Best PVC windows: Choosing the best PVC windows on the market for your home is not an easy task, there are many factors that influence the perfect purchase, so we are going to decipher all the concepts, in this way you will be able to distinguish if the quality-price ratio is correct. .
What are the best manufacturers of PVC windows on the market?
When you go to buy PVC doors and windows for your home and they talk to you about brands or manufacturers, it is important that you know the following:
There are companies that are dedicated solely to the manufacture of windows (for example, the German Kommerling), that is, they do not make the products in full but are limited to a part of it.
Once the profile is manufactured, they distribute it to their network of approved companies that are in charge of assembling all the pieces that make up the PVC window (profiles, fittings, glass, etc.) and carrying out the appropriate quality tests.
In addition, the approved network may be dedicated to the sale and installation of the final product or may have associated companies that do so.
Therefore, do not look so much at the brands but at the thermal and acoustic insulation they provide (U coefficient, permeability to wind, water, safety, etc.) and compare the values, they are the ones that will truly offer you a clear idea of the quality of the windows you are buying.
Regardless of the above, here is a list of some of the best brands of PVC window manufacturers that exist in the market today.
It is clear that not all existing companies are there, but the list is a good starting point to start looking.
- Kommerling
- veka
- schuco
- deceuninck
- Rehau
- hoco
- finstral
Guide to buy the best PVC windows
The criteria to take into account to choose the best quality/price windows are practically the same (profiles and glass), regardless of the materials you are looking for (PVC, aluminum or wood):
With this guide you can learn about each component of a PVC window and choose the best one for your specific case.
Profile types
The windows have two main profiles: the frame that is embedded in the wall and the sheet in which the glass is framed.
The profiles have a great impact on the protection, permeability, tightness and thermal and acoustic insulation of the PVC window.
These properties are important for heating savings and energy efficiency, therefore when you go shopping look at the following factors as they considerably affect the price of PVC windows:
- (1) air chambers : they are directly related to the U-Value (the smaller it is, the more thermal insulation it offers). What they achieve is to increase the outside temperature as the air passes through the different chambers, therefore, the more chambers the better.
The best are 4 or 5 , although many of those sold today have 3 cameras. From the fifth camera on, the performance/price ratio does not usually compensate. - (2) Reinforcement within the profile : since PVC windows are not very rigid, it is necessary to insert steel pieces into the profiles to reinforce their structure. The steel must have a galvanized anti-corrosion layer to protect it.
However, it is not just the material of the steel that counts, the thickness and length matter. It is essential that the reinforcements occupy the entire length of the frame, it is not enough to use it in some parts of the sheet. - (3) Watertight joints : determine the insulation by closing the window panes against the frame to prevent water and humidity infiltration. According to regulations, the tightness is measured from class 1A to 9A (the highest quality).
Windows with 1, 2 and 3 joints are sold, with double and triple being the most common . Choose based on the climate in your area, Spain is a hot country and in most places a double will be enough. - Profile width : the wider the profile, the better insulation it provides. Profiles from 70mm are recommended .
- Air permeability : is the ability of a closed PVC window to allow air to pass through when subjected to differential pressure. The regulations establish five classes numbered from 0 to 4, class C4 being the most efficient.
- Wind Resistance – Measures the resistance of windows to deterioration when subjected to wind pressure. They are classified from Class 0 to Class 5. This parameter is especially important in PVC windows located at high altitudes where wind pressures are considerable.
Types of glasses
Manufacturers mount 3 types of glass for windows depending on the thermal and acoustic characteristics that the client wants in the installation. In the previous link you can expand the information.
- Simple glass : they are installed in cheap PVC windows or that do not require specific security properties or thermal and acoustic insulation.
- (4) Double glass : it is the most common nowadays. It is made up of two crystals separated by a hermetically sealed chamber. The thicker the crystals, the better, but the price also increases.
In addition, if you add acoustic protection, solar control, low-emission or security glass, you will continue to increase the cost.
A normal recommended thickness is 4/6-16-4 mm. - Triple or quadruple glazing : used in specific specific protection situations.
What is the best material for windows?
The vast majority of people install two types of materials in their homes: aluminum or PVC. Both have good features in terms of quality and price, but customers keep asking:
What material for windows is better?
Honestly, there is no single answer, since the choice depends on the project. The budget, the air conditioning needs and the geographical location are the main aspects that make the difference when opting for one or the other.
In general terms, and to have a starting point, it can be said that in cold climates choose PVC and in hot climates Aluminum .
We are going to see the characteristics (advantages and disadvantages) of PVC since it is the material we are talking about today.
PVC joinery
Advantages
- They are highly strong, resistant and durable to climatic changes: they do not rot, do not splinter and do not chip or peel. Therefore, they are especially suitable for coastal areas and with sudden changes in temperature outside.
- The acoustic and thermal insulation is optimal due to the non-conductive nature of the plastic.
The frames are thick, they block the light coming in and are therefore less suitable for contemporary and modern buildings.
Thicker profile = heavy windows, if you need a large window better choose another material for your house such as aluminum.
Disadvantages
- They are much less resistant to shock than aluminum ones, and can cause dents in the profile. Although this is unlikely to happen, it is important to know this information.
- The colors of PVC windows are limited, if you are looking for a very specific aesthetic it is likely that you will not find the color you need, the best seller is white and imitation wood.
- They are more expensive than the aluminum ones without insulation (small differences), on the contrary they are cheaper if both have thermal protection.