If a person asks the question: “Which windows to choose: Veka (Veka), KBE (KBE) or Rehau (Rehau)?”, he is certainly already familiar with the market for window products made from PVC profiles, and knows that the above manufacturers occupy leading positions in the ranking of the most famous and sought-after companies in both the Russian and international markets.
It is impossible to decide unequivocally that one or another manufacturing company is better, because a plastic window has a complex design, where the components are: reinforcement, PVC profile, seals. The main operational properties of the profile are: heat protection, noise insulation and waterproofing. Some of these indicators are better for REHAU, others for KBE, and others for Veka.
If you want to get the most informative answer to your question, you need to clearly define what functionality you, first of all, need from new windows: maintaining an optimal microclimate at any time of the year, protection from extraneous noise from the outside, a good level of waterproofing, etc.
Options from REHAU
REHAU Blitz New
- three-chamber profile;
- system depth 60 mm;
- glass thickness up to 32 mm;
- heat transfer resistance coefficient 0.70 m²°C/W;
- Sound insulation class 3.
REHAU Thermo
- four-chamber profile;
- system depth 60 mm;
- glass thickness up to 32 mm;
- heat transfer resistance coefficient 0.78 m²°C/W;
- sound insulation class 3.
REHAU Grazio
- five-chamber profile;
- system depth 70 mm;
- glass thickness up to 40 mm;
- heat transfer resistance coefficient 0.85 m²°C/W;
- 4 classes of sound insulation.
REHAU Delight
- five-chamber profile;
- system depth 70 mm;
- glass thickness up to 40 mm;
- heat transfer resistance coefficient 0.94 m²°C/W;
- sound insulation class 4.
REHAU Brillant
- five-chamber profile;
- system depth 70 mm;
- glass thickness up to 40 mm;
- heat transfer resistance coefficient 0.9 m²°C/W;
- Sound insulation class 4.
REHAU Intelio
- six-chamber profile;
- system depth 80 mm;
- glass thickness up to 50 mm;
- heat transfer resistance coefficient 0.98 m²°C/W;
- soundproofing class 5.
REHAU Geneo
- six-chamber profile;
- system depth 86 mm;
- glass thickness up to 52 mm;
- heat transfer resistance coefficient 1.05 m²°C/W;
- Sound insulation class 5.
Options from KBE
KBE 88 New
- profile - 7 cameras;
- system depth 88 mm;
- heat transfer resistance 1.05 m2 °C/W;
- glass thickness up to 52 mm.
KBE 76 mm
- profile - 5 cameras;
- system depth 76 mm;
- heat transfer resistance 0.93 m2°C/W;
- number of sealing circuits - 2;
- glass thickness up to 48 mm.
KBE 76 Special
- profile - 5 cameras;
- system depth 76 mm;
- heat transfer resistance 0.95 m2°C/W;
- number of sealing circuits - 2;
- glass thickness up to 48 mm.
KBE 76 Premium
- profile - 6 cameras;
- system depth 76 mm;
- heat transfer resistance 1.0 m2°C/W;
- number of sealing circuits - 3;
- glass thickness up to 50 mm.
KBE Expert
- profile - 5 cameras;
- system depth 70 mm;
- heat transfer resistance 0.83 m2°C/W;
- number of sealing circuits - 2;
- glass thickness up to 42 mm.
KBE Master
- profile - 4 cameras;
- system depth 70 mm;
- heat transfer resistance 0.80 m2°C/W;
- glass thickness up to 44 mm.
KBE Etalon
- profile - 3 cameras;
- system depth 58 mm;
- heat transfer resistance 0.70 m2°C/W;
- number of sealing circuits - 2;
- glass thickness up to 34 mm.
KBE Engine
- profile - 3 cameras;
- system depth 58 mm;
- heat transfer resistance 0.70 m2°C/W;
- number of sealing circuits - 2;
- glass thickness up to 34 mm.
KBE Gut
- profile - 3 cameras;
- system depth 58 mm;
- heat transfer resistance 0.70 m2°C/W;
- glass thickness up to 32 mm.
Number of air chambers in REHAU and KBE profiles
The cavity in the plastic, divided by partitions, is a profile chamber. The profile has at least 3 cameras. The central one allows you to reinforce the system, the others are fixed with fittings, and condensate is drained from them. Also, the outer chambers provide the necessary level of sound and heat protection.
Three- and five-chamber profiles
KBE systems have up to 5 cameras, while REHAU has systems with 5.5 cameras. For example, the Brillant Design model has this feature. It is reinforced with a metal insert so that there is a layer of air between the metal and PVC. In terms of purpose and features, this section of the plastic system replicates a typical chamber, but the manufacturer does not consider it as an isolated part. This is why the number of cameras is 5.5 - sometimes indicated as 5(6).
Both KBE and REHAU produce both budget windows with three chambers, as well as four- and five-chamber, more expensive ones. PVC 88 mm with 6 chambers from KBE is manufactured exclusively in Germany, while it is slightly inferior in thermal insulation to REHAU Geneo, and costs significantly more.
Technical characteristics of windows
Buyers are often interested in the difference between Rehau and Veka profiles, since metal-plastic windows from these companies are very popular. Construction market experts, in turn, note the high quality of the KBE profile.
Products manufactured using German technology must have a RAL or ISO9001:2000 quality certificate.
If the seller cannot provide certificates, then this means that he is selling a fake. The RAL certificate contains information about the type of design and the manufacturing company. The document ISO9001:2000 informs about compliance with technical standards in the production of window structures.
In terms of performance properties and quality characteristics, Kve, Rehau, Veka windows have similarities and differences. All 3 manufacturers offer a wide range of window profiles, allowing them to be installed throughout Russia.
The width of the Kbe profile structure is 58-88 mm, Rehau - 60-86 mm, Veka - 58-90 mm. The number of cameras for all manufacturers is 3-6 pieces, depending on the purpose of the model and the depth of the profile system. An important indicator that affects the quality of products is the presence of reinforcement.
According to the interstate standard GOST 30673-2013, the design of the main profiles must include the installation of a reinforcing liner. The reinforcing liner is made of galvanized steel with a width of 1.5-2 mm.
The shape of the insert can be: U-shaped or closed square.
Temperature conditions for using metal-plastic windows:
- -65…+80°C (KBE);
- -50…+80°C (REHAU).
Depending on the price segment, Veka windows can have a price of 9,500-15,500 rubles; the cost of Rehau windows ranges from 3690-8900 rubles per 1 m²; KBE windows - 7,000-20,000 rubles.
Number of sealing circuits
Double and triple seals from REHAU
The number of rubber layers along the contours of windows and doors affects the moisture resistance, thermal insulation and heat resistance of glazing. KBE profiles are equipped with at least two seals. REHAU rubber seals are leaders in durability and quality. It does not freeze, does not absorb moisture, and has two sealing petals. The GENEO system is equipped with a triple sealing circuit.
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Reinforcement type
Plastic is not able to independently support the weight of a double-glazed window; for this reason, for all windows with a length above 500 mm, galvanized steel reinforcement is placed in the frame and sashes.
The KBE brand is reinforced with a tab in the form of the letter P, and Rehau - in the form of the letter G. This method of reinforcement increases the strength characteristics of the structure without affecting the weight of the window frame.
Rehau has created the Geneo profile with the latest reinforcement system, which reduces the weight of the structure by 40%. In this case, windows can be of absolutely any size.
Installation depth REHAU and KBE
The installation width is the depth of the window system. For the KBE “Etalon” series with 3 cameras, it is 58 mm. This budget solution is suitable for installation in openings with thin walls. The system is installed in frame houses, verandas, gazebos. The largest installation width of 127 mm is for the “warmest” and “quiest” KBE “Expert +” profile.
For residential premises, offices, shops, the Brillant Design system with a depth of 70 mm from REHAU is sufficient. “Expert +” is designed specifically for the area beyond the Arctic Circle and can be used in extreme cold conditions.
Maximum glass thickness
Thickness of double-glazed windows
The thickest glass unit is built into the KBE “Expert +” system. It isolates noise as much as possible and almost eliminates the possibility of condensation forming on the glass. A more popular series, suitable for the widest glass unit, is “Select” from KBE. REHAU has the widest glass unit of 44 mm mounted in the Intelio profile. It turns out that the REHAU and KBE systems are equivalent in thickness of the glass package.
Waterproofing
This quality comes from the windows' seal, which each company produces using its own developed technology. Ethylene propylene polymer is universal in this regard, but KBE and Rehau have made their own adjustments to the production of the sealant.
For example, in addition to EP polymer, KBE uses TPE seals - they are made with a profile together, therefore their tightness and insulation are greater than those of EP polymer. Rehau uses a standard seal in production, but with an original shape. It consists of two petals, between which there is no air space, so moisture is not concentrated in the air gap. The service life of the seal is several years longer, which means that Rehau wins in terms of waterproofing.
Care and aesthetics
The white KBE profile may become grayish with use, because it does not contain lead, which stabilizes the white color. The manufacturer does not use lead alloy in production and produces plastic using GreenLine technology. In products created using this technology, the whiteness is maintained by more environmentally friendly zinc. The price of safety is gray tone PVC.
REHAU profiles do not change shade over the years. They are easier to clean and require less cleaning due to the special arrangement of polymer particles. It eliminates roughness and unevenness of the plastic, to which dust and dirt can cling.
VEKA plastic windows
One of the most popular types of profiles that have become widespread in the glazing of country houses, balconies and apartments. Most series of VEKA windows have a low cost, which does not compromise quality. It is also necessary to note the following parameters:
- Only safe, high-quality materials are used in production;
- The profiles have elegant contours;
- The only class “A” profile in Russia;
Only VEKA profiles have galvanized metal reinforcement of a closed section, which affects the mechanical stability of the products. The Century profile has rightfully earned the status of a high-quality profile in Russia, thanks to its unchanging principles in the field of quality control and building work with window manufacturers.
Which is better: REHAU or KBE?
As you can see, the budget series from REHAU and KBE are almost identical; in general, the second option is slightly inferior to the first. So which profile should you choose? To clarify this issue, let’s turn to an expert:
“If increased thermal insulation of a window and reliable sound protection are important to you, you should choose multi-chamber plastic, for example, Thermo-Design, Delight, Geneo from REHAU or Expert, Select from KBE. The warmest systems are “Expert+” from KBE and Brillant-Design from REHAU. The quietest profiles are KBE Expert+ and REHAU Delight. For glazing rooms that do not require thermal insulation, the cheaper and lighter KBE class “B” profile with an outer wall from 2.5 to 2.8 mm is optimal.”
Alexey Mironov, window master with over 20 years of experience in window installation
Reviews of REHAU profiles
Customer review #1
Our apartment had a very cold balcony. The house is located in such a way that the wind blows all the time. We decided to install windows, on the advice of the Rehau Grazio master. The drafts have disappeared, the windows don't let anything in at all. 100% satisfied
Customer review #2
I ordered Diamond windows in the shape of arches. Everything is thought out to the smallest detail, the windows are made perfectly. Installed quickly and without problems. Thanks for bringing the original design to life!
Customer review #3
When buying an apartment in a new building, we decided to immediately change all the windows, because... developers often save on this. We replaced everything with Rehau Thermo windows and made an insulated balcony. We were satisfied with the work, nothing blows through, very warm.
Plastic windows KVE
KVE are considered a classic brand of plastic windows. They have become widespread due to the following criteria:
- The production uses “greenline” technology, which completely eliminates the use of heavy metals;
- KBE windows can withstand temperatures down to -60 degrees;
- They have various design solutions.
Due to their properties, KBE windows are often used in mass construction of capital projects: new residential buildings, office centers, government buildings. institutions.
