List of names of plastic windows. How to choose the right window profile

What is a quality profile?

The key to the quality and durability of a metal-plastic window is a high-quality PVC profile. Even if at first glance they are all the same, in reality this is far from the case.

The entire profile from which windows are made is certified.

The ISO 9001:2000 quality management system certificate is issued to production facilities that have a well-organized management system in compliance with all technological, economic and organizational requirements typical for production in developed countries. Both Russian VEKA plants have this certificate.

Wider, more reliable, warmer

The width of the profile is one of its main characteristics. Many window manufacturers promise a couple of extra millimeters to the profile width in their advertising campaigns, but is there really any benefit from them?

The most common offers on the market are:

• classic profile 58 mm;
• 70 mm profile with increased installation width;
• profile VEKA SOFTLINE 82

The width of 58 mm is due to the “classics of the genre” - wooden frames, which were replaced by plastic windows. The EUROLINE 58 mm profile allows us to produce modern warm windows that meet the requirements of most buyers in different climatic zones. When manufactured and installed correctly, it is the best profile for windows in any room.

The 70 mm wide profile is a proposal that appeared in the 80s of the last century. Having higher heat-saving and sound-insulating characteristics, this profile is especially loved by Russian consumers. In the product group of VEKA profiles with a width of 70 mm, they have SOFTLINE, SWINGLINE and PROLINE.

Now another new product has appeared on the market - the SOFTLINE 82 profile. An innovative multi-chamber system, elegant style and the ability to choose from more than 40 modifications guarantee that the needs of the most discerning client will be met. The SOFTLINE 82 system provides the best insulating properties, is fully compatible with 70 mm profiles and can be installed in any home.

The choice of profile width for a window largely depends on the installation location (office window, vestibule door, front door to a store, windows in a country house) and climate.

Watch the video " Important parameters plastic windows»

Chamber… ensemble

Increasing the number of cameras with the same profile width does not significantly change the characteristics of the window. To improve heat-saving characteristics, a wider profile is needed, and not a larger number of partitions in it.

Complete package

Another important point is the double-glazed window. The number of glasses in a window affects its characteristics and cost. The most common are double glazing, but you can order windows with single glazing or triple glazing.

Three-chamber windows are warmer, but they weigh more and require high-quality installation and stable construction. Single-glazed windows are the coldest. It can be used for glazing unheated balconies, as well as summer houses. Double-glazed windows have optimal technical characteristics and allow you to maintain indoor comfort all year round.

Real class

There are two classes of metal-plastic profiles. The first, class A with a thickened outer wall is the best profile for windows, doors and frame glazing.

The second, class B, is a lightweight profile with a thinner outer wall, the so-called “object” profile. It has a slightly lower cost, but does not guarantee that the characteristics of the window will be maintained throughout its operation. Windows from the “object” profile, as an economical option, can be offered by absolutely all manufacturers, but you must remember that such a window may have weaker corner connections, worse dimensional stability, lower energy-saving characteristics, risk of premature wear of fittings, shorter service life.

Important takeaway

To summarize the discussion on the topic of choosing a profile for a metal-plastic window, we emphasize:

• The presence of certificates confirms quality.

According to the installation width, all profiles are divided into two main classes: 58, 64 mm and 70-76 mm. Within the class, the thermal characteristics are the same. The 68 mm wide profile and the 72 mm wide profile do not differ from each other.

The number of cameras affects the quality of the window only if the profile belongs to different width classes.

The most common is double glazing.

Class A profile is a leader in reliability and quality.

When choosing a profile for plastic windows, be able to hear the necessary information and filter out advertising. The quality of your windows depends on your choice. Take your time to make the right choice!

The miser pays twice

The cost of windows from the profile of well-known brands is a priori higher than other manufacturers. Which profile is better to choose for a plastic window? Is it worth “overpaying” for a well-known brand or can you save money?

Which profile is better to choose for windows – brand or non-brand?

The word “brand” is associated among buyers with high quality that can be trusted. The brand's reputation is not an empty phrase, it is always backed by solid investments in scientific research, first-class equipment, high-quality materials, employee training and communication campaigns. No self-respecting manufacturer will invest in advertising a product whose quality is not certain.

The window market is highly competitive. In the fight for the client, price is increasingly becoming the only argument, and window manufacturers are more willing to offer an economy class profile.

“It’s the same thing, only cheaper, without overpaying”– can be heard in sales offices. Are all profile systems really the same and the difference lies only in the promoted brand?

If the choice of plastic windows is limited only by the price factor, then the result will be obvious - the buyer will choose the most cheap option and other arguments will be powerless. Operating only at low cost is not an approach for thinking people who know how to count their money. Why are windows from well-known and reputable profile manufacturers more expensive? What can manufacturers save on for the sake of low cost? Which profile is better?

What is a window profile and what is its role in a window?

First, let's look at what a window profile is and what role it plays in a window. A window profile is a plastic frame and window sash into which steel reinforcement, double glazing, fittings and sealing are installed. The main task of the PVC profile is to give shape and maintain a strong frame of the window structure. The wider the profile, the greater the options the window can have - better sound insulation, safety and heat conservation.

Which window profile is better to choose – what do manufacturers save on?

The basis for the quality of any product, no matter whether it is bread or a window profile, is high-quality ingredients and adherence to production technology. Of course, any manufacturer is interested in reducing production costs. But well-known and proven brands cannot reduce the cost of the recipe at the expense of quality.

Laboratories large manufacturers We are constantly working to improve the mixture. It is impossible to create a recipe once and for all - new technologies appear, suppliers of raw materials change, and product requirements become more stringent. Any change in recipe from a major manufacturer is confirmed by comprehensive testing.

A decrease in the composition of expensive components - PVC-S, impact resistance modifiers, titanium dioxide (color catalyst) leads to a decrease in the durability of the profile. It happens that a window does not survive the first frosty winter or becomes deformed on a hot day.

● Brittleness or fluidity instead of strength – savings on formulation

To reduce the cost of a window profile, manufacturers most often increase the content of hydrophobic chalk from the permissible 8 parts to 30, and sometimes even up to 40, to the detriment of the polyvinyl chloride content. This saving leads to increased brittleness and the appearance of cracks on the profile or at corner welds. Cracks on a fragile window profile may appear both during transportation and 1-3 years after installation of the window. There is only one way to eliminate the defect - by replacing the window.

Replacing expensive polyvinyl chloride with monosyllabic acids in a PVC profile makes the profile too plastic. When heated in the sun, it can “melt”, irreversibly losing its shape. The result is unopenable, jammed sashes, cracked double-glazed windows and the need to replace the window.

● Window profile turns yellow – saving on additives

Plastic windows are the most popular choice. They are durable, insulate noise well, are easy to care for, and their thermal insulation properties are especially important in continental climates, with hot summers and harsh winters.

Which plastic windows are best to choose for an apartment? This question will help answer rating of plastic windows by quality, compiled in 2018 based on user reviews from the Irecommend and Otzovik websites.

Also, when compiling the window hit parade, such criteria as the durability of the company, the popularity of its products, the quality of service and, of course, price were taken into account.

The cost of a double-leaf window is from 7,500 rubles.

Opens the rating of the best plastic windows “Panorama” - one of the oldest manufacturers of plastic windows on the Russian market, staying afloat for more than 20 years. Over the years, the St. Petersburg company has glazed more than one and a half million square meters. So far, only one thing upsets users - that the company’s service is so unobtrusive that it is difficult to obtain information about possible options.

Cost - from 14,000 rubles.

SOK, or Samara Window Constructions, was founded in 1999. The company does not have its own production, and the profiles are manufactured under the patronage of the German concern Profine. In the ranking of the quality of profiles for plastic windows manufactured Profine KBE profile is considered one of the best, they have received many rave reviews for their durability and strength. Cons: the windows may turn yellow, possibly due to a violation of technology at the Russian manufacturing plant.

Prices - from 9,500 rubles.

Belgian concern The Deceuninck Group is one of the top three manufacturers of PVC windows worldwide. Russian branch The company has established itself by creating a new profile system “Favorite Space”, which received the “Time of Innovation” award for high energy efficiency. It is important that the company’s windows are ISO certified. Cons: The company's cheap options are generally worse than similar budget offerings on the market.

Prices - from 8,703 rubles.

Proplex windows are manufactured in the Moscow region using Austrian equipment, and the production uses raw materials and components from leading suppliers in the USA and European countries. Although Proplex windows are rather positioned as a budget product, they are of sufficient quality even for Siberian frosts. U PVC good quality– it does not crack or turn yellow over time. Users complain mainly about the fittings - their quality leaves much to be desired.

Cost - from 9,000 rubles.

Russian full-cycle window company. This means that they make windows exclusively themselves, from the design of the window to its installation. The advantages of the company are an extensive network of dealer companies with representative offices in more than 80 cities of Russia. Unfortunately, one of the disadvantages is that the quality of both the windows themselves and their installation depends very much on the dealer company. It is also worth paying attention to the fact that the company’s head office does not accept complaints about unscrupulous dealers - find out for yourself.

Turnkey cost - from 9,000 rubles.

The company is the owner of one of the largest factories in Russia for the production of PVC profiles, built under the supervision of Austrian specialists in 2001. Since then, the company has developed many types of profiles, ranging from standard triple to exotic five-chamber. Currently, seven types of profiles have been created to suit any client’s needs. One of the advantages is that they easily bend to fit windows of any shape. The downside is that in some cases they may turn yellow, and the fittings are not the best.

The average cost is 21,900 rubles.

The company has its own production from German components high quality, allowing us to promptly deliver the required orders, including such unusual ones as windows with meteorite protection(undoubtedly, residents of Chelyabinsk should appreciate them). More traditional systems are distinguished by their thoughtful design, endurance and durability. Salamander has one of the the best windows PVC on the market is of high quality, but there is also a drawback - the price.

3. KBE

Price on average - 8,700 rubles.

The third place in the ranking of plastic window manufacturers is occupied by the KBE company - its windows have long become one of the most popular solutions for glazing an apartment. The profile is highly valued by both users and specialists - it is not without reason that the company’s specialists participated in the development of GOST standards for windows in 1997-1999, making KBE windows practically a standard. Users are generally satisfied, believing that KBE are one of the best plastic windows and represent the best price/quality ratio. But, of course, a lot depends on the supplier and installer.

2.REHAU

Can be ordered for RUB 6,660.

German company REHAU has been developing and producing PVC window systems since 1969. Over the years of the company's existence, many profiles have been developed, ranging from the classic three-chamber to the innovative six-chamber. Unfortunately, a lot depends on the supplier and installer. Well, I don’t really want to overpay for an advertised brand.

1.VEKA

Installation cost, on average, is 11,500 rubles.

VEKA is considered the best profile for plastic windows on the Russian market is another German company that has been on the market for more than 45 years. VEKA is one of the largest brands in the world, having representation not only in European countries, but also in Latin America, Southeast Asia and China. In 1999, the first VEKA plant was built in Russia. The company produces only the highest quality A profiles according to European standards, which one to choose is up to you. Pleasant appearance, variety of profiles, endurance and temperature stability are qualities that have attracted the attention of buyers. But, again, a lot depends on the installer company and the quality of the fittings.

Human nature is indestructible: some are looking for a “freebie”, others are trying to slip a beautiful candy wrapper with “slag” inside under the guise of candy. Our portal has already described ways to deceive consumers when ordering suspended ceilings. It turned out that this is also possible when installing plastic windows. An unenlightened customer may think that this is impossible - all windows consist of glass and profiles. At the same time, plastic profiles from all manufacturers are made of the same material - polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and the assembled windows look almost the same.

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

The main structural element of the doors and frame is the profile. 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 walls include all the outer walls of the profile in an already installed window that are invisible to the eye. 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 (in line 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, focusing on low price, they 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 of 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 zone temperate climate with an average temperature of -20 o C in January (the maximum permissible negative temperature is -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 makes it possible to determine how correctly the internal partitions are located (they counteract the deflection of the outer walls into the structure under mechanical stress) and how the 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, there is simply air in them; in the “Premium” segment, inert gas is pumped into the chambers to improve all the characteristics of the double-glazed window.

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 the classic version of the profile width - 58 mm, which allows the installation of single-chamber windows. For two cameras a minimum of 70mm is required.

For the 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 products belong to the “Premium” class. Because of heavy weight It is not recommended to install such windows on balconies and loggias.

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.

Profile Manufacturers Rating

The manufacturers' ratings will help you figure out which profile for plastic windows is better. In this case, the rating can be compiled based on the popularity of the product, its cost, levels of heat and sound protection, strength, etc.

There is also a commercial factor involved. Some manufacturers buy sites from sites in general ratings, which is difficult to do when ranking products based on one indicator. Therefore, so that the portal’s editors are not suspected of a commercial approach to ranking windows, we will create two types of ratings: for global brands and Russian manufacturers.

Rating of the world's best manufacturers of plastic windows

Various specialized sites put KBE, Rehau, Century, Salamander, Mont Blanc in first place. It all depends on the indicators that were taken as a basis. But these manufacturers are distinguished by nuances, and it may turn out that the leading Rehau is not exactly suitable for a particular buyer. Therefore, we will consider the products of these companies without determining a specific place in the ranking - they all deserve to be in first place.

In terms of popularity on the Russian market, it is inferior to all the companies listed in the rating, since there is no plant in Russia. In terms of technical indicators, it is not inferior to any manufacturer.

Produces profiles with a width of 60-76 mm:

• Design 2D - 60 mm, number of cameras 3.5 (4);
• Design 3D - 76 mm, number of cameras 4.5 (5);
• Streamline - 76 mm, 5 cameras.

Advantages:

• excellent design;
• European quality control;
• control of sales points (dealers) throughout Europe.

The main and only disadvantage is the high cost (compared to Veka and Rehau, it is 35-40% higher).

KBE

A famous German company with factories in Russia (the cities of Voskresensk and Khabarovsk). Experts did not find any differences in the quality of windows from the products of competing companies, with the exception of some nuances.

Attention: the company has come up with an excellent marketing ploy - it issues an “Official Partner Certificate” to the best window assemblers, which does not give any guarantees to the customer regarding the quality of the windows.

The factories offer the customer a fairly impressive line of profiles, with a width from 58 to 127 mm:

• “Engine” and “Etalon” - 58 mm, 3 cameras;
• "KVE-Expert" - 70 mm, 5 cameras;
• “KVE-88” - 88 mm, 6 cameras;
• “KVE-Expert+” - 127 mm with 5 cameras in the frame and sash and 4 in the impost.

Among the advantages it should be noted:

• democratic price - products are available to mass consumers;
• high quality;
• launch technological line greenline.

No disadvantages were identified either in consumer reviews or in the expert community.

MONT BLANC

Austrian manufacturer of budget, high-quality products. After the construction of a plant in the Moscow region (Elektrostal), it became well known to the Russian consumer.

Produces a line of 7 types of profiles with a width from 58 to 120 mm:

• “Logic” - 58 mm, 3-chamber;
• "Tempo 60" - 60 mm, 5-chamber;
• “Nord 70” - 70 mm, 5-chamber;
• "City 120" - 120 mm, 5-chamber.

Among the advantages:

• budget price;
• long period of operation without loss of consumer properties;
• wide range of produced profiles.

Among the disadvantages, one can note the shortcomings of the marketing service - for 15 years the company has not made any attempts to obtain an ISO certificate for the products of the Russian plant.

VEKA

The German company with half a century of experience is one of the sales leaders. Built the VEKA Rus plant in the Moscow region. It produces white and colored profiles with a width from 58 to 90 mm, which do not turn yellow when exposed to UV rays.

The profile line consists of a number of models with a width of 58-90 mm:

• “Euroline” - 58 mm, 3-chamber;
• “Proline” - 70 mm, 4-chamber;
• “Swigline” - 82 mm, 5-chamber;
• "Alphline" - 90 mm, 6-chamber;
• "Softline 82" - 82 mm with 7 cameras.

Product advantages:

• Consistently high quality;
• large model range.

A significant disadvantage of the product is that the consumer significantly overpays for the brand - Russian-made products are practically no different in price from the profile produced in Germany.

REHAU

Another German company with extensive experience in the production of plastic windows. The company was created to produce products for the middle class. Currently, this line has been erased - at a price you can find products for every taste. It adheres to an interesting tactic: it maintains the price level of its main competitor, the Veka company, on the market.

In 2002, the company launched its own plant in Gzhel (Russia). Profiles are available in widths of 60 mm, 70 mm, 80 mm and 86 mm:

• “Blitz” (economy class products) - 60 mm, 3 cameras;
• “Brillant-Design” - 70 and 80 mm, 5 and 6 cameras;
• "Geneo" - 86 mm, 6 cameras.

The manufacturer’s pros and cons completely replicate the advantages and disadvantages of its competitor, Veka (see above).

Rating of the best Russian manufacturers of plastic windows

Enterprises with purely Russian origin have a short history, but have managed to compete with Western manufacturers - the sales volume of Russian windows is increasing every year. Among the best:

Kaleva

A Russian company with a Finnish name, the only one in the country that operates full cycle: from profile production to installation of windows for the customer. This is both a plus and a minus for the company at the same time.

• Plus: by producing and installing a very high quality profile yourself, the manufacturer significantly reduces the price of the finished window.
• Disadvantage: in the regions they are not ready to work at the level of the main enterprise - most of the installed windows do not last the warranty period and have to be reinstalled. The company is not yet eager to somehow influence the work of its regional centers, leaving customers alone with dealers.

PANORAMA

The company from St. Petersburg has 20 years of experience. According to experts and consumers, the product quality is one of the best - it can easily compete with German brands. The profiles have an ideal balance of rigidity, good noise and heat insulation, and a pleasant design.

However, the legacy of the Soviet past is taking its toll - the company's management works poorly with consumers and pays little attention to advertising. In terms of potential, the company is capable of becoming the leader of PVC windows in Russia.

PROPLEX

Proplex is a young Russian company that is rapidly winning the market from the old-timers. Windows developed specifically for Russian conditions (the model range consists of profiles with a width of 58-127 mm) have affordable prices and high consumer characteristics.

Further expansion in the Russian market and access to the international level is hampered by two unpleasant moments:

• backward profile design;
• lack of an international ISO quality certificate.

Selecting the StroyGuru portal

When choosing a leader among global brands, the portal's editors unanimously voted for Rehau. Our choice is explained simply: thanks to this company, window production is on the verge of revolutionary changes - the innovative material “Rau-fipro” has been patented.

The portal’s employees would personally install windows from only two companies: “Mont Blanc” and “Panorama” - why pay for a brand if the quality of the named companies is no worse. The votes were evenly divided.

Conclusion

Presented in Russian construction market profiles made of polyvinyl chloride are able to satisfy consumer requests in all main parameters: cost, strength, durability, design, level of heat and sound protection. The only thing is to be careful and not fall into the hands of scammers.