, in order to replace a double-glazed window, it is important to contact competent specialists. The craftsmen carry out high-quality replacement of double-glazed windows, and in our work we use special tools and strict adherence to technology, which makes it possible in the future to avoid the formation of condensation on the window and their depressurization.
Work algorithm:
- The master comes to the site, takes measurements, and tells which window is better (two-chamber or three-chamber).
- Next, he transfers the order to the factory and the double-glazed windows are made there.
- Afterwards, the specialist delivers the glass unit to the site and installs it.
- The final stage will be to check the window system for tightness and compliance with quality standards.
If you need to replace a single-chamber glass unit with a multi-chamber one, take into account the width of the beads (holders). For a two-chamber system, the width will be larger, and in this case, complex window structuring will be needed. Replacing such a double-glazed window with a similar one requires strict adherence to technology. Replacing such a double-glazed window also requires strict adherence to technology. This system has 3 glasses, which are placed and installed in such a way that the structure is as tight and durable as possible.
What are the advantages of three-chamber windows?
Here I’ll start with a small life hack for those who don’t know about it. It concerns independent determination of the number of cameras in a double-glazed window. For example, I just don’t know what kind of windows were installed there 10 years ago, but I’m going to buy an apartment or a dacha.
Take a lighter with silicon, a match or a candle and bring it to the glass. There are so many reflections - so many glasses we have. Two reflections - one camera, three - two.
1 – these are profile cameras, there are five of them. 2 – glass unit chambers, there are three of them. This is the window that is already considered a “tank”
A three-chamber window is more expensive and heavier, transmits light worse due to the large number of glasses, but noise and heat insulation is still 25% higher.
I see that in my small bedroom there is one camera, all the others, including the balcony, have two. I have no need for three-chamber windows - the south of Russia, good heating (and a toad would strangle me, to be honest).
Another advantage of such windows is that it is possible to purchase and install double-glazed windows with additional sound insulation (if this is really necessary).
Here it is, a three-chamber double-glazed window with additional sound insulation; previously I thought that such products did not exist, because why such a level of protection? But as you can see, someone needs it
The system is approximately the same as that of a two-chamber window. One of the cameras is expanded. To prevent the glass from “sweating” inside these cavities, a special substance is used.
Characteristics of the glass unit
In order to make a double-glazed window of this type, it is necessary to use different thicknesses of glass.
When using energy-saving glass, special coatings are applied to the glass itself, which in turn allows it to reflect heat rays and increase the thermal insulation properties of the glass unit.
For glazing of loggias, balconies and attics, tempered glass is used, which is obtained as a result of the use of additional heat treatment. Thanks to the use of such double-glazed windows, the chance of obtaining a burglary-resistant plastic window increases.
Using polymer film can also be an excellent solution for preserving window glass. As a result of a blow directed at it, the glass will not shatter into many fragments, but will simply crack.
Triplex is known for its excellent sound insulation properties.
When using reflective glass coated with a special metal oxide, anyone using this double-glazed window can forget about the dangers of ultraviolet radiation.
Five-chamber, let's talk a little about them
There is already a nuance here - a three-chamber double-glazed window, as I understand it, is the peak. Everything that has four, five and six chambers is a profile, a frame, that is.
Here, clearly, not like with wooden windows, not solid PVC “bars”, but a complex system with internal cavities.
It clearly shows how to count these chambers: vertical cavities without taking into account horizontal partitions.
These chambers already have a greater effect on thermal insulation; their number is determined by the mark that is applied to the ends of the frames with double-glazed windows.
Yes, five-chamber profiles have higher rigidity, they are much stronger and thicker, but the design is very heavy. Such products should probably be used somewhere in the North.
As for sound insulation, I think the profile cameras also influence this, although the main sound “impact” comes from the glass. The advantages in terms of thermal insulation look much more impressive and logical.
There are also armored windows, the width of their frames is approximately the same as that of five-chamber products.
Windows with five chambers, as manufacturers note, can be used not only in cold zones, but also in very hot regions. They can withstand from -50 to +50 degrees Celsius!
Each product has its own merchant: in what cases is it better to choose
I think that the time when the lion’s share of people rushed to remove wooden windows and install plastic ones has already passed. Although some people remain, I walk around the city and there are still old frames somewhere.
An “era” is coming when part of the population is already replacing old plastic windows with new products. Well, and, of course, those who build private houses - they also need windows.
Yes, when we choose something, we basically take into account two criteria:
- what we ultimately want to get (heat and sound insulation, tinting);
- how much is it.
Why do I remember those masters so well?
“Stalinka”, a huge wooden balcony opening. The upper wooden beam (about the same as in the photo, only longer) broke off and fell on the head of that Morozov’s partner, just struck (!) on the forehead, but the wound was impressive.
If it were “direct fire”, then... These are the “safety precautions”. Morozov eventually ran to the pharmacy.
Let's start with me - the south of Russia, but the climate in summer is very hot. In winter it’s cold—Kazakhstan is nearby—but the heat is good. The windows that I have are behind my eyes; in the severe frost I will block everything up - a blunder.
The sound is the same, even if I close the single-pane window in the bedroom and that’s it (nearby is a moderately busy street), I don’t hear anything.
Residents of private (and apartment buildings too) with poor heating (if they also spend a lot of money on it, install all sorts of boilers) are better off not skimping and installing “tank” windows, especially if the climate is quite harsh.
It’s better to stay warm, because there can’t be too many cameras, as Morozov quite correctly noted.
For summer residents (if they don’t live at their dacha in cold weather), why not save money, especially if it’s a warm region. For those who have more requirements for sunlight, you can order products with tinting.
Now I’m tormented by this question: I have never met anyone anywhere where there were complaints about plastic windows.
Have any of you, dear friends, come across a fake? So, for a good craftsman to install this window, and the problems were with the product itself?
"PLAFEN"
Comparative characteristics of three-chamber windows
| Profile | KBE BENCHMARK | LAOUMANN CLASSIC | LAOUMANN LUX | MONTBLANC ECO 60 | MONTBLANC LOGIC | PLAFEN L-LINE | REHAU BASIC DESIGN | REHAU EURO-60 DESIGN | REHAU SIB DESIGN | VEKA EUROLINE |
| Number of cameras in the window sash (pcs) | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 + "Thermo-Block" | 3 |
| Number of cameras in the window frame (pcs) | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 + "Thermo-Block" | 3 |
| Sash installation width (mm) | 58 | 58 | 60 | 60 | 58 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 70 | 58 |
| Sash installation height (mm) | 77 | 77,5 | 60 | 76 | 66 | 77 | 60 | 60 | 80 | 77 |
| Installation frame width (mm) | 58 | 58 | 60 | 60 | 58 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 70 | 58 |
| Frame mounting height (mm) | 63 | 65 | 64 | 62 | 55 | 66 | 64 | 64 | 68 | 64 |
• Generalized data, taken from the analysis of certificates, window test reports and advertising materials from manufacturers (copyright PROFTi.RU).
Photo gallery of glazing and finishing works
What additional double glazing elements do I need?
Beyond the window or door, handles, color, trim and more are important to the overall appearance of your finished project.
Color options
Some companies offer window frames in a variety of colors, including more modern options at https://oknabalkonperm.ru/. Handles usually come in white, black, chrome and gold. Various handle shapes are available to suit every taste, from rustic to traditional.
Decorative windows
You can add patterns, textures and color to your window to make it unique. Options include: leaded glass with square, rectangular or triangular patterns (which can help maintain the feel of a historic property) opaque glass (for those times when you want privacy, such as in a bathroom or where the window is close to passersby) decorated with precious stones stones or beveled glass can add a touch of color and can often be seen in glazed entry doors. window grilles mimic cottage-style windows, making one panel look like multiple small panes of glass.
