February 2022
This window ranking was created to tell you what PVC windows you should choose when buying investment windows, if you run a construction company. Regardless of whether you are looking for the cheapest windows, the highest quality or the optimal price-quality ratio of the product. A detailed discussion later in the article.
The debesto.com analysis department has checked for you and your company’s customers the best energy-efficient windows of the following brands: Gealan, Veka, Rehau, Salamander, Wital, Decco, Aluplast, Schuco.
For the purposes of comparison, we chose the most popular window color on the market today: double sided anthracite.
In a word – by spending a few minutes reading our energy-efficient uPVC windows test, you save several dozen hours of tedious valuations, comparisons and corrections. You will use the time saved to obtain new orders for your company.
You can easily calculate your own quote for the cheapest uPVC windows from the debesto’s ranking online.
Go to the uPVC window calculator and calculate your quote for Salamander BluEvolution 82.
We only included uPVC windows that meet our strict minimum quality criteria in the ranking. It is an economical but safe shelf. By purchasing windows from this category, you will get the perfect utility windows, for tenders, for industry and economical, energy-efficient construction.
This is also how, in a nutshell, you can describe the uPVC windows on the Salamander BluEvolution 82 profile, which won this ranking. Proven hardware, top thermal parameters make it difficult to stick to something “on paper” and in most situations – especially when every 1 dollar plays a role – it will be a good economic choice.
If your client is looking for windows that will provide more light. As a window windows and doors broker, we recommend the Gealan Linear system. Compared to the winner of the category, the sash + frame height is lower by 0.51 in (4.84 in vs 4.33 in).
Linear is a system that also impresses with its design. It is deceptively similar to aluminum windows and is very often used in projects where uPVC and aluminum windows are combined.
|
Window profile
|
Price (USD)
|
|---|---|
|
2,812
|
|
|
3,034
|
|
|
3,052
|
|
|
Gealan Linear
|
3,065
|
|
Veka Softline 82MD
|
3,152
|
|
Ideal 8000
|
3,276
|
|
Gealan 9000
|
3,336
|
|
Veka Softline 76MD
|
3,628
|
|
Rehau Synego 80
|
3,970
|
|
Schuco Living 82
|
3,997
|
The leading positions in this category are the highest level of standard energy-efficient windows and doors in the class of 3 gaskets and 3 panes. The best of the best energy-efficient standard uPVC windows. For customers looking for products from the top league – with less appetite for savings.
The winner was a set on Gealan 9000 window profiles. A product that has practically everything that windows of this class should have. From excellent energy efficiency, through reliable hardware from Siegenia, a thin V-Perfect thread weld, to the lowest in the ranking sash and frame height.
At Gealan 9000 we will make windows, balcony doors (with a standard threshold, low, sloping), lift slide patio doors or panel doors. It is also worth mentioning the additional advantages of the Gealan 9000 system, not included in the ranking. The first is the technology of glued STV glass, the second is the innovative acrylcolor technology.
Behind Gealan 9000 there are Gealan Linear and Rehau Synego 80. Both Linear and Rehau lose 1 point to the leader for a slightly worse U-Factor. Although Rehau offers more options in terms of additional profiles and accessories, it is second to Gealans in terms of sash and frame height.
|
Window profile
|
Quality (Points)
|
|---|---|
|
14.00
|
|
|
13.00
|
|
|
12.50
|
|
|
Veka Softline 82MD
|
12.00
|
|
Ideal 8000
|
12.00
|
|
Schuco Living 82
|
12.00
|
|
Veka Softline 76MD
|
11.50
|
|
Salamander bluEvolution 82
|
11.00
|
|
Decco 83
|
11.00
|
|
Wital Prestige Therm Light
|
10.50
|
Make an informed and easier decision. Explore window samples to verify the quality of Polish windows.
Explore window samplesThe representative of the German group Veka also wins in this category. Like in the past Skoda in the Volkswagen group, in the window industry Gealan shows how to deliver quality that does not have to be paid for. It is simply a proven, optimal choice in almost any situation.
The second place for Gealan 9000, about which we have already written extensively in the quality category. The difference here is primarily the better U-Factor 0.13 Btu/h·ft2·F (Uw 0.73 W/m2·K), when Linead has U-Factor 0.14 Btu/h·ft2·F (Uw 0.78 W/m2·K). However, for this difference you have to pay about 9% more than in the case of Linear, which is worth taking into account when talking to the client.
If the budget is more important in the “quality/price” slogan, it is worth considering systems from third place on the podium.
The third place in terms of the ratio of the quality to the price of the finished product was taken by Salamander bluEvolution 82, which we recommended in the comparison of the cheapest triple-glazed windows. Despite the low price, you will get a branded, full-value product, additionally equipped with Siegenia Titan hardware and a thin weld.
|
Window profile
|
Quality/price
|
|---|---|
|
4.24
|
|
|
4.20
|
|
|
3.91
|
|
|
Veka Softline 82MD
|
3.81
|
|
Ideal 8000
|
3.66
|
|
Decco 83
|
3.60
|
|
Wital Prestige Therm Light
|
3.46
|
|
Veka Softline 76MD
|
3.17
|
|
Rehau Synego 80
|
3.15
|
|
Schuco Living 82
|
3.00
|
At this point, I would like to personally appreciate the Gealan brand for creating a system that was the only one on the podium in quality and quality/price categories.
The entry of Gealan window profiles into the production lines of subsequent, proven window factories is also noteworthy. I.a. thanks to this, repeatable, the highest quality can go hand in hand with a low price.
The icing on the cake is keeping pace with minimalist trends in construction and the most “frameless windows“, as evidenced by the lowest sash and frame height in the price. This is another category where Gealan 9000 and Gealan Linear windows were second to none.
Keep it up!
Our new window ranking also takes into account the height of the profile visible from the outside. It consists of the height of the sash profile and the frame profile (see the figure below).
The lower the height, the more natural light that enters the room through the glass. The higher height means a smaller glass area. A window with a larger frame and a smaller pane area looks less aesthetic.
Minimalist, narrow-frame windows are currently the leading trend in the world, which can also be seen in the offers of system providers. Like other industries, the window also tends towards the smallest possible frames (including hidden sashes and low height), you combine better aesthetics with greater usability.
|
Window profile
|
Frame + sash height
|
|---|---|
|
4.33 in
|
|
|
4.33 in
|
|
|
4.45 in
|
|
|
Decco 83
|
4.49 in
|
|
Rehau Synego 80
|
4.61 in
|
|
Ideal 8000
|
4.69 in
|
|
Schuco Living
|
4.72 in
|
|
Veka Softline 76
|
4.8 in
|
|
Salamander 82
|
4.84 in
|
|
Veka Softline 82
|
4.88 in
|
Among the standard energy-efficient window systems with three panes and three gaskets, ranking for the warmest system is basically pointless. They all have U-Factor very close to 0.14 Btu/h·ft2·F (Uw 0.8)- the best Gealan 9000 has U-Factor 0.13 Btu/h·ft2·F (Uw 0.73), the weakest Veka Softline 82MD and Schuco Living 82 U-Factor 0.14 Btu/h·ft2·F (Uw 0.80).
We checked how it can translate into real savings for your clients. There are many energy calculators available on the web – we used the one at www.oszczednydom.pl.
For the test set of windows with an area of approx. 215 sq ft, differences at the level of 0.01-0.05 W/m2·K bring savings of a few dollars per year (!). From an economic point of view, this is not a significant difference. The money spent on a more expensive system with a higher U-value of 0.05 will probably never pay off.
The situation is different if you have a tender requirement with a clearly defined heat transfer coefficient for the windows. Only for this need, we present a list of the warmest window systems with price and score.
|
Window profile
|
Uw (W/m2·K)
|
U-Factor (Btu/h·ft2·F)
|
Price (USD)
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
0.73
|
0.13
|
3,336
|
|
|
0.74
|
0.13
|
2,812
|
|
|
0.74
|
0.13
|
3,276
|
|
|
Decco 83
|
0.76
|
0.13
|
3,052
|
|
Wital Prestige Therm Light
|
0.77
|
0.14
|
3,034
|
|
Rehau Synego 80
|
0.77
|
0.14
|
3,970
|
|
Gealan Linear
|
0.78
|
0.14
|
3,065
|
|
Veka Softline 76MD
|
0.79
|
0.14
|
3,628
|
|
Veka Softline 82MD
|
0.80
|
0.14
|
3,152
|
|
Schuco Living 82
|
0.80
|
0.14
|
3,997
|
Using our experience, each system included in the ranking of warm uPVC windows was assessed in terms of the quality of the assembly plant where the finished product is made. Knowing about windows, you need to know that even the best window system, but assembled at a poor manufacturer, will be of mediocre quality. We considered two aspects:
The good news is that all Polish manufacturers included in the 2021 triple-glazed uPVC windows ranking represent a solid, high level in both aspects (they received 2 points in each of the criteria).
By ordering each of the windows in the list, you can be sure of a repeatable product, and in the event of a possible complaint (it happens even to the best ones), technical support and assistance in its efficient solution.
All products in the ranking of warm uPVC windows use the highest quality hardware that will provide your customer with comfortable service and you will not have to go to complaints and regulations, which will save time and money.
The most important thing for you, however, is the information that as many as seven out of nine systems are equipped with Siegenia Titan AF hardware, modern and, in the opinion of debesto.com, the most refined hardware system you will find on the market. The exceptions are Decco 83 and Ideal 8000, with Maco Multi-Matic and Gealan Linear with Winkhaus ActivPilot Concept.
They are distinguished by the KoPiBo rotary roller, which, regardless of the size of the window and anti-theft points, guarantees light and smooth operation of the window, because it automatically positions itself up, down and rotates – reducing the friction between the anti-theft points and the roller. Which will provide your customers with the highest comfort of everyday use of the window. It is an additional 0.5 points from us.
Using flashless welding makes the corner of the frame or sash smoothly finished. Undoubtedly, this has a positive effect on the aesthetic value of the window. It is also worth mentioning that it is also supposed to have a positive effect on the tightness of the structure.
With the exception of the Wital and Decco windows, all windows from the ranking are welded using the V-Super or V-Perfect technology. They received an additional 0.5 points for that.
In all of the above-mentioned cases, we will make all types of structures, from facade windows, through balcony windows with a low threshold or a sloping threshold, lift and slide windows, to panel doors. The whole is complemented by a wide range of additional profiles and accessories. All this meant that each of them received as much as 3 points.
Right behind their backs we placed Gealan Linear, Gealan 9000, Decco 83, Salamander 82 and Veka 76. Based on these systems, we will make each of the above-mentioned constructions, while the list of accessories is slightly shorter than in the case of the competition. Gealan stands out as a plus in this group, he received 2.5 points, and the account of the other profiles received 2 points. Only Wital stands out from the rate, which allows only windows and received only 1 point.
|
Window profile
|
Uw (W/m2·K)
|
U-Factor (Btu/h·ft2·F)
|
Fittings
|
A thin thread weld
|
height of sash+frame (in)
|
System completeness (score)
|
Quality (score)
|
Net price (USD)
|
Quality/price (score points)
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
0.78
|
0.14
|
Winkhaus ActivPilot Concept
|
YES
|
4.33
|
2.5
|
13.00
|
3,065
|
4.24
|
|
|
0.73
|
0.13
|
Siegenia Titan
|
YES
|
4.33
|
2.5
|
14.00
|
3,336
|
4.20
|
|
|
0.77
|
0.14
|
Siegenia Titan
|
YES
|
4.84
|
2
|
11.00
|
2,812
|
3.91
|
|
|
0.76
|
0.13
|
ROTO NT
|
NO
|
4.49
|
2
|
12.00
|
3,152
|
3.81
|
|
|
0.74
|
0.13
|
ROTO NT
|
YES
|
4.68
|
3
|
12.00
|
3,276
|
3.66
|
|
|
0.82
|
0.14
|
Siegenia Titan
|
YES
|
4.80
|
2
|
11.00
|
3,052
|
3.60
|
|
|
0.77
|
|
Siegenia Titan
|
NO
|
4.45
|
1
|
10.50
|
3,034
|
3.46
|
|
|
0.77
|
0.14
|
Siegenia Titan
|
YES
|
4.61
|
3
|
11.50
|
3,628
|
3.17
|
|
|
0.77
|
0.14
|
Winkhaus ActivPilot Concept
|
YES
|
4.88
|
3
|
12.50
|
3,970
|
3.15
|
|
|
0.80
|
0.14
|
Siegenia Titan
|
YES
|
4.72
|
3
|
12.00
|
3,997
|
3.00
|
In our comparison, we evaluate the quality of finished triple-glazed uPVC windows. The entire finished product and its quality include, among others:
In conclusion, this ranking does not only show the technical, theoretical capabilities of the system makers. The ranking is also not just about prefabrication.
Our ranking evaluates the quality of a uPVC window as a complete, finished product along with its packaging, handling, service, logistics and the quality of pre- and after-sales support.
We rely on the data provided by the manufacturer. If, as a system supplier, you see a mistake in the description of your products, remember that it is the manufacturers who prefabricate on your profiles that provided the data for this statement.
