Which window profile is the best? Only from hundreds of names of manufacturers the eyes run up. And if you also try to understand the proprietary technical descriptions (well, of course, there are only advantages, but of course), rating tables, summaries of consumer ratings, opinion polls, then your head will hurt.
Well, since metal-plastic windows, as they say, are on everyone's lips, and manufacturers are almost fighting for the buyer, it means that this product is necessary and useful. And not so complicated and mysterious, if you look at the essence. This is what we're going to do.
Before disassembling the different types of profiles for windows, let us reveal a little secret to the reader: German windows, the accompanying documentation of which contains the address and details of the German manufacturer, are a rare wonder. The trail of most of the "German" windows leads to Dnepropetrovsk. True, unlike Malaya Arnautskaya during the times of Ilf and Petrov, window masters in Brezhnev's homeland work conscientiously: their windows are often better than the original ones.
How to compare window profiles
Let us reveal to the reader one more secret: the quality of window profiles depends little on the manufacturer; more - from the material. The quality of the window as a whole by 80 percent is determined by the type of sealing of the glass unit, the performance and quality of the fittings; more on this below. And the characteristics of window profiles as such are determined primarily by the combination following parameters their material:
- Its thermal conductivity should be as low as possible, otherwise cold will go through the window frame in winter and heat in summer.
- The coefficient of thermal expansion λ should be as close to that of glass as possible - this determines the durability of the seals. With a large difference in λ of glass and profile, alternating loads on the seal will soon lead to fatigue and cracking.
- The modulus of elasticity H should be as high as possible: the window frame works mainly in bending and torsion. Simply, the wind and temperature changes tend to turn the glass unit out of the frame.
Based on this, the comparison of window profiles should start with the material.
Window profile materials
Tree
Wood as a material for window frames gave way to PVC, not at all because it is worse than plastic. On the contrary, wood is an almost ideal material for a window profile. Just with the deterioration of the environment and the rise in the price of industrial wood, PVC turned out to be slightly cheaper. Nevertheless, wood of special species firmly holds its position as a material for elite and exclusive window profiles:
- Siberian cedar (cedar pine) outdoors in a harsh climate serves for more than a hundred years without care, it only gets dark.
- Larch, especially Tuvan and Daurian, lasts for hundreds of years: it has long been used to make piles for piers and dams.
- Canadian hemlock is a little less resistant than Siberian cedar, but it lasts longer than ordinary pine - up to 60-70 years without care.
- Teak wood has no analogues in terms of strength and durability: from it long time made the decks of warships and submarines, and only the advent of sonar made the use of sound-absorbing artificial materials.
Aluminum
As a structural material for window profiles, pure aluminum is of little use in all respects. If PVC and wood have λ \u003d (0.18 - 0.21) W / (degree * m2), then aluminum has λ \u003d 221 W / (degree * m2). In terms of thermal conductivity, aluminum is the third among metals, after silver and copper.
The coefficient of thermal expansion of aluminum is also high even among metals and is much higher than that of glass. The complex design of the profile with the use of thermal bridges makes it very expensive, and the heat flow through such a frame is still several times higher than through a wooden or PVC.
The elastic modulus of aluminum, on the contrary, is low - aluminum, as you know, is a soft and tough metal. On the outer surface of a building, aluminum corrodes for several years to pitting. Therefore, an aluminum profile for windows is justified only in decorative purposes, subject to replacement within 10-12 years.
But in combination with PVC, aluminum turned out to be a godsend for window profiles: a combination of the disadvantages of both gave undeniable advantages.
Fiber composites
Reinforced profile is also called fiberglass or fiberglass composite (FBK). Behind this tricky name is good old fiberglass.
FBK in all respects is even better than exclusive wood: it practically does not conduct heat, λ is exactly equal to λ of glass, and in terms of elasticity, fiberglass is superior the best varieties steel: remember at least the fiberglass poles of athletes-jumpers.
But! FBK has a huge drawback: it exfoliates due to weather influences. The window cannot be replaced without repairing the premises, like an airplane radar fairing. You can't put a window in a boathouse for the winter like a yacht. The manufacturers of the best cruising yachts, worth millions of dollars, give a guarantee for a fiberglass hull for no more than 10 years, provided that it sailed at a temperature not lower than -1.8 degrees (the freezing point of ocean water), otherwise the warranty is canceled. This is not enough for an ordinary apartment window.
Delamination occurs from the chipping of the binder - synthetic resin. Manufacturers are working on this problem, but there is still a long way to a complete solution. Therefore, FBK windows appeared on the market recently and are still expensive and not very durable.
FBK has no shortcomings composite material based on carbon fiber - carbon fiber or carbon. But its prices are astronomical, and carbon windows are still only possible as a bespoke rich man's quirk.
Metal-plastic
Reinforced-plastic windows are a good example of how a minus for a minus gives a plus. The strength and elasticity of PVC with an increase in temperature drops sharply: at higher than +60 it becomes unsuitable as a structural material, and already at +80 it begins to soften. The elasticity of PVC is also low.
Edison once said: “Everyone knows that this is impossible. Then there is an ignoramus who does not know about it. He makes the invention. " Probably, metal-plastic windows were born in a similar way.
Let's do something stupid: we will tightly insert a pipe made of bad aluminum into the pipe of their bad PVC. And what happens? λ of aluminum is much higher than PVC, it will expand the plastic from the inside, and the whole structure will maintain strength up to a temperature of +60 and above (see the figure on the right). If you still heat it, the plastic will begin to creep, but this is no longer important: they do not live at such temperatures.
In addition, mutual mechanical stress will greatly increase the elasticity of the entire structure. Place a metal ruler on two pencils - it will bend under its own weight to the table top. And try to squeeze it with two books so that it arches upward - here you won't press it on purpose until the books have moved.
In the cold, the effect of mechanical interaction of materials will disappear, but PVC, when cooled, quickly gains strength and elasticity, without at all increasing its thermal conductivity. The aluminum insert, surrounded on all sides by a material that does not conduct heat well, does not affect the overall thermal conductivity of the structure.
Tricky question: you have not yet guessed why in protected from external influences plastic pipe put expensive aluminum instead of cheap and durable steel? But because its coefficient of thermal expansion is too small to create the desired mechanical bond in the required temperature range. However, on the market more and more often there are profiles with metal inserts made of special alloys and modified PVC with a special filler.
Constructions of metal-plastic profiles
Based on a successful principle, a design will work well even in a rough design - this is a principle known to all engineers. There are a great variety of branded window profiles, and each of them has invested the experience and knowledge of branded specialists. But this gives only a small fraction of the overall quality of the profile.
Is there still the best profile for plastic windows? Yes there is. This is the profile for your climatic conditions. Six options for all occasions are shown in the figure. Manufacturer-specific profiles may vary in detail.
The top row is for predominantly warm places; the lower one is cold. By columns, the profiles are arranged as follows:
- The left row is for a temperate climate. The simplest in design and the cheapest profiles.
- The middle row is for a harsh, continental climate: hot in summer and / or frosty in winter. Along the cut, it differs in broadened air chambers, especially on the frame.
- Right row - for harsh climates with strong winds and sharp drops temperatures. Volumetric air chambers are equipped with additional baffles for rigidity.
At the heart of any profile is a twisting pair of metal channel / PVC sheath. Additional air chambers improve thermal insulation, strength, rigidity and save material.
Important: when choosing a profile, pay attention to the frame seals. There should be two of them, otherwise the dew point in any climate will be under the frame, condensation will begin to precipitate, the insulation will deteriorate, a draft will be drawn and breeding grounds of harmful microorganisms will appear in the nooks. Complaints about the harmfulness of metal-plastic windows arise precisely because of this circumstance.
The market is full of window profiles from "alternative" manufacturers. Many of them, even touted as "luxury" - with single seals. No matter how much such a profile is extolled to you, no matter how attractive the price seems to you, do not take it. This is the case when a miser pays not even twice, but three times, given the prices for good windows.
About seals of double-glazed windows
Although the insulating glass unit is not part of the window profile, the quality of the window as a whole largely depends on its sealing. Two things are important:
- The sealing cuff (ring) should be one-piece, without a cut, even in budget windows. The cut does not greatly increase heat transfer, but as a nursery for infection is no worse than a single seal. Its sealing with silicone, as is sometimes recommended, is not an obstacle for microbes: microcracks soon form from alternating temperature deformations.
- The sealing of the glass unit and the frame must be solid rubber. Polyurethane expansion joints are good at first, but soon they flatten from the same deformations, the glass unit sags in the frame, and - all the problems described above.
About fittings
Window fittings should not rust or otherwise oxidize, this is understandable. For this, it is better to have handles covered with plastic, or stainless, if so required by design. The nickel-plated coating will peel off over time, and the estimated service life of the window is equal to the minimum service life of a residential building - 40 years.
Hinges are required hidden. As a rule, even "alternative" suppliers make profiles that prevent water from flowing into the loops in the rain. But with a single seal, condensation can settle on them. That is, again, a double seal.
The adjustable ventilation gap significantly increases the service life of the fittings: it allows you to open the window less. Manual adjustment of the damper for budget and middle class windows is preferable: primitive automation on a bimetallic plate soon fails. Automatic dampers can only be recommended upon purchase expensive windows luxury class.
Whose windows are better
Is it possible to choose a window profile in some simpler way, without any technical subtleties? Moreover, sellers often know little about this, knowing only the names of firms.
It is possible, despite the lack of information. Her abundance helps. There is such a science - mathematical statistics. If you have at your disposal, roughly speaking, a lot of sheer lies and conjectures, then the methods of mathematical statistics allow you to find out what is the truth.
Budget profiles (economy class):
- Veka 4.86;
- LG Hausys - 4.80;
- KBF 4.79;
- Novotex 4.64;
- AGF Agrisovgaz - 4.32.
- Veka 4.94;
- KBF 4.82;
- Rehau 4.75;
- Schuco 4.74;
- Funke - 4.65.
Lux and premium:
- Rehau 4.90;
- Veka 4.84;
- KBF 4.82;
- Funke - 4.77;
- Deceuninck / Thyssen 4.70.
Of the others, Salamander, Velux, Montblanc, Provedal, Aluplast, Exprof, Vitrage, Gealan, Brugmann are confidently holding the top four.
Note: summary based on user feedback. In reality, the technical characteristics of window profiles that meet the requirements described above differ little. So, if the profile suits you according to some of your criteria, but did not get into the summary, you can take it: due to fierce competition in the window market, decent manufacturers do not do obvious hackwork, "alternatives" are immediately visible by single seals.
More about aluminum windows
Although a one-piece aluminum profile for windows is not very good, it is readily taken not only for offices and public buildings... One of the most active categories of buyers of aluminum windows is the owners of rented housing in resorts: the chic appearance immediately raises the price category of the premises by a step.
After 5-7 years, aluminum window frames begin to fade, but they can be easily refurbished regularly before the season by walking over them with felt. It is enough for 10 years, and the additional profit during this time more than covers the replacement costs, and the repair time is just in time.
Output
The best window profile for today is metal-plastic. The profiles of the leading manufacturers do not differ much in quality. But a metal-plastic window will show all its advantages only with double sealing of the frame and a solid rubber - double-glazed window.
Video: expert opinion on the choice of PVC windows and profiles for them
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Discussion:
Alexey said:
Friends, unfortunately, the lack of awareness that is present on the window market today deprives many consumers of the opportunity to make their home (cottage, apartment ...) the home of their dreams.
Today's technical and architectural capabilities of "aluminum" window systems allow you to realize literally any desire, and in a very wide price range. Today there are many very worthy manufacturers, the main thing is to clearly understand and formulate their task for specialists, because in contrast to PVC systems, aluminum has many times more variations with any characteristics and for every taste (both in terms of heat, and in the type of opening, and in price, etc.). Eyes run wide! Today it is nonsense to talk about the inferiority of aluminum windows: this is how people who have never seen a normal aluminum window can reason. Come to any reputable manufacturer - get a lot of interesting knowledge, then make the right choice.
The market for plastic windows in Russia is not transparent. But we have summarized the information obtained from the Internet and telephone surveys and present the user with a rating of the brands of plastic windows available to the Russian buyer. It was based on such parameters as market preferences of consumers in Russia, popularity among Internet users (by the number of queries in search engines) and expert assessments.
Brief characteristics of brands
German profile Rehau
1. Germany is the confident leader of the Russian market of plastic windows. It was founded in 1948 and employs 15,000 people. The first representative office in Russia was opened in 1995, since 2002. - own production in the territory of the Russian Federation. Leadership on russian market has been holding for 6 years.It presents 6 window profiles of a wide variety of characteristics - both quite budget-priced and elite class. The number of cameras is from 3 to 6, there is an option specially for the conditions of the Russian North. It is positioned as a supplier of environmentally friendly products. The number of queries in the Google search engine is 2.39 million.
You can learn about the principles of choosing PVC windows in the expert review ""
In order for the window to be convenient in operation, the choice of fittings is no less important than the choice of profile. How to decide on this question, which one? - also read on our website.
If for any reason you are not satisfied with PVC profiles, read here: About glazing with aluminum profiles!
Windows with Veka profile
2. In second place -. Also of Germanic origin. The company was founded in 1969. It is represented on the Russian market by 9 types of profiles, including the unique five-chamber windows with an assembly width of 104 mm TOPLINE PLUS.It has two enterprises in Russia. The number of queries on the Google search engine is 402 thousand.
German profile KBE
3. belongs to the German concern Profine. On the Russian market, it is represented by five modifications: from the quite budgetary "Engine" to the elite "Select". Energy-saving spraying and argon filling of chambers are used. PHOTO 4 "Windows KBE"In terms of price, KBE windows are slightly (10-15%) behind Rehau, but the brand is also positioned as a symbol of environmentally friendly products. The number of queries on the Google search engine is 328 thousand.
4. " Samara window structures"- a domestic brand. Better known as "" - 2.15 million queries in Google search engine. It is represented by profiles of three series - SOK 3, SOK 4 and SOK 5 and their varieties. The number in the designation indicates the number of chambers in double-glazed windows. The windows comply with Russian and European standards.
Windows with German profile Salamander
5. Another German company - - is present on the Russian market with three modifications of window profiles: 2 D, 3 D and Streamline. The last profile has a rounded sash and frame.The number of queries on Google - 177 thousand. Nothing special, except for the traditionally high German quality, does not distinguish the company's products.
Deceuninck is another German brand of window profiles on the domestic market
6. The company owes its meteoric rise in the market of plastic windows to the purchase in 2002. production facilities of Thyssen Polymer. On the Russian market there are 5 types of window profiles with up to 3 to 6 chambers. The product line also includes products intended for elite consumption.Google for the appeal "Plastic windows Deceuninck" issues only 63.8 thousand requests.
Windows with German Shuco profile
7. The peculiarity of the company, which occupies the 7th place in the rating, is that all its production is concentrated in Germany. In this connection, the products of this brand are recommended as the highest quality product. It supplies the market with profiles of three series with installation depths of 60 mm, 70 mm and 82 mm (three-chamber and five-chamber double-glazed windows). Seven-chamber models of this brand are also known. All products in Russia are considered at a reasonable price or elite, or close to that.The Google search engine gives 74.2 thousand requests for appeal about this brand.
Plastic windows with the Montblanc profile
8. The second Russian brand in the market of plastic windows - - occupies the 8th place in the rating. Although the production is based on German equipment, the factories are located in Russia - in Elektrostal and Khabarovsk (as well as in Belarus - in Mogilev). On the market since 2001. It is represented by six modifications of profiles: three three-chamber, two - five-chamber and one - six-chamber. The quality meets European standards. The company's products are rather classified as economic class. The number of queries in Google - 85.9 thousand
Plastic windows with "Aluplast" profile
9. The company is represented on the Russian market by six modifications of windows with the number of cameras from 3 to 6. It is positioned as a supplier of windows with increased burglary resistance. A subsidiary of the company operates in Russia. The Google search engine gives 94.2 thousand queries to enter this brand into the search line.
Gealan profile for plastic windows
10. Closes the top ten of our rating. The company was founded in 1992 and is positioned as a supplier of smart windows, the design of which facilitates their installation and operation. It is represented on the market by ten profiles with the number of chambers in glass packs from 3 to 6. Google gives 93 thousand queries to enter this brand in the search bar. 11. The Korean company was ousted in 2013 european manufacturers from the top ten suppliers of plastic windows to the Russian market, but continues to maintain a strong position. It is presented in three profiles - with the number of cameras 3, 5 and 6. The production of windows is located in China, but the popularity of the brand is well promoted household appliances LG. The main sales market in Russia is the Far East.
Plastic windows with "Koemmerling" profile
12. The brand of plastic windows, like KBE, belongs to the German concern Profine, although the enterprise itself has existed since 1887. Initially, it specialized in the production of glue, it turned to the production of windows only in 1957. The products belong to the premium class. On the Russian market, the brand is represented by two types of double-glazed windows, including the five-chamber Koemmerling Eurofutur. Google rating - 24.2 thousand requests.
Plastic windows with Trocal profile
13. Another brand owned by the Profine concern - - was popular in the early 2000s. A feature of this brand's products is the increased rigidity of the structure. It is less susceptible to temperature deformations than others.It is interesting to note that the brand is represented on the market not only by 3-5-chamber models, but also by 1-2-chamber ones. In combination with moderate prices, this supports the interest in Trocal windows in Moscow and in the cities of southern Russia.
Plastic windows with Proplex profile
14. Another domestic brand - - created on the basis of Austrian technologies.It is presented in three models - three-chamber "Optimum", four-chamber "Comfort" and five-chamber "Premium". The brand's popularity is based on a developed retail system that covers all of Russia and Belarus. Nevertheless, the number of requests in Google for entering this brand is 80.2 thousand.
Plastic windows with Artec profile
15. In spite of the fact that the German company has been producing plastic windows since 1995, it is less known in Russia than the brands of other German companies - the market leaders. Although it offers a fairly wide range of its products - 6 types of plastic windows with the number of cameras from 3 to 5. However, the matter is fixable. Moreover, the brand's search ranking is high - 620 thousand requests for entering the brand into the search line.Feature of the company - ARtec produces windows with a white seal
in any branch of the company in Russia and in the CIS countries.
White seal is an excellent complement to ARtec windows with white profile,
such as: ARtec CLASSIC, ARtec EVOLUTION,
ARtec EFFECTIV, ARtec EXTRATHERM and ARtec CONZEPT,
as well as for door profile system ARtec TS-60.
Plastic windows with "Funke Kunstoffe" profile
16. The German company since 1962 has specialized in the supply of engineering structures made of plastic glass. Currently, one of the company's divisions is also engaged in the production of plastic windows. It is represented on the Russian market by two types of profiles - three-chamber "Phoenix" and five-chamber "Helios". But the profiles of the company "Fortuna" and "Delphi" are also known.
Plastic windows with PlusTec profile
17. The German brand was little known in Russia until 2010, but thanks to its cooperation with the Ecoplast company, it is now gaining popularity. The main trump card of the company is ecological cleanliness... PlusTec windows are lead and cadmium free. And at the end of their service life, the profiles are 100% recycled and used for the manufacture of new products.
Plastic windows with Wintech profile
18. Strengthening the position of the Turkish brand of plastic windows was facilitated by the launch in the Serpukhov district of the Moscow region of the Vintek Plastic plant, which produces up to 20 thousand tons of plastic structures per year. On the market, the products are presented in three designs with 3, 4 and 5 chambers and are positioned as a good combination prices and quality, and prices are in the "affordable range".
Plastic windows with LGC profile
19. created in Ukraine on the basis of Austrian technologies and German materials. The products are positioned as environmentally friendly. It occupies a strong position in Ukraine and is gaining more and more weight in Russia. Google search rating - 2.42 million queries. Although the products are provided mainly with only one four-chamber profile. According to a number of sources, the firm's portfolio is dominated by corporate customers. 20. Rounding out the top twenty most popular Slovak brands. On the market of plastic windows since 1994. Production in Novac was established with the assistance of the Austrian company "Greiner", which has experience in developing plastic windows for houses in the highlands of the Alps.
Plastic windows with Internova profile
A significant argument in favor of Internova windows is the delayed destruction of plastic under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. To achieve this effect, the company has developed and patented an exclusive formulation of additives in plastic, which is kept secret.
Choosing a profile is not as easy as it might seem. The question is how to choose a profile for plastic windows , quite relevant. Exist a large number of options. The range of materials on the construction market is very large, therefore, without exact knowledge of the features of the profiles, it is easy to get confused. You can choose not only among dozens of manufacturers, but also among hundreds of models produced by one company.
What to look for when choosing a profile
The profile for plastic windows is one of the most popular. Every self-respecting company produces products from it. It should be noted that most of the import companies have their own production facilities in Russia.
Each window consists of glass, double-glazed windows, profile system, fittings. The profile is empty inside. Inside, there should only be partitions that create separate chambers that are filled with air; some manufacturers make the structure sealed and inject nitrogen into it. It is believed that such a window profile will better retain heat in the room, and the glass will not fog up.
The number of chambers, no matter what they are filled, affects the profile's ability to retain heat - the more there are, the warmer the material. In Russia, structures with 3-5 chambers are most often used, with a profile thickness of 60 mm. Such material is relatively inexpensive, capable of withstanding severe frosts.
The note: manufacturers achieve a variety of colors by heating the product with a special film. It cannot be peeled off. No fading or bubbles will appear over time.
Selection of profile design and glass
From pVC quality depends on how long the product will last, how it will cope with weather conditions, how attractive its appearance will be. The best PVC windows must meet GOST standards and have the necessary certification.
In fact, there is not much difference which company produces products. In order for the structure to have sufficient rigidity, reinforcement is carried out. For this, steel is used. The core of it has the shape of the letter P, it can be a closed oval with a square section. The window profile in this case will be slightly more expensive, as it has increased strength.
The insulating glass unit is a sealed structure. It can include different amount glasses. Usually there are two or three. Inert gas or rarefied air may be present between the panes if the design option is cheaper. The number of chambers of a double-glazed unit is considered relative to free air spaces: if there are two glasses - a single-chamber glass unit, if three - two-chamber. There are products with five cameras, but these are quite rare.
Double-glazed windows can differ in thickness: the larger it is, the heavier the product, but the higher its ability to isolate noise. The minimum thickness of quality glass is 4 mm.
There are energy-saving glass: the peculiarity is that, with a relatively small thickness and weight of the glass unit, it has high insulating properties and is able to replace a three-chamber glass unit, surpassing it twice in quality. The price for such a product is slightly higher.
It is worth noting the reduced weight of such a window, which is quite important if the wall structure has a weight limit. The hardware will also experience less stress and will be able to work longer without replacement.
When choosing plastic windows, the profile must be considered first, but it is worth taking a closer look at the glass itself. There is a wide variety of glasses, which differ in technical characteristics and cost. For example, there are reflective glass - they can protect the room from excessive sunlight, make it cooler. There are heavy-duty glasses, and if you have children, it makes sense to install these so that they will not be accidentally broken. High-strength or mirrored glass is also suitable for residents of the first floors. Such material not only protect the window from mechanical damage, but also save you from prying eyes.
Window profiles serve for a long time, and for the period of their existence the sash tolerates at least 50 thousand openings. The fittings should withstand such loads without problems.
Choosing a manufacturer of plastic windows
There are quite a few companies engaged in the production of plastic windows on the market. The most bought are the following brands:
- Rehau;
- Novotex;
- Veko.
Each of them has its own distinctive features... Rehau is considered a leading manufacturer whose quality is matched. Products are thoroughly checked at the factory, have high performance... The average price for products is from 6 thousand.
Veko Is a company of German origin. Products can be recognized by their perfectly smooth plastic, pure white. profile reinforcement is always closed. The plastic is 3 mm thick, and there is a company logo on each glazing bead. Average price ranges from 7.5 thousand rubles.
CEE is also a German mark. It is very popular in Russia. The range of products is very wide - from one- to five-chamber structures of any size and type. Prices start at 5 thousand rubles.
Novotex- the company is domestic. The plastic produces high quality, according to the KBE-Etalon technology. Technical characteristics are not inferior to European ones, however average price for products starts from 3.5 thousand rubles.
Thinking about which window profile to choose , it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of your region. If cold weather prevails, it is better to purchase a thicker glass unit. If your place is relatively warm in winter, then there is no point in overpaying.
Everyone's choice of a manufacturer is based mainly on the cost of the product of interest and trust in a particular brand. The companies listed above produce products of similar quality, which can be equipped with different fittings, due to which the cost can be higher or lower.
Profile classification
On sale you can find profiles of different classes, most often A and B. Let's consider this issue in more detail so that it is clear what this means.
- The "A" class includes products, the outer wall of which has an additional thickening. This also applies to doors. Such products are RAL certified.
- A lightweight profile belongs to class "B"; it is distinguished by a thinner outer wall.
As you can see, these types of products are notable for their strength and weight, but not quality.
Class B is somewhat cheaper, however, choosing the types of profiles for plastic windows , take into account the peculiarities of your building and the climate of your region.
A class B profile is well suited for glazing unheated balconies, loggias, its installation is relevant for summer houses, since these products are of small thickness and are not able to retain heat in the room with high quality. Sound insulation will also be worse, but such a structure will be able to protect from rain and wind. Its low weight is also important.
What profiles are most often chosen?
Many buyers believe that the thicker the window, the better, as it is more reliable. But is it? Let's try to figure it out!
- Classic, width 58 mm.
- 60 mm, used on large construction sites.
- 70-80 mm, most often found in high-rise buildings.
- 90 mm - reinforced.
58 mm - this is the width that wooden windows used to have. After the appearance of plastic counterparts, traditionally, the width has not changed. It is sufficient for the construction to be warm and durable enough to isolate noise from the street well. This profile is universal for any climate. With the correct manufacturing technology, such a window is suitable for installation in any type of building on any floor. It does not have a very large mass, while its strength is high.
The profile thickness of 60 mm is mainly a publicity stunt, and the products with it are not much different from those presented above.
70-80 mm already has significant differences from other models. It is able to better isolate sound, does a good job of keeping heat inside the room. Most often residents use this profile. middle band Russia, since the winters are more severe there than, for example, in the southern part of the country. ...
90 mm: this design has appeared relatively recently. It has high strength and good sound and heat insulation properties. Such a profile effectively saves the energy of heating devices, however, it has a large mass and is not suitable for all types of residential buildings.
The difference begins to manifest itself after a few years (sometimes within a year), when the frame and sash are deformed - it is difficult to open and close them, blows out from the street, condensation appears between the glasses, and then black mold.
Therefore, it is very important to know the criteria to avoid counterfeiting when choosing a profile for plastic windows.
Types of profiles and their classification
The main structural element of the sash and frame is the profile. It determines not only the aesthetic perception of the window, but also its strength characteristics, service life. European standard EN 12608 SR and GOST 30673-99, PVC profiles are classified according to several parameters.
1. External wall thickness. The profile is a closed hollow structure with a baffle system inside. All the main consumer properties of the window depend on the thickness of the walls that form the structure: cost, strength and durability.
The Eurostandard highlights the inner and outer walls of the plastic profile. All external walls of a profile in an already installed window are considered internal. It logically follows from the first definition that the outer (outer) walls are front at the window and are visible both from inside the room and from the street (see photo).
Depending on the thickness of the polyvinyl chloride in the outer and inner walls, there are three classes of profiles (in this regard, the Russian standard is more stringent):
- "AND" - thickness of external walls\u003e \u003d 2.8 mm, internal\u003e \u003d 2.5 mm according to European standard (minimum 3.0 mm at the external wall according to GOST), which provides high level strength of windows, the best heat and sound insulation;
- "IN" - at the outer walls, the thickness is from 2.5 mm, the inner ones - from 2.0 mm (coincides with GOST). The profile of this class retains heat by 10-15% worse, it is 12-17% less resistant to various kinds of deformation, and it detains street noises by 10-20% worse;
- "WITH" - European standard and GOST do not impose certain requirements on this profile class. It is used mainly for windows for non-industrial objects. A number of firms, meeting the requirements of one of the class B parameters, which is important, make economy class windows for the population (in general, this is a class C profile).
Unscrupulous window installers, emphasizing the low price, persuade customers to install an "object" profile (class C, not a single parameter corresponds to classes A and B), intended for non-residential premises (in fact, the price is almost twice as high as the real one, but significantly lower than the cost profile B).
Such windows do not keep heat and deform quickly. It is visually difficult to distinguish such a profile from a standard one (class B or A) - measurements are needed with a caliper. They can also help to determine the quality of the proposed profile of the inscription on the protective film "object".
Attention: only if both parameters comply with the requirements of the standard, the profile belongs to a certain class, which must be confirmed by the corresponding certificate. It is better to refuse the transaction without presenting documents confirming the quality.
It is easier for consumers who understand the profile classes to decide which plastic to choose for their windows.
2. By temperature zones. In Europe and Asia there are countries with very hot climates, moderate and cold. Window manufacturers took the current situation into account and produced their own product line for each zone. In Europe, it is tied to the hottest month of the year, in Russia - to January.
Depending on the average temperature in January, the produced profiles can be:
- light version - for countries with hot climates, where the average temperature of the coldest month remains positive (must withstand a short-term drop in temperature to –5 degrees Celsius);
- standard version - for a temperate climate zone with an average temperature of -20 o С in January (the maximum permissible negative temperature is –45 degrees Celsius);
- frost-resistant - for the Far North, where the temperature drops to minus 55 degrees Celsius.
In Russia, the last two types are mass-produced. Lightweight windows are produced only by the Russian company "Krauss" (Krasnodar) - it covers the entire south of Russia.
3. In terms of impact resistance, the profile is divided into I and II class. Class I PVC must withstand the fall of a special striker weighing 1.0 kg from a height of 1.0 m at a plastic temperature of minus 10 degrees Celsius. For class II, the drop height was increased to 1.5 m.
This classification makes it possible to determine how correctly the internal partitions are located (they resist the bending of the external walls inside the structure during mechanical stress) and how the plastic reacts to a decrease in temperature (everyone knows the property of plastics to become brittle during severe frosts).
Consumer properties of profiles that you need to pay attention to
How to choose a profile for PVC windows so that it is warm, quiet, airtight, inaccessible for breaking and, at the same time, not to contact scammers? The main characteristics will help with this.
System width
The first indicator that you should pay attention to is the width of the profile structure. It depends on her how warm and comfortable it will be in the apartment or wooden house... For consumers who are first faced with plastic windows, it is difficult to understand how the width of the frame and sash affects the comfort in the room. Let's try to explain.
A double-glazed window is placed in the sash of the window, which is several glasses fixed around the perimeter by a frame made of PVC profile. Air pockets between glasses are called chambers. In standard windows, there is simple air in them, in the “Premium” segment inert gas is pumped into the chambers to improve all the characteristics of the glass unit.
From school physics lessons it is known that air is a poor conductor of heat, and glass with an air pocket is a bad conductor of sound. Therefore, the more chambers in a glass unit and, consequently, the number of glasses, the more comfortable it is to stay in the room. Window manufacturers offer mainly the classic version of the profile width - 58 mm, allowing the installation of single-chamber windows. A minimum of 70 mm is required for two chambers.
For regions of the Far North with their extreme temperatures, windows with three or even four cameras are offered. But this requires a corresponding profile width: 90 mm for 3 chambers, 110-120 mm for 4. This view products belong to the "Premium" class. Due to their heavy weight, such windows are not recommended to be installed on balconies and loggias.
Profile width. Number of profile cameras
There are two camera units in the window structure. One is a glass unit, which is discussed above. The second is the profile itself. The profile is hollow. There are partitions inside the profile to create structural strength, fix fittings and increase the level of heat and sound insulation. The hollow volumes created by them are called chambers. The more of them, the better the performance of the window. The location of the jumpers is calculated mathematically - each of them performs a specific function.
On sale you can find 3-chambered profiles (this is the minimum possible number of chambers) and 7-chambered. The most popular are the 5-chambered ones. It is in them that price and quality are most optimally combined.
It is difficult to check the quality of the samples offered by the installer, but you can pay attention to the little things that say a lot:
- The company logo, date and place of manufacture applied to the protective tape with a 90% probability will confirm the origin of the product;
- The surface texture will also help: for high-quality windows, the plastic surface should be perfectly smooth. The graininess indicates the Chinese origin of the goods or Russian handicraft production;
- The applied paint should be of a uniform color and free from streaks.