How do we choose a good PVC profile for a window?

What is a quality profile?

The lifespan of a double-glazed window and its quality begin with a high-quality PVC profile. Even if at first glance they all look the same, in reality this is far from being the case. The Valent.md specialists will tell you which is the best profile for plastic windows and how to make the right choice.

It is precisely from the profile that the quality of the future window and its performance characteristics begin. Certificates and test reports are what help us make the right choice!

What is the most suitable profile width?

The width of the profile is one of its main characteristics. The wider the profile, the more advantages the double-glazed window will have. For windows with a wider profile, we can also opt for thicker glass, which will improve the sound and thermal insulation of the room. Choosing the profile width for a window largely depends on the installation location (office window, vestibule door, the front door of a shop, the windows of a country house) and on the climate.

On the market, we most often encounter the following dimensions:

• 60 mm PVC profile - allows the production of modern windows that meet the requirements of most buyers in different climate zones. Provided it is manufactured and installed correctly, this is the best window profile for any room.
• 70 mm PVC profile - this offers higher sound and thermal insulation characteristics, saving heat. In the VEKA range of profiles, the 70 mm width is for SOFTLINE, SWINGLINE and PROLINE.
• 82 mm PVC profile - the solution even for the most demanding client. The SOFTLINE 82 system offers the best insulation characteristics, is fully compatible with 70 mm profiles and can be installed in any house.

What are the profile chambers for?

Each air chamber serves a specific function. Let us take a classic 60 mm profile.

1. 1.The front chamber, facing the street, is needed first and foremost to keep the profile „warm”. But this chamber also performs a number of important functional tasks, being responsible for water drainage (which can get into the window when the grooves are open or in heavy rain and wind), compensating for air pressure and preventing the overheating of coloured profiles.
2. 2.The second (middle) chamber, made of steel, reduces the thermal deformation of the PVC profile. It serves as a kind of "buffer" that takes on the loads acting on the window from the outside, such as differences in temperature and pressure, wind, etc.
3. 3.The third chamber (on the side of the chamber) is the place for mounting the hardware, hinges and handles.

Of course, there are profiles with four, five and six chambers - their number depends on the width of the profile.

- The more chambers the better?
- Not exactly! The wider the profile, the better the window's heat-saving and sound insulation characteristics.

What does profile class A and B mean?

The class of the profile depends on the thickness of the front chamber. In class B, the walls of the profile are thinner than in class A.

Windows made from class A profiles have a greater margin of angular strength and better fixing, as well as greater resistance to deformation than class B windows. However, the performance characteristics of windows made from a class A and a class B profile are close.

Windows with a class B profile are, as a rule, the optimal solution for economy and mid-class construction projects, where it is important to find a middle ground between the price and quality of the translucent structures. Windows with a class A profile are optimal for private homes and business-class construction projects.

In conclusion

Summarising the above, in choosing a PVC profile, we can highlight the following:

• The presence of certificates confirms quality.
• Depending on the installation width, all profiles are divided into two main classes: 60 mm and 70-72, and 82 mm.
• The number of chambers affects the quality of the window only if the profile belongs to different classes in width.
• The class A profile is the leader in reliability and quality.

When choosing a profile for plastic windows, you can hear a lot of information, but the important thing is to filter out the advertising. The quality of your windows depends on your choice. Take your time to make the right choice!