What is the difference between plastic windows and metal-plastic ones? The difference between plastic and metal-plastic windows

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 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.

Definition

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 conventional plastic structures. And even in appearance they are largely similar. However, in terms of design features, there are certain differences. These products use an additional metal frame built into the profile, which is also the basis of the entire structure. WITH outside It's still the same plastic, so there's no difference 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

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.

Conclusions website

1. 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.
2. Plastic windows are less durable, while metal-plastic windows provide the necessary reliability due to additional reinforcement.
3. Lifetime plastic windows 2–3 decades, and metal-plastic ones can live more than 50 years.
4. Plastic windows most often come in the usual rectangular shape, but metal-plastic windows can be given other shapes.
5. The price of plastic windows is noticeably lower than metal-plastic ones.

Every day the construction services market is filled with various innovative developments. Starting with professional tools and ending with structures and fittings. For example, a couple of decades ago, each of us had standard wooden windows installed, then the era of plastic windows came, and now all this is considered a relic of the past. Currently, frameless glazing technology is enjoying great success, displacing the classical technology of installing frames and vertical racks. Plastic windows have been replaced by metal-plastic ones, which are characterized by increased wear resistance and reliability.

At first glance, not everyone will be able to distinguish metal-plastic windows from plastic ones; outwardly they are identical, since both use plastic on the outside. But they have been significantly modified design features. In the production process of metal-plastic windows, metal frame reinforcement is used to PVC profile. As a result, even under the scorching rays of the sun, the frame and fittings are not deformed.

If you analyze and compare metal-plastic windows with plastic ones, you can highlight common functional properties - excellent sound and noise insulation, as well as burglary resistance. But metal has an undeniable advantage plastic profile, if you want to glaze a balcony with windows in the form of an arch or some other shape, then plastic windows will not suit you, since they are produced only in a simple rectangular shape.

It is important to consider that a metal-plastic profile is much more expensive than a plastic one, but quality is never cheap. Among the leaders in the field of window production are the European companies Rehau and Veka; they have been operating in the construction market for several years and have positive reviews among potential consumers.

The first thing you need to start with is to pay special attention to the choice of thickness and material of the reinforced frame. After all, the level of corrosion exposure depends on it. The most acceptable thickness is from 1.5 mm, material is galvanized steel. Also in the construction services market there are more cheap option frame, which is made of ferrous metal. It has an undeniable disadvantage - it can quickly begin to rust, causing marks in the area of ​​​​the drainage holes.

Choosing a metal-plastic window is no different from a regular plastic one, here everyone chooses what they want, the number of cameras, double-glazed windows, fittings, profile thickness, etc. But it is important to take into account that the classic plastic profile is mainly chosen for installation in apartments, dachas, country houses. Metal-plastic windows are installed mainly in rooms where high dynamic loads are common, sharp changes climate, heavy winds, etc.

Of course, not all manufacturing companies strive to reduce the cost of the profile by using low-quality fittings and reducing the thickness of the profile, but there are some. In this regard, take into account the market cost when ordering the installation of metal-plastic windows, because reducing the wall thickness leads to a decrease in strength and durability. Also choose a profile with closed metal reinforcement; it can easily withstand sudden changes in dynamic loads.

Window selection video

Don't forget that even the best and expensive windows, can be ruined, unprofessional installation. Choose only trusted window installation companies, because their durability directly depends on the craftsmen.

The desire to save money often pushes buyers to choose cheap windows, which at first glance do not differ from expensive ones. This is not surprising: there is a great temptation to buy the same thing, but at a lower price. As they say, if you can't see the difference, why pay more? But is there really no difference? Unfortunately, unscrupulous manufacturers often reduce prices at the expense of the quality of their products. And then today's savings can result in double expenses for repairing or replacing windows.

What saving methods are used by unscrupulous manufacturers and how does this affect the quality of the product? Let's look at it in the article.

• Profile. The manufacturer can save a lot by reducing the cost of the plastic profile. This is achieved in three ways. Firstly, cheaper components and recycled materials are added to plastic. This may cause the profile to change color and cause a bad odor. Secondly, manufacturers can save on modifiers and stabilizers, which ensure durability, strength and resistance of the product to adverse conditions. You can imagine how a profile with inferior analogues of these components will behave. Some manufacturers save by reducing the thickness of the profile walls, which also reduces the strength and durability of the product.
• Reinforcement. PVC does not have high rigidity, therefore, in the manufacture of windows, reinforcing liners made of galvanized steel are used. Unscrupulous manufacturers reduce the thickness of the liner, use low-quality coating, or even replace the galvanized metal with “black” metal that is not able to resist corrosion. All this has a detrimental effect on the strength and durability of the structure.
• Double-glazed window. Using cheap, low-grade glass can significantly reduce. However, along with the savings, the buyer receives problems such as fogged, cloudy windows with air bubbles.
• Seals. In order to save money, manufacturers choose seals made from low-quality material. This can affect the functionality of the window immediately or after a couple of years - the service life and performance characteristics of the structure are reduced, and its appearance may change over time.
• Accessories. Cheap components will quickly fail, as a result the window will not open and close well or will completely lose this ability, and drafts and dampness will appear in the house.
• Equipment. Purchasing and modifying quality equipment requires a significant investment. But not all manufacturers are ready for this. Some people set up handicraft production in their garage. where windows are made using improvised means. It is easy to imagine the quality of the resulting product.
• Work force. Qualified specialists are also expensive. The result of savings in this area is various errors in production: poor-quality welding of corner joints, incorrect installation of fittings and seals, etc.
• Installation. You should not assume that you can install windows yourself or with the help of friends. The service life largely depends on the quality of installation of the plastic window; you should not save on it. Otherwise, drafts may appear, the windows will begin to fog up, the sashes will not close well, and the fittings may fail.
• Mandatory certification. The lack of certificates for the manufacturer's products should immediately alert you. This means that the products have not been tested, and their quality has not been confirmed in any way.

Thus, the main criterion for choosing a window should not be price, but quality, confirmed by certificates and a manufacturer’s guarantee.

An increasing number of people are choosing more modern designs as a replacement for outdated wooden windows.

In most cases, consumers give preference to plastic or, as they are also called, metal-plastic windows. But wait, are these the same thing? Let's figure it out.

The easiest way is to combine both of these concepts into a general one and give it a definition (however, this has already been done before) double-glazed windows. But it will not be too complete, since when clarifying, you will still need to indicate their type - plastic or metal-plastic. In fact, both of them have a lot in common but, at the same time, differ in certain parameters.

Plastic windows– the basis for their production is polyvinyl chloride, abbreviated as PVC. Such structures consist of several layers that are hermetically located in a frame. It is this feature of their design that provides higher heat and sound insulation. Such double-glazed windows are universal in terms of use in interior design in the most different style, they will fit harmoniously into it and provide an optimal level of comfort.

Metal-plastic windows– they are characterized by all of the above advantages of plastic specimens, however, they have certain structural differences. Compared to ordinary plastic double glazed windows, these windows additionally have a metal frame, which is the basis of the entire structure. It provides them with higher strength and stability, therefore, while outwardly looking almost identical to plastic windows, metal-plastic double-glazed windows are more reliable in terms of operation.

Scope of application and key differences

We would like to note that due to additional reinforcement, metal-plastic windows in Kyiv, as well as other cities, have greater strength and reliability, so it makes sense to give them preference if they are used in more severe climatic conditions. Due to the enhanced metal frame structures, they are able to more effectively withstand strong gusts of wind; therefore, for example, on the upper floors of houses it is advisable to choose them. At the same time, plastic windows have found their application almost everywhere; they are installed in private houses, cottages, and apartments. Here are a few main differences between metal-plastic and plastic windows:

• plastic structures are less durable than their “metal” counterparts;
• the service life of windows with a reinforced structure can reach 50 years, while ordinary PVC copies can last 20-30 years;
• V financially A more acceptable option would be plastic windows, the price of which is significantly lower than that of metal-plastic models.

But in any case, the scope of use of both types of double-glazed windows is largely similar and, first of all, it depends on the preferences of the buyer himself, which to give preference to.

It would seem, what is easier - to buy a plastic window? Nowadays you can find a window company in every yard. But when you start to deal with this issue, you are faced with such diversity profile systems and the price range makes your head spin. What is the difference between window characteristics? different manufacturers? Why, at first glance, does the same window have different prices? different companies? Is it worth it to be tempted by cheapness? What is hidden behind low price PVC windows?

In this article we will try to figure out what makes windows cheaper and what manufacturers of cheap windows are silent about plastic structures? It is better to know the answers to these questions in advance in order to truly benefit from buying a plastic window.

So, what is the difference between cheap plastic windows and expensive ones?

Profile

The first thing we start with when choosing plastic windows is the profile. IN Lately a lot of very inexpensive profile systems have appeared, which initially appearance do not differ from well-known brands such as KBE, VEKA, REHAU. Let's consider how savings are achieved in the production of cheap profiles.

First of all, this is the use of recyclable materials, that is, recycled, not virgin PVC, which leads to a change in color and even an unpleasant odor.

The second way to save money is to replace expensive modifiers and stabilizers, which are responsible for the strength, durability and environmental friendliness of plastic, its color and resistance to atmospheric influences (ultraviolet radiation, precipitation, temperature changes), with inferior analogues of these components. This could be lead, the use of which is prohibited in the European Union, or chalk, which initially gives whiteness (unfortunately short-lived) to the profile, but at the same time increases the fragility of the plastic.

And the third aspect of reducing profile prices is reducing the thickness of the front walls. Based on this criterion, a profile class is assigned (GOST 30673-99): class A 3mm, class B 2.5mm. This characteristic directly affects the strength of PVC and the quality of its installation.

Reinforcement

German technologies for the production of PVC windows involve the use of reinforcing liners made of galvanized steel with a thickness of at least 1.5 mm to impart rigidity to the profile. Some short-sighted window assemblers are able to replace the metal with thinner (up to 0.6 mm) or non-galvanized metal. This leads not only to the desired reduction in price, but also to a deterioration in the strength and performance of the plastic window as a whole.

Double-glazed window

Even the most ordinary double-glazed window can be made cheaper by manufacturing it in violation of standards. Some owners of PVC windows have already encountered the painful problem of tightness and fogging of glass from inside the double-glazed window. This is a clear saving in the quantity and quality of the molecular sieve (the adsorbent inside the aluminum frame between the glasses). Another problem is related to the low grade of glass ( premium grade M1) with visible defects: debris, bubbles, specks.

Seals

The sealing contour in a plastic window plays an important role - it is responsible for the tightness of the glass unit being pressed against the frame and sash profiles, as well as the tightness of the sash rebate to the frame, thereby ensuring the tightness of the plastic windows. To save money, manufacturers of PVC windows often use sealing contours made from the material Low quality. With the onset of cold weather this becomes a problem. A high-quality sealing contour must be evenly distributed in the profile groove intended for this purpose and be elastic, especially in the cold season. In large productions this is carefully monitored, placing the sealant in special chambers to test its elasticity.

Accessories

Approximately 60% of the cost of a window is fittings. She is responsible for tight pressure and ventilation of the sash. High-quality fittings allow easy adjustment with a regular hexagon and have basic configuration first class of burglary resistance, micro-slot ventilation is required and a tilt lock prevents the sash from hanging on one hinge. Forget about it if you purchase an inexpensive window with fittings unknown brand, and get ready to seal your windows for the winter “the old fashioned way”, now plastic windows.

Equipment

Factory quality is valued for good reason. Availability expensive equipment(as a rule, these are imported machines), the so-called “testing room”, department technical control Quality control department allows you to control and guarantee high quality plastic windows. Such windows can be immediately distinguished from homemade ones by special identification marks and a production barcode.

Work force

Skilled labor must be well paid. Otherwise, the end customer has a non-viable product with numerous errors during production. The Internet is replete with such moments: poor-quality soldering of welds and their cleaning, incorrect milling of functional holes, incorrect execution of mechanical connections, handicraft installation of seals and locking devices.

Installation

Nowadays, plastic windows have become commonplace, and everyone is taking on the installation of PVC windows. Therefore, as a result, we see inverted products with tilting from below, “piled up” towards the street and simply crooked windows. All this is a consequence of savings when purchasing plastic window blocks.

Mandatory certification

Some window companies proudly inform the client that they have own production not far from the city. In such cases, do not hesitate to ask for certificates of their products for compliance state standard. Remember that on the territory of the Russian Federation, the requirements of GOST 30674-99 “WINDOW BLOCKS FROM POLYVINYL CHLORIDE PROFILES” are mandatory for compliance.

Let's sum it up!

An attractively low price is not always the result of a fair discount. Changing wooden window to plastic, you must get rid of cracks and blow-ins, low sound insulation, crooked sagging sashes, the need to seal the windows for the winter and repair them in the spring. Due to savings, you risk maintaining old problems by spending money.