How to choose plastic windows: expert advice

Plastic windows are on the crest of popularity. They are convenient, high-tech, attractive. But the abundance of models with different characteristics confuses the ignorant buyer. To choose plastic windows, you need to pay attention to every detail of the structure - the profile, double-glazed windows, sealant and accessories - and listen to the opinion of experts.

How to choose a suitable profile

Speaking about the profile, they often draw an analogy with the skeleton of the window. This complex structure made of plastic and metal has several cavities - chambers - separated by airtight partitions. Their number affects the strength of the window, the ability to retain heat. For the manufacture of window profiles used polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

The reasons why this type of plastic is used:

• ability to withstand adverse conditions;
• low thermal conductivity;
• cheapness;
• environmental Safety;
• preservation of consumer properties for a period of at least 50 years;
• reliable sound insulation.

The usual color of PVC is white, but there are multi-colored profiles, as well as laminated for different types of wood.

After examining the plastic, you can determine how well the window frame will serve. Quality PVC is an absolutely smooth, monolithic, homogeneous material. The presence of spots, graininess eloquently indicates a fake.

Profile Classes

The quality of the windows is determined by the thickness of the outer part of the circuit and the internal partitions. According to this indicator, profiles are divided into 3 classes:

• Profile A is ideal for residential buildings: the thickness of its external walls starts from 2.8 mm, the internal - from 2.5 mm.
• Profile B - suitable for heated and unheated rooms. It has a thickness of the outer walls from 2.5 mm, the inner ones from 2 mm, the windows are less adapted to the loads from it.
• Profile C - called object profile, used in rooms without heating. Such windows often do not have opening shutters. The wall thickness is not standardized, but usually it is less than that of profiles of other types.

Metal inserts play an important role - increase the strength of the structure. Therefore, such windows are sometimes called metal-plastic.

Air chambers

The profiles contain from 3 to 8 internal air chambers, which are needed to protect against cold, street noise, to enhance the strength of the structure. The ability of a window not to release heat from a room is related to the number of cameras.

• A three-chamber profile is the most commonly used. Suitable for temperate regions where the temperature in winter does not drop below 30 ° C. The standard width is 5.8 cm.
• Four- and five-chamber profiles are more expensive and weigh more. Their installation is justified only in cold regions, where they will retain heat indoors even in the most severe frosts. They are also chosen for windows that overlook a busy road, due to higher sound insulation.
• Single and dual chamber products are popular due to their low price. But installing windows from such a profile makes sense only in the south of Russia, where there are no cold winters.

It is interesting! The thermal conductivity of a profile with 7–8 chambers is lower than that of products with fewer chambers: numerous partitions negate the insulating properties of air in the chambers. A wide profile with a small number of cameras will retain heat better than a narrow multi-chamber.

Thanks to special openings, external chambers also act as condensate drains. They do not affect the quality of thermal insulation, do not spoil the aesthetic appearance of the structure. On the contrary, the absence of technological holes indicates low quality: such a window will serve less than the standard period.

Recently, window constructions are gaining popularity, in the chambers of which the air is replaced by foamed heat insulators. They retain heat even better, but the price becomes significantly higher.

Frost resistance

Another profile parameter is frost resistance. It should not change its properties at low temperatures. On the frost-resistant profile, which is suitable for the domestic climate, should be marked "M". The degree of resistance to adverse conditions can also be seen in the passport.

Profile Width

For standard windows, the profile width (installation depth) varies between 50–80 mm. When it does not exceed 60 mm, the number of chambers in the frame is usually 3, and at 70 mm - 4–5. The greater thickness allows the use of more durable fittings, additional contours of sound insulation and insulation, thick double-glazed windows.

About which windows are better, plastic or wooden, read here.

Informative video about the secrets of choosing a PVC profile:

Expert advice: for the middle lane, a 3-chamber profile is more than enough. Overpay for multi-chamber products that are positioned as warmer, it makes no sense: you will not notice the difference. It is better to choose a class A profile, class C in residential premises is unacceptable. And you always need to remember that the build and installation quality of a window is more important than the profile settings.

We deal with double-glazed windows: type and number of glasses, marking, distance frame

Double-glazed window in comparison with traditional window glass - the design is complex. This is a block of glasses hermetically bonded to each other. The space between the two glass sheets is called a camera. It should not be confused with those in the profile.

What determines the heat and sound insulation of a double-glazed window

The ability to retain heat and not let out noise depends on:

• From the thickness of the glass. A glass unit 32–44 mm thick is suitable for a house, apartment.
• From the number of cameras. Usually a double-glazed window consists of 3 glasses and 2 cameras between them. For harsh climates or houses located in places with high noise levels produce three- and four-chamber packages. Single chamber are suitable for arranging balconies, loggias, arbors.

• From the width of each double-glazed camera. The larger it is, the better the insulation characteristics. However, after 24 mm the increase in thickness does not increase the positive properties of the product.

• From filling cameras. Inert gas injected between the glasses reduces heat loss, protects against noise and ultraviolet radiation. Argon retains 50% more heat compared to air, krypton - 2 times more than argon.

• From the thickness of the glass. If you put an external glass of 5 or 6 mm instead of the standard 4 mm in the window facing a busy street, the sound insulation will increase, but slightly. And different glass thicknesses will not resonate with each other.

• From the type of glass. It makes sense to choose a material more expensive, but with additional useful properties. Low-emission glass reflecting infrared rays keeps the house warm in winter and cool in summer.

Advice from Mr. Build. Sometimes it makes no sense to spend money on excess glass: single-chamber double-glazed windows can be placed on the external block of the balcony, and the indoor unit will protect from noise and cold. For comparison: full glazing of a 3-room apartment with three-chamber double-glazed windows will cost 75,000 rubles, and if you put single-chamber packages on the balcony, the total cost will decrease to 71,250 rubles.

Glass types

To obtain a low-emission glass, the thinnest metal film is sprayed on it.

• K-coating - a film of tin, reduces heat loss by 25% in a single-chamber double-glazed window.
• I-coating (i) - a layer of rare-earth metals, saves more than 30% of heat. It is installed only from the side of the room, the coating is turned inside the chamber, since it is unstable to mechanical damage. Often labeled E-low.

Due to such glasses, a single-chamber double-glazed window approaches two-chamber in thermal insulation properties and can even exceed them.

If you follow the recommendations of experts in the field of energy conservation, then the best choice in terms of heat preservation will become a two-chamber double-glazed window filled with inert gas and having one glass with special coating. Heat packages can help save on heating in winter and electricity due to the more rare use of air conditioning - in the summer.

Consider an example. Ordinary double-glazed windows for a private house cost the owner 150,000 rubles. In winter, you have to pay 8,000 rubles for heating. per month, and in the summer due to the air conditioner, you need to pay 600 rubles more for electricity. per month. If the owner of the house installed thermal packages, he would give 180,000 rubles for them. But at the same time, heating consumption would drop to 4,800 rubles. per month, and on air conditioning - up to 420 rubles. It turns out that thermal packs pay off in two years, and then bring benefits.

It is practically impossible to break glass laminated with triplex. Glasses reinforced with special metal or polymer nets have the same quality.

Glass unit marking, tables

The structure of a double-glazed window can be understood by the marking, which indicates the thickness of the glasses, the width of the chambers, and the type of coating. For example, the designation 4-12Ar-4-12 Ar-4I stands for:

• two-chamber double-glazed window;
• glass thickness - 4 mm;
• the distance between them is 12 mm;
• I-type inner glass;
• The cameras are filled with argon.

The following tables will help you choose the ratio of the parameters of the glass.

Distance frame

The frame between the glasses sets the distance between them, which is from 6 to 24 mm. They make frames from aluminum, steel, plastic. Remote frames made of stainless steel or plastic conduct heat to a lesser extent and prevent the formation of a cold bridge, therefore they are considered the best option.

The second function of the frame is the absorption of moisture. It has an absorbent inside, which absorbs liquid, preventing the windows from fogging in the winter, and there is perforation on the surface.

Rules for choosing double-glazed windows

To choose reliable double-glazed windows, you need:

1. Make sure that there is a marking with the manufacturer's logo, date of issue and information about the components. Her absence is a cause for serious suspicion.
2. Inspect glass for chips, cracks.
3. Check the quality of the seal. Along the strip regulating the distance between the glasses, there should be no traces of liquid sealant. The outer layer of the product should look even and neat. Bursts, cracks indicate unreliable quality of the package.
4. Using a tape measure to determine the accuracy of the geometry. The difference in measurements along the diagonals (more than 3 mm) proves that the parameters of the double-glazed window do not meet the standards. The thickness of the package, which is measured with a caliper, cannot differ from the declared by more than 1 mm.
5. Use a square to measure the offset of the glass planes. Deviations exceeding 1 mm indicate non-compliance.
6. Determine the transparency of the glasses, the presence of water and steam in the chamber.

Decorative and functional elements

To give the window a more sophisticated look, so-called spros are used (see Photo).

They can vary in color, thickness, located between the glasses or on top of them.

Built-in blinds can be a convenient addition to the window design. It is located directly in the glass pane, and controlled from the outside. But such a system has a serious drawback - the inability to service and repair.

Read about choosing blinds for plastic windows in this article.

It is much more profitable to order all additional fittings and accessories immediately: you don’t have to pay for their delivery and installation, which will cost from 1,300 rubles.

Which double-glazed window is warmer?

This table shows how the level of thermal insulation of a double-glazed window grows with an increase in the number of glasses and the thickness of the chambers:

Double-glazed window formula	Coefficient of reduced heat transfer resistance, m2× ° C / W
4M1-12-4M1	0,30
4M1-Ag12-4M1	0,32
4M1-16-I4	0,59
4M1-Ar16-I4	0,66
4M1-10-4M1-10-4M1	0,47
4M1-12-4M1-12-4M1	0,49
4M1-Ar10-4M1-Ar10-4M1	0,49
4M1-Ar12-4M1-Ar12-4M1	0,52
4M1-12-4M1-12-I4	0,68
4M1-16-4M1-16-I4	0,72
4M1-Ar6-4M1-Ar6-I4	0,64
4M1-Ar10-4M1-Ar10-I4	0,71
4M1-Ar12-4M1-Ar12-I4	0,75
4M1-Ar16-4M1-Ar16-I4	0,80

Please note: from the point of view of heat saving, a single double-glazed window with I-glass is superior to a conventional double-chamber.

Double-glazed window for a living room: minimum and optimal parameters, price comparison

The formula of a double-glazed window suitable for an apartment or a house located in the middle zone of Russia:

• Minimum parameters: two-chamber double-glazed window 4-10-4-10-4. This is a generally accepted standard with good sound and heat insulation characteristics.

Tip: if you live in a quiet area, it will be more profitable to order a single-chamber double-glazed window with I-glass. It is not so good in terms of sound insulation, but it retains heat much better than the standard two-chamber version (see. table below).

• Optimum parameters: two-chamber double-glazed window 4-16Ar-4-14Ar-I4. It has all the necessary additions: wide cameras of different thicknesses for better protection against noise, argon filling, energy-saving glass.

And now let's compare the cost of these double-glazed windows using the example of products of the Moscow Window Factory:

Type of double-glazed window	Marking	Coefficient of reduced heat transfer resistance, m2× ° C / W	Price, rub / sq. m
Standard two-chamber	4-10-4-10-4	0,47	2884
Single chamber energy-saving with I-glass	4-16-I4	0,59	2382
Two-chamber energy-saving with argon and I-glass	4-16Ar-4-14Ar-I4	0,77	3944

A three-chamber double-glazed window is expensive and weighs a lot. It is often proposed to install it as a "super-warm" option, but its installation in a region with a temperate climate does not make sense: a two-chamber will be quite enough.

How to choose seals

Without seals, the tightness of double-glazed windows, tight closing of the window are impossible. They are made of rubber, thermoplastic, thermopolymer and silicone.

1. Rubber sealant is the most inexpensive, but also short-lived. Cracks from heat and frost. It is easy to replace it; there is always sale.
2. Thermoplastic (TPE) is the most common because it is suitable for use on automatic assembly lines. It has excellent characteristics, but with frequent opening and closing the window wears out quickly, as it becomes brittle from temperature changes. It is inexpensive, easy to change.
3. Thermopolymer (ethylene propylene rubber, EPDM) is a more resistant material. It is placed on expensive and moderately expensive windows. For replacement, it is advisable to call the wizard.
4. Silicone is the best sealant. It is not erased, does not deform, it is steady against differences of temperatures, cleaners. But it is expensive and difficult to find on sale.

Expert advice: the life of the sealant can be extended regularly (2 times a year during the off-season) by cleaning them and lubricating them with silicone oil or glycerin.

What hardware to choose?

Accessories for heavy, constantly opening and closing windows must be strong and reliable. Otherwise, the handles will break, and the sashes will sag and jam. The brands Winkhaus, Siegenia Aubi, Roto, G-U, Maco have earned the trust. For the manufacture of fittings, high-grade steel with an anti-corrosion coating is used. Polymers are allowed only for caps, decorative covers.

The best hardware is one that withstands 50-60 thousand cycles and has a 10-year warranty. A cycle is 4 actions: opening for ventilation, closing, swing opening with subsequent closing.

When buying, it is worth choosing adjustable fittings that will allow you to open the sash as needed, and special stoppers will exclude involuntary slamming. Owners of private houses, apartments on the ground floor, cottages prefer windows with anti-burglary devices that will not allow intruders to penetrate. Upon request, the accessories are supplemented with details providing:

• crevice ventilation;
• rotation limit;
• microlift operation:
• sash inclination in several positions;
• restrict access for children and other functions.

Expert Advice: Choose accessories only with the necessary functions. Make sure that the add-ons for which you pay a lot of money (high-quality European fittings are expensive), you really need. For example, anti-hacking devices are unlikely to be useful on the upper floors.

Choose a way to open

Window structures differ by this feature:

• Deaf - placed in rooms that do not need to be ventilated, or combined with opening sashes.
• Rotary - allow the sash to open in one direction.
• Swing-out - they have two ways of opening: they turn inside the room, and they can also recline, which is important when there is a small child in the apartment or the window sill is covered with flowers. This is a rational option for a kitchen that requires regular air exchange. With a combination of folding and swivel mechanisms, it is convenient to ventilate the room at any time of the year.
• Rotating around its axis - this type is good for large windows, with it it is equally easy to wash the external and internal window surfaces.

Expert advice: in a wide window there is no need to make all the doors open. The price of such a window will be unreasonably high. Usually just one moving element is enough.

Consider an example of a balcony glazing. A hinged door costs 12,500 rubles, a hinged door costs 11,200 rubles, a pivoting window costs 10,750 rubles, and a blind window costs 5,900 rubles. If the inner window and two external ones are pivoting, and two more external ones are pivoting, you will have to pay 67,150 rubles for everything. And if you make the inner window and the three outer deaf, and only one external - tilt-and-turn, full glazing of the balcony will cost much cheaper - only 44,900 rubles.

Which manufacturer of plastic windows is better?

Competition and strict control in the window market supplanted frank marriage. But experts are unanimously leaning toward large manufacturers. They have equipment that is not available to smaller companies, so the products are of higher quality. Specialists have learned how to cope with undesirable linear expansion of PVC, low coefficient of elasticity, and improve resistance to temperature changes. Additives and stabilizers for these purposes undergo strict control and do not cause harm to health.

Which company to choose?

A list of the best window profile manufacturers based on ratings and reviews.

Veka

The leader in terms of sales, in all ratings in the top three. The technical base allowed the company to finally stop the production of low-grade products, only class A profiles are produced Window models are diverse, durable, known for their reliable noise and heat insulation, tightness, equipped with frost-resistant rubber sealant. The disadvantage is a little expensive.

KBE

The company uses environmentally friendly plastic, the windows are durable, with good noise and heat insulation indicators, they cope with temperature changes in the range from -50 to +50 ° C, they do not fog up. Disadvantages: high price, over time, the plastic appears a yellowish tint.

Rehau

Products are characterized by environmental friendliness, a wide range of products, durability, sound and heat insulation that meets the requirements of the time, and frost resistance. Disadvantages: reduced sash height, greater cost than other brands.

We recommend that you pay attention to windows Rehau from BLITZ New profile with installation depth 60 mm. It is an energy-efficient, affordable and high-quality solution. Three-chamber profile, with the possibility of installing double-glazed windows up to 32 mm. Saves 30 times more heat than wooden Soviet frames. Noise reduction up to 40 Rw dB and excellent appearance.

Salamander

High-strength, airtight profiles for all climates from perfectly white plastic. All load-bearing walls are made according to RAL class A, the declared service life is up to 45 years. The company's plants are located in Germany, Poland and Belarus.

Proplex

The windows are made according to Austrian technology, adapted to the Russian climate, designed for long-term operation. They are inexpensive, the plastic is durable and does not turn yellow. Disadvantages: there is no international certification, design decisions of some models below the level of recognized brands.

Montblanc

Windows of different types, attractive, inexpensive. Durable, adapted to Russian weather. Disadvantages: there is no certificate of quality management, hardware is weak, a chemical smell emanates from the sealant.

LG Chem

A combination of decent heat and sound insulation characteristics and professional design. Glossy plastic, reasonable ratio of quality and price. A relative drawback is the recent entry into the market of the central part of the country, which affects popularity.

Trocal

The windows are resistant to deformation, design findings and a large selection of reliable and airtight models attract customers. Disadvantages: heavy profile, after several years of operation, built-in blinds break.

Russian windows

Russian plastic windows are cheaper than foreign ones. But this does not mean poor quality. Usually, domestic manufacturers use German technology. Cost is more affordable due to cheap energy and labor. This should also be remembered when choosing.

For example, the Russian company Kaleva works according to the full cycle scheme: from the moment the window is designed to be installed in place. This is an infrequent case. The Panorama company from St. Petersburg has been operating in the plastic window market for more than 20 years. Its PVC profiles are distinguished by quality, the necessary balance of rigidity, reliable insulation, aesthetic appearance.

Plastic window reminder

In order not to get confused in the process of choosing and ordering a plastic window, it is convenient to have a memo on hand in which all the parameters that you need to pay attention to are written down. She will help to ask the right questions to the consultant and not to lose sight of anything.

When choosing a profile, look at:

1. Width and number of air chambers. For the middle band, 3 cameras is enough.
2. The thickness of the walls (class). It is advisable to take class A with an outer wall thickness of 2.8 mm or more. Class C is not suitable for living quarters!
3. Frost resistance. Needed if the winters are cold.
4. The manufacturer. It is better to pay attention to large companies with a good reputation, which give a long guarantee.

For double-glazed windows, select the following parameters:

1. The number of cameras. The optimal, most economically viable option is 2 cameras. On the balcony there are enough single-chamber double-glazed windows.
2. The thickness of the glasses and cameras, their ratio. The thicker, the warmer and quieter. Different thicknesses - plus noise insulation.
3. Filling chambers (air or inert gas). With argon or krypton there will be more heat and less noise. But you need to be prepared for the fact that the gas will evaporate before the window reaches its end of life.
4. Properties of glass (energy-saving, shockproof, sun-protection, tinted). Choose as needed. For example, shockproof glass is only useful on lower floors. It is more profitable for owners of private houses to install energy-saving glass, which will quickly pay off and save on heating.
5. Distance bar material. The plastic or steel strip is warmer than aluminum.
6. Additional elements (built-in blinds, spros). We focus on your taste.

The minimum parameters for a double-glazed window are 4-10-4-10-4 or 4-16-I4, the optimal parameters are 4-Ar16-4-Ar12-I4.

Choose a sealant: look at the type of material. Rubber is better not to take, TPE is a good option, silicone and EPDM are better, but more expensive.

Determined with the design:

1. Opening method (blind flap, pivoting, pivoting, sliding, rotating).
2. The number of opening flaps. The smaller they are, the cheaper the window.

Questions about fittings:

1. Allowable load (the more the better).
2. Stacked number of cycles (similar).
3. Auxiliary elements (limiters, micro-lift, protection - we select only what is needed so as not to overpay for what we will not use).

Accessories: we select and order immediately so that then we don’t have to pay separately for delivery and installation.

You can download the memo by clicking on the button.

Lifehack by Mr. Build:

If you order new windows in the cold season, when window companies have off-season, you will save 1,200-1,800 rubles. on each design. Orders in late autumn, winter and early spring are very few, therefore, to attract customers manufacturers make discounts up to 15% of the cost of the window, offer free installation or accessories For a present.