The installation or replacement of windows is an important stage of major repairs and housing arrangements. How to choose high-quality and reliable plastic windows that will last for many years and will reliably protect the house from drafts and frost?
profile The main component of the plastic window is the profile. There is an opinion that it must necessarily be imported, best of all - German. However, the entire profile present on the market today is produced in Russia, on imported equipment and on Western technologies. Pay more attention to the quality of plastic. It must:
- be resistant to ultraviolet and heat,
- do not change color with time,
- tolerate sharp temperature fluctuations,
- have a thickness of at least 3 mm.
A profile produced under the license of large companies, for example, Rehau, Veka, KBE, is made of such plastic.
The main technical characteristic for choosing a profile is the number of chambers, it is considered that the "five-chamber" is warmer than the "three-chamber" one. It is true, but the difference is not critical. All the same, most of the heat loss occurs through the glass( for warming of such windows read here).It is much more important to pay attention to the reinforcement of the profile. At the booths of the installation companies, there is necessarily a profile or window in the section. Take a closer look at him. If a metal pipe with a square cross-section is used to reinforce the profile, it is suitable for installing even a heavy double-glazed unit and can withstand the weight of wide flaps. If the metal profile in the section is not closed( U-shaped), then the windows will not be so reliable - possibly the sagging of the leaflets. Metal reinforcement construction should also not be too thin.
Insulating glass
The number of windows depends on the noise and heat insulation of the window, on their quality - the amount of light that enters the room. If your windows face a busy road, a window with a double-glazed window with less than two cameras will disappoint you. The two-chamber package is also recommended for apartments and houses in the middle zone, whose owners want to save on heating, in the colder regions the best option is a three-chamber glass unit.
Fittings
Ease of use and durability of the window depend on the fittings. This is technically the most difficult part of the window. Trying to save on hardware will lead to the fact that in 2-3 years the window will be difficult to close, there will be crevices between the frame and the window. Like the profile, the German furniture is considered to be of the highest quality, but, unlike the first one, it is usually actually produced in Germany.
Excellent reputation with Siegenia-Aubi fittings, ROTO FRANK, they are coated with a 3-layer anti-corrosion coating with a wax coating, which is especially well protected against moisture. On the adjustment of the accessories of plastic windows you can read in this article.
Make sure that the windows are equipped with:
- microlift. This device partially reduces the load on the sash, prevents them from slamming shut and eliminates the need for frequent window adjustments.
- by the blocker of incorrect opening which does not allow to turn the handle upwards at already opened sash. This will protect against the hanging of the leaf on one loop and its breakage.
- quality sealant made of rubber. Elastic and wear-resistant material guarantees better insulation and serves much longer than cheap analogues made of polymer.
If you are worried about the safety of your home, inquire about the burglary resistance of windows. Anti-tamper protection usually consists of a steel plate on the side of the handle and makes it impossible to open the window from the side of the street, even if it is set to the ventilation mode.
The manufacturer
The vast majority of companies offering installation of windows do not produce any of their elements themselves. They buy a profile from some suppliers, double-glazed windows are ordered from others. However, in promotional booklets, the price of finished windows from competitors may differ significantly, even if it is indicated that they are made from the same profile. With what it can be connected, and how to avoid mistakes when choosing?
- Windows with high-quality German fittings will cost about 1 thousand rubles more expensive than with Chinese. When comparing offers from different companies, do not forget to ask not only the profile manufacturer, but also the accessories.
- Double glazed windows with factory reject or just low quality also reduce the cost of the finished window. In the leaky double-glazed window, dust and moisture will accumulate over time, the glass will become cloudy and will be covered from the inside with condensate.
- The installation of the window also affects its overall quality. Slots under the windowsill, small deviations from the vertical lead to drafts. Even if the installer recognizes his mistake, resetting windows in the middle of winter is a dubious pleasure. Even before ordering windows, ask for the experience and qualifications of the masters, received or certificates.
- Buying windows through the Internet is only if you or your friends have already used the services of this company. In the smoothness of closing and opening, it is better to check the quality of the glass on a real sample.
- Contact companies that have installed windows for at least 5 years. They must provide a full range of services - from measuring and dismantling to finishing slopes. So you will know for sure who to claim for poor work.
- The more the warranty - the better, because this is how the manufacturer declares its confidence in the quality of the windows. However, it is better to prefer a company with a long experience in the market and a guarantee of 5 years than a "30-year guarantee" from a one-day company. The guarantee should extend not only to the profile, the double-glazed window and the fittings, but also to installation and finishing works.
- Be sure to enter into an agreement with the listing of all technical details, window sizes, specific installation dates, penalties for delay and defects.
When choosing a window, remember that there are no miracles. For a quality product that will serve you decades without criticism, you will have to pay a price above the market average.
