During the repair, we must not forget about the "mirrors of the soul" of our home - the windows. When choosing between wooden or PVC structures, few people today prefer wooden windows that are expensive and troublesome to maintain and install. Plastic structures are a modern answer to the last century. But they are also divided into types and categories that differ from each other in many ways. Let's find out which windows are better to put in an apartment and how not to get confused in their diversity.
Components of a window structure
Before replacing old windows with plastic ones, it is necessary to study their main components: correctly selected elements ensure the reliability of the entire structure. The metal-plastic window consists of:
- profile;
- double-glazed window;
- accessories.
Each of these elements is divided into different types and is selected depending on future operating conditions.
What is a profile?
Profile - the supporting base of the PVC window, on which the double-glazed window is held. The profile includes three elements:
- frame;
- glazing bead;
- sash.
Frame
A frame is a blind element that is mounted in a window opening. When choosing a window, you need to pay attention to the material from which the frame is made:
- Matte plastic is an impractical material that is becoming rarer. Its main disadvantage is that it quickly gets dirty, and traces of dirt and fingerprints remaining on the frame are difficult to clean.
- Glossy plastic - outperforms matte plastic in every parameter. Of course, on the gloss, all traces and prints will stand out more, but it is also much easier to wash them - just wipe the surface with a damp cloth.
Bead
The glazing bead is a narrow bar with a thin rubber gasket that holds the camera. Its width depends on the thickness of the double-glazed window, the shape can be different - figured, rounded, square. They are made of two materials: PVC or glass composite, which is characterized by increased strength and higher cost.
Tip: the glazing bead has a limited service life, after which it needs to be replaced, so you should pay attention to the glass-composite product.
Additional functions of the glazing bead:
- Preventing drafts and dust from entering the gaps between the frames.
- Noise and heat insulation.
- Giving the appearance of the window more aesthetics and completeness.
sash
In order to choose the right type of PVC window sash, you need to consider its types separately. She may be:
- deaf;
- rotary;
- folding;
- swing-out;
- shtulpovy.
blind sash
It is a fixed PVC window structure, it cannot be opened. The advantage of such an element is its cheapness (due to the lack of fittings and panels), the minus is its immobility. It is permissible to install a blind sash only in combination with an opening one, otherwise it will not be possible to ventilate the room and wash the double-glazed window from the outside (if this is not the first floor of the house).
A blank window has a symbolic designation with the signs "+" or "×".
swing sash
This type of sash is much more convenient than a blind one, but it is better suited for a window opening that has a large height and small width. The overall swing product creates some inconvenience in the form of a strong draft. Also, indoor flowers cannot be placed on the windowsill of such a window.
The hinged sash is symbolized by the mathematical sign "<".
Hinged (fanlight) sash
This type of sash in PVC windows can be tilted at the top by a certain degree. This option is usually installed in small rooms where it is necessary to economically use the size of the room and regularly ventilate.
Tilt and turn sash
It has the best reviews in terms of convenience and functionality of the design.It is a little more expensive compared to the previous options, but the window is not set for a year or two, so it is worth considering in advance the options for using the space around the window. The tilt and turn design is a sash that, depending on the position of the handle, swings horizontally inwards or leans upwards.
Classification of PVC profiles
Window profiles differ in the following parameters:
- wall thickness;
- by the number of cameras;
- by type or class.
The dimensions of the profile are selected depending on the thickness of the walls and the dimensions of the opening. A properly selected profile provides better insulation and sound insulation of the room.
Number of cameras
If you look at the profile in section, you will clearly see that its internal space is divided into isolated chambers. In the middle there is a reinforcing metal U-shaped insert, other profile chambers are designed to drain condensate and create an additional air cushion to improve the heat-saving properties of the window.
The number of air chambers of a metal-plastic profile varies from 1 to 8 and directly affects its energy-saving properties. For central Russia, a profile with 2–5 cameras is suitable.
Thickness of outer and inner walls
According to this parameter, profiles are divided into 3 types:
- A class - the thickness of the outer wall is at least 2.8 mm, the thickness of the inner wall is at least 2.5 mm.
- B class - at least 2.5 mm for the outer and 2 mm for the inner walls.
- C class - does not have clear requirements for the ratio of wall thickness.
Tip: experts recommend installing A-class products, which have a longer service life and better thermal insulation ability.
Profile types
Profiles for PVC windows can be divided into three types:
- The economy option is the cheapest type. The standard size is 58–62 mm. With such a profile, a single-chamber double-glazed window with a width of 24 mm is usually installed. Withstands temperatures down to -15°C and does not let in drafts.
- The standard is a generic type. The standard size is 62–74 mm. Three- and four-chamber profiles can be installed with a double-glazed window with a width of 38–42 mm.
- Suite - the most expensive and high-quality view. The standard size is 90 mm, but the range of sizes starts from 80 mm. Represents a five-chamber profile with a double-glazed window 38-42 mm wide. Compared with other types, it has the best heat-saving capacity and has a more attractive design.
Manufacturer rating
When compiling a rating based on feedback from craftsmen and users, the top seven window profile companies will include:
- Rehau;
- Veka;
- KBE;
- salamander;
- Mont Blanc;
- Kaleva.
Types of double-glazed windows
A double-glazed window is the second most important element of a PVC window. The heat and sound insulation properties of the structure depend on it. They can have from one to three air chambers. In addition to dividing on this basis, the following types of double-glazed windows are distinguished:
- Frost-resistant - the fogging process does not begin at -35, but at -55 degrees. They are used in regions with a harsh climate.
- Sunscreen - reflects ultraviolet rays.
- Shock-resistant - Triplex system bags with a special film coating are able to withstand even strong impacts. It is expedient to put them to the inhabitants of the first floors.
- Energy-saving - due to special reflective i-glass with sputtering and the presence of argon in the chambers, they retain up to 90% of heat.
- Noise-proof - they have chambers of different thicknesses, they may additionally contain resin as an insulating layer.
Single-chamber double-glazed window
It consists of two glasses, between which there is an air layer that provides heat and sound insulation. Metal-plastic windows with a single-chamber double-glazed window are best placed in regions with a warm climate and when living in areas with a low noise figure, since they are not able to provide a high level of heat and sound insulation.In addition, the owners of apartments with installed single-chamber double-glazed windows complain about constantly “sweating” windows.
Double glazing
It consists of three glasses, between which there are two air cushions. Compared to the single-chamber version, this one has much more attractive features.
By varying the thickness of the glass and the dimensions of the chambers in the double-glazed window, making one of them wider, you can significantly reduce heat loss and noise levels in the apartment. For a product with a thickness of 32 mm, the ratio of the thickness of glasses and air chambers will look like this:
- standard version - 4 × 10 × 4 × 10 × 4 - three glasses 4 mm thick with two chambers between them 10 mm each.
- improved - 4 × 12 × 4 × 8 × 4 - the camera, located closer to the street, has a greater thickness.
Three-chamber double-glazed window
Due to the presence of three glasses and four air chambers, it perfectly retains heat in the room and does not let in street noise. It is not popular because of the large thickness, which is not compatible with every opening, and the massive weight, which leads to rapid wear of the fittings. For effective protection against severe cold or for high-quality sound insulation in the city, it is better to prefer energy-saving and noise-protective options.
accessories
Fittings are all movable metal or plastic window elements: handles, hinges, locks, counter parts of locks, various covers for hinges, etc. These are small in size, but by no means small in importance details that should not be saved on. These elements will be used every day, which means they must be reliable and of high quality.
One of the innovative inventions for PVC windows is a climate valve that provides natural ventilation of the room. The device does not require special maintenance, it can be placed in any metal-plastic window.
window measurements
After selecting the constituent elements of the window, it is necessary to invite a measurer home, who will correctly take measurements - the width and height of the opening. It is impossible to rely on standard dimensions, since in principle they do not exist - the thickness of the walls and the height of the openings in different houses are different, and the standards, respectively, are the same. Preliminary measurement of windows to calculate the approximate cost of the finished structure can be done independently.
And finally, it is worth recalling: in order for windows to serve for a long time and not be a source of drafts, you need to carefully consider the process of installing them. Everything is important here, from exact adherence to technology to the type of mounting foam used.
