Polyvinyl chloride was invented in the United States, but Germany dominates the production of plastic windows. Very soon, in 1959, Heinz Pasche's innovation was implemented by the German company Rehau.
The success of Rehau was facilitated by a competent advertising campaign: old wooden windows were changed to plastic ones for tenants completely free of charge. Over time, the concept arose that plastic windows are beautiful, practical and modern.
PVC-profile windows quickly conquered the market of the countries of the former socialist camp. This is understandable: despite the decent cost, these windows make it possible to save more money on heating housing and inside the apartment an adequate air temperature even in severe winters.
However, today there is a slightly different trend: citizens want to give up plastic windows. In the inhabited areas of cities, this direction is not yet so noticeable, but where construction is underway, plastic windows are no longer popular.
Has their ability to keep warm weakened lately? Not. It's just that over the years of active operation of such windows, not only their advantages, but also disadvantages have become visible.
"Cons" of plastic windows
Toxic substances
Plastic contains a large list of toxic additives, namely: lead-based stabilizers, fungicides, plasticizers. Lead is one of the most harmful elements. Lead enters the human body with air, food, water. And it tends to accumulate in the body, bones, provoking ailments of the kidneys, liver, nervous system. The elderly and children are most vulnerable to even small doses of lead. Window experts say that lead will not be released from plastic without significant heating. But many have already replaced lead with nearly harmless stabilizers.
Difficulty ventilation
It turned out that the key advantage of plastic windows - insulation of the room from air penetration from outside - is also their main disadvantage.
In apartment buildings, the ventilation system is designed taking into account the natural flow of outdoor air through the cracks in the window frames and entrance doors. The air circulating in the premises absorbs, collects harmful impurities and escapes through the ventilation ducts located in the kitchen and bathroom.
The tightness of the plastic window is an obstacle to the flow of outdoor air into the room, thus disrupting ventilation. For this reason, there is fogging of the windows (condensation). The air humidity rises, which is beneficial for pathogenic microbes, fungi and mold.
Windows that do not "breathe" increase the concentration of dust. As a result, allergies, dermatological ailments, asthma may develop.
In the premises, harmful compounds accumulate: carbon monoxide as a product of the operation of a gas stove, evaporation of toxic formaldehyde from furniture, and so on.
According to German experts, the unprecedented rise in asthma, allergies, dermatological and oncological ailments over the past decades directly depends on the microclimate in living quarters and plastic windows.
Vulnerability to mechanical damage
Window manufacturers themselves agree that, after receiving certain mechanical damage, plastic is extremely difficult to restore. Scratches and dents cannot be removed.
The glass unit itself can be replaced with a new one, but scratches and dents on the frames are forever.
Repair problems
A plastic window is extremely difficult to repair. The success of renovation work depends on the quality of the window itself, assembly and installation. We remind you that PVC profile is a complex structure. It is advisable to require certificates of conformity and quality when purchasing it.
Significant expansion coefficient of PVC profile
In strong hot weather, the window material expands greatly, and in cold weather it contracts (according to the laws of physics). For this reason, cracks form on the plastic. Frost can help to separate the window structure from the foam.
Hacking risk
Plastic windows lend themselves to burglary. And easy. It is quite possible to open them from the outside with a sharp and thin knife, screwdriver, ruler
In 1995, Sweden proclaimed a ban on the entire range of PVC products. More than 150 communities in Europe have banned PVC products or are implementing a strategy to phase out PVC products in public buildings.
Experts advise to abandon plastic windows in favor of wooden ones that provide for fresh air. If you, in spite of everything, plan to install windows made of polyvinyl chloride, ask the seller for a quality certificate. After all, windows are a fairly long-term investment and it is not advisable to save on them.
