
UPVC WINDOWS:
UPVC is based on polyvinyl chloride (PVC), one of the most versatile polymers found in the century. PVC today finds application in almost all facet of our life, from daily use to highly sophisticated life saving applications. This flexibility of PVC is leveraged through a unique formulation to prepare a special UPVC blend for windows and doors.
UPVC (where ‘U’ stands for unplasticized) is one of the most preferred window framing material across the world. The material comes in a range of colour, is low maintenance and offers benefits which no material so far has matched. This has helped UPVC garner more than 50% market share in countries like UK, USA where it is also known as vinyl or vinyl siding.
BENEFITS OF UPVC WINDOWS:
UNDERSTANDING WINDOWS
Windows come in various shapes and styles, and the right kind of window can change the look of your room, home or office.
Choosing the right type of window for a particular location can be quite intimidating given the different styles, features and materials available in the market today. Here are a few things you need to know when you plan to replace those old, creaky windows.
TYPES
These windows have sashes that slightly overlap each other, while moving on a fixed horizontal frame. These are best suited for residential and commercial spaces where space saving is a must. They offer convenience and space.
Casement Windows
These windows have their sash hinged, which enables them to swing in and out, just like a door. Once again, these windows are very popular with residential plots.
Bay Windows
These windows protrude out of the main walls of a room, creating a hollow bay. They are best suited for spacious rooms with high ceilings that offer a good scenic view and also add a touch of elegance to the room.
Tilt And Turn Windows
These windows can tilt inwards for protection against rain and swing in like a casement window with the help of their side hinges. They are best suited when you need the slight ventilation but without the outside weather elements affecting your home.
Combination Windows
Combination windows are a combination of different types of windows that deliver a completely new and stylish twist to your room.
Fixed Windows
Fixed windows are those windows with no openings and these are best in spaces where little or no extra ventilation is required.
Single And Double Hung Windows
Single hung windows are fixed at the top but the bottom slides up and down like a traditional sash window. Double hung windows on the other hand, have a fixed bottom but can be opened at the top.
FRAMING MATERIAL
Wood and aluminium which had been the predominant material for constructing windows in the past have given way to UPVC (Un-plasticised Poly Vinyl Chloride frames) – a new-age material. Earlier, buildings were not constructed keeping in mind expansion in the size of doors and windows in summers, erosion during the monsoons and exposure to UV radiation and aesthetics. UPVC windows have changed all that and minimised the effect of these unwelcome intrusions. Moreover, materials like UPVC are low-maintenance, aesthetically attractive, energy-efficient, come in a wide range of colours, do away with the need to periodically paint the window and door frames – and don’t warp.
COMPONENTS OF WINDOW
Following are the main components of windows
CHOOSING THE RIGHT WINDOW
IF YOU LIVE IN A CROWDED LOCALITY OR CLOSE TO BUSY ROADS, YOU MIGHT WANT TO GO FOR WINDOWS WHICH OFFER SUPERIOR SOUND INSULATION, SO THAT YOU CAN HAVE A PEACEFUL ENVIRONMENT AT HOME.
LIKE OTHER ASPECTS OF THE HOUSE, WINDOWS MUST BE CHOSEN KEEPING IN MIND THE CLIMATIC CONDITIONS, ALTITUDE, ETC. ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE LIVING IN HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS OR IN HEAVY MONSOON AREAS, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WINDOWS WITHSTAND TORRENTIAL RAINS AND HIGH-SPEED WINDS, THEREBY WEATHERPROOFING YOUR HOME. NOWADAYS, WITH NEW-AGE FRAMING MATERIALS LIKE UPVC, IT IS EVEN POSSIBLE TO CONSTRUCT UV RESISTANT WINDOWS THAT NEITHER FADE, EVEN UNDER SUSTAINED EXPOSURE TO SUN, NOR EXPAND OR CONTRACT WITH TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS.
DUST PROOF WINDOWS ARE DESIGNED TO BE AIR TIGHT, LEAVING NO GAPS TO ALLOW DUST TO ENTER. THIS ENHANCES THE QUALITY OF AIR IN YOUR HOME AND ENSURES YOUR INTERIORS STAY CLEAN.
WINDOWS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN DETERMINING THE ENERGY COSTS OF YOUR HOME. THEREFORE YOU SHOULD CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING ENERGY EFFICIENCY RATINGS OF THE WINDOW PROFILE WHILE DECIDING ON YOUR WINDOW SOLUTION
U-FACTOR: RANGING FROM 0.20 TO 1.20, THE LOWER THE U-FACTOR, THE BETTER THE WINDOW TRAPS HEAT INSIDE THE ROOM.
SOLAR HEAT GAIN COEFFICIENT (SHGC): IT RANGES FROM 0 TO 1. THE LOWER THE NUMBER, THE BETTER THE WINDOW BLOCKS EXCESS HEAT.
VISIBLE TRANSMITTANCE (VT): WITH A RANGE OF 0 TO 1, IT MEASURES THE AMOUNT OF VISIBLE LIGHT ALLOWED INSIDE BY THE WINDOW. 1 INDICATES TOTAL VISIBLE TRANSMITTANCE, WHILE 0 INDICATES COMPLETE OPAQUENESS.
AN ENERGY EFFICIENT WINDOW WILL NOT LET OUTSIDE HEAT FLOW IN OR COLD-AIR ESCAPE OUT, AS A RESULT AIR-CONDITIONING COSTS GOES DOWN
INSTALLING LOW-MAINTENANCE, WEATHER-RESISTANT AND TERMITE-PROOF WINDOWS WILL ENSURE YOUR WINDOWS STAY AS GOOD AS NEW FOR A LONG TIME AND EVEN OUTLAST THE BUILDING
WINDOWS NO LONGER SERVE JUST UTILITARIAN PURPOSE BUT ARE IMPORTANT AESTHETIC ELEMENTS THAT ADD TO THE BEAUTY OF YOUR HOME. WITH TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS, WINDOWS OF VARIOUS SIZES, SHAPES AND STYLES ARE NOW POSSIBLE. CHOOSE THE ONES THAT COMPLIMENT THE ARCHITECTURAL STYLE OF YOUR HOME
IF YOU HAVE TO GET YOUR WINDOWS REPAINTED EVERY FEW MONTHS, LEADING TO A LOT OF UNNECESSARY COST AND DISCOMFORT, IT IS TIME TO REPLACE THEM WITH MAINTENANCE-FREE WINDOWS. THESE DAYS WINDOWS MADE FROM SPECIAL FADE-RESISTANT UPVC BLENDS ARE WIDELY AVAILABLE IN THE MARKET. THEY DO NOT REQUIRE PAINTING, JUST ROUTINE CLEANING WITH SOAP AND WATER.
TO COMBAT CHALLENGES ARISING DUE TO SPACE CONSTRAINTS, IT IS BEST TO REPLACE TWO-WAY OPENING WINDOWS WITH SLIDING WINDOWS. NOT ONLY IS THIS EASY AND SMOOTH TO OPERATE, BUT IT IS ALSO QUITE EASY TO CLEAN.
SWITCHING TO A ONE-WAY VIEW WINDOW IS BEST SUITED FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO AVOID PEEPING EYES. ONE-WAY WINDOWS MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR SOMEONE STANDING OUTSIDE DURING THE DAY, TO SEE INSIDE THE HOME.
UPVC VS WOOD VS ALUMINIUM
So if you are renovating your home or building a new one please look at the table below for comparisons with traditional wood and aluminium. This will help guide you to make your decision
UPVC WINDOWS | ALUMINIUM WINDOWS | WOODEN WINDOWS | |
EXPANSION & CONTRACTION OF WINDOW PROFILES CAN LEAD TO PRODUCT DEFORMATION | ![]() ![]() ![]() UPVC windows is manufactured from tropical formulation which makes it durable with minimal expansion and contraction |
Aluminium has very high thermal expansion coefficient as compared to UPVC, leading to product distortion if not manufactured and installed appropriately. |
![]() Wood has inherent property to breathe / absorb moisture / expand & contract, eventually leading to distortion and gaps |
INSULATION FROM HEAT |
UPVC windows provides superior insulation to your home from outside heat as UPVC is a poor conductor of heat |
![]() Aluminium (being a metal) is a good conductor of heat and therefore cannot provide insulation from heat |
![]() ![]() Wood is a poor conductor of heat, however improper sealing & bending can allow heat to pass |
LOW MAINTENANCE | ![]() ![]() ![]() UPVC windows and doors require no painting, only routine cleaning |
Aluminium windows and doors may require periodic maintenance over long periods of usage |
![]() Wooden windows need regular painting and polishing |
LOW EMBEDDED ENERGY | ![]() ![]() ![]() UPVC Windows and doors are environment friendly as they require very less energy to convert from raw material to finished good. |
![]() Aluminium window and door frames use large amount of energy in conversion |
![]() ![]() ![]() Wooden windows and doors use tropical hardwoods. |
TERMITE RESISTANCE | ![]() ![]() ![]() UPVC Windows and doors are not prone to termites |
Aluminium windows and doors do not attract termites |
![]() Wooden windows and doors are prone to termites |
RESISTANCE TO CORROSION | ![]() ![]() ![]() UPVC Windows do not rust or corrode due to inherent material characteristics |
![]() Aluminium windows are prone to corrosion |
![]() ![]() ![]() Wooden windows do not rust / corrode |
FADE RESISTANT/UV RESISTANT | ![]() ![]() ![]() UPVC Windows and doors are made of special UV resistant blend and therefore do not fade even after prolonged exposure to sun |
Aluminium windows are typically powder coated or anodized. The powder coating, If not of high UV resistance, shall discolour quickly. |
![]() Wooden windows and doors start fading very soon ; require constant repolishing/finishing |
FIRE | ![]() ![]() ![]() UPVC windows are Self Extinguishing and do not propagate fire |
Aluminium windows have very high melting temperature |
![]() Wooden windows can catch fire easily |
FIRE ESCAPE | ![]() ![]() ![]() UPVC windows can allow easy escape in case of fire; due to its lower softening temperature glass can be pushed out of the frame easily |
![]() Aluminium& glass both have high MP and therefore does not assist in easy break away. |
![]() Wood itself can catch fire very easily |
GLASS OPTIONS
Clear toughened glass is a multipurpose glass available in wide range of thickness. It is the most widely used glass which provides a clear view to outside as well as inside.
FROSTEDGLASS
Frosted glass has the effect of rendering the glass translucent thus blurring images while still transmitting light. Its is used when visual privacy is required while admitting light. Usually recommended to be used in double glazing (DG) format
TINTEDGLASS
Tinted or light colored glasses add aesthetic appeal to the house and reduce direct glare of sunlight providing a “soothing feel”. Light transmission of glass reduces depending upon tinting.
REFLECTIVEGLASS
Reflective glass is glass that has been treated with advanced coatings to reflect heat and radiation from sunlight while allowing the natural light to come in. These glasses cut substantial light and heat and are recommended to be used in double glazing (DG) format.
LAMINATED GLASS
Laminated glass consists of two or more glass permanently bonded together with one or multiple layer of polyvinylbutyral (PVB). Used most commonly when safety is paramount. When broken, the glass pieces tend to adhere to plastic (PVB) layer.
GLAZING TYPES
SINGLEGLASS
As the name suggest, Single Glazing includes only one layer of glass
DOUBLEGLASS
Double glass refers to two glass sealed around the edges with an air space between the two to form a single unit. The insulating air / gas between the two layers of glass improve the thermal performance of the unit.
TRIPLEGLASS
Triple glass refers to three glass sealed around the edges with an air space between the two to form a single unit. The insulating air / gas between the three layers of glass improve the thermal performance of the unit.
UPVC DOORS :
TOUGH AND DURABLE
uPVC Door’s has very durable material used in water and sewer pipes for at least 100 years. Vinyl windows are so durable that the vast majority of them installed over the past 25 years are still in use. Good quality uPVC doors are tested for ultraviolet resistance to ensure they won’t fade in the harsh in Pakistan atmosphere.
ROT RESISTANT
uPVCDoors does not rot and is resistant to corrosion.
THERMAL COMFORT
Unlike metals, uPVC is non-conductive meaning its use in doors does not transfer heat and therefore contributes to a more consistent internal temperature for a building. The combination of uPVCdoors and double glazing makes for highly energy efficient doors.
ACOUSTIC INSULATION
Double glazed uPVC windows and doors are able to cut down noise by as much as 75%.
RESISTANT TO SALT EROSION
uPVC is resistant to corrosion caused by salt-laden air making them ideal for coastal areas specially at Karachi sea side areas.
TOUGH AND DURABLE
uPVC is a very durable material used in water and sewer pipes for at least 100 years. Vinyl windows are so durable that the vast majority of them installed over the past 25 years are still in use. Good quality uPVC windows and doors are tested for ultraviolet resistance to ensure they won’t fade in the harsh Australian sun.
ROT RESISTANT
uPVC does not rot and is resistant to corrosion.
THERMAL COMFORT
Unlike metals, uPVC is non-conductive meaning its use in window frames does not transfer heat and therefore contributes to a more consistent internal temperature for a building. The combination of uPVC window frames and double glazing makes for highly energy efficient windows.
OPENABLE TILT AND TURN
uPVC window systems allow for opening in two directions to enhance the ability of taking advantage of natural cross ventilation.
ACOUSTIC INSULATION
Double glazed uPVC windows and doors are able to cut down noise by as much as 70%.
RESISTANT TO SALT EROSION
uPVC is resistant to corrosion caused by salt-laden air making them ideal for coastal properties.
BUSHFIRE PERFORMANCE
Double glazed uPVC windows can be used in Australia in areas where risk is zoned as Bushfire Attack Level 29kW/m2 (BAL 29). Some uPVC windows have been tested to withstand BAL 40.
HIGH SECURITY
uPVC windows incorporate multi-locking systems providing a high level of security for homes or businesses. Most uPVC window locking systems lock at multiple points all around the sash and frame.
RECYCLABLE
uPVC can be recycled as often as 10 times. Where they have been commonly used for the past 30 years, such as in Europe, uPVC windows and doors can be – and are – recycled at the end of life. Although very little end-of-life uPVC windows are presently available for recycling in Australia, Australian industry programs are committed to keeping uPVC out of landfills, putting it back into new products. The off-cuts from uPVC window fabrication are already being collected in some states for recycling.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
- Customizable and Extremely versatile
- Available in variety of colours and designs
- Giant doors possible for large views
- Multi-chamber system increases heat and sound insulation
- Multi-point locking systems for enhanced security
- Double and triple glass options for better insulation
- Hurricane bar option to withstand storms
- Rain track and sill for insulation against rain
OPENABLE DOOR
FEATURES & BENEFITS
- Extremely energy efficient
- Ample sunlight and maximum ventilation
- Airtight sealing to keep out noise, dust and pollution
- Attractive and durable, built to outlast
- Weather and termite resistant, doesn’t fade or rust
- Multi-point locking for added security
- Customizable and Extremely versatile
- Double and triple glass options for better insulation