What profile width to choose for plastic windows. We choose an inexpensive profile for plastic windows. What types of windows are there?

Tsugunov Anton Valerievich

Reading time: 12 minutes

When purchasing plastic windows, we count on their long and trouble-free operation. I would like to avoid unpleasant surprises in the form of warped frames or cracks in them after several months or years. Well-chosen profile for plastic windows– the key to the strength and durability of the entire structure. What types of profiles exist, how to choose the right one and what to pay attention to?

Types of profiles for plastic windows

GOST 30673-99 specifies the classification of a profile according to its design features.

By class (by wall thickness)

Based on the thickness of the external and internal walls, profiles are divided into the following classes:

A – the thickness of the outer walls is from 2.8 mm, the inner walls are from 2.5. The best indicators of strength and thermal insulation among all types.
B – external walls from 2.5, internal walls from 2.0. Compared to class A, they retain heat worse and are more susceptible to deformation.
C – all profiles that do not fit the parameters of classes A and B. There are no strict requirements for them. It is not advisable to use this type for window frames in apartments.

In non-residential production premises frames are often installed from the so-called object profile. It is thin, does not retain heat well, is easily deformed and therefore is not suitable for an apartment. It happens that unscrupulous companies offer cheap windows made of such material. The “objekt” marking on the protective film. Based on other signs, it is difficult to identify a fake at first glance.

Width

The profile has different widths:

58 mm is the most common, most often installed in apartments and houses.
70 mm – profile width for windows in high-rise buildings or buildings located in cold climate zones.
90 mm – premium class with best characteristics sound insulation and insulation. Piece products, which are not in the assortment of most companies that install plastic windows.

By number of cameras

The number of air chambers in it depends on the thickness of the profile:

The 58mm has a maximum of three cameras.
In a product 70 mm thick there can be from three to five.
With a width of 90 mm, the norm is six chambers.

The more internal chambers, the higher the thermal insulation and noise reduction rates. But in reality the difference between frames, for example, with 3- or 4- chamber profile insignificant.

The corporate profile is uniform in structure and color. To ensure its authenticity, look for the manufacturer's markings on the inside. In addition to the company name, there should be numbers indicating the shift number, date of manufacture and other data related to production.

A few words about double-glazed windows

An important aspect is the number of chambers between the glasses in a double-glazed window. They should not be confused with profile cameras.

For glazing of unheated rooms (balconies, summer terraces) single-chamber double-glazed windows are used.
For living rooms a double package is optimal - three glasses separated by two air chambers.
In cold winter conditions, three-chamber structures are used. They have the best thermal insulation performance, but transmit less sun rays, and they weigh more. It makes sense to install such windows in the northern regions.

Read about all the intricacies of choosing the elements of a plastic window - profiles, double-glazed windows, seals, fittings.

What other profiles are there for PVC windows?

In addition to the profile from which the frame is made, other types of windows are required to install the window:

reinforcing (mandatory element of a metal-plastic window);
connective;
additional, or expansion;
starting (for installation of plastic slopes).

It is also worth considering color profile models separately.

Reinforcing profile for plastic windows

This is a metal insert inside plastic frame. It increases the rigidity of the structure, since plastic has low elasticity. Without it, the frame will expand in the summer under the influence of temperature, which will lead to jamming of the sashes - they will simply no longer fit into the designated opening. In winter, gaps form between the window elements due to their narrowing.

In Russian climatic conditions, where there are significant temperature differences between summer and winter, only reinforced frames are used.

Structurally, the reinforcing profile is a contour made of galvanized of stainless steel. There are two types of circuits available:

Closed, or O-shaped.
Open, U- or G-shaped.

There are several important points to note:

Manufacturers sometimes refer to O-shaped reinforcement as “warm” reinforcement. However, this is not true: the thermal conductivity of metal is higher than that of plastic. Therefore, the more it is in the frame, the worse it will retain heat.
O-shaped reinforcement is called closed, but to compensate for temperature changes in the dimensions of the metal, a technological break is necessarily made in the circuit.
A frame with a closed contour is stronger, while a frame with an open contour is lighter and warmer.

According to GOST, the wall thickness of the reinforcing profile must be at least 1.2 mm for standard systems and at least 1.5 mm for colored and frost-resistant structures (painted plastic heats up more).

Connecting profile

Designed for joining individual frames that make up a single glazing structure, which are attached at a certain angle. It is needed if you need to glaze a complex broken structure with large windows: winter Garden, loggia or partition.

Depending on the required location of the elements to be connected, there are different types of connecting profiles:

With connection angle 0˚.
With docking at right angles – 90˚.
With variable rotation angle, or simply rotary.
Companies producing docking elements unify them with products famous companies(KBE, Rehau, Veka), so choosing the right profile for the frames is not difficult.

Additional (expansion) profile

It is used to increase the size of the window frame when the thickness of its plastic part is not enough taking into account the insulation or finishing of the walls or ceiling. Most often, this element is used for glazing balconies and loggias.

Important! It is strictly not recommended to use an expansion profile only to adjust the frame to the size of the window opening. No matter how competently the additional element is selected and installed, such a design will still be inferior to a monolithic frame in terms of thermal conductivity and strength.

Additional profiles are produced with a width of 2 to 10 cm. The grooves in them are arranged in such a way that to obtain the desired height, parts can be combined: simply insert one into the other. For example, to expand the frame by 8 cm, two extensions 4 cm thick are used. The standard length of the element is 6 meters.

Stand (installation) profile

A detail that is often overlooked when installing plastic windows. If a replacement profile is included in the delivery, it is usually already attached to the frame. Its functions:

Protects the frame from damage during transportation.
Strengthens the structure and prevents it from freezing in the lower part, where window unit adjacent to the wall.
Provides reliable fastening of the window sill and ebb.

Dimensions of the stand element:

Standard length is 6 meters.
Width – from 2 to 4 cm.
Height – from 2 to 3 cm.

Read more about choosing and installing a stand profile.

Starting profile for slopes of plastic windows

Needed for attaching to the base and joining them together. This is a kind of plastic bracket mounted at attachment points.

The variety of their types is due to the methods of installing the panels. The types of starting profiles got their names from the Latin letters that their sections resemble:

I-variety. Installed in any position so that the long central shelf is perpendicular to the surface on which the slope is mounted. Plastic panels attached to the short profile flange.
The F-variety has two short shelves and one long one. It serves not only for fastening slope panels, but also covers the joint. With it there is no need for a decorative corner.

L-profile is the most versatile and popular. Installed perpendicular to the plane of the window, with a wide shelf against the wall. Narrow transverse part adjacent to window frame, and a strip parallel to the opening masks the junction of the frame and the slope.

The P-variety is very similar to the previous one, but has two wide shelves, which allows the element to cover a wider seam.

These starting elements are attached with screws or glue. With their help, it is easy to install plastic slopes without the complex procedure of leveling the window opening with plaster.

Color profile

Many people do not like the usual white plastic windows precisely because of their uniform design. However, there has long been a way out of this situation: windows made of colored plastic. Technologies make it possible to obtain a profile of any color, but shades of brown are the most successful: this is how they imitate different breeds tree.

Products of the desired color are obtained in several ways:

Lamination in bulk - color is given at the manufacturing stage, and to protect from sunlight it is applied to the surface of the element. protective film. The cost of such a window is from 14 to 21 thousand rubles.

Film lamination - the white profile is covered with a multi-layer durable film that imitates expensive wood species. The film can also be applied to the ends of frames, as well as to fittings, such as hinges. It costs less than the previous option: from 9 to 17 thousand rubles. out the window.

Painting with acrylic paints. The most budgetary method: from 7 to 18 thousand rubles.

Application of colored plexiglass melt using an extruder. From 15 to 20 thousand rubles.

Manufacturers of profiles for PVC windows: rating

The variety of window profiles makes choosing difficult. On the one hand, I want the quality guarantee that well-known manufacturers provide. On the other hand, it is undesirable to overpay for brand popularity.

All brands, with the exception of Salamander, are manufactured in Russia according to Western standards and using imported equipment. Therefore, the quality of products of the same brand produced at different factories may differ slightly in quality.

Veka. A German company, profile systems are produced at factories in the Moscow region, Novosibirsk and Khabarovsk. There is an ISO 9001 certificate, the products are awarded the German RAL quality mark. The buyer can choose from 6 types of profiles with 3, 4, 5 and 6 chambers with a width of 58–90 mm.

MONTBLANC. The manufacturer is an international company with 4 factories in the CIS. Produces 7 models from 58 to 120 mm wide with 3, 4, 5 and 6 chambers.

Salamander. The entire profile is produced only in Germany, so it costs more than competitors with Russian factories. It has an attractive design; there are 3 types of profile systems with a width of 60 and 76 mm.
Expr. A large Russian company that produces profiles adapted to the conditions of Siberia using German and Austrian equipment. Offers 9 types of profile systems: 2-chamber for balconies and 4-, 5- and 6-chamber with widths of 70, 101 and 118 mm. 4 types have a built-in ventilation system.
Proplex. Russian company With full cycle production from profile manufacturing to final assembly. The structures were designed jointly with Austrian developers. The line includes 6 models with 3, 4 and 5 cameras with a width of 58–127 mm.
Deceuninck. A Belgian concern with a factory in the Moscow region produces 5 types of profiles, 3-, 5- and 6-chamber, 60–84 mm wide.
Kaleva. Moscow profile manufacturer and window assembler rolled into one. Offers 2 classic models and 3 designer ones with the same mounting width of 70 mm and 4–6 chambers.
Wintech. A Turkish company that makes profiles and accessories for them using German equipment has a certificate of conformity. The line includes 6 models with a width of 50–80 mm and a number of cameras from 3 to 6.

From the article you will learn:

Currently on Russian market window products, despite the increasing number of sales of wooden and aluminum structures, leadership remains behind plastic windows. This is facilitated by the many advantages that they have PVC products. The main ones, of course, are excellent heat and sound insulation, long service life, and the possibility of using additional accessories that increase the functionality of the window ( mosquito net, thermometer, etc.), as well as a great appearance coupled with an affordable price.

As you know, the basis of plastic windows is the profile. In the entire light-transmitting structure, its share accounts for approximately 10% of the total area of the product. The remaining 90% is occupied by double glazing.

It is no secret that all PVC profiles included in the windows sold are the same. To pick up best option, which would fully meet the requests for appearance, level of sound and heat insulation, as well as price, the buyer needs to have an idea about each element of the window and be able to freely operate with technical terms associated with each of its components.

In this article we will take a detailed look at the main points that you should pay attention to when choosing a window profile, describe its design, and explain the meaning of basic technical terms.

How many cameras should a plastic window have?

The image is clickable.

When considering the characteristics of the model of light-transmitting PVC construction you are interested in, Special attention Three points should be taken into account:

profile;

The most significant characteristic of a profile is its chamberness, that is, how many chambers it consists of. Their number directly determines how well the plastic profile retains heat.

Profile with three cameras. For residents of regions where most During the time of year, cool weather conditions reign, the most preferable option is a three-chamber window profile. Three chambers reliably protect the structure from blowing, which means they perfectly retain heat in the room. In addition to this, they have a built-in metal frame designed to strengthen the plastic sidewalls. The three-chamber profile of a plastic window, as a rule, has a width of 5.8 cm.

Profile with four or five cameras. Products that contain four are either intended primarily for use in areas of the country in which the summer season is not long, but temperature conditions clearly leaves much to be desired. The protection provided by a profile with such an increased number of chambers copes with even the lowest temperatures (30 C and below). Therefore, inside the room, glazed with windows with a multi-chamber profile, it will be warm and cozy in any weather. It is worth noting that the use of such windows in warm regions of the country is little justified due to: mild weather conditions; prices that significantly exceed the cost of their three-chamber “brothers”.

Single-chamber and double-chamber profiles. They are mainly used for glazing apartments and private houses located in the southern part of Russia. The design flaw, which does not allow them to efficiently retain heat at low temperatures, is more than compensated for by their price - it is significantly lower than the cost of plastic window models, the profile of which has a larger number of chambers.

Structural elements plastic profile. Clicking on the mouse enlarges the image.

As a result. If you need maximum protection from the cold, opt for plastic window models with a 4 or 5 chamber profile. If there is no need for maximum heat conservation in a glazed room, for example, in the southern regions of the country where hot weather prevails, one- or two-chamber PVC structures should be chosen.

For most buyers the best solution for the home there will be the purchase of three-chamber systems.

Criteria for selecting a profile, depending on its thickness.

Sectional profile. Click to enlarge.

Not unimportant characteristics of PVC profile is its thickness. It depends, first of all, on the number of chambers and indirectly speaks about the ability of a window to retain heat: the wider the profile the warmer it is, as a rule.

When choosing the optimal profile width of a plastic window, it is necessary to take into account that there are only a large number of options, from which the following should be highlighted:

58 mm. The profile, 5.8 cm wide, is the most popular in the Russian window market. Compared to other, thicker brothers, it stands out due to its low price and fairly tolerable characteristics. As they say - cheap and cheerful. However, if the buyer pursues the goal of glazing a window opening without pretensions to super-results, then plastic window models with a 58 mm profile will fully satisfy his desire.

70 mm. The profile width of 7.0 cm allows the product to accommodate from 3 to 5 cameras. This thickness is more than enough to provide the glazed room with the appropriate level of heat and sound insulation.

90 mm. The widest profile option for PVC windows, which best copes with the issue of heat retention in the apartment. Contains up to 6 cameras. The main disadvantage of this 9.0 cm solution is its price, which is significantly higher than other similar products that have a smaller thickness.

There are also designs whose profile width is quite impressive 110-130 mm! Such windows are also called “Danish” or “Dutch”. They are, so to speak, designed for the amateur.

Cross-section of a double-glazed window.

A double-glazed window, as mentioned above, occupies about 90% of the area of the entire window. Today, there are three types of double-glazed windows, differing in the number of glasses installed in them:

Single glass option. Not suitable for installation in residential buildings due to the presence of insufficient characteristics of such a double-glazed window. The main flaws in the design of single-glazed windows are poor heat retention, as well as the lack of protection from. With the onset of the cold season, such disadvantages can contribute to the cooling of the room, as well as the formation of an impressive layer of ice on the glass.
Double glass design. It represents the most optimal solution for installation in an apartment, or a private house due to the good price-performance ratio. The so-called heat loss is practically eliminated, and heat in a glassed room is retained much better than when using a double-glazed window that contains only one glass.
Three glass solution. With installed triple glazing, you can achieve not only the greatest heat savings, but also maximum protection of the apartment from all kinds of noise entering its territory from the street. Triple glazing has only two disadvantages - high cost and.

From the above information it follows that for most buyers the best option There will be a purchase of double-glazed windows, which will contain three glasses. In case of shortage Money You can also opt for double-glazed windows, which have the best price/quality ratio.

Selection of profile depending on manufacturer and class.

When choosing a suitable window profile, in addition to its characteristics, you should take into account its brand and class. Regarding the manufacturers of this type of product, it can be noted that today on the domestic window market you can find a fairly large number of brands that produce various models of plastic windows, differing in their constituent elements and, accordingly, characteristics.

Important! This issue was covered most fully in our previous materials entitled “” and “”.

Now a few words about choosing a profile class. There are two classes of such products:

Profile class A can be used both in residential buildings, and geometrically complex façade structures. It has a long service life and has a wall thickness of at least 3 mm.

Class A profile. Click to enlarge.

Due to design features Class B profile is usually considered a budget solution. The main factor influencing the price is the presence of a thin wall of the product. It is precisely because of the savings on the thickness of the material used for the chamber wall that manufacturers of PVC profiles class B were able to keep prices for their products extremely low. Price comes at a price, however, the buyer should remember that such a marketing ploy cannot but affect the service life of a plastic window equipped with such a profile - the service life of the system will be significantly shorter.

To summarize all of the above, I would like to draw attention to a very obvious fact: all the elements of a plastic window are interconnected. When choosing a warm double-glazed window, you should also take care of purchasing a warm window profile. Otherwise, the design, due to significant differences in technical characteristics, may turn out to be unbalanced.

Plastic windows firmly occupy a leading position. They are distinguished by a high level of heat and sound insulation, and also provide the opportunity to choose fittings, window opening method and profile color. You can also choose a double-glazed window with required quantity cameras But few people think that it is the window profile that ensures the strength and durability of the entire structure. In this article we compare plastic window profiles with different characteristics and manufacturers.

General information about the profile of plastic windows

On average, the profile thickness of plastic windows varies from 58 mm to 86 mm, but some companies produce products up to 127 mm wide.

His inner part hollow, but divided by bridges creating several air chambers. A special technical calculation determines their dimensions and location. The wider the profile, the greater the number of chambers in it, increasing the heat-saving properties. Another characteristic profile system- filling width, which determines what type of double-glazed windows can be installed in the profile. They come in single- or double-chamber types, the width of the glass in a standard double-glazed window is 4 mm (grade M1).

Each cavity has its own purpose:

for water drainage;
fastening accessories;
responsible for strength, etc.

The color of the profile can be varied; painting is applied in several ways:

coextrusion method - multilayer films create a kind of barrier that allows the product to withstand dynamic loads without damage;

lamination - with imitation texture, for example, marble or wood;
monochromatic coloring.

Characteristics of PVC profiles for plastic windows

Material

This product is made from a type of plastic - white polyvinyl chloride.
The material is highly resistant to chemical attack by alkalis, solvents, acids and mineral oils.
It is harmless to humans and the environment.

Polyvinyl chloride due to its distinctive properties allows you to produce frames for double-glazed windows not only in rectangular or square shapes, but also in the form of arches, triangles, circles, and so on. Thus, giving absolutely any simple or complex configuration to the window, allowing even the most non-standard idea of designers and architects to become a reality.

Design

The inner part of the plastic profile body is divided by longitudinal partitions, in turn they form cavities (air chambers). Minimal amount There are 3 chambers in the profile, the maximum is 8. The number of chambers determines the degree of thermal insulation and sound absorption of the window; the more air cavities, the higher these indicators. It should be noted right away that 3- and 5-chamber profiles are popular.

Reinforcement

To provide rigidity, the profile is additionally reinforced. The metal frame provides the necessary structural strength and reliability during operation of the window. Galvanized steel is used to reinforce the profile, so it does not deform due to temperature changes or other environmental influences.

L-shaped type of reinforcement - a metal insert is installed along two walls;
U-shaped type of reinforcement, where metal strengthens three walls;
Closed type of reinforcement - a metal insert is located along four walls.

For window structures that have double-glazed windows up to 1900 mm in height, a U-shaped reinforced profile is suitable. However, for plastic windows of large dimensions, for example, for a loggia or balcony, a profile with closed reinforcement is required.

Profile class

The thickness of the profile walls determines whether it belongs to a certain class:

Class A - the thickness of the profile walls must be at least 3 mm;
Class B - profile where the wall thickness is from 2.5 mm;
Class C - non-standardized wall thickness.

As a result, the width of the profile of plastic windows directly depends on its class. The higher it is, the correspondingly wider the profile.

Comparison of manufacturers of plastic window profiles

Many domestic and foreign manufacturers present their products on the Russian market. The leading positions in the ranking of profiles for plastic windows are occupied by the following companies:

Germany - REHAU, VEKA, KBE, SALAMANDER, SCHUCO, KOMMERLING;
Slovakia - INTERNOVA;
Korea - LG CHEM;
Belgium - DECEUNINCK;
Russia - MONTBLANC and PROPLEX.

VEKA

The profile is produced using German technology in Russia, they always correspond to class A, suitable for all regions, with any climate.

BEKA profile systems are presented in 8 types, the installation depth ranges from 58 to 90 mm, and the number of chambers varies from 3 to 6. As a result of all the improvements, this profile is reliable, environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing.

REHAU

World famous profile from a German company.
She presents these products from economy to elite class, taking into account all weather conditions.
Mounting width from 60 to 86 mm, number of chambers - from 3 to 6.

Windows with REHAU profiles are distinguished by a high level of sound insulation (class 5), good thermal insulation, and can be equipped with gray seals if desired.
Excellent value for money and quality.

SCHUKO

This company is equipped modern equipment, uses quality materials and the staff consists of qualified personnel. Thanks to this, it produces a full line of profiles, fittings and seals.

Window profile designs are available in widths from 60 to 82 mm, the number of chambers is from 3 to 8.
SCHUKO windows are easy to use and have good burglar-resistant properties.

MONTBLANC

There are 4 manufacturing plants producing profiles in Russia.

The Russian-Austrian company is equipped with a production base where the latest technologies are being developed and implemented.

The Mont Blanc line contains 6 types of profiles, where the installation width ranges from 58 mm to 120 mm, chambers - from 3 to 6.
The durability of the profile system (60 years) is achieved using specially developed performance characteristics for harsh climates.

PROPLEX

The plant, located in Podolsk, produces profiles using German equipment using Austrian technologies.
These products are produced in widths that can range from 58 mm to 127 mm, chambers - from 3 to 6.
The original recipe allows us to produce high-quality profiles characterized by impact strength and special whiteness.

You can also compare the characteristics of plastic window profiles using the tables below.

Profiles of the German company KBE

It is believed that German profiles of plastic windows are superior to the products of other manufacturers in terms of quality, whiteness of color, and technical characteristics. They do not lose their properties even over a long service life and can withstand almost any dynamic loads and significant temperature changes (from -50°C to +50°C).

The KBE company produces and supplies 2 types of the most popular profiles: KBE Etalon and KBE Expert.

KBE Etalon - three-chamber profile

The installation width is 58 mm;
width of front walls - 3 mm;
the thickness of the glass unit can be up to 34 mm;
3 chambers in the frame, sashes, impost (horizontal and vertical window bars);
can be used in harsh conditions (-60°C);
service life - 40 years;

Advantages:

with a profile width of 58 mm, it has 3 air chambers, their size and optimal position provide heat transfer resistance. Such windows have a high degree of tightness, which exceeds the existing GOST requirements by 5 (!) times, which guarantees the complete absence of dust and drafts in the room;
two sealed sealing gaskets provide excellent sound insulation (up to 46 dB). The profile is additionally equipped with horizontal lintels, thereby increasing the strength of the lock when closing the window;
the KBE profile has stiffening ribs that provide additional strength window design. Also, special stops can increase rigidity, with the help of which the precise location of the reinforcing metal insert is achieved.

KBE Expert - five-chamber profile

Installation width is 70 mm;
width of front walls - 3 mm;
glass unit thickness is up to 42 mm;
5 chambers in the frame and sashes, 3 or 4 in the impost (horizontal and vertical window bars);
Suitable for use in harsh conditions (-60°C);
sealing contours correspond to class A;
service life - 40 years;
Environmentally friendly materials are used in production and do not contain lead.

Advantages:

The five-chamber structure allows for better thermal insulation values; this profile is capable of retaining heat 20% more than typical three-chamber systems. You can achieve excellent sound insulation by installing wide double-glazed windows with a 70 mm profile;
The 13 mm groove of the profile allows you to install anti-burglary fittings, thereby ensuring the security of the room;
the KBE Expert profile has additional horizontal jumpers, thanks to which the handles and hinges will be securely fastened;
When installed, the mounting seam becomes approximately 20% wider, in turn allowing for additional insulation.

Estimated cost of windows from KBE profile

An important factor when choosing a particular double-glazed window is its price. It is often decisive, but high quality German window profiles cannot be cheap. Below is the approximate market value in Russia.

On average, a single-chamber double-hung window with dimensions of 140x130 cm, in which one sash is fixed and the other is tilt-and-turn, will cost:
- from a 58 mm profile from RUB 7,500,
- from 70 mm - from 10,000 rub.

The price of a two-chamber three-leaf window measuring 140x203 cm, in which the first sash is rotary, the central one is blind, and the third is tilt-and-turn, will range from:
- from 58 mm profile 13,000 rubles;
- from 70 mm 14500 rub. and higher.

When purchasing a balcony block with an opening door measuring 210x67 cm and a blind window - 140x136 cm, you will have to pay at least:
- from a 58 mm profile 11,000 rubles;
- from 70 mm from 13,000 rub.

What to look for when choosing a plastic profile with double-glazed windows

In order to determine what profile thickness is needed, you should have basic knowledge about the double-glazed window, because up to 70% of heat losses occur through it.

This transparent element consists of 2 or more glasses that are tightly connected to the frame. A chamber (air gap) is formed between them, filled with rarefied air or an inert gas, such as argon or krypton. This kind of filling is used in the production of energy-saving double-glazed windows.

A single-chamber double-glazed window is a design of 2 glasses of 4 mm each and an air gap of 16 mm, in abbreviated form it is designated 4-16-4. Thus, its installation width is 24 mm. The design, equal to 36 mm, is obtained from a two-chamber double-glazed window, which consists of 3 glasses of 4 mm each and 2 layers of 10 mm each - 4-10-4-10-4.

Consequently, an appropriate profile is selected for the required double-glazed window. For example, the optimal solution for an ordinary apartment or house would be a 5-chamber profile with a 70 mm installation width and a 30 mm double-glazed unit, where a heat-reflecting coating should be applied to one glass.

If the windows face the north side and there is a busy road nearby, then the following option is suitable: a 5-chamber profile with a depth of 86 mm, complemented by a 32 mm double-glazed window with a protective noise-insulating film.

When a balcony (loggia) is combined with an adjacent room or it is planned to make a small office (rest room) out of it, then the profile should be 5-chamber with an installation depth of 86 mm, and the double-glazed window should be energy-saving, two-chamber with a width of no less than 40 mm.

For simple insulation For a balcony, a 60 mm 3-chamber profile and a 30 mm single-chamber double-glazed window are suitable.

But it’s not enough just to choose the optimal PVC profile and double-glazed window. It is equally important to entrust the installation of the finished window to professionals. Otherwise, no matter how expensive the design, poor-quality installation will cancel all its high characteristics.

IVAPER GmbH is one of the leading suppliers of PVC profiles in Russia. The main activity is the production and supply of IVAPER window and door plastic profiles. The production process takes place under the constant supervision of German technical specialists. Brand quality, reliability, stylish design- distinctive features of profiles from IVAPER.

LG Chem, Ltd. South Korea- is a division of the international corporation LG, which has long established itself in Russia. Today LG Chem is the largest manufacturer of PVC profiles. As a PVC profile manufacturer, the company has long history, the first batch of profiles left the line in 1976. For 30 years now, we have been improving our systems, focusing on internal needs and the characteristics of product markets. The LG profile is successfully sold in the USA, Japan, China, India, Turkey, and other countries.

The Provedal profile system has been successfully used for more than 15 years. The developer of such profiles is the Spanish company Provedal Systemas. In Russia, due to their high thermal conductivity coefficient, they have found their main application for glazing loggias and balconies. Made of metal and glass, they perfectly protect against strong wind, noise, dust and precipitation.

In 2003, a joint Russian-South Korean enterprise was opened to produce slidors profiles, specially adapted for use in Russian climatic conditions. SLIDORS (Sliders) is a sliding profile PVC system for glazing balconies and loggias, developed by the South Korean company HANWHA.

The difference begins to appear after a few years (sometimes within a year), when the frame and sashes become deformed - they are difficult to open and close, there is wind from the street, condensation appears between the glass panes, and then black mold.

Therefore, it is very important to know the criteria to avoid fakes when choosing a profile for plastic windows.

Types of profiles and their classification

Main structural element The profile serves as a profile for the doors and frames. It determines not only the aesthetic perception of the window, but also its strength characteristics and service life. European standard EN 12608 SR and GOST 30673-99 profiles made of polyvinyl chloride are classified according to several parameters.

1. Thickness of outer walls. The profile is a closed hollow structure with a system of partitions inside. All the basic consumer properties of the window depend on the thickness of the walls that form the structure: cost, strength and durability.

The European standard distinguishes the internal and external walls of a plastic profile. The internal ones include all the outer walls of the profile that are invisible to the eye in an already installed window. From the first definition it logically follows that the outer (outer) walls are the front walls of the window and are visible both from inside the room and from the street (see photo).

Depending on the thickness of the polyvinyl chloride in the external and internal walls, there are three classes of profiles (in this regard, the Russian standard is more stringent):

"A"— the thickness of the external walls is >= 2.8 mm, the internal ones >= 2.5 mm according to the European standard (minimum 3.0 mm at the outer wall according to GOST), which ensures high level window strength, best heat and sound insulation;
"IN"— the outer walls have a thickness of 2.5 mm, the inner walls have a thickness of 2.0 mm (coincides with GOST). A profile of this class retains heat 10-15% worse, is 12-17% less resistant to various types of deformation, and blocks street noise 10-20% worse;
"WITH"— the European standard and GOST do not impose certain requirements for this class of profile. It is mainly used to make windows for non-industrial facilities. A number of companies, meeting the requirements of one of the parameters of class B, which is important, make economy class windows for the population (in general, this is a class C profile).

Unscrupulous window installers, emphasizing the low price, persuade customers to install an “object” profile (class C, not a single parameter corresponds to classes A and B), intended for non-residential premises (in fact, the price is almost twice as high as the real one, but significantly lower than the cost profile B).

Such windows do not retain heat and quickly become deformed. It is visually difficult to distinguish such a profile from a standard one (class B or A) - measurements with a caliper are required. The inscriptions on the protective film “object” can also help determine the quality of the proposed profile.

Attention: only if both parameters meet the requirements of the standard, the profile belongs to a certain class, which must be confirmed by the corresponding certificate. Without presenting documents confirming quality, it is better to refuse the transaction.

It is easier for consumers who understand profile classes to decide which plastic to choose for their windows.

2. By temperature zones. In Europe and Asia there are countries with very hot, temperate and cold climates. Window manufacturers took the current situation into account and produced their own line of products for each zone. In Europe it is tied to the hottest month of the year, in Russia - to January.

Depending on the average temperature in January, the profiles produced may be:

lightweight version - for countries with hot climates, where the average temperature of the coldest month remains positive (must withstand short-term temperature drops down to -5 degrees Celsius);
standard version - for a temperate climate zone with an average temperature of -20 o C in January (maximum permissible negative temperature–45 degrees Celsius);
frost-resistant - for the Far North, where temperatures drop to minus 55 degrees Celsius.

The last two types are mass produced in Russia. Lightweight windows are produced only by the Russian company “Krauss” (Krasnodar) - they cover the entire south of Russia.

3. According to impact resistance, the profile is divided into class I and class II. Class I PVC must withstand the fall of a special striker weighing 1.0 kg from a height of 1.0 m at a plastic temperature of minus 10 degrees Celsius. For class II, the fall height is increased to 1.5 m.

This classification allows you to determine how correctly located internal partitions(they counteract the deflection of the outer walls into the structure under mechanical stress) and how plastic reacts to lower temperatures (everyone knows the property of plastics to become brittle in severe frosts).

Consumer properties of profiles that you need to pay attention to

Which profile to choose for PVC windows so that it is warm, quiet, airtight, inaccessible to burglary and, at the same time, not to contact scammers? The main characteristics will help with this.

System width

The first indicator you should pay attention to is the width of the profile structure. It depends on it how warm and cozy it will be in the apartment or wooden house. For consumers who are encountering plastic windows for the first time, it is difficult to understand how the width of the frame and sash affect the comfort in the room. Let's try to explain.

A double-glazed window is installed in the window sash, which consists of several glasses fixed around the perimeter with a PVC profile frame. The air pockets between the glasses are called chambers. IN standard windows they contain simple air; in the “Premium” segment, inert gas is pumped into the chambers to improve all the characteristics of the glass unit.

From school physics lessons we know that air is a poor conductor of heat, and glass with an air pocket is a poor conductor of sound. Therefore, the more cameras in a double-glazed window and, consequently, the number of glasses, the more comfortable it is to stay in the room. Window manufacturers mainly offer classic version profile width is 58 mm, allowing the installation of single-chamber windows. For two cameras a minimum of 70mm is required.

For regions of the Far North with their extreme temperatures, windows with three or even four chambers are offered. But this requires an appropriate profile width: 90 mm for 3 chambers, 110-120 mm for 4. This type of product belongs to the “Premium” class. Due to their heavy weight, such windows are not recommended for installation on balconies and loggias.

Profile width.

Number of profile cameras

The window design has two units with cameras. One is a double-glazed window, which is discussed above. The second is the profile itself. The profile is hollow. To create structural strength, fasten fittings and increase the level of heat and sound insulation, there are partitions inside the profile. The hollow volumes created by them are called chambers. The more there are, the better the performance of the window. The location of the jumpers is calculated mathematically - each of them performs a specific function.

On sale you can find 3-chamber profiles (this is the minimum possible number of cameras) and 7-chamber profiles. The most popular ones are 5-chamber ones. They offer the best combination of price and quality.

It is difficult to check the quality of the samples offered by the company by the installer, but you can pay attention to the little things that will say a lot:

The company logo, date and place of manufacture applied to the protective tape will with a 90% probability confirm the origin of the product;

The surface texture will also help: for high-quality windows, the surface of the plastic should be perfectly smooth. Graininess indicates the Chinese origin of the product or Russian handicraft production;
The applied paint should be uniform in color and without streaks.