It is impossible to imagine a living space without windows. Until recently, they were made only of wood. But there was an alternative to this natural material - plastic windows. Read about their design, types and much more in the article.
What is PVC?
PVC windows are windows from a profile which is made of polyvinyl chloride. Scientists have discovered this polymer twice, but it is worth noting that for a long time it did not attract the attention of window manufacturers. As for history, for the first time in 1835, a chemist from France experimentally obtained polyvinyl chloride. After 37 years, another German chemist, as a result of numerous experiments, again receives the polymer. But he did not know anything about the early discoveries of the first scientist. Be that as it may, at that time the polymer was not used, much less spread.
The history of plastic windows
At the beginning of the last century, polyvinyl chloride was studied commercially by chemists from different countries. It was deemed unsuitable due to its stiffness and fragility in its purest form. Fortunately, plasticizers were later discovered that increased the flexibility of polyvinyl chloride and facilitated its processing.
The first to try to use polyvinyl chloride for the manufacture of window profiles was the Americans, then the Germans. But the market did not accept innovation. Only in the middle of the last century, a German designer Heinz Pasha managed to obtain a patent for the manufacture of plastic windows. True, their appearance had nothing to do with modern designs.
PVC windows are polymer structures. Popular in Europe, in particular in Germany, they did not immediately. Their recognition took place gradually. At first they were produced and delivered completely free of charge. Over time, the design gradually improved. The best PVC windows began to be made by such German companies as Veka, GEALAN, REHAU. Already in 1958, their industrial production was established. To date, these companies are leading in the production of plastic windows.
PVC windows appeared on the market of our country at the end of the last century, in the 90s. They were made from a Turkish profile. However, it collapsed under the influence of low temperatures. PVC profile windows have gained a bad reputation. It was restored anew by German manufacturers in the Russian market. And they managed to do it.
The best PVC windows finally came to the domestic market. In Russia, manufacturers with a reliable reputation appeared, such as VEKA Rus. This company is the first such enterprise in our country. Releases a profile near Moscow. Khabarovsk and Novosibirsk are the cities where the company branches are located. The head office is located in Germany.
The right choice of window
PVC windows are today an integral part of the room, they create comfort and coziness in the house, protect the interior from street noise, with them it is warm in the house. For these reasons, you need to be very responsible for the choice of designs before buying them. To make the right choice, you need to know what the quality of the window depends on. And these are the following components:
- Accessories, which are the profile, gaskets, fittings, glass.
- High quality assembly.
- Installation in compliance with all technological points.
Particular attention should be paid to the fact that the manufacturer has certificates that meet the requirements of GOST. Moreover, they should be for every type of component and for the production of windows.
The main material is the profile from which PVC windows are made. Firms have several of its types, but not all of them are certified, since this procedure is expensive. In order to save money, manufacturers only make certificates for popular products. Therefore, it is important when choosing a profile to pay attention to the certificate, which gives a guarantee for high-quality assembly of the window, which will last a long time.
The constituent elements of the window
PVC windows are a complex structure, which includes:
- Box (frame). This design is a supporting structure, so its shape and size should be the same as the window opening.
- The profile is reinforcing. This design is made of metal, it is located inside the PVC profile. It is necessary so that the entire window structure is rigid.
- Sash. It can be sliding, folding, swivel. With its help, the room is ventilated.
- Impost. This element connects the wings and divides the structure into separate parts.
- Shtulp. It is needed in order to keep the space as a whole when two wings open simultaneously.
- Hardware. This is a capacious concept. This includes handles for PVC windows, locks, hinges. Customers are more interested in pens. The most common are standard. Handles for PVC windows come with anti-burglary effect.
- Glass. It is different. Often used triplex, which is made according to the principle of glasses in a car: two glasses are connected by a polymer. If they break, the fragments will remain inside.
- Double-glazed window. It is different, with one, two cameras or more. This design is a hermetically sealed glass. So that the windows do not fog up and the condensate is absorbed, an aluminum frame with a coating is inserted between the glasses. Glasses are placed in a double-glazed window at different distances from each other, their thickness is also different. Moisture and dust do not get inside due to mastic, which is poured along the entire perimeter.
- Seals made of rubber. They are designed to ensure that the elements are tightly interconnected.
- Shtapik. He is needed to fix the double-glazed window.
- Layout This is an element of decor.
- Windowsill. It is made of different widths. It can be made of laminated particleboard or PVC profile.
- Drainage. This is a cornice that is installed outside. On it, water is drained during rain or snow melting.
- Slopes. These are the elements that are needed in order to close the walls adjacent to the window with them. This is the final stage of finishing.
General Profile Information
It can be of different thicknesses - from 58 millimeters to 86. Although its width can reach 127 millimeters. It depends on the production capacity of the enterprise. Inside the profile is hollow, but it is separated by jumpers, due to which air chambers are formed. Their sizes and location are determined by special calculations. These cameras are needed to maintain heat. The wide profile has more of them.
The walls of the profile have different thicknesses. On this basis, the profile belongs to the class “A”, “B” or “C”. The first class has a profile thickness of 3 millimeters, the second - 2.5, and the third - less than 2.5. The higher the grade, the thicker the profile.
Types of PVC windows
Windows are of different types, which differ in the following ways:
- Form. It depends on the size and shape of the opening into which the structure will be installed. PVC windows are square, rectangular, round, triangular and other shapes.
- Color. It depends on the preferences of the customer. The most common is white and brown, as well as shades of expensive wood.
- Type of sash opening. According to this parameter, a window can be hinged, pivoting, pivoting-folding, bobbin, sliding, pivoting-sliding or completely blind, without any shutters. This moment is negotiated with the customer in advance.
Types of PVC windows depending on their design
Windows are of the following types:
- Deaf, without wings.
- With one sash.
- With two wings.
- With three wings.
- With transom.
- Balcony
Bivalve or tricuspid windows are very popular. But the imagination of customers will probably never run dry. They order windows according to their design. It happens that in one window the elements of different designs are collected. At modern enterprises for the production of PVC windows, highly qualified specialists work who can manufacture any option.
Window sizes
They are different and depend on the size of the opening. Nowadays, the larger the size of the PVC windows , the more fashionable it is. As a rule, nobody thinks about practicality. But if the size of the opening sash is more than 900 millimeters square, the structure will break very quickly. Blind flaps should not be made large either, 1000 millimeters square is considered standard, otherwise the glass packet will not withstand the load and is deformed. The most common sizes of PVC windows today are:
- Single-wing - 1150 by 1900 millimeters and 850 by 1150.
- Bivalves - 1150 by 1900 millimeters; 1300 to 2200 and 1500 to 1900.
- Tricuspid - 2400 by 2100 millimeters.
Advantages of PVC Windows
Plastic windows have undeniable advantages, which are as follows:
- The PVC window, the design of which can have different shapes and colors, is made according to the customer.
- Street noise does not penetrate the room, with such windows it is always quiet in it.
- Windows reliably protect the house from wind and rain.
- They have good heat and sound insulation.
- Such a window is not afraid of increased humidity and damage from mechanical stress. They withstand extreme temperatures, hot rays of the sun and frost.
- The service life is long.
You should also not discount the amazing aesthetic appeal of designs.