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Ventana panorámica de PVC instalada en Valencia

Pros and cons of PVC windows: the honest guide

PVC windows are now the most popular choice in Spain for renovating a home. But they are not perfect, and any salesperson who says otherwise is not telling you the whole story. Here are the real advantages and the drawbacks too, so you can decide with all the facts.

10 advantages of PVC windows

1. Thermal insulation

PVC is a naturally poor conductor of heat. A 70 mm multi-chamber profile with low-E double glazing greatly reduces the heat that comes in during summer and escapes in winter. In Valencia you notice it most on the air conditioning bill.

2. Sound insulation

A chambered profile, double seal and the right glass cut out much of the street noise. In noisy areas, triple glazing or acoustic laminated glass improves the result even further.

3. Airtightness

Perimeter seals and hardware with several locking points stop draughts and water getting in, even during heavy autumn rain.

4. Almost zero maintenance

No painting, no varnishing and no rust. Just soap and water and a yearly check of the hardware. See our PVC window maintenance guide.

5. Long service life

A quality PVC window, properly installed, lasts for decades without losing its properties.

6. Resistant to damp and salt

It does not rot like wood or corrode. That is why it works so well in bathrooms, kitchens and homes near the sea.

7. Choice of colours and finishes

White, solid colours or wood effect, with the option of one colour inside and another outside.

8. Security

With steel reinforcement, multi-point locking hardware and laminated glass, a PVC window offers very good resistance to forced entry.

9. Value for money

High insulation at a reasonable price. To see what drives the price, read our guide to PVC window prices in Valencia.

10. Recyclable

Window PVC can be recycled into new profiles, and its long life reduces waste.

The drawbacks (yes, there are some)

1. Wider frames

To achieve rigidity and insulation, a PVC profile is a little wider than some other materials. In very small windows that means slightly less glass area. In normal windows you hardly notice.

2. Dark colours and strong sun

Very dark profiles absorb more heat and expand more. With a good reinforced profile this is not a problem, but cheap unreinforced profiles can warp. On very sunny façades, choose the profile carefully.

3. It cannot be "repaired" like wood

A heavy knock to a PVC profile cannot be sanded and painted: if the damage is serious, the part must be replaced. The good news is that PVC is very tough and this rarely happens.

4. Quality varies a lot between manufacturers

This is the biggest drawback. "PVC window" can mean an excellent product or a very poor one. That is why it pays to know how to choose quality PVC windows before you buy.

5. Behaviour in a fire

PVC is self-extinguishing: it stops burning when the flame is removed. But like any plastic, if it burns in a fire it gives off fumes that should not be breathed. In normal use it emits nothing; if health is your concern, read are PVC windows toxic?

So, are they worth it?

For the vast majority of homes, yes. The drawbacks are real, but they are solved by choosing a good profile, steel reinforcement and professional installation. The advantages you feel every day: less noise, lower heating and cooling costs and no maintenance.

To see a quality PVC window from the inside, visit our showroom at Calle Doctor Manuel Candela, 33 (Valencia), or calculate the price of your windows online.

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