The history of windows goes back several thousand years. Technological progress is doing its job - over the centuries, not only the appearance of light-transmitting structures has changed, but also the material from which they are made. In the beginning there was a bull's bladder, which covered the window openings of the huts of the ancient inhabitants, followed by a stone window, and then a wooden one.
In the middle of the last century, thanks to a qualitative leap in technology, the first plastic windows began to appear, the basis of which is a compressed solid substance - polyvinyl chloride (PVC) . Differing (even at that time) from their wooden counterparts in improved characteristics of heat conservation and sound insulation, such light-transmitting systems quickly gained the trust of wealthy citizens, and over time, due to lower costs, of the average consumer.
It is worth noting that the first plastic windows appeared in the United States, but such glazing technology was not developed there in the early stages of its existence. By improving the design and adding certain innovations, German manufacturers set their own standard for plastic windows, which is still the focus of most buyers (and manufacturers) of PVC systems around the world.
Why German windows are better than others
The answer is simple - quality . The impeccable quality characteristics of German plastic windows are achieved through strict adherence to technology, using control at every stage of product manufacturing. In addition, the chemical composition of the raw materials meets all European standards for environmental friendliness and safety for humans.
Windows made using German technology have a smooth, rigid profile that can withstand significant wind loads (the so-called good windage). Regardless of the color of the plastic window - white, black or wood-like, its color is uniform over the entire profile area.
Expert commentary
Vladislav Dobronravov
Leading technical specialist at Okna-Media company
German window products are equipped with modern, again German, components: double-glazed windows and reliable, convenient fittings.
This combination of high-quality components, coupled with their excellent characteristics, makes the choice of an ordinary buyer in favor of purchasing German plastic windows a completely justified decision.
Aluminum profile systems Schuco
German manufacturers offer Schuko aluminum windows to connoisseurs of strict design and high reliability. These profile structures can last up to 100 years and perfectly withstand wind and static loads. Schuco metal systems are suitable for assembling warm windows, since thermal insulating inserts made of polymer materials are used in their manufacture. Aluminum profiles allow you to assemble large structures. For different operating conditions, Schuco offers several series of profiles with different characteristics:
- Schuco AWS 120 CC.SI
are double-leaf structures with an installation depth of 120 mm, in which burglary resistance can be increased to class RC 3. The heat absorption coefficient of AWS 120 CC.SI systems is 0.85 W/m²×°C, and the level of sound insulation – up to 53 dB. Schuco aluminum windows assembled from these, provided they use a built-in ventilation system, can effectively ventilate rooms. - Schuco AWS 112 IC
- blocks made from these profiles, when equipped with double-glazed windows, have an energy efficiency of 0.75 W/m²×°C, which allows them to be used in regions with moderate climatic conditions. Products made from profiles of this brand are characterized by high light transmittance and resistance to burglary. In windows with an installation depth of 112 mm, you can install double-glazed windows up to 56 mm thick, which increases sound insulation to 47 dB. - Schuco AWS 90
– the systems are used to assemble warm and bright windows with sash widths of only 77 mm. In these Shuko systems, aluminum is supplemented not only with polymer liners, but with rubber foam filler. Thanks to this, structures with an installation depth of 90 mm have a fairly high heat absorption coefficient of 0.7 W/m²×°C. - Schuco AWS 75.SI+
– recommended for strip glazing, as it can imitate mullion-transom structures. Despite the small installation depth (75 mm), the blocks assembled from these systems have low thermal conductivity - 0.92 W/m²×°C. The use of foam rubber to fill the internal chambers of sashes and frames has significantly increased the frost resistance of such windows.
German manufacturers have provided the opportunity to improve Schuco windows - the AWS aluminum profile is suitable for assembling windows with an automatic control system.
Advantages of German PVC windows
Unlike little-known companies that have only recently entered the European market for similar products, German manufacturers of plastic windows have achieved the highest quality of similar products over the years of production.
They are distinguished by the presence of:
pros
Improved thermal and noise insulation characteristics. In a room glazed with German plastic windows, heat loss is significantly less - this is especially important in winter, when the temperature outside is -30C, and every degree inside is important. In the summer, for many people, an important component of a comfortable stay indoors is a reduced level of street noise. Plastic German windows fully reduce the amount of sound transmitted from outside.
Long service life. German light-transmitting structures, with proper care, can last for more than 40 years without breakdowns. Such a long service life is ensured by high-quality fitting mechanisms designed for a large number of opening/closing cycles (up to 20,000!).
Excellent appearance. German plastic windows can be not only the standard white color. If desired, the buyer can order designs of almost any color - from light blue to deep pink or light green. This fact makes German windows suitable for installation when creating a certain interior style. A variety of colors is achieved not by painting the profile, but by using lamination technology, which involves applying a film of a certain shade to the surface of the profile.
Blitz survey: Which plastic windows are best to install in a room: living room, office, children's room, bedroom, kitchen? From our article you can learn about: Which PVC windows to install in rooms. Every room needs its own window!
The presence of these advantages in German window systems does not depend on the country in which they are manufactured. It is no secret that many companies, in order to reduce the cost of their final products, open assembly plants in the country where they plan to sell their goods. And in this sense, Russia is no exception. Production facilities of German companies engaged in the production of plastic windows are open near major cities of our country, including near St. Petersburg and Moscow.
The disadvantage of such systems, or rather a consequence of their high quality, can be considered their cost. The price of German plastic windows is higher than the price of similar domestically produced products.
KVE
This company was founded back in 1980 in Berlin. The company is the leader in the European PVC profile market in the field of high-performance extrusion. KBE windows are not afraid of temperature fluctuations (from -65 to +80) and high humidity. The profiles are easy to care for and do not suffer from the negative effects of household chemicals or other aggressive environments.
Advantages:
- durability and reliability. These windows can please the owner with their service for about 40-50 years. They are resistant to frequent temperature fluctuations and weather conditions;
- aesthetics. The structures are able to maintain their appearance for a long time and remain snow-white due to the fact that a profile stabilizer is used in their production;
- comfort. If you purchase these windows, you can forget about the sounds coming from the street, because they have good sound insulation;
- efficiency. KBE windows have a high level of quality and show very high thermal insulation rates, which helps reduce heating costs.
Nuances of choosing a window profile
A profile is a kind of window frame . It is made of a metal alloy with a layer of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sprayed onto the surface and frames an installed sheet of glass. Inside, the cavity of the window profile is divided into chambers, the purpose of which is to retain heat and improve the sound insulation characteristics of the frame.
There are several classes of profiles:
- Class A - with wall thickness from 2.5 to 2.8 mm. Profiles belonging to this class are the most durable and warm.
- Class B – with wall thickness from 2.0 to 2.5 mm. The so-called “average” in terms of both strength characteristics and heat saving.
- Class C – all other profiles.
Expert commentary
Vladislav Dobronravov
Leading technical specialist at Okna-Media company
Important! Sometimes, under the guise of a high-quality profile, some little-known companies sell a so-called “object” profile. Windows with such framing should be installed only in technical rooms. It is marked as “Object”.
Which profile of plastic windows is better?
Inside any profile there is a metal insert consisting of galvanized steel; internal plastic partitions create air chambers that ensure heat conservation. The logical question would be: what is the difference between manufacturers who use the same plastic (polyvinyl chloride), and steel remains steel? This suggests that the profile of any manufacturer should be of the same quality. Is it so? How then to determine the best of analogues by definition?
Where is it appropriate to install German PVC glazing
German plastic windows will fit well into any room in an apartment or private house. It is especially appropriate to install such structures in the children's room and bedroom.
Thanks to the environmentally friendly profile, adults will not have to worry about the health of the younger generation. The safety of the child will be ensured by high-quality fittings, again, made in Germany. Capable of being securely locked (with a key or in another way), it thereby blocks the window sashes from unauthorized opening by children.
As you know, a bedroom in an apartment serves as a place where a person relaxes and gains strength.
Therefore, it is especially important to ensure peace and quiet in this room. German plastic windows are the best fit: multi-chamber profiles and double-glazed windows perfectly prevent the passage of sounds from the street, and an elastic rubber seal applied around the perimeter of the sashes will provide high-quality noise absorption. Related articles:
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Schuco plastic profile systems
The Schuco plastic profile is suitable for the manufacture of both budget windows and premium-category structures. Depending on the brand, the systems have 2 or 3 sealing circuits and an installation depth from 60 to 82 mm. The base color of Shuko profiles is white. Since the company opened a workshop with automated lamination lines in Weissenfels in 2013, customers now have access to a variety of decor options - from solid colored to wood-like. In this case, the application of a decorative coating is carried out on plastic products that have been previously painted in a mixture to match the films. White Shuko windows are usually equipped with light gray sealing contours, while colored ones are equipped with black ones.
The number of internal chambers varies from 3 to 7 pieces. Depending on the expected static loads, the profiles can be equipped with various reinforcing liners, for which several cross-sectional shape options are available. The profiles have inclined or rounded bevels, which makes it easier to select windows for objects with different facades and interior interiors.
The durability of plastic systems is 50 years, and aluminum - almost 100 years.
Rating of German window profiles
Let's compare the features of the products of various German companies involved in the production of plastic windows, and make a kind of mini-review. A description of the full capabilities and characteristics of models of each brand is available at the appropriate links.
Rehau
Perhaps the most popular brand of plastic windows in Russia. Rehau products have won the sympathy of consumers, as they have all the qualities that allow them to be classified as elite: reliability, modern design, environmental friendliness and long service life. All these qualities make choosing the Rehau brand a completely reasonable decision.
Link to review at the top of the article.
Related articles:
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Veka
German flagship in the production of plastic windows. The BEKA PVC profile is designed for Russian climatic conditions. Features a rubber seal that can withstand severe frost temperatures. The smooth surface of the profile perfectly retains the original color without fading in the sun.
Link to review at the top of the article.
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Trocal
This German company was the first to put plastic windows into production. This was back in 1954. The high quality of light-transmitting structures from this company is valued throughout Europe. In Russia, this brand has not gained such popularity as the previous two, however, the Trokal model range meets all the requirements of domestic consumers, primarily in terms of environmental friendliness and thermal insulation qualities.
You can read more about Trocal plastic window models here.
Articles on the topic:
◾Energy-saving double-glazed windows
◾Tinted windows
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Salamander
The German company Salamander first gained its fame as a shoe manufacturer. After mastering this direction, at the same time she began to master the production of PVC profiles, both window and door. Since 1973, Salamander began producing plastic windows, first in Germany, and then in factories, many built on the European continent. Relatively recently, namely in the mid-90s of the last century, the light-transmitting products of this company are also known in Russia.
Blitz survey: When choosing a plastic window, what is important to pay attention to? From the articles you can learn how to choose plastic windows depending on the design and heat and sound insulation characteristics.
Salamander PVC windows meet all European standards, even if they are assembled in factories located in our country. Reliability, quality, long service life and environmental friendliness are the main distinctive features of windows of this brand.
In Russia, Salamander windows have not yet gained sufficient popularity, but their quality is not inferior to the flagships of the domestic market - Rehau and Veka, and their cost remains very attractive for the end buyer.
You can read more about Salamander plastic window models here.
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KBE
The KBE brand is currently one of the five most popular brands of plastic windows in Russia. The latest product range is produced using “greenline” technology - without the use of lead. Instead of the toxic metal lead, which was added during the production of windows in earlier times, a safe calcium-zinc compound (CaZn) is now used, which is distinguished by its environmental friendliness.
The German company KBE has been known in our country since 1995, although it began producing plastic profiles back in 1980. Its products, like the German windows of the above companies, are distinguished by reliability and long service life, up to 50 years.
You can read more about KBE plastic window models here.
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Schuco
Shuko Corporation has been developing and producing not only plastic and aluminum profiles, but also fittings for more than 50 years. The combination of innovative technologies used in fittings installed by the company on its own windows distinguishes the Schuco brand from its competitors. Shuko's light-transmitting products have increased burglary resistance. This means that window systems from this company are recommended for installation not only in city apartments, but also in country houses.
Stylish design and long service life also distinguish German Schuco windows from their imported counterparts.
You can read more about Schuco plastic window models here.
SCHUCO
The company is one of the European leaders in its industry and today is represented almost all over the world. The central logistics center and headquarters of SchucoInternationalKG is located in Bielefeld (Germany).
The window systems of this company are the embodiment of a technically impeccable solution. The Schuco profile system meets all architectural and construction requirements for durability, modern design, operational efficiency, and resistance to aggressive environments.
Features of window systems:
- Schuco specialists took into account various climatic conditions when developing their formulation;
- due to the bead height of 20 mm, we achieved a reduction in the “edge effect”;
- increased anti-burglary characteristics;
- the use of welded gray TPE seals, which gives the windows a more interesting look;
- Thanks to the installation width of 70 mm and the five-chamber profile design, the windows have increased thermal protection.
They praise the window profiles of the Shuko system, which customers ordered on the website of this Shuko window company in Moscow.
Comparative table of thermal characteristics of PVC profiles
Most Shuko window manufacturers' catalogs contain information about models of the types of profiles listed in this review. All designs have different thermal characteristics, so before ordering it is necessary to compare the main parameters of the windows.
| System type | Installation depth (mm) | Number of cameras | Maximum permissible thickness of double-glazed windows (mm) | Heat transfer resistance coefficient (W/m²×°C) |
| Schuco Corona AS 60 | 60 | 3 | 36 | 0,64 |
| Schuco LivIng | 82 | 7 | 52 | 0,96 |
| Schuco Corona CT 70 | 70 | 5 | 52 | 0,75 |
| Schuco Alu Inside | 82 | 7 | 52 | 0,94 |
| Schuco Corona SI 82 | 82 | 6 | 52 | 0,9 |
