Classic wooden window frames can be attributed to materials whose departure from the market is inevitable. They are replaced by more reliable, durable and functional profile systems made of metal-plastic. Moreover, if in the case of other designs, natural building materials can still compete due to their environmental friendliness and the provision of a natural microclimate, then in the case of windows this factor does not save wood. The fact is that manufacturers today produce environmentally friendly and harmless plastic windows.
Customer reviews of the companies presented below will help to understand other qualities of window profiles of different brands, which will make it possible in the future to make the best choice when buying.
The range of PVC windows in Russia
First you need to figure out which window options are available on the domestic market. Actually, the model range as a whole is diverse, but all offers can be divided into three main categories. The first group should include products from foreign manufacturers, which are supplied from abroad. Further, foreign models that are produced by Russian manufacturers of plastic windows can be noted. The Moscow region in this regard is the main platform for the release of eurowindows. In Nakhabino, Golitsyno, Orekhovo-Zuyevo and other cities, Veka, Rehau, KBE companies organized their production, which can be attributed to the leaders of the segment.
The third category is less known to the consumer, but it also deserves attention. These are windows from Russian companies, which are both manufactured and developed by domestic specialists.
Reviews about company Veka
With the company Veka it is worth starting a review of reviews related to German manufacturers. Profiles of this company are issued in Russian cities, among which Novosibirsk and Khabarovsk can be noted. Among the advantages, consumers note a large selection of profile modifications, which makes it possible to glaze loggias, balconies and living rooms with different requirements for heat and noise insulation. In particular, the company offers designs with a different number of chambers (up to 6), which increases the performance that plastic windows are endowed with.
Customer reviews of companies of German origin are usually positive in terms of reliability, but negative in terms of cost. Veka can be called an exception, since while maintaining a consistently high quality, the manufacturer seeks to keep prices within certain limits, attracting more and more new customers.
Review company Rehau
If you limit the criteria for determining the best window manufacturer to only sales volumes, Rechau will undoubtedly get the lead. This company has been operating in Russia since 2002, producing its products in Gzhel. During this time, the domestic consumer managed not only to be fascinated by the rather aggressive advertising of the brand, but also to make sure that the manufacturers were honest. In the perception of the average user, Rehau plastic windows are the benchmark for quality, functionality and reliability. Indeed, the manufacturer not only seeks to maintain the high level of product performance set many years ago, but also introduces unique technological ideas. Many of the developments in construction and fittings that are widely used today in PVC windows were once implemented by Rehau.
Among the minuses that customers note, it is worth noting only the high cost - however, the characteristics of German window systems fully justify these investments.
KBE Reviews
While Rehau can claim to be a leader in sales, KBE is one of the oldest brands representing German PVC windows in Russia. Users note the build quality, impeccable thermal insulation and the reliability of the fittings, which are supplied with KBE designs. Voskresensk and Khabarovsk are the main sites for the manufacture of windows of this brand in our country. At the same time, it is important to consider that profiles released in Germany are absolutely consistent with Russian counterparts. This similarity has been repeatedly confirmed by tests and tests - including from the Rosstroy organization.
Consumers, on the other hand, value such windows primarily for operational performance. In particular, KBE endows its products with high sealing, resistance to frost, and also implements a unique gray sealant in the structure, which, according to the owners, not only performs its direct function, but also visually expands the space of the room.
Salamander Review
This brand does not belong to the leaders in the sales of PVC windows, but its quality is not inferior to leading brands. We can say that Salamander is an underestimated brand, under which there are quite solid and affordable systems. Consumers praise Salamander's plastic windows for using high-quality plastic, as well as near-perfect surfaces.
In addition, you can notice the weld at the joints, which is not only almost invisible, but also inside provides a reliable connection of structural elements. Also, the manufacturer does not save on fittings, using first-class components and accessories. These elements lay the foundation of the window structure, extending its operational life.
LG Chem Reviews
The South Korean manufacturer of window systems LG Chem is little known to the domestic consumer, however, small factories use the standards of such companies to reduce the cost of production. For example, LG Chem technologies are used by manufacturers of plastic windows in Nizhny Novgorod, at the outlet offering designs that are quite acceptable in quality. The owners of such windows positively characterize their design, noting the beadings with a rounded shape and the original external bevels of the frames. LG windows do not lose much to German giants in terms of thermal insulation. According to consumers, several factors contribute to high rates at once.
First of all, this is, of course, a multi-chamber system, including up to 5 compartments. Further, it must be said that LG Chem is one of the few manufacturers that has its own unique extruder designs. Therefore, despite the general budget of windows of this brand, the plastic used in them has very worthy performance characteristics for thermal insulation.
Funke Review
Funke can be put on a par with the largest European window manufacturers, although even some budget brands bypass it in popularity. One way or another, many people love the company for a number of special characteristics. The main among them can be called the use of accessories from the company "Zigeniya". Thanks to it, users note the reliability of the window construction mechanisms, as well as its ergonomics.
At the same time, Funke's plastic window manufacturing company regularly introduces new technologies. One of the latest projects was the production of flexible drainage pipes from rigid polyvinyl chloride. At the same time, experts plan to use elements with coconut palm fibers as an additional filter.
Proplex Reviews
Under the Proplex brand, Russian-made window systems are released, however, based on Austrian developments. Owners of such structures note that they are able to compete with the best German profiles in terms of thermal insulation. For example, Proplex plastic windows maintain a favorable microclimate at a temperature of - 30 ºC. Otherwise, special requirements for products should not be made, since this is still a brand close to the budget class. Nevertheless, such sound systems will ensure average noise isolation and stable fittings. Again, based on a comparison of price and quality, this option may be the best of all models in the domestic spectrum.
Review Company Brusbox
The Bryansk manufacturer Brusbox produces window systems originally designed for Russian climatic conditions. Despite the modest potential of the technological and production base, the company manages to offer customers a wide range. Unfortunately, the quality of the owners of such windows is not the best. Among the shortcomings, yellowing of the frames and deformation are noted - these are processes that many plastic windows undergo over time. Customer reviews of Russian companies often highlight such shortcomings, but the popularity of these products does not decrease from this, since their low price smooths them out.
Reviews about Novotex
Window profiles from the company "People’s Plastic", perhaps, can be called the most popular among domestic offers. During operation, the owners do not detect serious flaws. They note that the structures act as a reliable barrier to the cold, they cope well with sound insulation and look quite presentable. Perhaps the secret of Novotex is that the best manufacturers of plastic windows in Europe served as an example for its developers, including the same Veka and Rehau.
But it’s especially nice that you’ll have to pay a not so high price. These are inexpensive models that owners of wooden windows usually switch to.
Manufacturers rating
It is difficult to assign specific places to companies relative to each other, since the assessment of certain qualities is very subjective. Nevertheless, if we approach the characteristics of window profiles from different brands for the combination of positive and negative, then the rating may be as follows.
The first position is rightfully occupied by Veka, which provides excellent quality at an affordable price.
Second place is shared by plastic windows Rehau and KBE. In terms of quality, they are also impeccable, but the high price does not allow them to rise higher.
The third position is worth the underestimated companies Salamander and Funke. So far they have some gaps in certain areas of production, but good faith and their own know-how make us hope for their continued success.
LG Chem takes the fourth position as the most extraordinary in approaches to manufacturing, but at the same time producing high-quality plastic.
Russian manufacturers Brusbox and Novotex make window systems of average quality. They cannot compete with the leaders of this list, although the cost of their proposals is much more attractive.
The Proplex company is one of many Russian manufacturers that, although they have managed to gain some popularity, have not yet been able to confirm it with product quality.
Windows cost
Cost as a criterion for choosing a particular profile has been mentioned more than once. And for many consumers, unfortunately, financial opportunities become a limiter when choosing a window system. The initial segment is represented by elementary single-door constructions with a single-chamber double-glazed window - this package is often offered by budget companies of plastic windows.
Prices in this case range from 3 to 5 thousand rubles. Adding to this amount 2-3 thousand, you can count on a double-leaf window with one pivoting part. The most expensive complete sets have rotary and folding shutters. Such an option from a little-known company can cost 7-8 thousand. However, if you choose from the assortment of firms of the “Century” or “KBE” level, it is unlikely that you will be able to meet even 10,000 rubles.
Conclusion
The technologies for manufacturing PVC systems are constantly being improved, as evidenced by the complication of configurations, the mechanisms of operation of profiles and fittings, which are supplied with plastic windows. Customer reviews of companies manufacturing profiles largely reflect new ideas. For example, consumers highly appreciated the concept of multi-chamber models, tilt-and-turn mechanisms, and connoisseurs of beautiful facades pay tribute to companies performing multi-colored lamination.
As practice shows, for developers who themselves shape the market, moving technological progress forward, and basic quality at a high level. This is confirmed by German companies and the little-known company LG Chem, which was able to achieve certain indicators in the market only due to a unique approach to the manufacture of plastic.