How to choose reliable PVC windows

Recently, PVC windows have become an indispensable element of any major overhaul. What caused such a demand for these structures? In the life of every family, not the last place is taken by saving the consumption of electric and thermal energy. Meanwhile, window and door openings are the main sources of heat loss in the apartment and since their inception they require additional improvements in terms of insulation and sealing..

The wooden frames used so far have not been able to fully meet these requirements, since wood has a number of disadvantages that affect the creation of an isolated space. Under the influence of seasonal expansion, cracks form in the wooden frame through which the outside cold air penetrates, disturbing the thermal balance in the apartment. This material is prone to decay and ages quickly enough, losing its strength characteristics..

Thanks to new discoveries in the chemical field, PVC has replaced wood – a new synthetic material with high technological properties. It has found wide application in various areas of production, including door and window production. The structure of the window frame has changed and become more complex. Now it is not a continuous canvas, but a complex single- or multi-chamber design. As for the glass, it has also undergone changes. The new configuration is a double-glazed unit consisting of two or more glasses. Today there are many companies that manufacture PVC windows. How to understand the quality of the offered products and choose the right model?

First you need to decide on the requirements that will be imposed on the design. If the window faces a noisy street, and even with a tram stop, then increased sound insulation will be needed here. Does the window “face” east or south? In this case, the glass unit can be tinted. Do you need to minimize heat loss? Double-glazed windows with a special reflective film are produced. For safe ventilation, special valves are provided on the windows, and to protect against insects and birds from entering open openings, the windows are equipped with mosquito nets. Now let’s consider all this in more detail..

The first task that the window solves is to provide the room with natural light. A sheet of ordinary silicate glass transmits up to 95% of the sunlight. It should be borne in mind that each subsequent sheet slightly reduces the light transmission capacity. The single-chamber design of a double-glazed unit consists of two glasses glued in such a way that a hermetically sealed void (chamber) is formed between them. Often, manufacturers seeking to raise their sales ratings declare the presence of argon gas in the chamber space, which improves the sound insulation and thermal characteristics of the window. So, even with the actual presence of such a gas, these properties increase by only a few percent. What really increases noise absorption and thermal insulation is an increase in the number of chambers. Two-, three-chamber double-glazed windows have a sound absorption coefficient of 37 dB, which can significantly reduce the level of street noise. The thickness of the glass unit that meets the minimum requirements must be at least 32 mm.

But even the maximum number of cameras in a double-glazed window will not save you from extraneous sounds if a low-quality profile is used (in other words, a frame). For the production of the base of the profile, galvanized steel is used, and in cheaper structures – ferrous metal. The thickness of the metal part of a quality profile cannot be less than 1.5 mm. Only such parameters will provide the window with good resistance to wind and shock loads. The polymer coating should be smooth and uniform to the touch, adhere firmly to the base, and be free of chips and scratches. Manufacturers usually cover the plastic surface with a protective film (usually with the image of their logo). The main characteristic of a profile is the number of cameras. The more chambers in the profile and sash, the higher the noise absorption. It should be noted that a fanatical increase in the number of cameras will not lead to the desired result (complete silence), because the sound penetrates not only through the frame and sash. A guaranteed reduction in the penetration of extraneous sounds can be expected when using a three-, four-, five-chamber profile.

The necessary sealing and maximum adhesion of the sashes to the frame are provided by special seals, structurally connected to the contour. Quality seals are made of elastomer, which is a synthetic rubber. This material can withstand significant temperature changes (from -50 to +100) without deterioration of its properties, resistant to ultraviolet light, atmospheric precipitation and mechanical stress. Experts prefer a two-circuit system of gaskets, which ensures maximum adhesion of the structural elements of the window.

Any window looks unnatural without fittings. A reliable system of hinges, locking and fixing provides the necessary functionality of the product. In the market of fittings for PVC windows, a special place is occupied by products of German manufacturers.

The presence of additional options increases the useful properties of the PVC window. For example, if you are away from home for a long time, when you cannot leave a window open for security reasons, you can use the ventilation system. This system allows fresh air to enter the apartment without opening access to the interior space of the room. The mosquito net will keep unpleasant surprises in the form of midges, mosquitoes and even birds. Hidden hinges will not spoil the appearance of the window with protruding elements. The child lock will not allow the child to open the sash wide.

The technology for the production of PVC windows allows them to be made in any configuration – rectangular, semicircular or round, which gives freedom to fill the window opening of any profile. If the width of the opening is less than 50 cm, then it is inappropriate to make a window with a sash, otherwise the remaining light opening will not provide the necessary insolation. And the one-piece window has higher thermal insulation and sound-absorbing characteristics. According to the method of opening, the sashes are fanlight (opens from top to bottom), swivel (rotates around the vertical axis) and tilt and turn (opens by turning around the vertical axis, and also opens from above). When filling a large-sized window opening, it must be borne in mind that the area of ​​the largest part of the window cannot exceed 2.8 m², since in this case the windage increases to a critical level and the glass unit may collapse under the action of wind loads.

PVC windows have entered our lives for a long time, providing coziness and comfort in our home. When choosing the necessary equipment, you need to approach this issue with responsibility, so that later, during further operation, there are no problems with unaccounted for nuances.