Plastic windows are already everywhere, in state institutions, at home, schools, kindergartens, even in summer cottages and in building trailers plastic windows are placed. Are they all the same? Of course not. They have only common production material - plastic, and the presence of glass. How to choose plastic windows for home, apartment, cottage? You need to disassemble the window to understand what is worth the attention and money spent on the purchase, and which will have to be changed soon.

Types of plastic windows
In fact, there are a lot of types of plastic windows, in order to systematize them, you need to divide the window itself into 2 main components: a double-glazed window, that is, glass, and a plastic profile. Each of these components characterizes the window and determines how it will work, whether it will provide the desired temperature and how long it will last.

Types of plastic windows

Types of profiles of plastic windows
To divide profiles into views, you need to understand what they actually consist of. The basis of the profile is a PVC frame. A profile is a frame with reinforcement. The frame is not solid, it is divided into cameras. Each of the cameras has its own purpose. The first chamber is designed to drain condensate, the second - to accommodate a reinforcing metal strip, the third - to secure the fittings. Therefore, there is no less than a 3-chamber profile. Find more at the https://glawindows.com/european-windows/

The number of chambers can be increased to 6, however, this directly affects the thickness of the frame, i.e. the mounting width of the profile. So, the minimum thickness of the plastic window frame is 58 mm, this is a window with a 3-chamber profile and the possibility of using a 3-chamber double-glazed window. It is technically possible, but not necessary, to provide more cameras in a 58 mm thick profile. Why?

Types of profiles of plastic windows

According to the thickness of the frame, the profiles are divided into 3 classes:

58-62 mm, the smallest class;
64-76 mm, middle class;
From 80 mm, premium class.
These classes determine the energy efficiency of a window and its other characteristics. What kind of plastic windows is better to install, a high class guarantees the warmth in the room? Within the same class, windows have the same characteristics. Therefore, using more glasses, respectively increasing the number of cameras in a double-glazed window, it will not be possible to achieve less heat loss or win in energy conservation. So, for a 58 mm profile, 3-chamber double-glazed windows are considered optimal, and the 4th camera is unjustified costs.

So, the number of cameras in the profile has little effect on the characteristics of the window, with the same mounting width. To increase the thermal characteristics of the window, you need to choose a wider profile with a large number of cameras.

Plastic thickness
Plastic thickness

The next important component in the characterization of windows is the thickness of the outer wall of the plastic in the profile. It should be at least 3 mm, an error of 0.2 mm is allowed.
Profiles having a wall thinner, the so-called thin-walled or object, differ in a number of reduced characteristics:

Resistance to shock is much less.
Thermal performance is much lower.
The strength of welds and fillet joints is less.
The life of such windows is reduced.
Such profiles still have a right to exist. They will be the best option in interior partitions, windows between adjacent rooms. At the same time, the use of such a profile in large structures, for example, in the output part of a glazed balcony, is also not desirable. A thin wall may not withstand the load, the frame will spin, and the door will stop closing.

Profile reinforcement
Reinforced Profile

Plastic itself is not able to withstand heavy loads from glass, external pressure. Therefore, for its strengthening and stable geometry, a reinforcing metal tab is used - a reinforcing profile. For all manufacturers, they are different, have a different pattern, but must equally fulfill their purpose. Therefore, there are several requirements for this profile:

The thickness of the metal must be at least 1.4 mm. Thinner reinforcement may not withstand the load and cause sagging of the substrate.
The profile is made of galvanized steel, ordinary steel is not suitable.
The quality and thickness of the reinforcement determines which glass unit can be supplied. The thicker the reinforcement, the heavier the double-glazed window it will withstand.
Characteristics of a double-glazed plastic window
The main part of the window, which determines its characteristics for heat conservation, is a double-glazed window. A double-glazed window is hermetically connected along the glass contour, between which there is an air chamber. It can be filled with air or inert gas.

Glass unit specifications

Depending on the characteristics of the glass itself, windows are also characterized. So, when using ordinary glasses, thermal conductivity and impact resistance will be the smallest. At the same time, the transparency is at a high level. Which plastic windows are better if you look at the characteristics of the glasses? There is no single answer, you need to select glass according to their characteristics.

Selective glass . On sale, you can find energy-saving double-glazed windows that use glass with selective spraying. Such glass transmits short-wave radiation, delaying long waves.

Glass

I-glass . The use of glass with i-coating (silver ions) is gaining popularity. Silver ions are sprayed onto the inner surface of the glass. Warm air from the room does not go outside, and UV radiation does not penetrate the room. The transparency of i-glasses is not reduced.

K-glass . Hard spraying at the glass production stage allows you to get the so-called k-glass. Its characteristics are similar to i-glass, but somewhat lower. But glasses with such a coating are not afraid of atmospheric influences, and can be installed on the outside, unlike i-glass.