How to choose high-quality plastic windows and not overpay: professional advice

Plastic windows are on the crest of popularity. They are comfortable, high-tech, attractive. But the abundance of models with different characteristics confuses an ignorant buyer. To choose plastic windows, you need to pay attention to every detail of the design - the profile, double-glazed windows, seals and fittings - and listen to the opinion of experts.

How to choose the right profile

Speaking about the profile, they often draw an analogy with the skeleton of a window. This complex structure made of plastic and metal has several cavities - chambers - separated by airtight partitions. Their number affects the strength of the window, the ability to retain heat. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is used for the manufacture of window profiles.

Reasons for using this type of plastic:

• ability to withstand adverse conditions;
• low thermal conductivity;
• cheapness;
• environmental Safety;
• preservation of consumer properties for a period of at least 50 years;
• reliable sound insulation.

The usual color of PVC is white, but there are multi-colored profiles, as well as laminated ones for different types of wood.

After examining the plastic, you can determine how well the window frame will serve. High-quality PVC is an absolutely smooth, monolithic, homogeneous material. The presence of spots, graininess eloquently indicates a fake.

Profile classes

The quality of windows is determined by the thickness of the outer part of the contour and internal partitions. According to this indicator, profiles are divided into 3 classes:

• Profile A is ideal for residential buildings: the thickness of its external walls starts from 2.8 mm, internal - from 2.5 mm.
• Profile B - suitable for heated and unheated rooms. It has a thickness of outer walls from 2.5 mm, internal - from 2 mm, windows from it are less adapted to loads.
• Profile C - called object, used in rooms without heating. These windows often do not have opening sashes. The wall thickness is not standardized, but usually it is less than that of other types of profiles.

Metal inserts play an important role - they increase the strength of the structure. Therefore, such windows are sometimes called metal-plastic.

air chambers

The profiles contain from 3 to 8 internal air chambers, which are needed to protect against cold, street noise, and to enhance the strength of the structure. The ability of a window to keep heat out of a room is related to the number of chambers.

• The three-chamber profile is the most commonly used. Suitable for regions with a temperate climate, where the temperature in winter does not fall below 30 ° C. Standard width - 5.8 cm.
• Four- and five-chamber profiles are more expensive and weigh more. Their installation is justified only in cold regions, where they will keep the heat indoors even in the most severe frosts. They are also chosen for windows that face a busy road, due to their higher sound insulation.
• Single and double chamber products are popular due to their low price. But it makes sense to install windows from such a profile only in the south of Russia, where there are no cold winters.

It is interesting! The thermal conductivity of a profile with 7–8 chambers is lower than for products with a smaller number of chambers: numerous baffles negate the insulating properties of the air in the chambers. And a wide profile with a small number of chambers will retain heat better than a narrow multi-chamber one.

External chambers, thanks to special holes, also serve as condensate drains. They do not affect the quality of thermal insulation, they do not spoil the aesthetic appearance of the structure. On the contrary, the absence of technological holes indicates a low quality: such a window will last less than the standard period.

Recently, window structures have become widespread, in the chambers of which the air is replaced by foamed heat insulators. They retain heat even better, but the price becomes significantly higher.

Frost resistance

Another profile parameter is frost resistance. It should not change its properties at low temperatures. A frost-resistant profile that is suitable for the domestic climate should be marked "M". The degree of resistance to adverse conditions can also be seen in the passport.

Profile width

For standard windows, the profile width (installation depth) ranges from 50–80 mm. When it does not exceed 60 mm, the number of cameras in the frame is usually 3, and at 70 mm - 4-5. Large thickness allows the use of more durable fittings, additional soundproofing and insulation contours, thick double-glazed windows.

About which windows are better, plastic or wooden, read here.

Informative video about the secrets of choosing a PVC profile:

Expert tip: for the middle lane, a 3-chamber profile is more than enough. It makes no sense to overpay for multi-chamber products that are positioned as warmer: you will not notice the difference. It is better to choose a class A profile, class C in residential premises is unacceptable. And you should always remember that the quality of the assembly and installation of the window is more important than the profile parameters.

We deal with double-glazed windows: the type and number of glasses, marking, distance frame

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

What determines the heat and sound insulation of a double-glazed window

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

• From the thickness of the double-glazed window. For a house, an apartment, a double-glazed window with a thickness of 32–44 mm is suitable.
• From the number of cameras. Usually 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 are suitable for arranging balconies, loggias, arbors.

• From the width of each double-glazed chamber. The larger it is, the better the insulation characteristics. However, after 24 mm, an increase in thickness no longer improves the positive properties of the product.

• From filling the chambers. An inert gas pumped between the panes reduces heat loss, protects against noise and ultraviolet radiation. Argon retains 50% more heat than air, krypton - 2 times more than argon.

• from glass thickness. If you put 5 or 6 mm outer glass instead of the standard 4 mm glass in a window facing a busy street, sound insulation will increase, but only slightly. Glasses of different thickness will not resonate with each other.

• From the type of glass. It makes sense to choose a material more expensive, but with additional useful properties. Reflecting infrared rays, low-emission glass keeps the house warm in winter and cool in summer.

Tip from ibuilder.decorexpro.com/en/. Sometimes it makes no sense to spend 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 you 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 put single-chamber packages on the balcony, the total cost will drop to 71,250 rubles.

Glass types

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

• K-coating - a film of tin, reduces heat loss by 25% in a single-chamber double-glazed window.
• I-coating (i) - a layer of rare earth metals, retains more than 30% of heat. It is installed only from the side of the room, the coating is turned inside the chamber, since it is unstable to mechanical damage. Often labeled E-low.

Due to such glasses, a single-chamber double-glazed window approaches the thermal insulation properties of a two-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 preservation will be a double-glazed window filled with an inert gas and having one glass with a special coating. Thermal packages will help save on heating in winter and on electricity due to less frequent use of air conditioning in summer.

Consider 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 had installed thermal packages, he would have paid 180,000 rubles for them. But at the same time, heating costs would decrease to 4,800 rubles. per month, and for air conditioning - up to 420 rubles. It turns out that thermal packages pay off in two years, and then they bring benefits.

It is practically impossible to break glass laminated with triplex. Glasses reinforced with special metal or polymer meshes have the same quality.

Insulating glass labeling, tables

The structure of a double-glazed window can be understood by the marking, which indicates 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 stands for:

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

The following tables will help you choose the ratio of the parameters of double-glazed windows.

remote frame

The frame between the glasses sets the distance between them, which ranges from 6 to 24 mm. They make frames from aluminum, steel, plastic. Stainless steel or plastic spacers conduct heat to a lesser extent and do not allow 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 a perforation on the surface.

Rules for choosing double-glazed windows

To choose reliable double-glazed windows, you need:

1. Make sure that there is a marking with the manufacturer's logo, date of issue and information about the components. Her absence is a cause for serious suspicion.
2. Inspect glass for chips and cracks.
3. Check the quality of the seal. There should be no traces of liquid sealant along the bar that regulates the distance between the panes. The outer layer of the product should look even and neat. Sagging, cracks indicate the unreliable quality of the package.
4. Using a tape measure, determine the accuracy of the geometry. The difference in measurements along the diagonals (more than 3 mm) proves that the parameters of the double-glazed window do not meet the standards. The thickness of the package, which is measured with a caliper, cannot differ from the declared one by more than 1 mm.
5. Measure the offset of the glass planes with a square. A deviation greater than 1 mm indicates non-compliance with the standards.
6. Determine the transparency of the glasses, the presence of water and steam in the chamber.

Decorative and functional elements

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

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

A convenient addition to the window design can be built-in blinds. It is located directly in the double-glazed window chamber, and is 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 double-glazed window is warmer?

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

Double glazing formula	Reduced heat transfer resistance coefficient, m2×°С/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: in terms of heat saving, a single double-glazed window with I-glass is superior to a conventional two-chamber one.

Double-glazed windows for residential premises: minimum and optimal parameters, price comparison

The formula for a double-glazed window suitable for an apartment or house located in central Russia:

• Minimum parameters: double-glazed window 4-10-4-10-4. This is a generally accepted standard with good sound and heat insulation characteristics.

Tip: if you live in a quiet area, it will be more profitable to order a single-chamber double-glazed window with I-glass. It is not as good in terms of sound insulation, but retains heat much better than the standard two-chamber version (see table below).

• Optimal parameters: double-glazed window 4-16Ar-4-14Ar-I4. It has all the necessary additions: wide chambers of different thicknesses for better noise protection, argon filling, energy-saving glass.

And now let's compare the cost of these double-glazed windows using the products of the Moscow Window Factory as an example:

Type of double-glazed window	Marking	Reduced heat transfer resistance coefficient, m2×°С/W	Price, rub./sq. m
Standard double chamber	4-10-4-10-4	0,47	2884
Single-chamber energy-saving with I-glass	4-16-I4	0,59	2382
Two-chamber energy-saving with argon and I-glass	4-16Ar-4-14Ar-I4	0,77	3944

Three-chamber double-glazed window is expensive and weighs a lot. It is often suggested to install it as a “super warm” option, but its installation in a temperate region does not make sense: a two-chamber one will be enough.

How to choose seals

Without seals, the tightness of double-glazed windows and tight closing of the window are impossible. They are made from rubber, thermoplastic, thermopolymer and silicone.

1. Rubber seal - the most inexpensive, but also short-lived. Cracking from heat and cold. It is easy to replace it, it is always on sale.
2. Thermoplastic (TPE) is the most common because it is suitable for use on automatic assembly lines. It has excellent characteristics, but with frequent opening and closing of the window it wears out quickly, as it becomes brittle from temperature changes. It's cheap and easy to change.
3. Thermopolymer (ethylene propylene rubber, EPDM) is a more resistant material. It is placed on expensive and moderately expensive windows. For replacement, it is advisable to call the master.
4. Silicone is the best sealant. Does not wash, does not deform, resistant to temperature extremes, cleaning agents. But it is expensive and hard to find on sale.

Expert Tip: Seal life can be extended by regularly (twice a year in the off-season) cleaning and lubricating with silicone oil or glycerin.

What accessories to choose?

Fittings for heavy, constantly opening and closing windows must be durable and reliable.Otherwise, the handles will break, and the doors will sag and seize. The brands Winkhaus, Siegenia Aubi, Roto, G-U, Maco have earned the trust. For the manufacture of fittings, high-grade steel with an anti-corrosion coating is used. Polymers are allowed only for plugs, decorative covers.

The best fittings are those that can withstand 50-60 thousand cycles and have a 10-year warranty. The cycle is 4 actions: opening for ventilation, closing, swing opening with subsequent closing.

When buying, you should choose adjustable fittings that will allow you to open the sash as far as you need, and special stoppers will prevent involuntary slamming. Owners of private houses, apartments on the ground floor, cottages prefer windows with anti-burglary devices that will prevent intruders from entering. Optionally, accessories are supplemented with details that provide:

• slot ventilation;
• turn restriction;
• functioning of the microlift:
• sash tilt in several positions;
• child access restriction and other functions.

Expert Tip: Only choose hardware with the features you need. Make sure that the extras you pay a lot of money for (high-quality European fittings are expensive) are really what you need. For example, anti-burglary devices are unlikely to be useful on upper floors.

Choose the way to open

Window designs differ on this basis:

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

Expert tip: In a wide window, there is no need to make all the sashes open. The price of such a window will be unreasonably high. Usually one moving element is sufficient.

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

Which manufacturer of plastic windows is better?

Competition and strict control in the window market forced out frank marriage. But experts unanimously lean towards large manufacturers. They have equipment that is not available to smaller companies, so the products are of higher quality. Specialists have learned to cope with unwanted linear expansion of PVC, low coefficient of elasticity, improve resistance to temperature changes. Additives and stabilizers for these purposes are strictly controlled and do not harm health.

Which firm to choose?

List of the best window profile manufacturers based on ratings and reviews.

Veka

Leads in the number of sales, in all ratings in the top three. The technical base allowed the company to finally stop the production of low-grade products, only class A profiles are produced. Window models are diverse, durable, known for their reliable noise and heat insulation, tightness, equipped with a rubber seal that is not afraid of frost. Disadvantage - expensive.

KBE

The company uses environmentally friendly plastic, the windows are durable, with good noise and heat insulation, cope with temperature fluctuations in the range from -50 to +50 ° C, do not fog up. Disadvantages: high price, over time, the plastic develops a yellowish tint.

rehau

Products are distinguished by environmental friendliness, a wide range, strength, sound and heat insulation that meets the requirements of the time, and frost resistance. Disadvantages: reduced leaf height, higher cost than other brands.

We recommend that you pay attention to Rehau windows from the BLITZ New profile with an installation depth of 60 mm. This is an energy-saving, affordable and high-quality solution. Three-chamber profile, with the possibility of installing double-glazed windows up to 32 mm. Retains 30 times more heat than wooden Soviet frames. Noise reduction up to 40 Rw dB and great looks.

SALAMANDER

High-strength sealed profiles for all climatic conditions from perfectly white plastic. All bearing walls are made according to RAL class A, the declared service life is up to 45 years. The company's factories are located in Germany, Poland and Belarus.

Proplex

Windows are made according to Austrian technology, adapted to the Russian climate, designed for long-term operation. They are inexpensive, the plastic is durable and does not turn yellow. Disadvantages: there is no international certification, design solutions of some models are below the level of recognized brands.

Montblanc

Windows of different types, attractive, inexpensive. Durable, adapted to the Russian weather. Disadvantages: no quality management certificate, rather weak fittings, a chemical smell emanates from the sealant.

LG Chem

The combination of decent heat and noise insulation characteristics and professional design. Glossy plastic, reasonable quality-price ratio. A relative disadvantage is the recent entry into the market of the central part of the country, which affects its popularity.

Trocal

The windows have a deformation-resistant design, designer finds and a large selection of reliable and hermetic models attract buyers. Disadvantages: heavy profile, built-in blinds break after several years of operation.

Russian windows

Russian plastic windows are cheaper than foreign ones. But this does not mean low quality. Usually domestic manufacturers use German technology. The cost is more affordable due to cheap energy resources and labor. This should also be remembered when choosing.

For example, the Russian company Kaleva works according to a full cycle scheme: from the moment of designing a window to installation in place. This is an infrequent case. For more than 20 years, the Panorama company from St. Petersburg has been operating on the plastic window market. Its PVC profiles are distinguished by quality, the right balance of rigidity, reliable insulation, and aesthetic appearance.

Memo on choosing a plastic window

In order not to get confused in the process of choosing and ordering a plastic window, it is convenient to have a memo on hand that contains all the parameters that you need to pay attention to. It will help to ask the right questions to the consultant and not lose sight of anything.

When choosing a profile, look at:

1. Width and number of air chambers. For the middle band, 3 cameras are enough.
2. Wall thickness (class). It is advisable to take class A with an outer wall thickness of 2.8 mm or more. Class C for residential premises is not suitable!
3. Frost resistance. Needed if the winters are cold.
4. Manufacturer. It is better to pay attention to large companies with a good reputation that give a long warranty.

For double-glazed windows, we select the following parameters:

1. number of cameras. The optimal, most cost-effective option is 2 cameras. There are enough single-chamber double-glazed windows on the balcony.
2. The thickness of the glasses and cameras, their ratio. The thicker, the warmer and quieter. Different thickness - a plus for sound insulation.
3. Filling the chambers (air or inert gas). With argon or krypton there will be more heat and less noise.But you need to be prepared for the fact that the gas will evaporate before the end of the life of the window.
4. Glass properties (energy saving, shockproof, sun protection, tinted). We choose as needed. For example, shockproof glass is useful only on the lower floors. It is more profitable for owners of private houses to install energy-saving glass, which will quickly pay off and save on heating.
5. Spacer material. A plastic or steel bar is warmer than an aluminum one.
6. Additional elements (built-in blinds, shutters). We focus on your taste.

The minimum parameters for a double-glazed window are 4-10-4-10-4 or 4-16-I4, the optimal ones are 4-Ar16-4-Ar12-I4.

We choose a sealant: we look at the type of material. Rubber is better not to take, TPE is a good option, silicone and EPDM are better, but more expensive.

Decide on the design:

1. Opening method (blind sash, pivoting, tilt-and-turn, sliding, rotating).
2. The number of opening doors. The fewer of them, the cheaper the window.

Hardware questions:

1. Permissible load (the more, the better).
2. The pledged number of cycles (similarly).
3. Auxiliary elements (limiters, microlift, protection - we choose only what is needed so as not to overpay for what we will not use).

Accessories: we choose and order immediately, so that later we don’t have to pay separately for delivery and installation.

You can download the memo by clicking on the button.

Life hack from ibuilder.decorexpro.com/en/:

If you order new windows during the cold season, when window companies have off-season, you will save 1,200–1,800 rubles. on every design. There are very few orders in late autumn, winter and early spring, therefore, to attract customers, manufacturers make discounts of up to 15% of the cost of a window, offer free installation or accessories as a gift.