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Ventana de PVC a medida instalada en Valencia

How to choose quality PVC windows: 8 things to check

Two PVC windows can look identical in a photo and be completely different inside. You do not see the difference on installation day; you see it five or ten years later: sashes that rub, seals that let air through, profiles that turn yellow or bend in the sun. This is the checklist we use ourselves to assess a window, and the one we recommend for comparing quotes.

1. The profile: brand, series and wall thickness

The profile is the window's skeleton. Always ask for the brand and series; do not settle for "top-quality PVC". Three things to check:

Profile depth: 70 mm is today's standard for homes. Below that, insulation and rigidity drop.
Number of chambers: 5 chambers is a good benchmark. More chambers do not always mean a better window if everything else falls short.
Profile class: the European standard EN 12608 classifies profiles by wall thickness. Class A profiles have the thickest visible walls and age best.

We use VEKA Softline 70: 70 mm deep, 5 chambers, German-made.

2. Steel reinforcement inside

PVC on its own is not rigid enough for large sashes. A quality window has galvanised steel reinforcement inside the profile. Without it, in the Valencian summer heat, large sashes and dark colours can warp and stop closing properly.

3. The right glazing for your climate

In Valencia the problem is less the cold and more the sun and the noise. So:

24 mm double glazing with low-E glass is enough for most homes.
If your façade gets direct afternoon sun, ask about solar control glass.
If you live next to a busy road or a nightlife area, 32 mm triple glazing or acoustic laminated glass makes a real difference.

4. The Uw value: one number that sums up insulation

Uw measures how much heat passes through the whole window (profile + glass). The lower, the better. Be wary of quotes that only give the glass value (Ug): what matters is the complete window. As a rough guide, a good PVC window with low-E double glazing is around 1.3 W/m²K.

5. Hardware: the hardest-working part

A window opens and closes thousands of times. Ask for the hardware brand and check that it has:

Several locking points around the perimeter (not just one by the handle).
A tilt-and-turn system with mis-operation lock.
Adjustability, so the sash can be corrected over the years without replacing the window.

We use German Winkhaus hardware for its precision and durability.

6. Seals and airtightness

Rubber seals keep out air, water and noise. Look for windows with a double perimeter seal made of EPDM or equivalent materials that do not harden in the sun.

7. Installation (where most go wrong)

You can have the best profile on the market and lose half its insulation through poor installation. Ask how it will be fitted:

Mechanical fixing to the opening, not just foam.
Polyurethane foam all the way round, with no gaps.
External sealing with silicone or tape to keep water out.
Final adjustment of the hardware and a closing check.

Our installation service covers the whole process: measuring, removing the old window, fitting and adjustment.

8. Warranty and after-sales service

Ask for the warranty in writing, split into two parts: the product (profile, glass, hardware) and the installation. And ask who will come if a sash needs adjusting in three years' time. A company with a physical showroom and its own team is easier to reach than a middleman.

Summary: your checklist for comparing quotes

Profile brand, series, depth and class.
Steel reinforcement included.
Exact glazing make-up.
Uw value of the complete window.
Hardware brand and locking points.
Type of seals.
How it is installed and what is included.
Written warranty.

To see all this in a real window, visit our showroom at Calle Doctor Manuel Candela, 33 (Valencia), or start by calculating the price of your windows online.

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