Classes of window profiles - do they matter?

Classes of window profiles &#; definition

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Each PVC profile used by a window manufacturer must meet the requirements specified in the standards. The basic document defining the properties that a profile should have is the PN-EN : standard. Requirements for window profiles include, among others dimensions, corner strength and impact strength. In addition, the regulations also contain information on the class of window profiles. Depending on the thickness of the visible and invisible walls, the profile can be classified as class A, B or C.

Differences between classes of window profiles

In order to qualify the PVC profile to the appropriate class, the thickness of the visible walls of the profile is checked. In the case of Class A, the value shall be at least 2.8 mm. In turn, in class B, this parameter must be slightly lower &#; minimum 2.5 mm. Profiles that do not meet the above conditions are assigned to class C. The second value used for the classification of profiles is the thickness of the invisible profile walls. For class A it is at least 2.5 mm, and for class B it is at least 2 mm. Products that do not comply with these conditions are assigned to class C.

Should the profile class be taken into account?

The class of window profiles is one of the dozen or so parameters &#; listed in the aforementioned standard &#; that are needed in order to obtain the correct quality of profiles. Therefore, it should not be treated as a factor determining the high quality of PVC profiles. Profiles classified as class B meet all the requirements necessary to create a fully valuable window joinery.

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Are A-class windows the warmest?

Marketing materials sometimes contain information about the advantage of class A over class B in terms of thermal insulation. The differences between the heat transfer coefficients of class A and B profiles are negligible. The thermals of the profiles are mainly influenced by their depth, the number of chambers and the shape of the steel reinforcement used.

Influence of the profile class on resistance to wind load

A frequently repeated sales argument to show that class A exceeds class B is the greater stability of the profile. It is worth remembering that the strength of the structure is primarily due to steel reinforcements, the strength of which significantly exceeds the strength of PVC. The slight difference in the thickness of the invisible and visible walls of the profiles does not mean that the joinery made of A-class profiles can be described as stiffer.

PVC is one of the oldest thermoplastics and was first patented in the US in the late &#;s. By itself, PVC is hard and brittle at room temperature, but PVC is compatible with many additives that lend it a wide range of performance characteristics that can meet diverse application needs. PVC can be made very rigid and strong for use in construction and pipes, or as flexible as needed for use in fabric and carpets. PVC is extremely versatile with a wide variety of resin types. It is relatively inexpensive and easy to process. PVC profiles have pretty good chemical resistance, water and weather resistance, offer fair thermal stability, have excellent electrical insulation properties, have fair heat resistance, and are inherently flame retardant because PVC is chlorinated. PVC profiles can be clear or colored and can have a high gloss or matte finish.

Flexible PVC is an excellent material for the use in latex-free profiles. Flexible PVC costs less by weight than rubber or TPEs and provides significantly greater clarity. Flexible PVC is readily solvent-bonded, more kink resistant (in tubing) and exhibits less neck-down (width/breadth narrows) when stretched. Flexible PVC is generally known to be the most cost-effective Extruded Plastic Profile, high-performance material used in Latex-free profiles.

While PVC is considered a very good overall plastic material in terms of price and properties, it is currently receiving some negative publicity due to the presence of chlorine in its chemical makeup. With today&#;s concerns for the environment, some of our customers are choosing other &#;greener&#; materials to meet their application needs. We have been working on alternatives to PVC for quite some time and have come up with a number of new materials that offer similar properties to PVC along with attractive pricing.

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