PVC double-glazed windows occupy most of the window, and therefore they are an essential element of the window structure. You must have an idea of the technical characteristics and distinguishing features of window blocks so that they perform their functions in your home in full.
Let us dwell in more detail on the varieties of "window dressing", as well as on those basic operational characteristics that are important to consider when choosing double-glazed windows.
a brief description of
What are window panes? This is a sealed structure that is tightly fixed to the window unit. Its basis is one, two, three, five glasses, between which there are air chambers.
Buyers believe that the properties of the entire glass packet directly depend on the number of cameras. Is this true? In reality, often a single-chamber package turns out to be much better in terms of performance than a multi-chamber analogue. What should you pay attention to?
Selection options
How to choose the double-glazed windows? What is the product performance? Together we will find answers to these questions. There are three main parameters that you need to pay attention to when choosing “clothes” for windows:
- filling air chambers;
- construction thickness;
- the number of glasses and their characteristics (composition and properties).
The production of double-glazed windows involves the manufacture of products with various operational characteristics. How to make the right choice for a residential building? Let us dwell on the functions that perform these constructions.
In order to increase the heat-insulating properties of the double-glazed window, the gap between the glasses is filled with an inert gas, which has a higher density compared to air.
What size is better to buy double-glazed windows? What is the thickness of the product? These are important issues that allow you to purchase high-quality "clothing for windows." The greater the thickness of the double-glazed window, the greater the thermal insulation characteristics of the window construction will have, many ordinary people believe. An interesting fact is that this parameter practically does not affect the soundproofing qualities, because they are determined by the number of glasses.
Advice! Want to increase the sound insulation of your window? In this case, buy aluminum double-glazed windows of greater thickness (2 mm from the standard indicator). For example, you can install packages with glasses 6 mm thick instead of the standard 4 mm.
Glass Features
What is double-glazed windows made of? What are energy saving units? Let's try to figure out what products for windows are offered on the modern construction market:
- Energy saving. A soft or hard low-emission coating is applied to the glass, which makes it possible to significantly reduce the ingress of cold into the room, as well as to prevent the outflow of warm air from the room. At the same time, the sun's rays freely enter the room, increasing the amount of natural light in the room. A distinctive indicator of such blocks is the ability of their owner to save on heating.
- Multifunctional double-glazed windows have a complex structure. Their distinguishing feature is the ability to pass waves of different lengths through the glass. This allows the structures to maintain the optimal microclimate indoors at any time of the year, to provide full natural light.
- Sun protection constructions. The manufacture of double-glazed windows of this type involves the use of special tint films that can hold ultraviolet rays, so we recommend putting them in sunny rooms.
- Self-cleaning double-glazed windows - the dream of any housewife. On the outer part of the glass, the manufacturer applies special coatings that do not allow dust to accumulate. First, the dirt is destroyed on this surface, then removed naturally.
- Triplex is a multilayer package in which several windows are interconnected by a polymeric material. Such a structural solution gives the product resistance to power and mechanical loads. It is these double-glazed windows that are the safest. The adhesive polymer does not allow the glass to crumble, fragments remain inside the block.
- Noise-insulating double-glazed windows. What is sound absorption? This is the quality on which the comfort of finding people indoors directly depends. This is especially true if the windows overlook the highway with heavy traffic. To increase the noise insulation performance, the design is made of 2-3 chamber glasses, the thickness of which is 4-6 mm. Some manufacturers additionally increase the width of the frames.
Smart glasses
This design involves changing the optical characteristics of the glass. This structural element is able to transition from a transparent to a dull state, passing or holding a certain amount of thermal energy.
Smart glass is a complex and complex product created through innovative technologies in complex patterns. Unfortunately, this affects the cost of the finished product.
Despite the high price, we recommend choosing “smart” double-glazed windows for windows and balcony structures, as they help create a comfortable and cozy environment inside the living room.
Interesting Facts
The manufacture of double-glazed windows began in the thirties of the twentieth century. And the designs were then significantly different from modern ones. At that time, the sides of the double-glazed window were larger than those of modern analogues, but even the first products already had good soundproofing indicators.
Currently, a double-glazed window is a stable system that increases not only sound insulation, but also retains heat inside the living room.
The structures consist of several glasses, which are separated by an inert gas or air, are tightly connected along the contour, and also using a frame with a desiccant.
A double-glazed window covers almost 90 percent of the entire window. To increase the operational life of such structures, high-quality sealing is necessary. This allows you to protect the structure from dust and moisture, without reducing the lighting in the living room.
Single chamber packages
Perhaps you can consider them the most popular among homeowners. Such a double-glazed window consists of 2 glasses, the thickness of which varies from 4 to 6 mm. They are separated from each other by a special distance frame. In total, the thickness of such a profile reaches 24 mm: 4 mm each glass, and the remaining 16 mm - the distance between them.
Do I need to select single-chamber packages with a large distance between the glasses? Studies have shown that a further increase in the gap between the glasses does not lead to an increase in heat-saving characteristics, on the contrary, it turned out that due to the effect of convection, a decrease in such qualities occurs.
Depending on the climatic features of the region, it is important to select a certain type of double-glazed windows. For example, for the northern regions of the Russian Federation, single-chamber window structures are suitable for glazing balconies and loggias. How to distinguish it from a two-chamber design?
The difference is visible to the naked eye. The main difference is the number of distance frames. If a black stripe does not pass around the perimeter of the package, then this is a single-chamber double-glazed window.
Two-chamber constructions
Such a package is an improved version of a single-chamber analogue. For what purposes is it better to buy such double-glazed windows? We recommend using them to reduce noise, increase heat in residential premises.
Two-chamber options perfectly cope with extraneous sounds, help the owner of the room to save resources on paying heating bills.
In a two-chamber double-glazed window there are three glasses, which are assembled together in one system by two distance frames.
Useful Tips
Today you can choose standard rectangular, square, round or oval models. Which packages should I prefer? Acquired designs must comply with GOST. Double-glazed windows made in violation of the technological chain can pose a serious health hazard.
GOST 24866-99 contains clear requirements for glass thickness, size, frame features, therefore, when purchasing a new double-glazed window, do not be lazy to be interested in the seller having the appropriate document confirming the safety and quality of the products sold.
What you need to know
If the plans include the purchase of double-glazed windows, which have improved thermal insulation characteristics, we advise you to look at three-chamber structures. At high light transmission (transparency), they easily transmit and reflect solar energy.
Residents of warm regions do not make sense to spend additional funds for three-chamber double-glazed windows, but for the regions of the Far North, such structures are the best option.
Such designs distinguish a number of disadvantages:
- reduction in light transmission;
- heavy weight;
- high price.
To summarize
What is it important to pay attention to when planning the purchase of new double-glazed windows for a residential building? First of all, we recommend that you study the reviews about the manufacturer, so as not to become a victim of poor-quality and hazardous to health designs.
Among the parameters that cannot be ignored are the number of glasses. If you plan to glaze a non-residential loggia or balcony, it makes no sense to spend additional money on the purchase of a two-profile double-glazed window.
Three-chamber options are relevant only in cases where it is impossible to solve the problem of heat conservation in other ways. They are much more expensive than analogues, in addition, due to the high weight, not all walls can withstand them.