Plastic windows: should they be preferred today?
Heat leaks through cracks in wooden frames and single glazing lead to a loss of up to 30 percent of the energy spent on heating the apartment. Extruded polyvinyl chloride profiles combined with sealed double-glazed windows insulate the room from the cold outside and reduce traffic noise by 30-40 decibels.
Reinforcement of the plastic shell with galvanized steel gives the structure resistance to wind loads on the upper floors of high-rise buildings. The built-in synthetic rubber sealing contours block drafts, but require regular lubrication to maintain elasticity.
Configuration of PVC profiles and double-glazed windows
The thermal insulation properties of the frame depend on the mounting depth and the number of hollow air chambers inside the plastic. In regions with winter temperatures below -20 degrees, building regulations require the installation of profiles with a width of at least 70 mm with a five-chamber structure.
The energy efficiency of the double-glazed unit is achieved through the following engineering solutions:
- spraying silver ions onto the inner glass to reflect thermal radiation back into the room;
- filling the window space with inert argon gas to reduce convection;
- the use of remote frames made of plastic instead of aluminum to eliminate the cold bridge.
The weight of double-glazed windows reaches 30 kg per square meter, which creates a high load on the window hinges. When designing panoramic glazing, the total area of one sash should not exceed 2.5 square meters, otherwise the plastic frame will deform under its own weight.
The mechanics of window fittings
The metal strapping mechanism controls the clamping of the sash to the frame around the perimeter using a single handle. The mushroom-shaped locking trunnions fit into the counter slats on the impost, blocking attempts to squeeze the flap with a crowbar from the outside when trying to break in.
To ensure proper air exchange, the fittings are equipped with special modules.:
- slotted micro-ventilation clamps to remove excess moisture in winter;
- step combs for adjusting the angle of the flap from 10 to 45 degrees;
- error blockers that prevent the window from hanging on one lower hinge.
The clamping force is adjusted by rotating the eccentrics at the end of the sash using a hex key. Switching the fittings to winter mode compensates for the temperature compression of the rubber seal, restoring one hundred percent tightness of the joint.
Problems of depressurization of mounting seams
The reliability of the structure directly depends on the quality of sealing the gap between the wall of the opening and the window frame. Polyurethane mounting foam collapses under the influence of ultraviolet radiation and absorbs atmospheric moisture, losing its insulating properties in one season.
Installation according to GOST requires three-layer seam insulation using vapor-permeable tapes from outside and vapor barrier films from inside the room. Violation of this technology leads to a shift of the dew point to the inner slopes, heavy condensation on the glass and the formation of black mold in the corners of the window sill. https://mostbets.cz/
