Now no one needs to be persuaded that the windows - it is comfortable and practical. They thoroughly and permanently entered into our homes. Insulating glass units, as compared to conventional windows have indisputable advantages: easy to use, easy to care for, do not require painting to provide protection against dust and noise trap heat in the building, are more durable. And, importantly, are environmentally friendly due to the value of the wood replaced with PVC plastic.

Production of insulating glass windows continues to evolve rapidly. Introduction of new technologies can improve the quality, environmental friendliness, fire safety, heat protection and sound insulation of windows. On the market there are many modifications of insulating glass windows from different manufacturers. To choose the goods of good quality and do not overpay, you must understand the device window and explore the market offers.

How are windows

Quality windows must meet the basic requirements:

• keep heat in the house,
• have good light transmission,
• to protect against noise from the street,
• tightly closed,
• it is easy to use and durable.

The glass window consists of profile, double-glazed accessories.

Profile

The window frame is called profile. Double glazed windows with wood profiles, aluminum and plastic. PVC profiles are universal, practical and cost-effective. They are represented by different brands and modifications. The camera is the space inside the profile separated by partitions. Most often there are two types of profiles: three- and five-chamber. The number of cameras can be defined on the cross section of the profile. The more cameras, the more efficient the heat and sound insulation of the window. The windows facing the street with intense transport movement and frequent oncoming winds to equip with a five-chamber profile.

For internal windows bordering a glazed loggia and a balcony, a three-chamber profile is quite suitable. In price, all types of plastic profile are divided into three classes: economical, medium, premium.

Price profile categories

• Economy class. The most affordable price by applying local raw materials and reduce logistics costs. This class includes products produced in Russia, brands: VEKA, PROPLEX, SOK and DI FENCE. Cheap import profiles are most likely to have a simplified design or manufactured by primitive technology.
• Average price. The middle class includes more high-quality profiles from manufacturers from Europe. They enjoy a wide consumer demand due to the parameters of high quality and affordable price. Medium-class profile firms: Montblanc, Kbe Energy, Kbe Expert and Rehau. These companies have long come to our market and deservedly earned a good reputation. The middle class profile has durable reinforcement, clean color, resistance to mechanical damage.
• Premium class is represented by the prestigious trademarks of TROCAL and THYSSEN. This is world famous manufacturers. Despite the high level of prices, they occupy a strong position on the market due to the impeccable quality of products,

Reinforcement

Plastic profile becomes metal-plastic as a result of reinforcement. To give the window block stiffness and strength, a steel profile is inserted into the chamber inside the plastic profile. Metal profile When assembling the window block forms a frame inside the PVC profile. The thickness of the galvanized profile for plastic window systems is from 0.5 to 1.5 mm.

Profile Selection Scheme

External signs of the profile are determined by the buyer's taste. The profile surface can be smooth, rounded, matte, glossy, various shades. For an objective assessment of the quality of the window block, the following factors take into account:

• Producer manufacturer PHV-profile. Preferably companies with world fame. The leading positions occupy the German stamps of the window profile.
• Technical characteristics of the PVC profile. The parameters of heat and noise insulation. Dimensions of profile, frame and sash. The ability to install various types of glass windows.
• Ability to use a set of additional items and options for creating complex structures.

Glass windows

Structuring glass

Most of the plastic window design takes windshirt. The glass is a block of two or more hermetically connected glass sheets. The space between the glasses is called the camera. The number of cameras in the profile and double-glazed windows are different things. In residential buildings, a three-chamber profile with a two-chamber double-glazed glass is most often installed. The chamber in the double-glazing is filled with air or rarefied gas for greater heat and noise insulation. Such a glass unit eliminates the penetration of dust and dirt between the glasses. Glasses of the chamber are separated by remote frames within which the moisture absorbing substance is contained.

What glazed windows are

There are various types of glasses that differ in thickness and composition, which affects the qualitative characteristics of the window. To reduce the heat loss of the building, glasses with a special coating are used capable of reflecting infrared rays. Such coatings are soft and solid, they do not affect the transparency of the glass. In winter, they hold warmth in the house and keep cool in the summer. The solid coating has moisture resistance, so used more often. Two and multi-chamber windows have high thermal insulation. For sunscopes on the glasses, a mirror coating of metal oxide is sprayed with a thin layer. Another way to protect against sunlight is the installation of painted glasses.

Refractory properties are attached to a glassy due to the installation of a metal grid, which fixes the glass, not allowing it to operate in a fire.

There are shockproof packages with multilayer glass, laminated special film - triplex. Triplex gives glass strength, and when breaking it does not form fragments. In addition, the triplex provides high sound insulation of the window and delays ultraviolet radiation. Release bags with special tempered glasses, as in the car. When damaged, such glass disintegrates into small pieces without sharp edges. In one package, glasses of different thicknesses can be installed, for example, a thicker outer glass to protect against noise.

Options for combining profile and glass package

The most common combinations of the PVC profile and glass package:

1. Three-chamber profile and single-chamber glass. Economical option for internal windows overlooking a glazed balcony or loggia, as well as for non-residential premises.
2. Three-chamber profile and double-chamber glass. Effective isolation from noise. Suitable option for premises with good heating.
3. Pleight chamber profile and two-chamber glass. High heat shield and sound insulation. This option is intended for windows overlooking railway and tram tracks, lively motorways.

Furnitura

There are no secondary details in the window blocks. The slightest marriage in the design leads to a violation of the main functions. The service life of the window is largely determined by the quality of fittings.

The accessories of plastic windows are all mechanisms for the full-fledged window system: spivelights, handles, hinges, brackets, thrust, anti-modules, elements for opening and closing window sash in different mode. The window mechanism contains four or more location points and is controlled by one handle. Accessories provides a dense closing of the plastic window.

Installation of cheap fittings leads to the appearance of drafts between the flaps and the disintegration of the loops. Cheap fittings are usually made of soft metal and short-lived. The accessories most often chooses the manufacturer of window blocks.

To the stamps of accessories, which can be trusted, include Roto, Aubi, Winkhaus, Siegenia, Aubi.

The working mechanisms of these brands are made of durable metal and have additional technical capabilities: fixing the window and protection against sagging, four-stage ventilation.

Criteria for choosing accessories:

• Manufacturer. It is preferable to a world-class company. High quality products are considered to be the accessories of German and Austrian brands.
• An additional set of elements, options and parameters allows you to expand the design features.
• Easy and ease of use. It is necessary to properly check the fittings in action: open and close the sash, pay attention to the ease of the course, the density of the clamp.

What to choose glass windows

Double-glazed windows, along with the profile, provides thermal insulation and noiseless windows. The glass has a multilayer structure: glass rows with hermetic cameras between them.

There are additional options: shockproof double glazed, toning, design glass, stained glass window.

Type and design

When buying plastic windows clarify their type and construction. There are single-chamber and double-chamber windows. Lighting the room during the daytime depends more on the location and the magnitude of the window opening. The quality of the glass package mainly affects the heat and noise insulating parameters.

Single-chamber bags are cheaper, but the sunshine is worse worse, poorly hold warm in the room. More expensive two-chamber glass windows are characterized by good traffic, saved heat and protect against noise.

Simple single-chamber windows for our climate are not suitable, except for glazing balconies and unheated premises. However, one-chamber thermal insulation packages with low-emission glass appeared. It contains silver and can selectively skip the solar rays and delay thermal radiation indoors. Such double-glazed windows are not inferior in thermal insulation by simple two-chamber, and cost much cheaper. True, they are not recommended for the side of noisy streets. There are special double-glazed windows with inert gas inside cameras, argon or krypton. Such double-glazed windows have high thermal insulation and noise protection, but also cost more.

Fiber glass thickness

The warm glass has a thickness of at least 32 mm and consists of three glass sheets, two aircases, a remote PVC framework, glass with energy saving. The thickness of the glass according to generally accepted standards is at least 4 mm ("four").

For room with good heating, a double-glazed glass bottle with a thickness of 24 mm of two glasses with one chamber. It is desirable, in case of a failure with heating, still put the energy-saving glass.

Heat Protection

When the windows is selected, the location of the window and the function you want to strengthen are taken into account.

1. Single-chamber double-glazed windows are used for glazing balconies and loggias or rooms with sufficient heating.
2. Two-chamber glass windows are installed if maximum heat protection is required.
3. To improve the thermal insulation of double-glazed windows, the air in the chamber is replaced with crypton or argon, or used glass with heat transfer film.
4. The windows thickness and the number of profile cameras affect the heat-saving function of the window.

Thin 60-64 mm profiles rarely have four chambers, they are not adapted for glass package sufficient thickness and poorly hold warm. It is important to keep in mind that the amount and thickness of the aircases is more important for heat saving, the absence of cracks. The gaps in the frame and the thin profile cross all the advantages of the highest quality and expensive glazed windows.

Seal

From the quality of the seals, the hermetic closure of windows and fixation of glasses inside plastic profiles depends.

The seal is made of a special type of rubber, rubbing, silicone, rubber. For eco-class windows, rubber seals are usually used, more durable silicone seals are installed in expensive window structures. Due to the softness of the seal, elasticity, stability of rigid temperature modes is ensured by the heat insulating function of the window. The seal is stacked on the edge of the glass bar on both sides and on the junction between the frame and sash. Effective sealing of designs provides a seal from special EPDM polymers romething in PVC. An additional plus of such a seal is the lack of need for care.

Specifications

The glass windows is up to 80% of the window opening and affects the heat-saving and sound insulation properties of the window. With the help of tables with heat and sound insulation indicators, and such information is easy to find on the Internet, you can choose the appropriate option. For the construction standards for the Moscow region, it is recommended to use window blocks with heat transfer resistance at least 0.55m2 * C / W. Such requirements correspond to the design with three-row glass windows with a thickness of 36 mm and a profile of 76-82 mm wide.

Soundproof

Noise insulation depends on several factors:

• on the number of aircases between the glasses,
• from the difference in the integral distances for each row,
• from the combination of glasses of different thickness,
• from the type of glasses themselves (for example, a multi-layer triplex is good noise).

If such conditions are not respected, there are conventional glass of equal thickness with the same aislers, even four-layer glass windows will not cope with street noise. For thermal insulation and sound insulation, different double-glazed windows are required.

Marking

High-quality products are easy to determine the stigma or logo of the company, made throughout the perimeter of the frame. On German windows, a special quality mark is specified. Solid companies other than stigma are assigned a personal number to each glass accessory and save the parameters of all products in the database. In case of marriage, it is enough to transfer this number to the manufacturer, and the company will send an identical glass.

How to choose a PVC profile

Plastic windows from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) adequately passed the time check and are considered the most efficient window systems.

Profile width and plastic thickness

All plastic windows with a 50 mm wide profile are hopelessly outdated.

The larger the installation depth of the PVC profile, the volume of the chamber with air or inert gas (argon, hexfluorinal sulfur).

When buying plastic window systems, attention should be paid to the thickness of the facial walls. It happens from 2.5 mm to 3 mm. For heavy window blocks, thin walls are not suitable, the welding seam is less durable.

The thickness of the plastic of the profile on the European standard is at least 3 mm. This is a prerequisite for the window block can withstand heavy loads. In addition, according to the technology on the corner joints of the subtle PVC profile, it is impossible to put galvanized reinforcement.

Therefore, profile plastic should be sufficient thickness and good strength.

The optimal profile width for our climatic zone is 70 mm.

With an equal width of the profile, the number of chambers does not significantly affect the thermal conductivity of the window.

Profile coloring is a matter of taste. It is believed that white plastic is more frosty. The European brands profile produced in Russia, white, does not turn yellow over time, is environmentally safe. It is performed on imported automatic and semi-automatic equipment.

Popular window profile brands

The most popular metal-plastic windows from the Profile of the German producers Rehau, Proplex, Veka, Kbe, Trocal. The base of galvanized steel is an important element of the profile. Anticorrosive Protection Basics eliminates the appearance of rusty drills through the holes for the moisture. The German profile Rehau has proven well well. This is one of the most authoritative brands with experience more than half a century. Rehau is considered the legislator of the window fashion, it constantly improves the design and configuration of the PVC profile. Cheaper fakes do not provide reliable noise and heat protection, do not have sufficient hardness, which causes cracking of the glass.

Quality standards

Reliability, window life, insulating properties, appearance of the window depend on the quality of the profile. You should choose in favor of windows with a high-quality certified profile, which meets all the required standardms of GOST 30674-99 "Window blocks from polyvinyl chloride profiles". At the same time, the principal differences between the products of world producers are not.

Not all European profiles of good quality are suitable for our winters, some of them at low temperatures become brittle. It is important to make sure that the temperature range they correspond.

Thick five and even six-chamber profiles for plastic windows are available. Sometimes the optimal solution is the use of external overhead frames to increase the number of cameras. Opening structures should have a profile with internal steel amplifiers to which fittings are attached. There are copies with accessories, screwed directly to the profile plastic, such a connection quickly fails.

The window design must be rigid enough and not very massive so that there is no deformation from its own severity. Solid companies produce glass windows from eco-friendly materials and provide full warranty support for all products. The PVC plastic for the window profile includes an impurity of the hardening and stabilizing action.

For the production of low-cost profiles, lead and cadmium compounds are used for environmental friendliness - safe additives from zinc and titanium compounds.

One of the main quality criteria for PVC windows can be called compliance with strict geometry without more than 3 mm of linear dimensions. This condition is achieved by the correct cutting of blanks and high-quality welding them into a whole design. The slightest violation of the technological process of assembling the window design leads to a change in linear dimensions and the fragility of angular compounds. The high-quality PVC profile has a sufficient thickness of the outer wall, at least 3 mm.

Good PVC window is resistant to static and dynamic loads. The relevant technical parameters are set during laboratory tests and are recorded in a certificate of conformity to products. When buying plastic windows, you should familiarize yourself with this document to make sure the stated reliability of PVC windows.

The accessories embedded in the window must also be durable and reliable. Fittings includes a set of mechanisms from loops, presses and constipation. The convenience of managing the window depends on the fittings. Cheap fittings has a smaller safety margin. It is intended for limited use.

The qualitative resource-intensive technical equipment of the PVC window is calculated on the number of cycles of the uninterrupted opening at least 30,000 times. If you split the window openings per day to the average number of openings, you can determine the service life of the accessories and select the appropriate type.

Without high-quality glass windows, the window structure will not be able to securely protect against frost, wind, noise and dust. The number of rows in the double-glazing can be different from one to three. Three-row double-glazed windows are designed for cold regions. The most popular windows with two rows of glasses, providing a sufficient level of sound and thermal insulation. The recognized world standard for the quality of the flat glass is the Pilkington brand products by Float technology. Glass must be absolutely transparent and clean. Unacceptable the presence of bubbles and clouds.

The quality of sealant and remote frames separating glass is important. There are many varieties of double-glazed windows. With the help of various types of glasses and additional parts, one or another window block function can be enhanced and select the most optimal option.

How to choose a reliable company

With the same prices and close as plastic windows make a choice in favor of the professionalism of employees and a complete set of services. How to avoid unscrupulous manufacturers and handicraft technologies?

When selecting the manufacturer should pay attention:

1. How old is the company or its employees working at the main "window market."
2. What equipment is equipped with the company's office, is there any software to calculate the estimates.
3. Is there a certificate for its products.
4. Customer Testimonials.
5. Availability of the site, its quality and richness.
6. If possible, assessment of practical work of installers. Quality installation - a pledge of comfort, reliability and durability of insulating glass windows.
7. Provided by the warranty on the plastic windows should apply to the installation and components. Normal warranty period for the "window" of production is considered to be 5 years. Significantly greater or lesser period of doubt and should alert the customer.
8. Price. Dumping prices in the advertising always suspicious and need to be clarified. It may well be that the real price of the presented estimates will be 1.5 times higher. Should ask is whether the sum of the cost of dismantling, installation and cleaning of debris.

In the process of manufacturing plastic windows are no trifles. The end result affects everything: the quality of the material, organization and culture of manufacture and assembly. The quality of the finished window systems depends on the assembly line. Assembling rundown obsolete equipment leads to cracking, uneven joints. Replace profile details in the established window blocks virtually impossible. German lines for the manufacture of PVC windows are considered the most high-tech.

Rotox company among the top three manufacturers of machinery and equipment in Europe.

The service life of plastic windows of good quality 35-40let.

Trust but verify

• When choosing a company to find out if indeed the company is a manufacturer, view the list of its partners. Check the certificate of conformity for its products and the materials used, whether it was issued to this entity. Check the application for a certificate with the results of technical tests.
• Visit production.
• Confirm the accuracy of the information about the technical parameters of the window in the competing companies.
• Study the markings, certificates of components.
• Familiarize yourself with the typical wiring diagram window and a list of materials used. In the case of installation departing from the mismatch circuits, and the materials used with good reason can require rework.
• Examine reviews about the company. Counseling with friends. Find the necessary information on the Internet.
• If no one responds to the phone call during working hours - it should alert. A good level of service involves work on graphics and operational customer service.
• When visiting the office of the company draw attention to the presence of a license, certificate, reviews of feedback, product samples.
• It is best if the installation of plastic windows is carried out by the manufacturer of window systems, not an intermediary firm. According to statistics, more than 60% of window firms do not have a permanent state of installers, and resort to random craftsmen. It is desirable that the company has a permanent staff of experienced qualified specialists.

What depends on the cost of the glass windows

With external similarity, plastic windows are arranged in different ways, respectively, have a different cost.

Available windows of economical and elite class. Plastic windows of good quality are presented in both classes. Nevertheless, there is a fundamental difference between the "economy" and "elite" classes. The window designs of the economy class are manufactured from cheaper materials. Nevertheless, even the most simple plastic windows retain warmly in the room, muffle the noise from the street. In addition, they are much better than windows that were produced a few years ago.

The profiles of "elite" windows contain from 1 to 6 cameras. More cameras - above the heat and noise protection of the window structure. There are such windows more expensive. Weigh the "elite" windows are usually much less. Accordingly, the load on the accessories is lower, which increases its service life. Plastic elite-class windows have additional functions: protection against fogging, infrared radiation.

Other factors are influenced by the cost of windows, for example, opening of sash in different directions or additional equipment: Mosquito net or special spraying.

You should not buy for too cheap options for plastic windows - high-quality design will justify all costs, but the cheap window can deliver a lot of problems.

On the other hand, if the manager persistently promotes the options for plastic windows with expensive beams, you should think so if they are needed. Plastic windows are not purchased for one decade, so it is necessary to spend time to collect the most complete information.

The cost of the glass windows depends on the type and quality of components, the number of parts and the configuration of the window block.

If you save on complex opening designs and choose cheap deaf, it will soon be that it is uncomfortable to use this window, it is impossible to wash it outside. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the optimal configuration of deaf and moving windows. Savings should be reasonable. It is absolutely optionally to install the windows of the same design in all rooms.

Say, for a loggia with a large glazing area, double-glazed windows with high heat shields are more suitable, and in the kitchen it is better to put a window that opens completely and in the form of a gap. In the living room you can install tinted double-glazed windows, and in the bedroom - soundproofing. If the window goes to the quiet courtyard, then there is no need for additional sound insulation.

In country houses put window structures with armored film, locks and anti-burglar fastening, texture and color in accordance with the architectural design.

Mounting

Mounting windows should be professional. Incorrectly installed window of unattractive looks, I miss the cold and, most important, is danger.

The main stages of the installation of glass windows:

First measure the window opening inside and outside. Outdoor sizes of the opening should not exceed the size of the window block to eliminate the loss of the frame.

Correct the irregularities of the window opening. When installing, a lot of dust and garbage is formed, so they prepare the room, lay the floor, clean or cover the furniture.

Dismantling the old frame. To install the window block use vertical plumb. Double-glazed windows and sash before installation frames are necessarily removed. It is necessary to ensure that the holes of the moisture reserves are located at least the edges of the window opening.

The slots between the window and the wall are poured with a special foam, to protect against drafts. Installation according to GOSTA assumes the use of psyl tape (vapor-permeable self-insulating foam, waterproofing tape, to protect foam from destruction).

Surplus foam can not be cut to save the protective film. With high-quality installation, no extra foam is not formed.

The installation of the window sill installation window is completed.

More light and heat

Glass windows are modern and prestigious. Now they are available to most people. The main thing is to offer a goal, find a reliable company and choose a suitable window structure according to functional features, quality and price. A neat plastic window will transform the facade of the house, will decorate any interior, will add heat, light, comfort and will be the subject of legal pride of their owners.