Special Note: PVCu, uPVC, PVC-U, and PVCU all essentially refer to the same material. i.e. A uPVC conservatory, a PVCu conservatory and a PVC-U conservatory are all manufactured using the same material.
u.P.V.C windows have an expected service life of over 40 years.
uPVC profiles manufactured in accordance with uk and irish standards require an occasional wipe down for appearance purposes.
A gradual loss of gloss and slight change of colour may occur over time which has no effect on the functional performance of the profiles.
As uPVC profiles have being successfully used for windows for the last 40 years, uPVC profiles manufactured in accordance with uk and irish standards are expected to last in excess of 40 years
Internal or Externally glazed windows. Most PVCu systems will now give you this option. As a generalisation Internally beaded windows (where the glass is held in from the inside) are considered more secure and burglar resistant. That said there are a lot of satisfactory externally beaded PVCu systems about - many of which feature either internal wedge gaskets or a "double sided" tape which holds the external bead firmly in place. You should investigate this particular issue with your supplier.
Thickness of PVCu walling? Most PVCu systems for window and door construction are "multi-walled" with internal reinforcement by means of either Aluminium or Galvanised Steel box section. Wall thickness can vary from system to system - most are around 3 - 3.5 mm thickness. Generally speaking the "thicker" the walling - the stronger the section.The first commercially available windows were installed in Germany in 1959. While the technology for producing these windows has naturally advanced over the years with, for example, the introduction of better performing acrylic-based impact modifiers, some of these earlier uPVC windows are actually still in use. The main reasons why uPVC windows would be replaced over time are:
1. Renovation/redesign/demolition of the whole building.
2. Upgrading from single to double-glazing
3. Upgrading to improve insulation properties (e.g increasing the internal webbing which improves heat insulation and energy conservation properties).
Modern stabiliser systems allow a service life of over 40 years to be given to the uPVC material component of replacement and new-build window systems. As windows are intended to be exposed to the elements, including wind, rain and UV light, some limited, superficial changes can occur. However, the only effect this could have would be a loss of gloss on the surface finish of the frame. There would be no loss of impact strength or structural integrity and the colour would also still remain white. In short the window system will remain an extremely useful building component.
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In a report undertaken by the German Institute for Construction with Plastics on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Environmental Planning, Construction and Urban Development, the long-term characteristics of uPVC were identified as follows: |
"Faults on windows using uPVC profiles occur usually in the operating mechanism or the seals, i.e. the components that are not made of PVC. Hence the long term characteristics are determined by the durability, low maintenance and wear characteristics of the components installed into the PVC window frames, and not by those of the frame itself. Since the PVC window frames do not have to be painted with fungicides or protective coatings, no maintenance of the frame is required apart from cleaning"(48).
It is important to remember that timber window frames are also subject to weathering, and they will require cleaning just the same as uPVC. uPVC windows, however, do not rot, warp, peel or chip.
