The decision to install plastic windows is usually followed by communication with managers of window companies. And here the potential buyer often realizes that he is poorly informed about what PVC windows are and what elements they consist of. This can significantly complicate choosing the “right” window, so it makes sense to deal with these points in advance. Let's consider the main elements of modern window designs and their key characteristics.
Is it true that these windows have to be replaced every five years?
Polyvinyl chloride (simply PVC) is synthesized from petroleum products. Like many other polymers, it is very durable. It is not afraid of the sun's rays, moisture, natural microorganisms, or insects like woodworms. Thanks to special additives-modifiers, PVC for window profiles is a non-fragile and at the same time quite rigid material. In terms of strength characteristics, it is better than wood. Modern high-quality plastic windows can withstand frosts down to -50 and heat up to +60°C.
Recently, a kind of anniversary was celebrated in Germany. For advertising purposes, a PVC manufacturing company replaced plastic windows free of charge for one of its first clients, who installed them 35 years ago. Nobody knows yet how long the new generation products will last. Manufacturers provide a guarantee on the profile from 15 to 20 years, but experts say that windows made of rigid PVC are able to maintain their properties for at least 50 years. Another thing is the seals. Their service life varies from company to company - from 4 to 15 years. Time will tell who is right. Much depends on temperature changes in your area.
Additional components
The profile, glass unit and fittings are the key elements of PVC windows, but there are also other structural components. These are glazing beads, seals, ebbs, slopes, window sills, mosquito nets. Each of these elements contributes to the functionality of the window structure, so you shouldn’t skimp on them either. As with the installation of PVC windows, which must be carried out by specialists, and in full accordance with established rules.
They say that when exposed to the sun, PVC releases harmful substances?
Much has been said about the environmental friendliness of plastics. Yes, in their production heavy metals are used as a catalyst, and lead is added to PVC of many profiles during production (to add whiteness). But modern technology eliminates the release of toxic substances from the finished product (unless it is heated to the melting point, which is equivalent to a fire in the room): special passivating additives make the material environmentally flawless. In addition, some profiles now use zinc or calcium instead of lead.
All branded PVC frames have international and Russian hygiene certificates. If we talk about their place in environmental protection, then the facts speak about it.
By better retaining heat in the house, PVC windows allow you to burn much less fuel. This not only saves money and natural resources, but also reduces oxygen consumption and reduces the content of harmful substances in the air.
In addition, during its existence, plastic has saved dozens of hectares of forest used for the production of traditional wooden frames from deforestation. In Germany, for example, the state even provides subsidies for heating to owners of plastic or other windows with sealed double-glazed windows.
Profile system
The basis of plastic windows is considered to be a profile system. In essence, the profile is a hollow PVC bar, equipped with galvanized metal reinforcement for rigidity. To provide the required thermal insulation and strength characteristics, the internal cavity of the profile is divided into the appropriate number of compartments (chambers). The more there are, the more resistant the structure is to deformation and the higher the overall energy efficiency of the window unit.
According to the wall thickness, there are three classes of profile systems - “A”, “B” and “C”:
- The highest quality ones have an outer wall thickness of at least 2.8 mm. Internal partitions – from 2.5 mm.
- Middle class with an outer wall of 2.5 mm, an inner wall of 2 mm.
- There are no strict requirements for this category. The walls are thinner than those of the classes listed above.
Depending on the place of use, the following profile types are distinguished:
- Frame. Used to make the outer frame of a window block. Its plane facing the opening has small protrusions for better adhesion to the polyurethane foam and proper fixation. On the reverse side there is a special overlay for the sash rebate, or for supporting the glass unit in blind blocks. The lower profile of the frame is made with a recess for mounting the window sill on the inside and the ebb on the outside. In addition, it may have drainage holes if the design includes sashes. The holes are located in such a way that water flows from the sash at low tide.
- Sash . A window part designed to be opened or rigidly fixed inside the frame. The profile of this element is most often made in the form of the letter “Z”. One protrusion is necessary to support the glass unit, the other for an overhead connection to the frame. The weight and dimensions of the sash beam are somewhat smaller than the frame beam, and moreover, it can use lighter reinforcing elements.
- Impost profile . A T-shaped frame element, with the help of which the decoupling (division into separate sections) of the window block is realized. The protrusions of the profile are located on the street side and serve as a stop for the sashes or double-glazed windows. A false impost is installed to close the sashes together without frame imposts, for example, if the customer needs a large window clearance.
- Bead profile . A structural element of PVC windows, through which the glass unit is tightly fixed in the frame or sash. Its shape and dimensions differ depending on the base profile and type of glazing. Reliable fastening and easy replacement are possible thanks to special grooves in the frame and corresponding protrusions (legs) on one side of the bead.
Important! Both the frame and sash profiles have special grooves for installing rubber seals, which allows them to be replaced in case of destruction or loss of elasticity.
The profiles described above are used directly for the manufacture of window blocks. In addition to them, there are a number of additional parts for fixing the frame in the opening.
Which window is more profitable: “branded”, but expensive, or licensed, but cheap?
PVC window profiles are supplied to us from Austria, Switzerland, England, France, Turkey and other countries, but Germany undoubtedly holds the lead. The Germans own up to 90% of the Russian plastic window market (manufacturers: Actual, Aluplast, ARtek, Brugmann, Gealan, KBE, Knipping, Plustek, Rehau, Roplasto, Schuco, Thyssen, Trocal, Veka and others). Fittings and other components also come from Europe and also mainly from Germany (Aubi, Rota, Siegenia, Winkhaus). The companies are listed simply in alphabetical order, since it is difficult to objectively say whose products are better. One of the reasons for this is that sometimes quite prestigious European manufacturers supply us with simplified, cheaper options.
Not so long ago, our own licensed production appeared in Russia. Prices for domestic goods are one and a half to two times lower. You can save money by purchasing PVC in the cold season; some companies offer discounts of up to 20% for an easily tolerated inconvenience: 20-30 minutes with exposed frames. And yet, cheaper does not mean better. The fact is that the technologies on the lines installed by us are not always followed. “Licensed plastic” may indeed turn out to be not environmentally friendly enough, not white enough and completely unstable to our frosts, sudden temperature changes and acid rain. Although, of course, this is not a rule.
Nevertheless, taught by bitter experience and frightened by rumors, many of our fellow citizens consider it a safer option to order windows from dealers of reliable European companies. How to distinguish their products? It’s very simple - along the entire perimeter of the frame (from the side of the window opening) on each linear meter of the inner side of the sash there is a logo, without which, for example, German manufacturers do not have the right to supply products. These branded windows are not cheap, but they are worth it.
Accessories
Window fittings, including pressing, turning, tilting and locking devices, are designed to ensure the functionality of window sashes. This is a whole complex of parts and mechanisms thanks to which plastic windows open and close.
Here it is important to understand that the quality of the fittings will largely determine how convenient and reliable the window will be during operation. And, despite the fact that the cost of fittings can be up to 30% of the cost of the entire window, it’s definitely not worth saving on its quality. The only reasonable method to save on fittings is to install a “blind” window, but this option suits only a few buyers.
The most important characteristics of PVC window fittings are functionality, wear resistance and durability. In addition, the fittings may have additional options that are significant for individual consumers: for example, increased resistance to burglary. The best way to buy reliable fittings is to look to trusted brands. Well-established European brands are very popular in Russia: Siegenia, Roto, Maco, Winkhaus.
How many seals does a PVC window need?
Seals are elastic gaskets of a tubular or more complex shape that run along the entire perimeter of the window between the frame and the sashes, and protect against the penetration of cold air, noise and moisture. They are made from special rubber, rubber-plastic or silicone. Sometimes rubber is reinforced with fiberglass, nylon thread or Kevlar carbon fiber for strength. For cold Moscow winters, silicone is preferable; unlike rubber, it does not harden in the cold. How to distinguish them?
Silicone is usually light-colored, rubber is black. Usually two sealing circuits are installed: on the street side and on the indoor side. In the profiles of the so-called “luxury class” there is also a third contour of the rebate seal, or “middle seal”. The middle seal increases sound insulation, protects metal window fittings from condensation and prevents cold air from penetrating through poorly protected hinge installation areas. The third seal, of course, is desirable, but it increases the cost of the profile and requires maximum precision during installation - a slight misalignment and one of the seals “turns off” due to a loose fit.
Profile properties (technical indicators)
| Index | Meaning |
| Tensile strength, MPa | At least 37 |
| Tensile modulus of elasticity, MPa | Not less than 2200 |
| Charpy impact strength, kJ/m2 | (20-55)/(40-75) |
| Vicat softening point, ℃ | 75 |
| Change in linear dimensions after thermal exposure |
|
| Difference in changes in the linear dimensions of the main profiles on the front sides | 0,4 |
| Heat resistance at 150℃ | No swelling, cracks or delaminations |
| Strength of corner welded joints, N |
|
| Adhesion strength of the decorative laminated coating to the profile, N/mm | From 2.5 inclusive |
How to properly handle PVC windows?
To ensure that your windows remain new for a long time, never create problems and live safely until their half-century anniversary, it is enough to follow a few simple rules. Firstly, avoid impacting the surface of the profile with hard objects. Secondly, do not wash using solvents, concentrated acids, or abrasive materials. For these purposes, there are proprietary compositions for washing plastic windows, products for lubricating fittings and elastic window seals. Frames should be washed with foam sponges, and glass should be polished with suede. Thirdly, do not place heating devices near the double-glazed window, which can heat the glass to a temperature of more than +80°C.
Starting profile for slopes of plastic windows
Needed for attaching plastic slopes to the base and joining them together. This is a kind of plastic bracket mounted at attachment points.
The variety of their types is due to the methods of installing the panels. The types of starting profiles got their names from the Latin letters that their sections resemble:
- I-variety. Installed in any position so that the long central shelf is perpendicular to the surface on which the slope is mounted. Plastic panels are attached to a short profile shelf.
- The F-variety has two short shelves and one long one. It serves not only for fastening slope panels, but also covers the joint. With it there is no need for a decorative corner.
- L-profile is the most versatile and popular. Installed perpendicular to the plane of the window, with a wide shelf against the wall. The narrow transverse part is adjacent to the window frame, and a strip parallel to the opening masks the junction of the frame and the slope.
- The P-variety is very similar to the previous one, but has two wide shelves, which allows the element to cover a wider seam.
These starting elements are attached with screws or glue. With their help, it is easy to install plastic slopes without the complex procedure of leveling the window opening with plaster.
Window profile
This is a rather complex structure, having several air chambers (most often three, but sometimes four or five), separated by PVC partitions. Metal reinforcement is installed inside the middle chamber, which ensures the rigidity of the frame.
A seal runs along the entire contour of the frame profile and sashes. Ventilation holes are milled in the upper and lower parts of the window frame to remove condensed moisture from the internal planes, drainage holes through which moisture trapped during rain escapes, grooves for attaching additional profiles, and sash opening mechanisms.
The multi-chamber design of the profile affects the degree of thermal insulation of the window, which is measured by the heat transfer coefficient k, adopted in European standards. The lower the value of this indicator, the better. Standard plastic windows have k=1.5. This means that in 20°C frost, the room temperature with weak heating will exceed 20 degrees Celsius. This “focus” is possible due to the heat-insulating properties of the air filling the three chambers of the profile. The more chambers, the better the thermal insulation.
And yet, to increase thermal insulation, you should not rely only on increasing the number of profile chambers, since most of the home heat is lost due to infrared radiation through the glass. Therefore, the choice of sealed double-glazed windows must be taken seriously.
PVC profile structures: analysis, installation of double-glazed windows
As soon as a man made the first hole in the wall of his home and closed it with a bull's bladder, the need immediately arose for an extra armful of branches for the fireplace. Today, up to 17-20% of the heat in an ordinary house is lost through windows. For the beauty of large stained glass windows, skylights, and “French” windows, we pay a substantial tribute - we heat the street. Is it possible to equalize heat loss through thin glass and a solid wall?
Only a new design, relatively inexpensive and with high thermal insulation properties, could radically solve the problem of heat loss through a window. Achieving a combination of these qualities allows modern materials, which, like wood, resist mechanical loads, temperature fluctuations, have low thermal conductivity and do not change their properties over time and depending on humidity and ambient temperature.
One of the first solutions for the mass consumer was found in the mid-50s with the appearance on sale of PVC structures (plastic, or, as they also say, plastic windows).
On the Russian market, according to various estimates, from 50 to 70% of windows are made from profiles from German and Austrian manufacturers. Products from such companies as REHAU, KBE, KOMMERLING, BRUGMANN, HTTROPLASTAG (Trocal trademark), GEALAN, VEKA, SCHUCO, SALAMANDER, THYSSEN, as well as PLASTMO (Denmark), DECEUNINCK (Belgium), TRYBA (France), etc. are widely used Their experience is also successfully used by domestic manufacturers (15-25% of sales volume). It seems that the number of companies producing plastic windows from our own or purchased profiles exceeds 100. By the way, most large companies, for commercial reasons, offer windows from various materials, including PVC, wood, aluminum, and various profile systems. This policy is pursued, for example, by WINDOWS OF GROWTH, EUROWINDOWS, WINDOWS OF MOSCOW, BAMO, NEW WINDOWS, HOBBIT, S, MOSCOW WINDOWS, etc.
PVC windows are made according to the usual design scheme: window frame (frame), glazed frame and window sill block. Bindings consist of sashes and transoms, either fixed or opening. There may be support beams (imposts) between the sashes. In casement windows, the sashes rest on each other without an impost. There are 8 movement patterns for the valves: their rotation around different axes and in different directions, as well as sliding. This requires special fittings. Sealed double-glazed windows are used for glazing. The frame is inserted into the opening with a gap. Please note that its size is very important - it depends on the composition of the seal and the size of the window. Moreover, the gap should be sealed not with one, but with several materials with different air permeability. At all stages of manufacturing and installation of windows, it is necessary to take into account the specifics of PVC material. After all, the structures must provide high illumination of the room, low heat loss, protection from rain, wind and noise, as well as sufficient supply of fresh air inside the house. It is very difficult to fulfill all these requirements “to the highest standard”, since the improvement of one is usually accompanied by a deterioration of the other. We have to look for a compromise. For PVC windows this is not at all easy. Let's see why.
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is one of the oldest polymers, discovered back in 1835. The first PVC profile was released by the German company HTTROPLASTAG (formerly DINAMIT NOBEL). Its appearance in Germany is no coincidence; it was in this country, destroyed by war, with depleted resources, that the need for relatively cheap and high-quality products for the emerging construction boom was especially great. Currently, for the manufacture of profiles, the so-called modified PVC is used - with special additives, modifiers and stabilizers, which increase its strength and service life (the latter, according to GOST 30673-99, must be at least 20 years). This allows you to create window structures that operate in the range from -50 to +40C, which covers temperature fluctuations in most climatic zones of Russia. As for disputes and publications regarding the harmfulness of PVC profiles for users, today the issue has been resolved in favor of the manufacturers. Claims about the release of toxic substances such as vinyl chloride, dioxin and phosgene from structures have died down due to the inadequacy of the evidence base. Cadmium salts are no longer used as a stabilizer in plastics, and lead salts are gradually being replaced by calcium and zinc compounds, which are harmless to the environment. Certified PVC materials do not pose a danger to human health and life under normal operating conditions. However, heated discussions about environmentally friendly technologies for recycling PVC products (window and door profiles, in particular) do not subside.
So what are they good for?
The first profiles were a steel frame covered with PVC, which in modern systems was transformed into a steel reinforcing liner. To improve the heat-insulating properties of PVC material, they began to make a profile from it, in the cross section of which several cavities were provided. They are called cameras. The latter are separated from each other by thin walls. The outer walls are made durable, about 3mm thick. To make the profile sag less from external load, a reinforcing liner is usually inserted into one of the chambers, usually U-shaped, made of galvanized steel sheet. The profiles are cut into pieces of the required size (based on the customer’s measurements of window openings) and these pieces are joined by welding, which increases the rigidity of the entire structure. But unfortunately, it is impossible to repair the binding or frame; the entire profile is replaced.
For windows, special double-glazed windows are used, assembled from separate sheets of glass so that there are gaps between them, hermetically sealed at the end. The package consists of several chambers isolated from each other. Their number can reach up to 5, but the most common are 1-2-chamber designs. The thickness of the package starts from 16mm and rarely exceeds 49mm. After all, the profile must have a place (rebate) for the package itself and the seal.
We need to talk specifically about the design and choice of double-glazed windows. The contact points between the sashes and the frame are sealed with sealing elements. The usual tapes and cords have been abandoned; now multi-leaf and tubular seals are used. They are inserted into grooves specially provided for this purpose in the profiles. Special fittings are also used, because the windows must open in different directions, and it is not easy to securely fasten them in plastic. There is a separate groove along the profile to accommodate fittings. But the manufacturability of the material allows you to make windows not only rectangular in shape, but also arched, lancet and even round.
PVC windows retain heat well (we'll talk about this in more detail later). They are light and let in a lot of light. For many years they remain elegant and airtight. They are not afraid of rain and frost, do not warp or dry out in the sun, do not support combustion, and after the end of their service life they can be recycled. Today, such windows are widely used in urban new buildings.
And why are they bad?
Firstly, the properties of PVC profiles (like many plastic products) strongly depend on the quality of raw materials and compliance with technological conditions during production. Small violations of the recipe or technology - and immediately a lot of troubles. For example, a white profile may turn yellow over time, and a painted one (in volume) may fade. Or suddenly the doors will begin to sag, causing drafts. Secondly, these profiles must be correctly installed in the opening. If the size and technology of sealing the installation gap is incorrectly selected, or its insulation is insufficient, the walls may get wet or mold may appear. Thirdly, the windows are so sealed that there are problems with the flow of fresh air into the home. Below we will tell you how to solve them.
And finally, PVC windows, as the brainchild of human creativity, can be more or less successful. After all, profiles for them are produced as part of entire extensive systems. Each includes a large set of profiles for various purposes (dozens of items), so that windows can be assembled from them to suit any order. Separate profiles for frames and bindings, imposts, frames, glazing beads, frame extensions, ebbs, canopies - you can’t list all the possible components of the system. Choosing the best based on technical documentation (not to mention advertising brochures) is beyond the power of not only a journalist, but also a specialist. Long-term bench tests are needed here. Nevertheless, we will try to note certain positive, progressive and, conversely, negative features of the products offered by the market.
Chasing a ghost
The oil crisis of the early seventies forced profile manufacturers to think about further reducing heat loss through them. This is how three-chamber models appeared, for which the heat transfer resistance of the Roprof profile was 0.5-0.6 m2C/W. At the beginning of the 21st century. four- and five-chamber systems appeared (Roprof = 0.7-0.85 m2C/W) with a larger installation profile width - 60-70 mm (manufacturers use the expression “profile depth”). It is not advisable to make more than 6-7 chambers, since as the number of partitions increases, heat loss through them increases.
Further struggle for a warm profile will probably be waged with the help of special systems with heat-insulating liners placed in the outer chambers and completely covering the window sash. Similar profiles are already used in the Clima-Design systems from REHAU (Roprof = 1.4 m2C/W) and ThermoWin from KUMMERLING (Roprof = 1.1 m2C/W). But even in the two-chamber Eurodur system, KUMMERLING, due to the liner made of Intra Therm fiberglass reinforcement, achieved a high thermal insulation value (Roprof = 0.9 m2C/W).
However, you should choose windows not only with a “warm” profile, but also with a good heat-insulating double-glazed window. The guideline here is the following: for both the profile and the double-glazed window, the Ro value should be at least 0.55 m2C/W. If, after installing the structure, the temperature of the surface of the glass facing the room does not drop below 14C (in winter), consider that everything is fine with your windows.
Companies improve not only technical parameters, but also the aesthetic qualities and performance properties of their products. To collect and drain water that, by hook or by crook, has leaked through the seals or formed in the form of condensation, the lower profiles of the sashes and frames are made with a rebate, the bottom of which is directed outward. In profiles from DECEUNINCK, an additional drainage groove with a depth of 7.5 mm is installed for the same purpose. Next, water from the frame can drain through the side holes, decorated with plugs (type S730 from REHAU, GLOBAL SHIELD, "PIPAPEN"), or through the bottom holes. Manufacturers use various means to increase the resistance of the system (profiles, fittings and double-glazed windows) to hacking. To expand the color range of windows, techniques such as laminating profiles (their price is 10-12% higher than those painted in bulk) or equipping them with durable co-extruded acrylic coatings, such as, for example, in the Trocal900 series from HTTROPLASTAG (this increases the price by another 10 -15%).
In order to diversify the appearance of buildings, companies offer both different shapes of the front surfaces of profiles, as well as unusual patterns of their mutual arrangement (windows with combined or offset surfaces of frames and frames), as well as a great variety of overlay elements. Dividing the window area with the help of overlays (slabs) and installing style elements lead to the revitalization of facades (HTTROPLASTAG, VEKA, ALUPLAST, KOMMERLING, SCHUCO). For houses with voluminous facades, systems with rotating profiles (BRUGMANN, DECEUNINCK, TERMOPLAST) have appeared.
Boxes wide and narrow
The PVC windows installed in our high-rise buildings have also caused some problems. In particular, moisture often condensed on the slopes of window openings, which led not only to damage to the finish, but also to the appearance of mold. The bottleneck in the system was a too short section of the wall covered by the window frame. Window manufacturers claim that its thermal insulation properties depend 50-70% on the correct installation of the structure, in particular on the sealing of the assembly seam between the window block and the wall. The main feature of competent technology is the installation of a reliable vapor barrier for the inside of the assembly joint. Otherwise, water vapor from the room is absorbed by the foam seal, immediately reducing its thermal insulation properties (a wet seam will freeze, and after a while it will simply collapse).
Research conducted in the Thermophysics Laboratory of the Moscow Institute of Typology of Experimental Design (MNIITEP) showed that the wall panel around the perimeter of the window loses significantly more heat than the new design of the window itself saves. Therefore, MNIITEP specialists recommend installing window frames with a thickness of at least 120 mm in our panel houses so that it completely covers the insulation located in the middle of the building panel. In this case, the temperature on the surface of the slope sections adjacent to the window block will be above 10C, which will practically eliminate the formation of condensation on them even at a temperature outside the window of -26C.
Currently, boxes with a width of 115-127 mm are produced by almost all major manufacturers of PVC profiles: KBE, HT TROPLAST AG, VEKA, REHAU, GEALAN (Germany), PLASTMO (Denmark) and RUSSIAN SHIELD (WELTPLAST). True, a window with a wide frame costs more than a regular one, on average $60-70. But on the other hand, there is no need to insulate the slopes, which results in savings of $80-120.
But the above does not mean at all that narrow boxes (50-70mm) have no right to exist. They can well be used in those houses where the insulation is located outside. In this case, the box is closed with insulation from the outside. It is also possible to install narrow boxes in panel houses, but then it is important to insulate the slopes inside or outside. The second option is technically more reliable. But, as a rule, the slopes of the inside of the window opening are insulated, combining this process with their finishing. Then it is important that there are no air gaps or moisture-absorbing insulation between the decorative panel and the wall. Otherwise, moisture will condense in these poorly ventilated places, which can lead to the appearance of mold.
According to Amendments N4 to SNiP P-3-79, for the central and northern regions of our country, the reduced heat transfer resistance of windows Ropr should be 0.5-0.8 m2C/W. Local regulations also apply. So, for Moscow, according to city building codes MGSN 2.01-94, Ropr = 0.55 m2C/W. The higher this indicator reaches at the window, the better its design. The amount of moisture released into the air by the human body can range from 30 to 300 g/h, depending on the level of its activity. Building codes (SNiP 2.08.01-89) establish the air exchange rate in a living room (the amount of air removed) at the rate of 3 m3/h per 1 m2 of room area.
Two or three sealing circuits?
Most systems involve a double-circuit frame sealing scheme: along the outer and inner perimeters of the junction of the sash with the frame. In turn, the external contour can be of two types. In the first, most common, the seal is pressed against the outer surface of the sash. In the second option, the sealing surface is shifted closer to the middle of the profile section (middle seal) and is located either on the frame itself (KBE, HTTROPLASTAG profiles) or on the window sash (PLAFEN, TYSSEN, BRUGMANN, SCHUCO). This type of outer contour is more common on multi-chamber profiles.
In addition to the internal and external seal along the window sash rebate, a number of systems use a third, middle seal (for example, in systems from TRYBA, SALAMANDER). Essentially, we are talking about combining both types of double-circuit seal. The third circuit (middle) improves the sound insulation of the window. Its remaining advantages stated in advertising, as well as disadvantages, are in fact properties of a dual-circuit system with a middle seal. Namely: more reliable operation in strong winds, preventing moisture from entering the complex fitting mechanism. The disadvantages of such systems include less convenient care of the rebate (inner surface) of the window frame and a small (5-10%) increase in the cost of the entire product. So, even with the sash folded back, the middle contour will retain a significant amount of street dust or moisture, but removing dirt from the space between the outer and middle sealing contours will not be very easy. Among the seals, those made of silicone rubber or containing nylon cord have proven themselves well.
Ventilation
Domestic windows from the era of developed socialism, which are still installed in the vast majority of apartments, suffered from many shortcomings, but provided reliable and fast air exchange in the room at all times of the year. Even despite the titanic efforts of the owners to insulate the structures. To combat drafts, the developers sealed all joints. But the tightness of modern windows turns into a serious problem: there is not enough fresh air in the apartment and, as a result, the walls and furniture become damp.
If we consider windows as the only source of air entering the apartment, then for a three-room apartment with four windows, each of them should provide access to at least 40-50 m3 of air per hour. And this should happen constantly, regardless of the time of year and the state of the atmosphere.
The simplest solution to the problem is periodic ventilation of the apartment. But unfortunately, this is not always possible for a number of reasons. For example: proximity to a noisy and dusty highway, severe frost, wind or rain. And most importantly, who wants to do this with scrupulous frequency? What to do at night? Stay in a sealed room for 8-10 hours? Fittings with a “slit” (or “winter”) ventilation function will help you get out of this situation. When installing the window handle in a certain position, the window sash opens slightly and/or tilts so that a small gap with a width of 2-3 to 10 mm is formed (ROTO FRANK, MASO, WINKHAUS, SCHURING, AUBI). From the outside the window looks locked. True, it is unlikely that anyone would risk leaving the sash in this position unattended for a long time.
A whole range of different devices allows you to regulate the flow of air into the apartment, avoiding drafts and largely maintaining the heat and sound insulation properties of the window unit. In windy weather, the air passing through their channels loses speed, which does not happen when the flap is folded back. An example of the simplest of these devices are ventilation strips and glazing beads or partially permeable seals from BRUGMANN. HTTROPLASTAG (Trocal system) has proposed a Comfolip design ($5-10), which is used as a middle seal and is equipped with two petals, one of which has holes. The outer seal is removed from the bottom of the window. The street air penetrating through the resulting gap rises and enters the apartment through the holes in the lobe of the middle circuit. In strong winds, the outer petal is activated and covers the openings of the first one.
REHAU and KBE companies have developed additional ventilation systems 710S and Climabox ($40-50), which are installed on the upper part of the window profile between the frame and the wall. At the same time, the light space of the window is practically not reduced. The devices have a valve that automatically closes the air channel in strong winds, and can be equipped with a filter to clean the air. A more productive Aeromat valve from SIEGENIA (1 linear meter - $130) is mounted in the window sash between the double-glazed window and the profile. Provides air flow from 25 to 40 m3/h, but, naturally, reduces the light opening. The noise-absorbing device provided in this model allows you to reduce the level of external noise by 30-40 dB.
All these additional ventilation systems, the operation of which is based on the principle of the difference between external and internal pressure (P), do not have particularly high performance. After all, the pressure difference necessary for their effective functioning is created only in windy weather and in winter - due to the difference in air temperatures outside and inside.
Another type of ventilation devices is used by the French. In its models EHA, EMM ($50-80), it uses a valve with a mechanical sensor that responds to changes in humidity in the room. At high humidity (70%) it provides air flow (from 35 to 50 m3/h, depending on the type of device). Being installed on several windows, the devices will allow you to create the necessary air exchange in that part of the apartment where it is especially necessary.
In general, the process of maintaining normal air exchange in an apartment is not easy. The choice of additional ventilation devices should be made based on the specific conditions of each apartment. At the same time, it is more appropriate to discuss the method of installing the ventilation device (on the window or close to it) when purchasing a window, because this concerns the guarantees for it.
Prices
The price of the structure largely depends on the cost of its components - double-glazed windows, fittings, profiles. The price of a window unit should also include its delivery and installation ($100-150) and the costs of various “little things” - window sills and ebbs ($50-80), insulation and decorative finishing of slopes (1 linear meter - $15-20). If a wide frame is used, then a window with an indicator Ropr = about 0.6 m2C/W will cost you $170-260 (1m2). A fixed window can cost from $40 to $70 (1m2). Of the various profile systems used in the domestic market, domestic profiles have the lowest price: PROPLEX, WELTPLAST, PLAFEN. The economy class includes products from KBE, VEKA, PLASTMO, REHAU, and the elite class includes profiles from KOMMERLING, BRUGMANN, HTTROPLASTAG.
Characteristics of some PVC profile systems
| Profile | System (series) | Width (wide box), mm | Number of cameras | Presence of middle seal | Number of sealing circuits | Maximum thickness of glass package, mm | Ro prof (declared by the company), m2C/W |
| Trocal | Avantage | 52 | 2- leaf, 3- frame | No | 2 | 24 | 0,54 |
| Comfort | 62 | 3 | No | 2 | 34 | 0,61 | |
| 900 | 62 (115) | 2- leaf, 4- frame | There is | 2-3 | 52 | 0,71 | |
| Innonova 70 | 70 | 5 | There is | 2-3 | 38 | 0,83 | |
| Rehau | Basic-Design | 60 (115) | 3 | No | 2 | 33 | 0,62 |
| Thermo-Design | 60 (115) | 4 | No | 2 | 49 | 0,67 | |
| Brillant-Design | 70 | 5 | No | 2 | 41 | 0,79 | |
| Clima-Design | 120 (thermal inserts) | 5 | There is | 3 | 1,4 | ||
| KVE | "Standard" | 58 | 3 | No | 2 | 32 | 0,65 |
| "Standard Plus" | 58 or 75 - leaf, 58 - frame | 4 | No | 2 | 32-50 | 0,65 | |
| "Prestige" | 62- leaf, 58- frame | 3 or 4 | There is | 2-3 | 36 | 0,65 | |
| "Extra" | 75- leaf, 127- frame | 5 | No | 2 | 50 | 0,71 | |
| "Pole" | 150 | 7 | There is | 2-4 | 52 | up to 1.5 | |
| Weltplast | "Standard" | 60 | 3 | There is | 3 | 36 | 0,56 |
| For industrial housing construction | 75- leaf, 121- frame | 3- leaf, 5- frame | There is | 3 | 36 | 0,63 | |
| Nord | 75- leaf, 60- frame | 4 | There is | 2-3 | 36 | 0,7 | |
| Super Nord (Arctic) | 75- leaf, 121- frame | 4- leaf, 5- frame | There is | 2-3 | 36 | 0,8 | |
| Plastmo | Index 2000 | 62(115) | 35 | No | 2 | 38 | 0,61 |
| 75(122) | 35 | There is | 2-3 | 42 | 0,66 | ||
| Proplex | Proplex | 58 | 3 | No | 2 | 30 | 0,65 |
| Kommerling | Eurodur 3S/3K/KM | 58 | 2-3 | No | 2 | 32 | 0.6 (0.9cIntra Therm) |
| EuroFutur | 70 | 4 | No | 2 | 39 | 0,76 | |
| ThermoWin | 100 (thermal inserts) | 3 or 4 | No | 2 | 32 | 1,14 | |
| Brugmann | AD | 73 | 4 | No | 2 | 40 | 0,75 |
| M.D. | 73 | 4 | There is | 3 | 40 | 0,75 | |
| DUO-80 | 105 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 220 | 0,81 |
The editors would like to thank HTTROPLAST, REHAU AG+Co., NPO PLAZMAKOM, CHAMELEON LLC, PALACE WINDOWS for their assistance in preparing the material.
Door opening mechanisms
Manufacturers now offer two types of window units: American (sliding) and European (tilt-and-turn).
Sliding window units are most successful when glazing loggias and balconies. They will not take up a single extra centimeter of space, as is the case with conventional frames that open inwards. Tilt-and-turn blocks allow the doors to open in two planes: on vertical hinges, like conventional windows, and on horizontal hinges, like transoms. The last option is the most convenient for ventilation: it does not blow.
Manufacturers of profiles for PVC windows: rating
The variety of window profiles makes choosing difficult. On the one hand, I want the quality guarantee that well-known manufacturers provide. On the other hand, it is undesirable to overpay for brand popularity.
All brands, with the exception of Salamander, are manufactured in Russia according to Western standards and using imported equipment. Therefore, the quality of products of the same brand produced at different factories may differ slightly in quality.
Manufacturer rating based on reviews:
- Veka. A German company, profile systems are produced at factories in the Moscow region, Novosibirsk and Khabarovsk. There is an ISO 9001 certificate, the products are awarded the German RAL quality mark. The buyer can choose from 6 types of profiles with 3, 4, 5 and 6 chambers with a width of 58–90 mm.
- Rehau. A company from Germany has been producing profiles in Russia since 2002 at a certified plant in Gzhel. The leader in the number of products produced per year, it offers 7 models with 3, 5 and 6 chambers and mounting widths of 60, 70 and 86 mm.
- KBE. A German company with factories in Voskresensk and Khabarovsk. 7 modifications of profile systems, there are 3-, 4-, 5- and 6-chamber options, width – 58, 70, 88 and 127 mm. With the same level of quality, KBE frames will cost about a quarter less than Veka and Rehau products. The manufacturer issues an Official Partner Certificate to the best window assembly companies.
- MONTBLANC. The manufacturer is an international company with 4 factories in the CIS. Produces 7 models from 58 to 120 mm wide with 3, 4, 5 and 6 chambers.
- Salamander. The entire profile is produced only in Germany, so it costs more than competitors with Russian factories. It has an attractive design; there are 3 types of profile systems with a width of 60 and 76 mm.
- Grain. Domestic manufacturer with a plant in Ufa. The line includes 6 types of profiles with a width of 58 and 70 mm with 3 and 5 chambers. The most famous models are Vector70 and Vector58.
- Expr. A large Russian company that produces profiles adapted to the conditions of Siberia using German and Austrian equipment. Offers 9 types of profile systems: 2-chamber for balconies and 4-, 5- and 6-chamber with widths of 70, 101 and 118 mm. 4 types have a built-in ventilation system.
- Proplex. Russian company with a full production cycle from profile manufacturing to final assembly. The structures were designed jointly with Austrian developers. The line includes 6 models with 3, 4 and 5 cameras with a width of 58–127 mm.
- Deceuninck. A Belgian concern with a factory in the Moscow region produces 5 types of profiles, 3-, 5- and 6-chamber, 60–84 mm wide.
- Kaleva. Moscow profile manufacturer and window assembler rolled into one. Offers 2 classic models and 3 designer ones with the same mounting width of 70 mm and 4–6 chambers.
- Wintech. A Turkish company that makes profiles and accessories for them using German equipment has a certificate of conformity. The line includes 6 models with a width of 50–80 mm and a number of cameras from 3 to 6.
When choosing, beware of fakes and purchase only from trusted sellers. A high-quality profile is the key to the reliability of a plastic window.
Tinted windows
Today we offer a large selection of tinted glass (up to 20 shades). They dim the bright sunlight.
There are also mirrored translucent glasses that reflect the sun's rays and create summer coolness in the house. Even if you use an air conditioner, such glass will provide significant savings in the energy consumed by it.
It is preferable to tint “in bulk” (that is, the glass is cast at the factory already colored in its entire thickness. Other methods of tinting - spraying and film coating - are less reliable. Spraying after a few years may become unsightly spots or fade. In addition, the production time for ordered double-glazed windows with toning it increases by a week.
What's new in modern windows?
If not many requirements were put forward for the first window designs, today their functionality should be much more serious and extensive. Modern windows should not only be warm and protect from drafts, but also be aesthetic: design has begun to play a key role in construction. White, classic windows are becoming a thing of the past; color and personality come to the fore.
Photo: modern KBE windows have become an organic part of the interior
And here the market has something to offer. Lush green, sunny yellow, wood finish... And shades of gray - from translucent Gainsborough and French gray, to rich charcoal gray (anthracite), granite and graphite are at the peak of popularity today.
Photo: in 2022, plastic windows will not be hidden behind curtains
Buy modern KBE windows |
Plastic windows have gone through a long and thorny journey to success and won our hearts. Now almost no house or apartment is complete without plastic windows, and Russians can choose from a large number of systems and brands. However, those who were the first to try this breakthrough invention in the 90s should not forget that the service life of such windows is gradually coming to an end. With good care and proper use, they can last about 40 years. If you're thinking about repairing or replacing old windows, the KBE brand has a lot to offer, and today the solution options are much more varied than they were in the 90s!
Strengthening films
To protect your home from intruders entering your home through a window, triplex security glass has long been produced. It is made according to the automotive principle: two or more glasses are sandwiched with a special durable film. The more layers, the higher the reliability. Triplex may crack, but will still stand. There are also double-glazed windows with strengthening film. It is much thinner than triplex, but is not inferior in strength. Depending on the thickness, it can withstand up to several hits with a sledgehammer. The thicker the film, the stronger it is.
Choosing the right window
PVC windows are an integral part of the room today; they create comfort and coziness in the house, protect the interior space from street noise, and make the house warm. For these reasons, you need to be very responsible when choosing designs before purchasing them. To make the right choice, you need to know what the quality of a window depends on. And these are the following components:
- Components, which are profiles, seals, fittings, glass.
- High quality assembly.
- Installation in compliance with all technological aspects.
Particular attention should be paid to the availability of certificates from the manufacturer that meet the requirements of GOST. Moreover, they must be for each type of component and for the production and installation of windows.
The main material is the profile from which PVC windows are made. Companies have several types of it, but not all of them are certified, since this procedure is expensive. Manufacturers, in order to save money, issue certificates only for popular goods. Therefore, when choosing a profile, it is important to pay attention to the certificate, which guarantees high-quality assembly of the window that will last for a long time.
Sealed double-glazed windows
In modern plastic frames, only sealed double-glazed windows of one, two, three and even four glasses are installed.
The composition and thickness of double-glazed windows varies over a wide range. The most common option, suitable for our climate, is 24 mm single-chamber. Their “formula” is 4-16-4. This means that two glasses 4 mm thick with a distance of 16 mm between them are connected into a “monolith”, along the perimeter of which runs a thin perforated aluminum frame filled with silicate gel or other desiccant. The gel absorbs residual air moisture between the glasses, protecting the glass from fogging. New moisture will no longer get there, since the entire block is filled with silicone sealant from the ends.
The most popular “formula” of double-glazed windows is: 4-6-4-6-4. These are three glasses 4 mm thick, separated by 6 mm intervals. For burglary resistance, sometimes the outer glass is 6 mm thick; it is very difficult to break. A single-chamber 24 mm double-glazed window reduces the sound pressure level (noise level) by at least 20-25 dB. Since decibels are on a logarithmic scale, a 10 dB reduction in noise level feels like half the volume to the ear. A double-glazed window makes external noise 40-42 dB quieter.
Thermal insulation also improves. To characterize the degree of thermal insulation of a window, we use the heat transfer resistance coefficient (the reciprocal of the heat transfer coefficient). For sealed double-glazed windows it is now 0.34-0.37 (the more the better). This means that at an outside temperature of -26°C, the glass temperature on the room side will be +5°C.
The best polished mirror glass is used for double-glazed windows. You look through it without feeling a barrier, as if there were no glass in the frames. It’s nice that most of this glass is domestically produced, from the city of Borsk. But there are more expensive double-glazed windows made from English, French, and Czech glass. Fine polishing of the glass makes it much stronger. After all, upon impact, the glass breaks where there are inhomogeneities, scratches, and bubbles.
Reinforcing profile for plastic windows
This is a metal insert inside a plastic frame. It increases the rigidity of the structure, since plastic has low elasticity. Without it, the frame will expand in the summer under the influence of temperature, which will lead to jamming of the sashes - they will simply no longer fit into the designated opening. In winter, gaps form between the window elements due to their narrowing.
In Russian climatic conditions, where there are significant temperature differences between summer and winter, only reinforced frames are used.
Structurally, the reinforcing profile is a contour made of galvanized stainless steel. There are two types of circuits available:
- Closed, or O-shaped.
- Open, U- or G-shaped.
There are several important points to note:
- Manufacturers sometimes refer to O-shaped reinforcement as “warm” reinforcement. However, this is not true: the thermal conductivity of metal is higher than that of plastic. Therefore, the more it is in the frame, the worse it will retain heat.
- O-shaped reinforcement is called closed, but to compensate for temperature changes in the dimensions of the metal, a technological break is necessarily made in the circuit.
- A frame with a closed contour is stronger, while a frame with an open contour is lighter and warmer.
According to GOST, the wall thickness of the reinforcing profile must be at least 1.2 mm for standard systems and at least 1.5 mm for colored and frost-resistant structures (painted plastic heats up more).
Gas filling of double-glazed windows
In a closed, sealed space between the glasses there is rarefied air, which increases sound and thermal insulation, or an inert gas (for example, argon). Some people think that inert gas in double-glazed windows is an expensive overkill. In fact, argon, which is denser than air, together with glass, creates a layered medium from which, according to the laws of acoustics, most sound waves are reflected. The heat transfer resistance coefficient also increases by about 0.03 and is approximately 0.39. That is, at an outside temperature of -26°C, the glass temperature on the side of the room will already be +7°C.
Window sizes
They are different and depend on the size of the opening. Nowadays, the larger the size of PVC windows, the more fashionable it is considered. As a rule, no one thinks about practicality. But if the size of the opening sash is more than 900 square millimeters, the structure will break very quickly. Blind sashes should also not be made large; 1000 square millimeters is considered standard, otherwise the double-glazed window will not withstand the load and will be deformed. The most common sizes of PVC windows today are:
- Single doors - 1150 by 1900 millimeters and 850 by 1150.
- Double doors - 1150 by 1900 millimeters; 1300 by 2200 and 1500 by 1900.
- Tricuspid - 2400 by 2100 millimeters.
Energy saving glass
Some companies have recently been making the outer side of double-glazed windows from the so-called K-glass from the English company Pilkington. This is low-e energy-saving glass with metal spraying. It prevents the radiation of heat from the room to the outside and allows you to get by with thinner single-chamber double-glazed windows even in cold climates.
At the same time, the heat transfer resistance coefficient of such an energy-saving double-glazed window without filling with inert gas is 0.56 units (temperature of the double-glazed window from the room side is +14.5°C), and with inert gas - 0.67 units (internal temperature +16°C). K-glass and gas filling solve the problem of “crying” windows, and not only that. Another interesting property of energy-saving glass is the ability to reflect infrared sunlight, keeping the room cool in the summer heat.
Based on materials from vira.ru
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Connectors
For complex structures consisting of several frames, connectors are used. Connectors can provide a tight connection between frames at any angle and add additional rigidity to the structure.
Standard connectors are a corner connector (for connecting frames at right angles), a pipe or a bay window (provides rotation of the structure at any angle from 90 to 180 degrees), reinforced bone (provides rigidity of the connected structures), a “noodle” connector. They are used for the manufacture of profile systems of complex configuration, as well as large-sized window structures. Drainage from the window system is realized using profiles such as connector sills. They can also be used to fasten window sills. In addition, there are many finishing profiles, for example, false mullions (for separating and decorating the glazing surfaces of sashes), as well as various platbands (frames for framing a window opening), strips (protecting installation seams), corners, etc.
