Which plastic windows are best for an apartment or house?

How to choose plastic windows - expert advice

Photo: plastic windows have become the basis of comfort in a modern home

Knowing that I have been working in the window industry for a long time, friends and acquaintances often turn to me for advice: which plastic windows to choose? Those who ask for help can be divided into 2 groups:

• Owners of old wooden windows want to get a beautiful window that does not need to be painted and is easy to clean. Such people often think that all new plastic windows are of high quality, not like old wooden ones. But this, alas, is not so.
• Happy owners of new buildings who moved in and realized that plastic windows from developers are not at all what they expected. These are low quality windows: gray or yellowish, without gloss and snow-whiteness, they are difficult to open and close, and the saddest thing is that they are blown out and “cry”. 20 years of experience have shown that windows from the developer in most cases are far from the best representatives of modern window designs.

In order not to have to explain for a long time to my friends which windows to choose, I decided to honestly and frankly describe my professional experience and support it with examples of observing the windows in my apartment. I had the opportunity to be buyers from these two groups.

Photo: the first plastic windows seemed like a real miracle after wooden ones

In 2001, I replaced the old wooden windows with plastic ones. They were the kind that I wouldn’t take for nothing now, but then, compared to wooden ones, they seemed to me the height of perfection.

The equipment is as follows: profile 58 mm / 3 chambers, double-glazed window 24 mm with plain glass, Roto Centro fittings + plastic combs, Russian window sill 200 mm, mosquito net on plastic corners. The windows have one tilt/turn sash, the rest of the openings are blind.

In 2015, I glazed the balcony and replaced one old plastic window with a new one during the renovation of the room. For the balcony I chose simple windows: 60 mm profile / 3 chambers, single-chamber double-glazed windows with i-glass, all doors open. The balcony is intended for use in the warm season without heating. I wanted to install a high-quality warm window in the room for 30 years, taking into account the shortcomings of the old ones. It turned out like this: 80 mm profile / 6 chambers, 2-chamber double-glazed window with multifunctional and i-glass. All doors open, hidden hinges, built-in micro-ventilation. Expensive window sill with a glossy surface. Installation with 3-layer seam.

No. 5. Type of filling of glass chambers

The glass chamber can be filled with one of the following gases:

• dehumidified air is the most common and most affordable option;
• argon has a higher dynamic viscosity and prevents convection between the glasses, so a double-glazed window filled with argon is approximately 1.4 times warmer than usual. In addition, argon protects the coating of i-glasses and is the best option in terms of price and quality;
• other inert gases, in particular krypton and xenon, have more outstanding thermal insulation properties and are “warmer” than air by 2.6 and 4.4 times, respectively, but such filling of chambers is very expensive, so it is not used today.

A promising direction is the production of double-glazed windows with a vacuum inside. Vacuum does not conduct heat at all, so it will provide maximum thermal insulation, but the production of such double-glazed windows has a number of technical difficulties, so it costs a pretty penny and is not widely used.

The first and most important tip is – don’t rush into purchasing.

As practice shows, the process of buying windows occurs as follows:

• First, a decision is made to replace the windows. Where does it come from? There are different reasons here - I’m tired of insulating them for the winter, it’s difficult to wash, it’s drafty, it’s cold, it’s ugly, it’s noisy, “the neighbors have had them for a long time, but we’re worse off,” and so on.
• Searching for offers on the Internet or choosing a company based on the advice of friends/neighbors.
• Comparison of offers based on the main criterion – lower price. Most often, buyers do not think about what is included in this price.
• Next is payment and installation.
• After six months or a year, disappointment and regret about the money spent. Why? Because the windows began to sweat, freeze, it was inconvenient to open them, and the list went on.

Why is this happening? Because the need that drives buyers when buying windows (read point 1) was not voiced to the seller, and the seller did not find out or ignored it. Important factors were not taken into account, for example, family composition, number of floors, design, heating operation and other important points.

Understand that in most cases both you and the manager have the same goal - a deal for the minimum price. It’s easier for him to sell a lot of cheap windows than a few expensive ones. Every option you add to your window increases its cost. And if you yourself do not recognize the capabilities of windows, then the manager may not offer them. Alas, this is reality. Based on what has been said, the second piece of advice follows.

If you are looking for a window that will last 1-5 years, read no further. Just find the cheapest window, it will last for this period.

My advice is for those who are looking at a future of 20-30 years and for whom family values ​​and comfort in the home are not an empty phrase.

Tip two - design your own window

Only you know best what is important and convenient for you personally.

First of all, answer the questions:

• What are you planning to put next to the window? Maybe a table, a bed, something else. This determines which direction the doors will open and at what height it is more convenient to make the handle (yes, it can be made not only in the center).
• How do you plan to use the window sill? Leave it blank? Would you like a microwave or coffee machine? Will you be growing seedlings or growing violets? How will you open the flap for ventilation, so as not to freeze the flowers and not move objects every time? There are ways to ventilate without harming the plants and special glass to protect the flowers (I’ll talk about this in more detail below).
• How will you clean the window? A very important point, I will also tell you in more detail below.
• Do you have or plan to have small children or grandchildren? We need to think about their safety.
• Are there residents 60+ in the building?
• How do you heat the house? Are the batteries hot?
• Does the hood work? To check, place a piece of paper against the ventilation grill in the kitchen with the window open. If it attracts, it works; if it falls, it’s bad, but you need to take it into account.
• What's outside the window? Quiet courtyard or busy highway? From a sound insulation point of view this is a big difference.

When we have all the answers, let's start drawing the window configuration.

No. 8. What else to consider when choosing a window?

Attention should also be paid to the choice of fittings and related details for the window. Fittings include handles, hinges and locks. The shape and color of the handles can be any, and the functionality depends on your wishes. The handle may have a burglar-proof function or be protected against unwanted opening of the window by children.

Hinges can be standard overhead, mortise or screw-in. A special type is anti-burglary hinges, which are useful for providing additional security. The window can be equipped with locks or blockers . Fittings directly affect the quality and durability of the window, so it is better to give preference to reliable fittings manufacturers: Roto , Aubi , Winkhaus , Siegenia , Maco and some others.

Do not forget to immediately equip the window structure with a mosquito net - this is protection against insects and debris; it can be inserted into the frame or swing outwards from the window. In addition to the window sill and trim , it is also necessary to equip the window with a tint , thanks to which the waterproofing of the window will be maintained for as long as possible.

Tip three - window configuration

Take a piece of paper and draw your window. The approximate dimensions can be determined by measuring the old window.

Divide it approximately the same way as the existing window is divided - the configuration of the window and its color on the street side cannot be changed. This is called changing the facade, and you may be required to change the window. There are precedents, and many, at least in Moscow.

Now it is very important - all doors must open. I will not say that this is required by GOST. This is the answer to the question - how will you wash it? Think carefully - at least you will have to do this 60 times.

Photo: Which of them do you think now doesn’t regret saving 1,500 rubles when buying a window? I'm scared to look at it. An opening sash is 1500-2000 rubles more expensive than a blind window. Are you ready to risk your (YOUR!) life 60 times for them? Divide them into 30 years of operation - each time you will expose yourself to danger for 30 (thirty) rubles. Ready? Exactly? And on the tenth floor and on the twenty-first? Buy a cool brush? How much does it cost? And in 15 years you will be able to jump on windows like this? In general, think I warned you. Just in case, I’ll add that the ban on blind openings appeared in GOST after multiple tragedies when washing windows.

How should the doors open? The way it suits you. It would be good if at least one of them swivels/folds for ventilation. The more doors there are with tilt-and-turn fittings (the more expensive they are by 500 rubles), the more convenient it will be to ventilate the room both in summer and winter. Consider the location of the furniture to make it convenient to reach the handle. If the approach to the window cannot be cleared, then there are interesting hardware solutions for convenient opening, more on them later.

Tip four - choosing a profile

Here we are always faced with two choices:

1. what width should the profile be and how many chambers should it have;
2. profile brand.

Let the manufacturers of little-known profile brands forgive me, but I am for the brand. I trust well-known brands more because I have negative experiences. I had balcony glazing made from a little-known profile installed 5 years ago. I am also a human being and tried to save money, especially since the profile performed well during processing (at the factory) and there were no complaints (complaints) about it at the time of my order.

Photo: the window is five years old. The result is brown stains on the profile that cannot be washed off, and a collapsed seal. Of course, the windows work quite well, but it’s very unpleasant that they already need to be repaired. Now about the width of the profile. This characteristic affects thermal insulation, sound insulation and resistance to temperature changes. For the Moscow region and central Russia, I recommend a profile no thinner than 70 mm.

For me, there are two obvious advantages to a broader profile that are not talked about much:

• In a wider profile, you can install a thicker double-glazed window, with better heat conservation and protection from street noise.
• The width of the reinforcement will also be greater, and the window, accordingly, will be more durable and resistant to negative influences. For example: my balcony door is made of 58mm profile, installed 19 years ago. While the balcony was not glazed, in severe frosts the sash would bend, it would bend, and when entering the balcony it would be difficult to close it; the balcony latch would not hold the door. After glazing the balcony, the problem went away, which is understandable; temperatures below zero there no longer occur. A kitchen window made of the same profile still closes poorly in cold weather; the handle does not turn all the way.

It is impossible to talk about the profile without talking about reinforcement and compaction. Reinforcement is the skeleton, bones, spine, the basis of the strength and stability of the window. In no case should you skimp on it - you can only replace it with the window together.

Therefore, choose a thickness of at least 1.5mm for white windows. Colored windows become hotter in the sun and can become deformed in the summer heat, so they require reinforcement of at least 2 mm. This, by the way, is an indicator of the manufacturer’s honesty. A competent processor understands the risks perfectly, and his product range will include reliable reinforcement.

Seal – responsible for the absence of blowing. I recommend EPDM. It is better if the seal is installed in one piece, without cuts or welding in the corners. Hard, welded sections of the seal in the corners are an additional load on the sash and the possibility of blowing. You have seen a photo of an inexpensive seal after five years of operation.

Photo: here is an EPDM seal that is 19 years old. I have never lubricated it with anything until I see no need for it. It has not lost its elasticity and appearance

Photo: for clarity, once again the difference in the seals. No comments necessary

What characteristics need to be taken into account

Compared to wooden structures, PVC windows do not require constant repainting, they better isolate noise from the street, last longer and have higher thermal insulation values. However, you should select a plastic window block in a store carefully. On the one hand, there are a lot of design nuances in this product itself, and on the other hand, you can easily run into a particularly cunning seller who wants to earn extra money from a buyer who is poorly versed in this topic.

An example of high-quality production of plastic windows can be viewed at this link from a premium partner of the REHAU brand.

What to look for when choosing a plastic window

When choosing a plastic window, you need to look at:

• the number of air chambers in the glass unit and profile;
• type of tilt and turn mechanism;
• quality of fittings and seals;
• the wall thickness of the PVC profile and its overall width;
• presence/absence of a reinforcing liner.

Each of the above parameters affects the final price of the window. At the same time, purchasing an expensive block with a multi-chamber profile and a thick three-pane glass unit is not always justified. Here you need to take into account the climatic conditions of the region where the house is located.

Casement system options

Often, a budget option with a simple design is more than enough. Here it’s like a drainage pump for dirty water - to pump it out of the basement of a cottage during flooding, an inexpensive and low-power unit will be enough, but for regular cleaning of the cesspool in the toilet you will need a more powerful model for slightly different money.

Quality profile of plastic windows

The basis of the design of all plastic windows is a PVC profile. According to the standards, both primary and secondary (recycled) polyvinyl chloride can be used as a material for its manufacture. The first option is considered to be of higher quality. In the second case, more different plasticizers and additives are added to the plastic so that the plastic product meets the requirements of the standards in terms of impact and strength characteristics.

It is impossible to independently distinguish between profiles made from virgin and recycled PVC by eye. Externally they are absolutely identical. Here all that remains is to study the certificates provided by the window manufacturer and count on his integrity. According to GOST, a plastic window frame must last at least 20 years. However, most manufacturers claim a service life of 40 years. But there is one nuance here.

According to European standards, PVC profiles are divided into three classes based on the thickness of the outer wall:

1. “A” – thickness not less than 2.8 mm.
2. “B” – thickness of at least 2.5 mm.
3. “C” – the value is set by the manufacturer.

The thicker the wall, the stronger and more reliable the frame structure. Ideally, you should choose profile “A” with a thickness of 3 mm or more. A window sash made from it is less susceptible to warping when sagging. But if an option marked “C” is offered, then you need to be as careful as possible. It is recommended to use plastic windows made of thin-walled profiles (wall <2.5 mm) only for non-residential premises.

Another point is the usual and frost-resistant design. When making the second profile, special additives are added to PVC. If windows are taken for a home in a cold region, then it would be most correct to look at such blocks marked “M”.

Number of air chambers

Inside, the profile is made hollow and divided by vertical partitions into several air-filled segments. The more there are, the higher the thermal insulation characteristics of the frame and the less heat loss. A minimum of two such cameras are made. However, in Russia, three-, four- and five-chamber profiles are most often used for the manufacture of plastic windows. They are more consistent with our climatic conditions.

Residents of megacities, in addition to the number of cameras, should also take care of the soundproofing of the window

At the same time, as the number of these cameras increases, the price of the window unit also increases. However, the more vertical walls there are inside, the thicker and stiffer the profile becomes. If, due to the large area of ​​the window opening, the sash turns out to be very wide and high, then it is better to initially choose a window with a five-chamber frame for it.

As the number of cameras in a profile increases, the total weight of the unit also increases. In panel and brick houses this point is not so relevant. Concrete concrete and brick walls are designed for fairly large loads, easily withstanding everything. But for a cottage made of timber or SIP panels, it is not worth purchasing a heavy multi-chamber window. Here it is recommended to get by with a three-chamber option.

With three, or better yet two sections, you should take a lighter frame for glazing a balcony in an apartment. Extra weight on the balcony railings is completely unnecessary.

Profile width

The width of the profile is determined precisely by the number of vertical chambers. The more there are, the more plastic partitions inside. The wider the PVC profile becomes. Plus, its width is also affected by the dimensions of the chambers (each window manufacturer determines this parameter itself) and the presence/absence of reinforcement inside.

Typically, the profile thickness ranges from 58–90 mm. If it is thinner, it will not be able to withstand a double-glazed window even with two glasses. And options are more widely used only at industrial facilities and in the construction of winter gardens. In most cases, products with a width of around 70 mm are selected.

Types of reinforcing profile

Reinforcing liner

To make the profile more durable, a reinforcing insert is placed in its middle chamber. It is made of galvanized steel, which is not subject to corrosion. The reinforcing liner can be of any shape in cross section.

At the same time, the closed version has greater rigidity than the open U-shaped one. However, the more steel, the heavier the window unit comes out. Here, when choosing it, you will need to think in advance about going up to the apartment and installing a plastic window. Excess weight affects not only the strength, but also the final cost of the product itself and installation work.

What is the difference between a square and a U-shaped profile?

The thickness of the steel profile in the reinforcing insert should be in the range of 1.2–2 mm. If the manufacturer of the window structure used thinner steel, then this is not reinforcement, but a blende. Such an insert will actually not provide rigidity to the frame, but you will have to pay for it.

Tip five - choosing accessories

You should not think that if the fittings are not visible, then there is no need to pay attention to them. If you put the brains and engine from Zaporozhets under the hood of a Mercedes, you will drive a Zaporozhets. There is nothing to comment here.

Fittings are the third main ingredient of a window. Its quality determines how long the window will work and whether there will be ventilation. But not only. It also means safety (in every sense) and clean air, which means your health, peace of mind for the lives of loved ones and the safety of property.

The fittings must be reliable and functional. I strongly recommend European, Chinese and Turkish, let the Chinese and Turks remain.

To assess the quality, just look at the fittings:

• the coating is uneven, which means the fittings will quickly rust;
• the locking pins are initially displaced and not aligned - errors during installation and their displacement during operation, jamming and jamming of the sash are possible;

Photo: locking pins can be of various shapes - mushroom-shaped, cylindrical, oval, flat

• the metal is soft and inelastic - the connecting nodes will quickly wear out, and you will have to completely change the fittings.

There are several European manufacturers on the market; their quality and range are approximately the same. I'll tell you what to choose using Roto fittings as an example. By the way, thanks to this company, a modern Euro-window appeared. Roto Frank is the inventor of tilt and turn fittings. This is what is installed in my windows and has been serving without any complaints for 19 years. At the same time, I lubricated it for the first time this year. The declared 20 thousand cycles of opening and closing the sash is only the warranty period for the operation of the window. In reality, mine have already passed 20 thousand several times without any comments.

What do we choose?

Opening type:

• The rotary one is the simplest and most inexpensive, mainly designed for washing windows or the ability to look out of the window, but it is inconvenient to ventilate with it; you need a limiter so that the sash does not swing open.
• Tilt and turn – the sash opens in two planes, making it convenient and safe to ventilate and wash. 500 rubles more expensive than a rotary one, but adds comfortable ventilation.
• Folding (transom) - it’s convenient to ventilate, but it’s not very easy to clean, you’ll have to unfasten the mechanism.
• Roto TiltFirst - the sash first tilts and then opens. The most important thing is that children will not be able to open such a door! Roto TiltFirst is used with a special handle with a key, which, combined with a non-standard opening, prevents children from accidentally opening the windows. Even if you don’t have children or grandchildren, this opening will be much more convenient and will last longer. Overall, this is my choice for future windows and a strong recommendation to everyone.

Additional "chips":

• For ease of ventilation - built-in micro-ventilation or stepped ventilation. In this case, the door opens slightly by 5-15 mm, fresh air slowly enters and has time to warm up, the room does not cool down so much and quickly. It is the built-in, overhead elements that spoil the appearance of the window. By the way, in the new version of Roto NX this option is built into the standard package.

Photo: the comb is inexpensive, but it doesn’t look very good – it’s a thing of the past. Washing her is a dubious pleasure. They also often break and turn yellow quickly.

• Concealed hinges (Roto Designo) are my favorite among the hinges. The sash does not sag with them and always opens well. The opening angle is limited, so the sash does not hit the slope. You can see the appearance in the photo - repairs “kill” ordinary hinges instantly. And hidden hinges survive dirty repair work without loss.

Photo: it took a long time to wash the overlays from ordinary hinges after plastering the slopes. And they cannot be removed during repairs, otherwise all this “good” will be in the loop, and it can be thrown out. The hidden hinges didn’t even need to be washed.

• The handle on the bottom of the sash - I don’t have one. But for those who have wheelchair users in their home, I recommend taking a closer look at this non-standard solution. It is also useful for high-positioned windows, as well as in the kitchen or office if you have a countertop in front of the window.

Photo: when the handle is at the bottom of the window, you can always open it if access is difficult and reach from a wheelchair

• Anti-burglary fittings - relevant for the first and last floors, in windows next to the entrance canopies and on balconies connected to neighbors. You don't want to protect your house with bars, do you?

Photo: choose how you want to see the street - through the transparent glass of a burglary-proof window or through a grille

Photo: for safe ventilation of burglary-resistant windows, Roto has a special “feature” - a cleverly shaped strike plate that holds the sash in place during a break-in attempt, even with an open window*

• The handle is for many the most important element of fittings. Do not skimp on it under any circumstances; choose an all-metal handle rather than a plastic one. I hope everyone understands the difference in strength between metal and plastic. You will have to come into contact with it often, it should fit well in your hand. It’s good if the handle has a 45° locking option, it will make it easy to control micro-ventilation.

Photo: Important! Place special lockable fittings with a double-sided handle on the balcony door so that you are not accidentally locked out on the balcony

The best manufacturers of plastic windows

Which plastic window manufacturer did you choose?

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Nowadays, a large number of companies producing window profiles have appeared on the construction market. There are many good ones among them, but there are also those whose products are not worth buying. The rating of plastic window manufacturers in this article offers you to get acquainted with the best options.

No. 10 - Montblanc

Montblanc
A Russian company that is in the TOP of the best along with well-known German companies. It has existed since the early 2000s. Moreover, the quality of its products is not inferior to foreign ones, since they are produced using equipment from Germany. The enterprises are located in Khabarovsk and Elektrostal.

For those who need windows, the company offers 6 different profile variations, and at a reasonable price. Among them are both three-chamber and six-chamber ones.

Despite the fact that the products belong to the economy class, they are still distinguished by their quality. Although the fittings used are, of course, weak. At first, the windows may emit an unpleasant odor.

pros

• inexpensive windows
• various profile options
• Russian brand
• production on German equipment
• adaptation to the Russian climate

Minuses

• Economy class
• unpleasant smell at first
• poor quality fittings

Montblanc product prices

Montblanc windows

No. 9 - WDS

WDS
A well-known brand in the plastic window market, whose products are low-cost. The profile options are suitable for those who do not have large funds and who want to save money. Moreover, the windows are of a fairly high level of quality.

You should not expect sophistication and unusual forms from the company. Special functionality too. But those who save don’t need it anyway. Otherwise, standard double-glazed windows have a normal level of insulation.

pros

• low price
• availability
• famous brand
• high quality
• good level of insulation

Minuses

• there is no special choice of forms
• no different profile color variations

Prices for WDS windows

Windows WDS

No. 8 – Salamander

Salamander
This company, like most of those included in this rating, is German. The company has no special achievements, except that it produces reliable, high-quality products. But she has plenty of experience. Moreover, all products comply with generally recognized quality standards.

The company offers customers three options for window profiles, one of them has a rounded shape, that is, smoothed edges of the sashes. In addition, you can purchase doors or balcony pairs from Salamander.

The main disadvantage is that the products are expensive when compared with competitors. But all windows will easily pass any test and receive the highest score. Another drawback is the lack of color variations: Salamander only produces white windows.

pros

• German quality
• reliability
• compliance with all standards
• will withstand any test
• experienced company
• famous brand

Minuses

• high price
• only white color

Prices for Salamander products

Salamander window fittings

No. 7 - KBE

KBE
This is a German company that belongs to the Profine concern. But, despite its foreign origin, the company is very well known in Russia. It has been operating in the window profiles market since the end of the twentieth century. Now, even in the Russian Federation, there are two manufacturing plants that produce products according to German standards. They are located in Voskresensk and Khabarovsk.

The buyer can choose from five profile options, from the simplest Engine to the expensive Select. Moreover, the quality is all very good. The cost varies from 6 to 10 thousand, but there are also more expensive options. The chambers are filled with argon. However, all materials used for production are environmentally friendly, as clean as plastic can be in principle.

KBE windows are durable, do not allow cold to pass through, and have high airtightness ratings. They cope well with temperature changes and do not fog up thanks to a well-thought-out ventilation system. The windows do a great job of dampening noise from the street.

pros

• famous company
• high quality
• excellent sound insulation
• environmentally friendly materials
• withstand temperature changes from -50 to +50 degrees
• good ventilation

Minuses

• are expensive, but there are budget options

Prices for KBE windows

KBE windows

No. 6 – Rehau

Rehau
This is one of the leaders among window manufacturers on the Russian market. The company has been known for many years, and its products are confidently in demand. Her homeland is Germany. In general, the company has been operating since the 40s, so it is not surprising that during this time it was able not only to stay in the market, but also to master a lot of technologies. However, it continues to introduce more and more new developments, which affects the improvement of even the most budget window options. A representative office appeared in the Russian Federation only in the early 90s, and since 2002, its own production has been operating in Russia.

Buyers are offered 6 options for window profiles to choose from. Moreover, there are both budget and expensive ones - as they say, for any budget. At the buyer's request, the windows can have 3-6 cameras. There are also models with maximum noise and heat insulation. Rehau windows do not fade in the sun and are not afraid of temperature changes.

On a note! The company produces models created specifically for the conditions of harsh Russian winters.

According to the manufacturer, Rehau produces environmentally friendly product options. Its quality is excellent, and this is confirmed by user reviews. The declared warranty period is 10 years.

pros

• high quality
• reliability
• excellent heat and sound insulation performance
• there is a line of products for Russian winter
• environmentally friendly products
• long service life

Minuses

• low window height

Prices for Rehau windows

Rehau windows

No. 5 – Veka

Veka
A well-known brand-manufacturer of high-quality and reliable windows in Russia. The company, like many others, has its homeland in Germany, has existed since the second half of the twentieth century and continues to occupy a leading position in the market. In the Russian Federation, Vek has two enterprises operating according to German quality standards.

Buyers are offered a choice of one of nine window models. Moreover, among them there are even five-chamber options. One of the main advantages is the low cost of the products. Also, at the buyer’s request, the company can produce window profiles of various sizes and shapes - from standard rectangular to elegant arched. This is the main feature of the company.

For the Russian climate, a whole line of windows has been developed, featuring highly insulated profiles. In addition, the models offered are not very expensive. The cost of the windows is more than acceptable.

pros

• low cost
• Possibility of manufacturing windows of various shapes
• high quality standards
• resistance to temperature changes
• there is a line for Russian conditions
• good tightness

Minuses

• not detected

Veka window prices

Veka windows

No. 4 - Proplex

Proplex
The plant of this foreign company is located in Podolsk and has been operating since 2000. Its launch and debugging was carried out by specialists from Austria. They also trained the staff working there. Now it is the second most powerful profile manufacturing company.

According to the manufacturer, windows can last up to 60 years. They belong to the elite class and are of excellent quality. Moreover, the plant constantly monitors it: samples are taken and examined every two hours during production.

Buyers are offered three lines of profiles, from two-chamber to five-chamber. Any window retains heat well, has a special design and does not freeze even in Siberian frosts. Also, such windows are easy to clean and do not accumulate dirt due to the special design of all parts.

pros

• famous brand
• easy to care for
• reliability
• retain heat well
• several profile options

Minuses

• expensive products
• the design of some models is outdated by modern standards

Prices for Proplex products

Proplex fittings

No. 3 - Trocal

Trocal
This company was the first to come up with the idea of ​​producing multi-chamber profiles and created an acrylic coating for them. This is the most successful combination of materials such as plastic and metal. Moreover, the company produces a wide variety of design options for window systems, and also offers the best and most modern design solutions. By the way, it was this company that first installed plastic windows in Russia in 1970.

Windows from Trokal also have their own design features, which many were able to appreciate. These are elite products with an appropriate price, but users of such windows have never regretted the money spent. The packages are ideal for installation in any buildings, save thermal energy and look stylish.

On a note! The first Trokal company was founded by Alfred Nobel.

pros

• famous brand
• look stylish
• do not release heat
• reliable option
• wide selection of models

Minuses

• expensive products
• If there are built-in blinds, the latter may break

Prices for Trocal windows

Trocal windows

No. 2 - Schuco

Schuco
is one of the leading manufacturers of plastic windows worldwide. In addition, the company produces various facade systems, and also includes doors among its products. In terms of design and quality, Shuko's products are one of the best, and the company strives to maintain leadership in the market, which means it is constantly developing and improving. Representative offices are located in 80 countries around the world.

The windows of this brand are distinguished by reliability, quality, safety and efficiency. It is noteworthy that the production uses a 360-degree cycle of resource conservation. The company is trusted by more than 12 thousand third-party suppliers and consumers. All products have all the necessary qualities to allow the brand to enter the TOP 10 best companies. For the attention of consumers - three types of profiles. This is an elite class of windows with an appropriate price.

pros

• famous brand
• quality products
• safe and efficient window systems
• best design solutions
• the company also produces other products besides windows

Minuses

• expensive products

Prices for Schuco products

Schuco fittings

No. 1 – Deceuninck

Deceuninck Favorit SPACE
Deceuninck is a brand that was released back in 1937 and since then has constantly developed and improved its products. Now the company manages to maintain its place of honor in the TOP 3 best manufacturers of window profiles, as well as a number of building materials. It enjoys the trust of suppliers and buyers. Now this Belgian company serves clients in almost 100 countries. There are warehouses and production facilities in several countries, including Russia.

The company produces unique Favorit Space profile systems. They are widely known to all window manufacturers and enjoy consumer confidence.

The buyer can choose from a variety of profile options that are distinguished by reliability and high quality. Any model is compatible with anti-burglary fittings, which means it will protect your home even from thieves. The profiles are very durable due to rigid reinforcement and will not break either as a result of strong winds or as a result of other external influences.

The profiles are made from environmentally friendly materials, and they are also able to withstand temperature changes in the critical range - from +75 to -60 degrees.

pros

• the company is in the TOP 3 best manufacturers
• reliable products
• burglary resistant windows
• withstand large temperature changes
• very durable windows
• environmentally friendly products

Minuses

• not detected

Prices for Deceuninck products

Deceuninck window fittings

Tip six - choosing a double-glazed window

The glass unit is the largest part of the window. Sometimes I see advertisements for “plastic double-glazed windows” or “wooden double-glazed windows”, and I feel funny, sad and scared at the same time. If the manufacturer does not see the difference between a window and a double-glazed window, what can we say about buyers? By the way, if you see such pearls on the website of a window seller, run away from there, there are very big problems with professionalism there.

A double-glazed window is a sealed structure made of several sheets of glass, a spacer frame and sealants, which is installed in a profile frame.

You can and should choose the ingredients for your double-glazed window; they are not all the same. The number of types of glass, spacer frame and filling of internal chambers is such that hundreds of unique double-glazed windows can be assembled.

What do we choose?

• The number of glasses in a double-glazed window can be two (single-chamber), three (double-chamber), four (three-chamber) double-glazed windows. For an apartment, this is definitely a two-chamber double-glazed unit of three glasses. A single-chamber one is quite suitable for glazing a balcony if you do not intend to heat it.
• Type of glass. Installing double-glazed windows from ordinary glass now is simply a crime. Condensation, mold, burnt flowers, faded wallpaper - this is what you can get by choosing a simple, inexpensive double-glazed window. Therefore, do not spare 300-500 rubles and choose special glass.
• Low-emission (also energy-saving) - I recommend it to everyone without exception. This is the most important heat keeper in the house. In order not to delve into the theory, I refer you to this material https://www.oknamedia.ru/novosti/chto-nuzhno-znat-ob-energosberegayuschem-stekle-50738
• I would also recommend the multifunctional one for everyone, but it is better not to use it in shaded rooms, it will be a bit dark. But for sunny windows this is what you need. I have it installed in a room facing southwest. I don’t need air conditioning; it’s quite comfortable in any heat. Many buyers are worried about the growth of flowers and seedlings behind coated glass. My experience in the photo - the flowers feel great.

Photo: for those who doubt it, the flowers on my window with multifunctional and low-emissivity glass are growing beautifully and have not lost their decorative value at all. And the leaves don't get burned on the glass

• I recommend triplex (laminated safety glass) in the following cases:
• Interior glass, if there are children in the house, even if they break it, they won’t get hurt. And they will find something to break, no doubt about it. My 6 year old son broke it with his toy. You can limit yourself to glass with a transparent anti-vandal film.
• External glass in the windows of the first floors as protection against burglary in addition to special fittings. Be sure to install it and you can refuse the bars!
• It is very noisy outside the windows - triplex shows sound insulation much higher than ordinary glass
• Now I’ll tell you about the spacer frame, it is also often forgotten. The spacer frame is a hollow rectangular tube; it is placed between the glass panes in a double-glazed window. It is she who creates the air chamber. Frames come in aluminum and plastic (warm).

Photo: a warm frame can also be colored, which is very convenient for laminated windows. My recommendation is to use a plastic frame, although you will have to look for a manufacturer, not everyone works with it. A warm frame, unlike an aluminum one, will not create a cold zone along the edge of the glass unit. This is the most problematic place where condensation will fall out first.

To illustrate, I offer a photo of my window on the balcony; it shows a rare case of condensation on the outer (street) side of the glass unit.

This is a double-glazed unit with I-glass that does not release heat to the street. At the beginning of autumn and cool summer days, when the temperature drops sharply at night and the air humidity is high, condensation may form on the outside of the glass unit.

The photo shows that no heat escaped through the main area of ​​the glass unit, so the outer glass was cold and condensation formed on it. And along the edges, along the aluminum frame, there was an outflow of heat to the outside, and the temperature in these areas was slightly higher than in the main area, so there was no condensation at the edges.

When condensation falls from the side of the room, the picture will be the opposite - first of all it appears at the edges of the glass unit. I’ll tell you more about condensation and how to deal with it below.

Photo: if condensation appears on your window from the outside - rejoice! You have a very high-quality window that does not let heat out. And the condensation evaporates quickly

What parts does the design of any window include?

• Profile . The main element, the quality of which directly affects the service life and strength of the structure. Today, manufacturers offer various profile options, differing in materials and characteristics. The undisputed leader among others is the PVC profile, which is valued for its tightness, ease of maintenance and low cost. Brands also produce wooden, aluminum and wood-aluminum profiles. Sealed double-glazed windows are used as a filler for the sashes.
• Double-glazed windows . Since the majority of the window is occupied by glazing, its characteristics determine the protective properties of the entire product. The main selection criterion is the number of air chambers between the glasses. This indicator largely affects the thermal insulation and the level of noise penetration into the apartment. There are energy-saving, sun protection, anti-vandal and other types of double-glazed windows.
• Accessories . The window itself is a rather heavy structure, but it is also regularly subjected to loads. Therefore, the fittings are a guarantee of the coordinated operation of the entire system. Its main parts include handles, hinges, locks, latches and seals. It is important that together they firmly fix and ensure a tight fit of the components to ensure the product’s resistance to stress and friction.

Rice. Plastic window design

Tip eight – several useful “lifehacks” around the window

• A mosquito net is an important attribute not only in rural areas. There is plenty of poplar fluff, flies and mosquitoes in the city. Order immediately with windows, so as not to waste time calling a measurer and delivery. Mosquitoes also fly to the 20th floor, verified.

Photo: if you can find a mesh with a connection on the inner corner, go for it! Plastic corners turn yellow and break. The inner metal corner holds the mesh tightly, does not change color and will not break, even if the mesh falls

• Window sill - just choose a good and expensive one. A cheap window sill is wasted money. They scratch instantly and are scary to place heavy objects on. After a couple of years, you won't be able to wash them off with anything.
• Slopes are a matter of taste. If you like plastic ones, then it should be a sandwich panel with insulation inside. Under no circumstances is it a hollow panel! Otherwise, you are guaranteed to freeze. I prefer plasters, but window companies don't do that.
• The tide is also to your taste. Can be made of aluminum, polyester (painted metal strip) or galvanized. The main thing is that during installation, they put a sound-absorbing gasket under it, otherwise the sound of rain will not let you sleep peacefully, and seal the joint between the ebb and the wall.
• Installation – illiterate installation kills the best quality windows. This is not a horror story, but an experience. Over the years of fielding complaints, I have seen enough of deformed windows and profiles torn by frost and sun. Let the professionals install the windows, no matter how easy it may seem to you, and you can do it yourself. And yes - the seam must be three-layer, the foam must be protected from steam from the inside and from the sun and rain from the outside.

Tip nine - about condensation

This is perhaps the most common complaint about plastic windows. And they are both to blame for this and not at the same time.

Condensation, commonly referred to as “windows sweating or crying,” is a normal physical process. There are no sweat or tear glands in the windows; they cannot cry or sweat on their own, only with our help. It is we who create the conditions for this. Of course, this applies to high-quality and correctly installed windows; defective ones are a different story.

To prevent your windows from sweating, the living room must have a certain microclimate: humidity no more than 60% and temperature within 20-25°C. At higher humidity, condensation will form on any window, even the most expensive one. The laws of physics are not affected by the price of a window.

How to fight? Choose the warmest window configuration and ventilate it - the sash is in a tilt-and-turn position or with slot ventilation. The point is not only that water is flowing through the window. High humidity with tightly sealed windows is your direct route to becoming asthmatic. The same mold that will grow on slopes and walls will also grow in your lungs. Therefore, I kindly ask you to ventilate more often! Better yet, install a ventilation valve, there are a lot of them now.

Tip ten – choose a window company

If you read the previous tips, you should have an image of your window.

You have dimensions, configuration, profile, glass unit and fittings requirements. You can add wishes regarding appearance, i.e. by profile and handle color.

With this list you can contact window companies to select a manufacturer.

How to proceed?

• Ask friends or neighbors who have already installed new windows. This way you can immediately get feedback on the companies’ work, but you will have to contact the manager to calculate the price.
• Look on the Internet, but it seems to me that this is the longest way.
• Use the aggregator calculator to calculate the cost and receive offers from companies in your region for windows with a similar configuration.
• Get multiple quotes to help you decide on prices.
• Discard the most expensive and cheapest offers. It’s clear about the expensive, but the cheapest, if the price is lower than 10% of competitors, this is always a sign of the use of not very high-quality materials. What else can a manufacturer save on?

Now an even more important question: how to choose from several offers a responsible seller/manufacturer who will fulfill the order with high quality, on time and will not disappear with the money.

What we are looking for and what we pay attention to:

• Reviews on all sites you find. Those. not only on the supplier’s website, but also on sites where reviews are collected. If there are only positive reviews about a company, this is alarming. There is no manufacturer in the world who does not make mistakes. So if there are negative reviews, that’s good, the main thing is that there is a response to them with information about solving the problem. And also look at the reviews about the employer, the employees know the company from the inside and after leaving they write a lot of interesting things about it on the Internet.
• The manufacturer’s website should contain complete legal information about the company – tax identification number, etc. Using them, you can check the company for its reliability; there are many resources for this. If this information is not available, mark it as a very big minus. An honest manufacturer has nothing to hide.
• You can ask for a tour of the production facility. If they can’t organize it for you, also write it down as a minus. If they let you in, ask to see several finished windows and look carefully to see if everything suits you. And pay attention to the order in the workshops. You will see the rubble of a dirty profile, broken windows, mountains of garbage in the corners - you can leave. But don’t pay attention to the nationality of the workers in the workshop.

Photo: It is important how windows are stored in workshops and warehouses. Stacks of windows on the floor do not mean anything good. Carefully placed in cells is a sign that the manufacturer takes care of your future property

• Look at the measurement specialist who will come to you. If he doesn’t have an ID, uniform with company symbols, or samples, feel free to send him over the threshold. The measurer is the face of the company. And if a company allows itself to show disrespect for a client by sending an employee who is sloppily dressed and does not have everything necessary for work, then this is the company’s problem. There is no need to take them upon yourself. All this applies to sales managers in the office.
• If you go to the office, also look around. There may not be full-fledged beautiful samples, but what is there should be perfectly made and sparkling clean. There is nothing to do in a dirty office littered with dusty samples. What happens in the sales office also happens in production. They won't bring you quality windows from there.
• If they started making calculations for you as soon as they saw the dimensions, but didn’t ask the questions from tip No. 1, that’s also a minus.
• The presence of product certificates, as well as their absence, does not mean anything. But if they exist, it’s still a plus. It is a huge plus if you have a certificate from an official processor of a well-known profile system. System providers are jealous of their products and check processors on a monthly basis. It is much more difficult to obtain their certificate than a certificate of conformity from false certification companies.
• When you communicate with the manager and/or surveyor, listen to yourself whether it’s pleasant for you to talk or not. Don’t be alarmed if the specialist doesn’t answer all the questions at once - a good manager who cares about the client will find out everything you need and call you back. But it is impossible and not necessary to know everything.