How to choose the perfect plastic windows for your home?

Window assembly and structure

To understand which plastic windows are better, you should at least begin to understand the structure of the window structure.

The main elements of the structure, inherent in all windows made of profile:

• Window frame.
• Double-glazed window or sandwich (found on balcony doors).
• Movable and (or) static sashes.
• Seals.
• Glazing beads (fix the glass).
• Imposts (attached to the frame, placed between the sashes, divide the windows into 2-3 parts) or mullions (attached to the sashes).
• Hardware (handles, hinges, clamps, blockers).

When installing a plastic structure with a frame and a glass unit, it is necessary to decorative elements are added: slopes, window sills, thresholds.

A big problem when choosing plastic windows is that the standard set is approximately the same, but the quality varies depending on the manufacturer. Namely, the convenience, safety of operation, and service life depend on the quality of all the individual parts and the assembly as a whole.

What characteristics should be taken into account when choosing?

The choice of windows for an apartment in an apartment building or housing in a private house will differ:

House

The number of chambers in the glass unit is of the greatest importance: the level of noise insulation and thermal insulation depends on this.

• If the house is warm and located in a quiet area, a standard three-chamber glass unit will suffice.
• For cottages with access to a highway or a city street, four- or five-chamber models are suitable – they provide better protection from noise and dust.

The number of air chambers also depends on the climate of residence: in the hot South, a single-chamber or double-chamber window will do; in the central zone of Russia with mild winters, a triple-chamber window will cover the glazing function; in harsh Siberia, give preference to 4-6 chambers.

Apartment

Since living spaces in apartment buildings differ little from each other, manufacturers have long ago derived a formula for the ideal urban plastic window: 2-3 chambers, profile up to 70 mm.

These indicators are suitable for most Russian apartments. The exception is the northern strip, residents of this area should give preference to 3-4 chamber packages with a profile width of up to 90 mm.

Regardless of where the installation is intended, you should pay attention to 5 characteristics:

1. Number of chambers. More does not always mean better, in most cases 3 chambers in the profile are enough.
2. Profile width. The thicker it is, the greater the distance between the street and the living space, the warmer the house will be in severe frosts. Standard – 58-70 mm.
3. Glass thickness. The minimum recommended value is 4 mm, the standard is 5 mm, the best sound absorption is provided by the thickness of the outer glass of 6 mm.
4. Ventilation. Companies solve the ventilation issue in their own way. The highest quality option is intra-profile, when the influx of fresh air is provided without allowing cold, drafts, extraneous sounds.
5. Reinforcement. Reinforcing inserts guarantee the durability of the plastic window: such structures are not afraid of temperature changes, strong winds, and other weather anomalies.

Which profile to choose?

The basis of any plastic window is the profile. The frame and sashes are made from it. We briefly talked about the width in the previous paragraph, it’s time to understand the technical classes:

• C. Low quality, cold, subject to deformation. Not recommended for residential premises.
• B. External wall thickness 2.5-2.8 mm, internal 2-2.5 mm. Average quality, low deformation resistance.
• A. The highest quality of the listed. External walls from 2.8 mm, internal from 2.5 mm. Guarantees excellent heat and sound insulation.

Important! The class is indicated in the product certificate and on the profiles. If you see the Object marking, it means the seller is trying to sell a low-quality structure that is not suitable for houses or apartments. Often such materials for industrial premises are passed off as economy options, offering for purchase at a very attractive price.

In addition to the width, thickness, class, when accepting, be sure to pay attention to the appearance: a smooth uniform surface of the plastic emphasizes the high quality of the product.

Which double-glazed window should I choose?

The second most important detail after the profile is glass. You should choose based on the number of glasses, thickness, distance between layers, and filling of the chambers.

Number of layers

• 2 (1 chamber). They can sweat, let in cold in winter, heat in summer.
• 3 (2 chambers). More reliable, stronger than the previous ones. They are considered the gold standard – suitable for most conditions. The advantages are average weight, load resistance, good heat and noise insulation.
• 4 (3 chambers). Heavy, compared to the previous ones, so it is necessary to take into account the strength of the base. They are warmer (resistant to cold), recommended for use in extremely low temperatures.

Thickness

We have already said that for use in conditions of increased noise, you should replace the regular glass on the outside with reinforced glass – 6 mm. In other cases, 4-5.

Distance

Both a small and too large gap are equally bad. A chamber less than 10 mm thick does not retain heat, as well as more than 24 mm. The optimal size is 1-1.5 cm.

Filler

There can be not only air inside the chambers, but also gas – it is warmer than ordinary air, so if you install “gas” plastic windows, heat loss will be reduced by at least 1.5 times (argon) and at most 4.5 (xenon).

Which sealant material is better?

Protection from noise and dust is guaranteed not only by glass with a profile, but also by a small accessory: a sealing tourniquet. Features depend on the material of manufacture.

Rubber

Rubber is an excellent sealant. If you want them to last more than 25 years, and not deform from temperature fluctuations or bad weather, it is recommended to choose rubber seals. The only drawback is the color, exclusively black.

Silicone

A modern material that provides good insulation for 35-40 years. Environmentally safe, not afraid of frosts up to 40 degrees, heat, sun. Negative property – low level of resistance to mechanical wear, for example, when frequently opened for ventilation.

EPDM

Based on ethylene propylene diene rubber. In order to serve for the stated time (18-20 years), it requires care.

TRE

Thermoplastic elastomer, according to its stated characteristics, resembles soft rubber, provides reliable protection in corners and hard-to-reach places where previous options can sag.

Recommendations for choosing fittings and accessories

Correctly selected and installed fittings only seem like a trifle, but in fact they are 50% of the success of a plastic window. If you choose an excellent profile and double-glazed window when ordering, but install cheap trim, you will hardly be able to enjoy using the windows in the future.

Trunnions

Press the sash to the frame. Protect plastic windows from burglary: made of metal, come in three classes – WK3 is considered reliable.

Fuses

Standard ones prevent the sash from falling out in the position between modes. There are also child locks – for example, to prevent a child from opening a window on their own.

Microlift

A small addition that helps extend the life of a plastic window and fittings by distributing the load from the hinges and frame.

Handles

The shape and design are more of a decorative function. The exception is a convenient handle with a lock, which helps protect the sash from being opened by a child.

Hinges

They bear the main weight of the sashes, so they are selected depending on the profile, glass unit: for heavy multi-chamber ones, reinforced ones will be the right option.

In addition to the listed basic accessories, there are also additions in the form of automatic transoms, holders, clamps and other “bells and whistles”. If you want to make the design more convenient, tell the seller your requirements and he will select the appropriate fittings.

What is important to know about manufacturers?

There are a great many companies today that install plastic windows, but most of them do not manufacture them, but resell designs from well-known manufacturers. Popular companies:

1. Veka. Plastic windows manufactured according to German standards: plastic does not fade, rubber seal does not crumble in frost or heat. Durability and tightness at an average price.
2. Rehau. One of the innovators in the field of window production: specialists annually work on safer, energy-saving systems. The products cannot be called cheap or expensive, rather high quality at an average price.
3. KBE. The company has established itself in the market as a manufacturer of modern mechanisms for hospitals, children’s institutions. The line includes models for apartments, houses: both at a high and low price.
4. Trocal. They began manufacturing plastic windows in the mid-1950s, so the technology has been tested by time. They are distinguished by environmentally friendly Greenline profiles – an excellent option if one of the priorities is caring for the environment.
5. Proplex. Russian production with the participation of European specialists: not so long on the market, but they stand out from competitors by their attention to the problems and requirements of the local climate.

To make sure of the quality guaranteed by well-known companies, be sure to check the documents for the product: it should clearly state the manufacturer, guarantees and other characteristics.

What should be taken into account in the visual characteristics?

Although it is more difficult to choose windows based on characteristics, it is also worth paying close attention to the external appearance. For example, deliberately modern models in an old country style will look alien.

The shape and number of sashes are determined not only by appearance, but also by the thickness of the package: the more chambers and the heavier the sash, the more compact it should be.

The color of PVC windows is usually white, but if desired, you can order plastic of any shade: red, yellow, blue, black. Or choose models with imitation wood structure – from light to dark.

The color of the glass also plays a role: usually transparent, but tinted ones will be appropriate in rooms facing the south. Although it is more practical and cheaper not to darken the glass, but to tint it with a film.

Plastic windows are a technically complex mechanism that requires attention. But it is not necessary to study all the nuances yourself, Contact a trusted company with good reviews and trust the choice to specialists.