Technical

Windows Have to Do a Lot

In the past, the primary functions of windows were to allow daylight into the building and provide ventilation. Today, building owners expect much more. Modern windows must protect against wind and weather, remaining reliably sealed even during gale-force winds and heavy rain to ensure comfort under adverse conditions.

What Exactly is Quality?

From a builder or real estate user’s perspective, a quality window combines all these performance characteristics. Windows can be made from various materials, but PVC (vinyl) windows offer significant advantages: they are much cheaper than aluminum windows and easier to maintain than wooden windows.

Professionals define quality windows through numerous national and international standards that detail the required properties of windows and the profiles and glass panes from which they are made. For example, separate DIN standards cover air permeability, rain resistance, and impact resistance of plastic profiles. Even the methods for measuring compliance with these standards are standardized.

The Importance of Wall Thickness

Most performance characteristics of a window depend on the window profile. The European standard DIN EN 12608 is crucial for assessing the quality of a PVC window, detailing the requirements for rigid PVC window and door profiles, the relevant test methods, and classification. Wall thickness is a key characteristic for classification.

This standard focuses on the profile's outer walls, including visible surfaces (the vertical outer surfaces facing the building interior or surroundings) and horizontal outer surfaces (facing the rebate or building connection). These surfaces ensure the structural integrity of the profile, preventing warping or deformation and ensuring long-term serviceability.

DIN EN 12608 defines three classes: A, B, and C. Class C profiles have no minimum wall thickness requirements. Class B profiles require at least 0.1 inches (2.5 mm) thickness for visible surfaces and 0.08 inches (2.0 mm) for the rebate and connection area. Class A profiles have the highest requirements: at least 0.11 inches (2.8 mm) for visible surfaces and 0.1 inches (2.5 mm) for the rebate and connection area.

Our Quality Profiles: Class A Means Stronger Windows

We exclusively use Class A plastic profile systems from leading manufacturers such as Veka and Cortizo. Our profiles have wall thicknesses of 0.12 inches (3.0 mm) on visible surfaces and 0.11 inches (2.7 mm) in the rebate and connection area (with a tolerance of 0.008 inches (0.2 mm)). Compared to Class B profiles, this means at least 10-20% thicker profile walls, using about 14% more material in production.

This additional effort pays off: Class A profiles are particularly stable and withstand higher mechanical loads. Tests have shown that Class A windows have 15-20% higher corner strength and bend 10-12% less under load. Additionally, 20% more force is needed to tear out screw connections in Class A profiles compared to lower-quality profiles.

These advantages translate into better performance: more corner strength, less deflection, and tighter screw connections mean Class A windows can support heavy functional glazing better. Even with large elements, they ensure effortless ease of use, stay reliably sealed during storms, and provide better protection against burglars, ensuring the safety of your belongings.