Today, the problem of energy saving is very acute, and therefore it remains urgent to replace or install new windows that will reduce heat loss in your home, being more airtight compared to traditional wooden ones. At the same time, it is desirable that they have beauty, ease of use, practicality and quality. Today many companies offer windows different designs, material of manufacture, purpose and price.

A good plastic window should protect from cold and noise, and be not only beautiful, but also reliable. And, definitely, the window should last a long time.

So how do plastic windows differ from each other and from other windows?

Difference from each other

Plastic device

The window consists of:

• frames;
• double-glazed windows;
• accessories;
• window sill;
• drainage

Frame

In the southern coastal climate with fairly strong seasonal winds, especially for multi-storey buildings, the use of windows with a profile thickness of less than 60 mm is not recommended.

The frame makes up 20-30% of the window area and is made of a plastic profile reinforced with metal. The profile can be three- or five-chamber with different configurations and relative positions of the chambers. Moreover, its width is either 58 mm or 70 mm (for the northern regions of the continent it can be thicker). Chambers are formed inside the profile by partitions so that air rollers are placed around the perimeter of the frame, which help achieve high sound and thermal insulation, and affect the strength and rigidity of the frames.

In addition, frame profiles differ in the thickness of their walls, material and reinforcement technology. The profile can be reinforced on all 4 sides of the window or only on 3.

IN inexpensive systems To save plastic, sometimes the thickness of the walls of the chambers is reduced, which leads to a decrease in strength and frost resistance. The outer surface of the frames can be glossy or matte.

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Double-glazed windows

Double-glazed windows are a structure 34 mm or 44 mm thick, consisting of several glass sheets connected along the edge, between which the space is filled with rarefied air or argon (which does not greatly affect their thermal conductivity). They come in one-, two- and three-chamber types with chamber thicknesses from 6 to 16 mm and are differentiated depending on the severity of the climate. The quality and thickness of the glass in the package varies (from 4 to 7 mm), as well as their properties: ordinary glass, energy-saving K-glass or I-glass (with silver ions deposited on their surface). For the best sound insulation and for various climate zone The thickness of the glass in the package is combined.

Accessories

The picture shows: handles, lifter blocker, micro-ventilation function, adjustable locking trunnions, built-in lock, clamp of the lower hinge of the sash.

Fittings are locks, hinges, handles, that is, all those mechanical elements thanks to which windows are able to open and close and on which ease of use mainly depends. They are resistant to wear, stress and safety. Windows in the direction of opening can be rotary or tilting with or without the possibility of slot ventilation. The systems also allow you to install: mosquito nets, blinds, ventilation systems etc. Recently during production plastic windows began to install climate control, which smoothly regulates the flow fresh air without dirt and dust. The hinges of cheap fittings do not have the ability to adjust them, which can lead to unadjustable gaps, which will lead to additional loss of thermal energy.

Window sills

Window sills are a section of a special plastic profile with special plugs. The main requirement for them is their strength, which depends on the thickness of the walls and the number of internal partitions. Their appearance depends on the material of manufacture.

Aluminum

Windows whose frames are made of aluminum alloy (and not pure aluminum, as some might think) are widely used windows. The aluminum profile is similar to the plastic one: it has internal chambers, places for installing double-glazed windows and seals.

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Differences from plastic

Thermal conductivity of frames

Aluminum windows are more expensive than others, but they are durable, have great thermal conductivity, are easy to clean and can have any complex shape.

Aluminum's ability to transfer heat is much greater than that of polyvinyl chloride, so frames made of aluminum must have more cameras and special insulating fillers. Aluminum profiles There are “cold” and “warm”. “Cold” are profiles with a small number of chambers (about two), designed for installation in places where there is no need for thermal insulation (indoors, balconies, technical buildings). There are many “warm” cameras and they successfully compete with plastic ones. In addition, in aluminum profiles, in order to avoid the appearance of a thermal bridge, walls made of a special polyamide material are inserted along the contour - a thermal break is created.

Frame stiffness

Plastic is softer than aluminum, and to increase the rigidity and strength of frames made from them, they are reinforced with metal, eliminating this difference.

Durability

It is clear that metal retains its neat appearance longer. Aluminum window profiles remain attractive almost twice as long as plastic ones. In addition, if aluminum frames are damaged, the profile can be restored or replaced, which cannot be done with PVC frames. But scratches on metal are more clearly visible, and it is almost impossible to eliminate or disguise them.

In case of fire, an aluminum window is resistant to high temperatures, but plastic is not.

Only from aluminum can windows be made very large sizes. In addition, aluminum is absolutely fireproof.

Light conductivity

Due to greater strength aluminum windows, compared to plastic ones, they have thin frames, which increases the area of ​​the glass unit, so more light will enter the rooms.

Environmental friendliness

Plastic profiles contain chlorine derived from petroleum, which turns into dioxins when used windows are burned, and aluminum alloys easy to recycle.

From the article you will learn:

The main difference between double-glazed windows concerns the number of their chambers, as well as the thickness and properties of the glass from which they are composed. In the majority modern houses windows with one, two or three chambers are used - this number optimally combines the insulating characteristics and cost of the structure. Of course, it will better protect the room from noise and street cold, however, its cost is incomparably higher than that of a single-chamber analogue.

Third - inert gas used to fill the chambers of the glass unit

To reduce the thermal conductivity of plastic windows, the chambers of their double-glazed windows are filled. It increases the insulating characteristics of the structure by 5-10%. The value, of course, is small, but in regions with severe frosts even such insulation plays an important role.

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The amount of increase in heat capacity depends on what kind of inert gas is pumped into the glass unit. Modern manufacturers use three main varieties:

• argon
• xenon
• krypton

In the manufacture of standard windows, argon is usually used - its cost is relatively low, but its insulating characteristics leave much to be desired. Xenon has the maximum heat capacity, but it is an expensive substance, and therefore is used only for custom-made plastic windows or for VIP models.

The chambers of inexpensive windows for standard buildings are often filled with ordinary compressed air.

Fourth - accessories

The differences between plastic windows include what fittings they are equipped with. The group of window fittings includes a solid list of mechanisms and components that facilitate the use of the structure or its configuration. Both Russian and foreign companies produce window fittings, but today the most reliable and high-quality products are considered

What is the difference between plastic windows (PVC profile)

Now many people are faced with the choice of replacing old wooden windows with modern metal-plastic windows. And they wonder which windows to choose, what is the difference between pvc windows, and which is better?

When choosing new plastic windows, you need to decide for yourself whether you are ready to pay for a quality product, or whether you will be satisfied with any metal-plastic windows, the main thing is that the price is not high. Today there are dozens of companies producing plastic windows on the market. It should be borne in mind that there are only three real companies engaged in the development and evolution of the window industry. These are well-known German companies VEKA, Rehau, KBE.

As you might guess, other companies producing plastic windows are enterprises that purchase patents and manufacture PVC products under their own label. And it seems that it doesn’t sound bad, if you copy the products of famous companies, the output should be no worse, the difficulty is that the production of the dough itself from which PVC products are made is a rather complex and very expensive process, and not everyone can vouch for the quality and environmental friendliness. Don't forget about plastic window fittings

, it determines how the opening, tilting and locking of the window will function. German companies such as Siegenia and ROTO are also leaders in the window fittings market. And to make it easier for you to choose a window, we have prepared small introductory articles about the leaders of plastic pvc windows

, according to which we can assume that the window is of good quality and will serve you for a long time and without failures.




And so, let’s briefly try to get acquainted with the pioneers of the window industry. KBE. Today the KBE company is considered a leader in among manufacturers and suppliers metal-plastic windows and doors. Many people mistakenly believe that KBE is a Russian company, I can assure you that this is not so. The KBE company has been on the world market for 30 years, when in Russia they didn’t even know about plastic windows. In the product line, KBE has profiles of 58mm, 70mm and a new premium system with a width of 88mm.





Knowing the difference between plastic windows, one from the other, you can determine what function will your window perform?: Heat insulation, elegant appearance, sound insulation, etc.

• Thermal insulation

  For this, a double-chamber double-glazed window (3-glass) is selected, there is energy saving double glazing with silver atoms applied to the glass and sealed with argon gas, it is also important how many air chambers are in the frame profile itself - the more, the warmer.

• Elegant appearance

  Here it is important to understand that for reputable companies, the entire design was thought out by specialists and combines not only beauty, but practicality. There are very white profiles or glossy or matte surfaces. It depends on the composition of the profile. As elsewhere, it is better to choose a middle ground here.

• Noise insulation

  For this purpose, glass is selected not with standard thickness 4 mm, and thicker - 6 mm, thereby the barrier will prevent greater penetration of noise - this is a soundproofing double-glazed window.

Continuation of the article

Winter is just around the corner. It's getting colder outside, frosts are following one after another, snow will soon fall and it will be possible to say that winter period came into its own. And this, as you know, requires apartment and house owners to take a thoughtful approach to home insulation. One such solution is the installation of double-glazed windows. They are stronger, more reliable, and more convenient to use than conventional ones. wooden windows. But there is one nuance here: there are plastic windows and metal-plastic ones - what is the difference? Not every person can answer this question right away.

Plastic windows- made of PVC or polyvinyl chloride. In their design, they are similar in appearance to ordinary wooden windows, but differ more complex design. They consist of several layers, separated from each other and hermetically installed in a special frame. Thanks to this, in comparison with conventional windows, double-glazed windows have better sound and heat insulation. They can be installed not only in city apartments, but almost anywhere where there is a need.
Metal-plastic windows- also have all of the above advantages, which are described in the usual plastic structures. And even in appearance they are largely similar. However, from the point of view design features there are certain differences. These products use additional metal carcass, built into the profile, it is also the basis of the entire structure. WITH outside it's still the same plastic, so there are no differences in appearance. But in terms of strength and stability, metal-plastic windows are ahead of simple plastic. In professional language they say that such structures are “reinforced with galvanized profiles.”

Comparison of plastic and metal-plastic windows

Conventional plastic windows are mainly installed in houses, cottages, and apartments. In the same time metal-plastic structures this is the strength and reliability required in more extreme conditions - on the top floors of skyscrapers, as well as in harsh climatic conditions where strong winds prevail.
The durability of conventional plastic is somewhat lower due to the fact that it does not have additional reinforcement, while metal-plastic can “survive” much longer.
Conventional plastic windows are distinguished by their simple geometry, while metal-plastic can be given various shapes: lancet, arched, round and so on.
The price of plastic windows is lower than that of metal-plastic ones. Although such savings may not always be justified.

TheDifference.ru determined that the difference between plastic and metal-plastic windows is as follows:

Plastic windows can be installed in ordinary houses or apartments, and metal-plastic products are more justified on the top floors of skyscrapers, where strong gusts of wind prevail.
Plastic windows are less durable, while metal-plastic windows provide the necessary reliability due to additional reinforcement.
The service life of plastic windows is 2–3 decades, and metal-plastic ones can live for more than 50 years.
Plastic windows most often come in the usual rectangular shape, but metal-plastic ones can be given other shapes.
The price of plastic windows is noticeably lower than metal-plastic ones.