Plastic profile for windows - design features and rating of the best brands

Modern apartments and houses are different from those that were built in our country several decades ago. Nowadays, new high-quality finishing materials and modern construction technologies are used in construction; high demands are placed on energy saving. The requirements for windows have also changed.

Features of choosing plastic windows

Wooden structures, which were previously traditionally installed in houses, have today been replaced by modern PVC windows, which can significantly increase energy saving in each room. In addition, plastic products are more reliable and durable. PVC windows have an excellent appearance and high sound and heat insulation characteristics.

✅ Which brand of PVC windows is the best?

Don't look for the answer to this question. In the modern market, almost every profile fully complies with all technical requirements. standards Choose any! We will tell you the most popular profiles in Minsk (and in Belarus) - these are KBE, Salamander, Rehau, Veka, Brusbox.
But remember that windows made from the best plastic profile can be ruined by simple poor-quality installation. Profile comparison table

✅ Which double-glazed window should I choose?

For an apartment - two-chamber from 40 mm. For cold rooms from 24 mm. If we talk about improved options, then pay attention to energy-saving and multifunctional packages. Read more about double-glazed windows.

✅ What fittings should I order a window with?

Global manufacturers of fittings with an excellent reputation: Roto, Maco, Winkhaus, Siegenia-Aubi. You can be confident in the reliability of windows with such fittings. Read more about accessories.

✅ What is the difference between an expensive window and a cheap one?

Of course, quality - assembly, fittings, profiles, installation, seals, double-glazed windows, window sills, etc. A good window cannot be cheap. The cheapest window will last 3-5 years and, at a minimum, will require replacement of all fittings.

Taking into account the temperature zone

When choosing a plastic profile, it is worth considering the climatic features of the region. Firstly, so as not to overpay for unnecessary temperature stability. Secondly, so as not to inadvertently take a profile that may be of high quality, but completely unadapted to a certain climate.

Manufacturers divide species profiles depending on the temperature in January:

lightweight - for regions with a warm climate, where the average winter temperature is above 00C. The profile must withstand short-term drops to -50C;
standard – for temperate climates with an average January temperature of up to -200C. Can withstand up to -450C for a short period;
frost-resistant - for regions where in winter the temperature drops to -550C.

Is the cost of a window an indicator of quality?

How not to get confused in the large selection of PVC window manufacturers and order the ideal option for yourself? The Internet is full of offers for the production of plastic windows from all kinds of German, Russian, Ukrainian and even Belarusian window profiles. As a rule, on the phone they say: “Order windows from a more expensive profile! They are better!

Why are cheap windows worse?

Expensive profiles are easy to clean and do not turn yellow, thanks to the quality of the plastic. Strong reinforcement is installed so that the window does not deform over time . The quality of the seals , and therefore the thermal insulation of the window,
also depends on the profile manufacturer Everything else is affected by: installation, fittings and double-glazed windows.

Prices for standard windows

We hope that we have answered popular questions when choosing windows. Now we’ll tell you in more detail what you need to pay attention to when searching for windows.

Seal contours

Sealing contours are necessary to protect the apartment from noise and drafts, and to keep out small particles of dust and dirt.
The more sealing contours, the better - in theory. In practice, it has been proven that 2-3 seals will be enough to ensure sufficient tightness. The seal can be made of the following materials:

silicone is a durable material that withstands moisture, sunlight, temperature changes, and can withstand critically high and low temperatures. This is an ideal seal, but it is very expensive, so it is rarely used;
rubber - on the contrary, is a very cheap material, therefore it is used often. The sealant is able to perfectly close all the cracks, but in the cold it hardens, losing its properties, and frequent temperature changes can lead to its cracking;
ethylene propylene rubber ( EPDM) – balance in price and quality. Durable, resistant to sunlight and temperature changes, mechanical stress.

How to choose a PVC profile for plastic windows?

PVC window profile is a solution that has forever saved many property owners from regular problems with painting and puttying wooden frames. Thanks to the new level of noise and heat insulation, the microclimate in many homes has also improved qualitatively. We provide turnkey installation services for PVC windows.

Our company sells products of famous brands. Each manufacturer has put its own emphasis on the production process. This allows you to select a product from the catalog that best suits your individual needs:

Rahau windows - Bestseller!
A modern and reliable brand of plastic window profiles, which is known and used not only throughout Belarus, but throughout the world.
Windows KBE (German) - produced using Greenline technology, which eliminates the use of lead as a stabilizer. The environmentally friendly compound of calcium and zinc makes the window profile absolutely safe for health, gives it resistance to harmful influences, and the ability to last up to 50 years;
Salamander windows (German) are windows that were developed with special attention to energy-saving characteristics. A wide range of options for adjusting the level of noise and thermal insulation. The special durability of the window profile is ensured by a unique anti-corrosion treatment.
Budget windows Dexen - windows from the Dexen profile are the most suitable option for a cold balcony or for glazing of country houses. Prices for windows are lower due to the fact that the products are manufactured in Belarus - profile delivery is cheaper, but we draw your attention to the fact that the windows comply with all standards and requirements.

The table contains a detailed comparison of the characteristics of windows from different PVC profile manufacturers. Starting from thermal conductivity and ending with a recommendation in which room it is recommended to install windows.

Resistance to mechanical loads

Plastic is not the strongest material, and the stability of a plastic profile is determined by how correct the internal structure it has and how well the plastic itself can withstand negative temperatures.
Based on resistance to mechanical loads, profiles are divided into two classes:

Class I – the profile can withstand a fall from a height of 1 m by a striker weighing 1 kg at a temperature of -100C;
Class II – the profile can withstand the same impact, but from a height of 1.5 m.

Comparison of PVC window profiles of popular brands

Technical catalog of characteristics of window manufacturers

Profile >	Dexen		KBE	Rehau				Salamander
Name:	58	70	Expert	Blitz	Delight	Grazio	Intelio 80	Streamline
Profile class:	B	B	B	B	A	A	A	B	A
Profile manufacturer:	Belarus	Belarus	Germany	Russia	Russia	Russia	Russia	Belarus	Germany
Mounting profile width:	58 mm	70 mm	70 mm	60 mm	70 mm	70 mm	80 mm	76 mm	76 mm
Number of air chambers	5 cameras	5 cameras	5 cameras	3 +thermo	5 cameras	5 cameras	6 cameras	5 cameras	5 cameras
Life time	40 years	40 years	50 years	60 years	60 years	60 years	60 years	60 years	60 years
Heat and noise insulation:
Package options:	4-16-4 4-10-4-10-4	4-16-4 4-10-4-10-4	4-16-4 4-10-4-10-4	4-10-4-10-4 4-16-4-16-4	4-10-4-10-4 4-16-4-16-4	4-10-4-10-4 4-16-4-16-4	4-10-4-10-4 4-16-4-16-4	4-10-4-10-4 4-16-4-16-4	4-10-4-10-4 4-16-4-16-4
Double-glazed window width	24/32mm	40mm	24/40mm	32mm	40mm	40mm	40mm	40mm	40/48mm
Heat transfer coefficient (Heat transfer)	R def= 0.71m2 0С/W	R def= 0.71m2 0С/W	R def= 0.71m2 0С/W	R def= 0.70m2 0С/W	R def= 0.94m2 0С/W	R def= 0.85m2 0С/W	R def= 0.98m2 0С/W	R def= 0.71m2 0С/W	R def= 0.71m2 0С/W
Frost resistance C0	-500С	-500С	-600С	-600С	-600С	-650C	-700С	-600С	-600С
Sealant	4	4	5	6	6	6	6	6	6
Profile surface	Matte	Matte	Satin	Satin	Satin	Satin	Satin	Gloss	Gloss
Seal color	Black	Black	Black	Black	White	Black	Grey	Black	Black
Purpose	Balcony Dacha	Balcony Dacha	Balcony Dacha Apartment Cottage	Balcony Apartment Cottage	Apartment Cottage	Apartment Cottage	Apartment Cottage	Balcony Apartment Cottage	Apartment Cottage
Price segment	Cheap	Cheap	Standard	Standard	Premium	Premium	Premium	Standard	Premium
Overall rating

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We understand double-glazed windows: type and quantity of glass, markings, spacer frame

A double-glazed window compared to traditional window glass is a complex design. This is a block of glass, hermetically sealed together. The space between the two glass sheets is called the chamber. It should not be confused with those included in the profile.

What does the thermal and sound insulation of a double-glazed window depend on?

The ability to retain heat and keep noise out depends on:

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

From the width of each chamber of the glass unit. The larger it is, the better the insulating characteristics. However, after 24 mm, increasing the thickness no longer increases the positive properties of the product.

From filling the cells. Inert gas pumped between the glasses reduces heat loss and 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 install 5 or 6 mm external glass instead of the standard 4 mm in a window facing a busy street, the sound insulation will increase, but only slightly. And glass of different thicknesses will not resonate with each other.

Depending on the type of glass. It makes sense to choose a material that is more expensive, but with additional useful properties. Low-emissivity glass that reflects infrared rays keeps your home warm in winter and cool in summer.

Advice from Mr. Build. Sometimes there is no point in spending money on extra glass: you can put single-chamber double-glazed windows on the external block of the balcony, and the internal block 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 install single-chamber double-glazed windows on the balcony, the total cost will drop to 71,250 rubles.

Glass types

To obtain low-emissivity glass, a thin metal film is sprayed onto it.

K-coating is a tin film that reduces heat loss by 25% in a single-chamber double-glazed window.
I-coating (i) is a layer of rare earth metals that retains more than 30% of heat. It is installed only from the room side, the coating is turned inside the chamber, since it is not resistant to mechanical damage. Often labeled E-low.

USEFUL INFORMATION: Window in the bedroom: decoration and design

Due to such glass, a single-chamber double-glazed window approaches the thermal insulation properties of a double-chamber one and can even exceed them.

If you listen to the recommendations of experts in the field of energy saving, then the best choice in terms of heat conservation will be a two-chamber double-glazed window filled with an inert gas and having one glass with a special coating. Thermal packages will help you save on heating in winter and on electricity due to less frequent use of air conditioning in summer.

Let's look at 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 operation of 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 pay 180,000 rubles for them. But at the same time, heating costs would drop to 4,800 rubles. per month, and for air conditioning – up to 420 rubles. It turns out that thermal packages pay for themselves in two years, and then bring benefits.

It is practically impossible to break glass laminated with triplex. The same quality is found in glass reinforced with special metal or polymer meshes.

INTERESTING FACTS!

Energy-saving i-glass was invented completely by accident. Japanese scientists were researching the development of protective equipment against radiation and found that some metals applied to glass reflect heat. First, this technology found application in space developments, and is now used in the manufacture of double-glazed windows.
Scientists still have not been able to explain one amazing phenomenon. After 39 years of operation of a plastic window, the outer wall of the profile becomes 0.75 mm thinner. Not a single version explaining this fact has yet been recognized as sufficiently reliable.
Triplex laminated glass was also created by chance. The famous French scientist Edward Benidictus dropped a glass flask on the floor. It cracked, but did not shatter into fragments. And the reason for this was a mixture of cellulose nitrate, which froze on the walls of the burst flask and created a layer that prevented the glass from disintegrating.

Glass unit markings, tables

The structure of a double-glazed window can be understood by the markings, which indicate the thickness of the glass, the width of the chambers, and the type of coating. For example, the designation 4-12Ar-4-12 Ar-4I is deciphered as follows:

double-glazed window;
glass thickness – 4 mm;
the distance between them is 12 mm;
I-type inner glass;
the chambers are filled with argon.

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

Distance frame

The frame between the glasses sets the distance between them, which ranges from 6 to 24 mm. Frames are made from aluminum, steel, and plastic. Distance 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 moisture absorption. It has an absorbent inside that absorbs liquid, preventing windows from fogging up in winter, and there is perforation on the surface.

Rules for choosing double-glazed windows

To choose reliable double-glazed windows, you need:

Make sure that there is a marking with the manufacturer’s logo, production date and information about components. Its absence is a reason for serious suspicion.
Inspect the glass for chips and cracks.
Check the quality of sealing. There should be no traces of liquid sealant along the bar that regulates the distance between the glasses. The outer layer of the product should look smooth and neat. Sagging and cracks indicate unreliable quality of the package.
Use a tape measure to determine the accuracy of the geometry. The difference in measurements along the diagonals (more than 3 mm) proves that the glass unit parameters do not meet the standards. The thickness of the package, measured with a caliper, cannot differ from the declared thickness by more than 1 mm.
Use a square to measure the displacement of the glass planes. A deviation exceeding 1 mm indicates non-compliance with standards.
Determine the transparency of the glass, the presence of water and steam in the chamber.

Decorative and functional elements

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

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

Built-in blinds can be a convenient addition to the window design. They are located directly in the glass unit chamber and are controlled from the outside. But such a system has a serious drawback - the impossibility of maintenance and repair.

Read about choosing blinds for plastic windows in this article.

It is much more profitable to order all additional fittings and accessories at once: this way you will not have to pay for their delivery and installation, which will cost from 1,300 rubles.

Which glass unit is warmer?

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

Double-glazed window formula	Reduced heat transfer resistance coefficient, 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 conservation, a single double-glazed window with I-glass is superior to a regular double-glazed one.

What is the difference between a profile for a dacha and an apartment?

Rehau - for apartments and balconies

Windows from this manufacturer are suitable for apartments, private houses and loggias. We recommend for children's rooms and kitchens. For country houses or for an apartment for rent, it is better to consider cheaper options.

KBE - universal

Suitable for glazing apartments, cottages, gazebos, offices and loggias. A profile in the middle price segment, which can be called absolutely universal. In an apartment we install a s/package with three glasses, in a dacha (balcony or office) with a s/package with two glasses.

Salamander - for apartments and cottages

For glazing of apartments, cottages, loggias. A wide profile with a two-chamber energy-saving package is suitable for rooms where it is necessary to retain heat as much as possible in winter. The snow-white color and beautiful profile fits very nicely with any color of the facade in private homes.

Dexen - for the balcony and dacha

Budget profile for loggias without insulation, for summer houses, country houses, verandas and other unheated rooms in winter. Suitable for glazing offices and making office partitions. The profile allows you to replace the glazing in a rental apartment as cost-effectively as possible.

We recommend the article: “Choosing plastic windows for your dacha”

Specifications

If you look at the technical documentation for a plastic profile, you will find there many parameters that may be needed when accurately calculating and selecting a design for a particular home. The indicators will include the following:

heat transfer resistance, Ro - the ability of the profile to retain heat in the apartment. The higher the score, the better. Also, according to this parameter, profiles are divided into classes, A1 will be the best;
sound insulation - the ability of a profile to contain noise, a particularly important indicator for residents of apartments near transport routes. Class A profile reduces noise by 37 dB, class D - only by 25 dB;
water and air tightness - allow us to judge the profile’s resistance to precipitation and strong winds. The best indicator is class A, the worst is D.

The main advantages of plastic windows

It is worth buying a profile for PVC windows for a number of reasons. It is no coincidence that nowadays there are no competitors for plastic windows. Such glazing can be selected for any room, apartment, house.

Profile durability and reliability

With the correct installation of windows with PVC profiles or professional glazing of the balcony, you can forget about minor repairs. Resistance to meteorological factors. The design perfectly copes with all the nuances of the domestic climate;

Design and sustainability

Versatility of design, stylish and modern look for any interior. Possibility to choose the type of opening that best suits the functionality of the room. The structures do not emit harmful substances, and their manufacturing process is completely safe for the environment.

Fire safety and tightness

Polyvinyl chloride contains flame retardants that do not support combustion. Tightness, reliable protection of the house from frost, noise, dust, drafts. Double-glazed windows can create a new level of comfort.

Savings and unpretentiousness

The material does not enter into chemical reactions; maintenance of the PVC profile can be limited to washing with any cleaning agent.
The affordable price of PVC profiles makes products made from it much cheaper than their wooden and aluminum counterparts. Reviews about windows

Classification by materials

Wood, aluminum, and PVC are used to produce modern window blocks. Each type of material has its own advantages and disadvantages, features and limitations in use.

Tree

The best and most expensive types of wood for the production of window profiles are oak and larch; alder and pine are also used. The high cost of wooden structures is associated not only with the use of natural wood, but also with the peculiarities of the technological process. The material for window profiles needs careful processing (drying, impregnation with antiseptics, painting, varnishing), and in the manufacture of the product, high precision and skill play a key role.

Advantages of wooden windows:

environmental friendliness;
good heat-shielding properties;
maintaining natural air exchange between indoors and outdoors;
aesthetic natural appearance.

Flaws:

the possibility of warping and swelling if the production and installation technology is violated;
low fire resistance;
high price.

Aluminum

Since metal is not able to retain heat, aluminum profiles are mainly used for cold glazing of balconies or utility rooms, when there is no possibility or need to install warm glazing.

There are “warm” aluminum windows. A special thermal liner is placed in the profile, which provides high thermal insulation properties of such window structures.

The advantages of aluminum profiles include:

strength and durability;
ease;
resistance to external influences;
fire resistance.

Minuses:

low heat-protective properties of the “cold” profile;
high price of the “warm” option.

Polyvinyl chloride

Reinforcing U-shaped profile for structural rigidity
PVC profile has become most widespread for the production of modern windows, due to its low cost compared to wood and aluminum and excellent heat-shielding and operational properties. The main competitive advantages of PVC:

high level of thermal insulation;
ease of manufacturing and installation of finished products;
high resistance to the influence of precipitation and chemical reagents;
the ability to produce products of various designs and shapes;
affordable price.

The main disadvantage is flammability, like all plastics. All other user complaints in most cases are related to the choice of low-quality products or installation errors.

Basic elements of window structures

In the manufacture of plastic windows, durable and strong materials are used, in contrast to classic wood products.
The main element of modern construction is a polyvinyl chloride profile. In addition, an integral part of each window is a double-glazed window, steel or aluminum fittings, rubberized seals, and plastic handles. All these high-quality components make the finished product incredibly durable, capable of protecting your home from bad weather for many years. Turnkey PVC windows

Selecting the opening method

Window designs differ on this basis:

Deaf - installed in rooms that do not need ventilation, or combined with opening doors.
Pivot - allow the doors to open in one direction.
Tilt-and-turn - have two ways of opening: they turn inward, and can also recline, which is important when there is a small child in the apartment or the window sill is filled with flowers. This is a rational option for a kitchen that requires regular air exchange. With a combination of folding and rotating 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; it is equally easy to wash the outer and inner window surfaces.

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

Let's look at an example of balcony glazing. A tilt and turn door costs 12,500 rubles, a tilt and turn door costs 11,200 rubles, a swing window costs 10,750 rubles, and a blind window costs 5,900 rubles. If the inner window and two outer ones are rotary, and two more outer ones are tilt-and-turn, you will have to pay 67,150 rubles for everything. And if you make an internal window and three external ones blind, and only one external one - tilt-and-turn, full glazing of the balcony will cost much less - only 44,900 rubles.

Features of manufacturing PVC products

One of the activities of our company is the production of PVC windows. Our production facilities are equipped with high-tech and modern foreign equipment, including fitting machines, profile forming machines, painting machines and other equipment. Each window produced is strictly controlled by our specialists, so you can be absolutely sure of the highest quality of each product.

Window installation

Additional tips and tricks

Some companies do their work dishonestly. For example, instead of energy-saving ones, simple double-glazed windows are installed. The first type of glass has a bluish tint. This difference is easily detected when examining the material. Sometimes the frame is assembled from profiles without reinforcement. This design quickly sags, causing the window to lose its useful qualities. You can check for the presence of a metal strip using a magnet.

Another way of deception is considered to be a lack of intimacy. You can determine the number of glass sheets using a candle. You just need to count the number of flame reflections.

The best burglary-resistant plastic windows

Anti-vandal designs are in great demand. They are especially of interest to owners of private houses who are afraid of intruders entering the first floors of a residential building.

Veka Softline

Energy-saving technology Veka Softline
Energy-saving technology in this line is complemented by a special option - windows are sold with protection against penetration and burglary. In its segment, Softline 82 has no analogues, since the developers applied several innovations simultaneously:

anti-burglary fittings;
impact-resistant reliable glass.

To create the latter effect, triplex technology is used, which provides protection against accidental impacts of medium strength.

Also worth noting:

five-chamber profile;
width 7 cm;
Possibility to install double-glazed windows up to 4 cm thick.

Advantages and disadvantages

effective three-level seal

100% tightness of the vestibule

possibility to install even 4 glasses

reliable fittings from the famous MACO brand

high price

You can order a window from traditional white and colored profiles.

They are recommended for installation in cottages and village houses, as they significantly increase the overall level of security of buildings from intrusion by thieves.

Veka Softline profile

Schüco Corona Si 8

Comfortable Schüco Corona Si 8
The developers of this line put the comfort and safety of customers above all else. The result is a reliable and complex product from an engineering point of view, capable of satisfying even the most demanding customer.

The Si 8 stands out from its competitors with its neat and flowing lines. Windows look elegant and can become a real decoration of the building. Also worth noting:

six-camera profile;
width 8.2 cm;
coefficient 0.95 m2°C/W.