What is UPVC ?

Polyvinyl Choride (PVC) is a chemical compound of chlorine, carbon and hydrogen. The components of PVC originate from the naturally occurring raw materials of petroleum or natural gas and common salt. The ‘u’ stands for unplasticised and means that the material has not been softened by the addition of chemicals known as plasticizers.

PVC was produced for the first time in 1935 and has been industrially manufactured in large quantities for over 50 years. It has been developed into a material that can offer a wider range of properties and therefore has many different applications. Total PVC productions can be split approximately into the following applications:

• 55% Construction Industry
• 16% Packaging History
• 4% Furniture
• 4% Cars
• 2% Electricity Industry
• 19% Others (including Medical and Horticultural)

PVC is a thermoplastic material, PVC can be clear or colored, rigid or flexible, depending on the added compounds and final application that needs to be achieved; For example there exists different PVC grades such as cost or blow film, high impact, wire and cable grade, thermoforming, injection molding, rotational molding etc.

The basic raw material for PVC is derived from salt and oil, Chlorine is manufactured by the electrolysis of sodium chloride, salt. This is why the first PVC manufacturing plants were located close to natural sources of salt.

The electrolysis of salt water produces chlorine. The chlorine is then combined with ethylene that has been obtained from oil. The resulting element is ethylene dichloride, which is converted at very high temperatures to vinyl chloride monomer. These monomer molecules are polymerized forming polyvinyl chloride resin. For example rigid PVC like the one which is used in windows frames normally PVCU (unplasticized), on the other hand flexible PVC is achieved by adding plasticizers such as phthalates.

Furthermore, pure poly-chloroethene is unstable when exposed to visible light or UV. In order to modify this disadvantage and make it suitable for different applications antioxidants are added. Some other additives comprise:

Additives in uPVC : Properties achieved

1. Anti-oxidants and other stablizers: Slow down the rate at which polymer degraded by oxygen, visible light or UV radiation
2. Compatibilizers: Enable PVC to be mixed with other plastic recycling.
3. Flame retardants: Reduce flammability of plastic.
4. Pigments: To colour the plastic.
5. Plasticisers: To produce the flexible and manageable plastic.
6. Impact modifiers: To absorb shock without damage.
7. Fillers: Inexpensive, inert materials that simply add bulk to the plastic.

There are some of the properties that makes PVC appropriate for several applications:

1. Toughness, Strength.
2. Ease of blending, ease of processing.
3. Flame resistant and fire prevention properties.
4. Excellent electrical insulation properties. This makes it ideal to be used in cables.
5. Impact strength and resistant to bad weather conditions.
6. Resistance to grease, oil and chemicals.
7. PVC is chemically stable and does not de-polymerize.

uPVC for Doors

The basic material properties of uPVC make it ideal for door application. These properties include:

• Does not rot or biologically decompose
• Is resistant to weathering with low maintenance requirements
• Is tough on impact
• It retains its shape within normal climatic temperatures
• It can be reshaped at high temperature and can therefore be recycled

Pure uPVC is not quite suitable for window profiles. A small amount of stabilizers and additives are required, the mix of which may differ between manufacturers. The basic material properties of uPVC make it ideal for window application. These properties include:

• Does not rot or biologically decompose
• Is resistant to weathering with low maintenance requirements
• Is tough on impact
• It retains its shape within normal climatic temperatures
• It can be reshaped at high temperature and can therefore be recycled

uPVC for Conservatories

A uPVC conservatory may also be known as PVC, uPVC or a plastic conservatory. The most commonly used material in conservatory manufacture is uPVC or unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (ridged plastic). This is also referred to as vinyl in America. The general reason that uPVC is used today in 100,000 of applications including uPVC conservatory manufacture is because uPVC is a thermoplastic – a substance that loses its shape when heated and then becomes ridged again as it cools. Heat shapes uPVC into countless useful forms making it easy to produce uPVC conservatory extrusions.Where additional strength is required the uPVC is reinforced with aluminum or other metals. The reinforcement takes place, for example, in the conservatory roof bars and uPVC conservatory frames or doors.

Door windows Basics

What makes Door/window-

• UPVC/ Aluminium Profile- Frame, Sash, Glazing Bead
• Steel Reinforcement
• Fittings- Hinges, Rollers, Handles, Locking mechanism
• Glass- Insulating Glass, Safety Glass, Security Glass,
• Accessories-Gasket, screws etc…

Glossary

UPVC- Unplasticised Polyvinyl Chloride.

Frame- The part of the window fixed to the masonry work (Chowkhat, चोखट ).

Sash- Openable part of the window/door (Palla, पल्ला).

Casement Window/door- Windows with swinging open-able panels (sashes).

Sliding Window/door- Windows/doors with sliding open-able panels (sashes) window/door.

Transom- Horizontal dividers of a window/door outer frame.

Mullion- Vertical dividers of a window/door outer frame.

Mid rail- Dividers (horizontal or vertical) in a window/door sash.

Bay window- A combination of at least three windows that projects outward from the main walls forming a bay in a room, either square or polygonal.

Tilt & Turn Window- A window that (i) tilts at an angle  for ventilation and (ii) opens inwards like a casement.

French Window-  Combination of two casement window with 100% opening.

Multi point locking- A locking mechanism that locks at more than one point.

Double Glazed Glass-  Multiple layered glass panes that have very dry air or inert gas between the glass panes. [Double Glazed Glass can be called Insulated Glass Unit (I.G.U.) or, Double Pane Glass or, Double Glazed Unit (D.G.U.)].

                                                       Double Glazed Glass

Deflection in a Window/Door - Wind speed load on the window/door will result in the deflection of the unsupported Transom = f (Check below mentioned picture).

Tensile Strength- It is the maximum stress that a material can withstand while being stretched or pulled, which is when the specimen’s cross-section starts to significantly contract. Tensile strength is the opposite of compressive strength and the values can be quite different.

U-Value-  Level of Indirect sun heat loss. Lower it is, higher the level of thermal insulation.

U-value calculation for windows-In windows there are always three different U-values:

• U_w (w = window) – overall value of the window
• U_g (g = glazing) - U-value of the glazing
• U_f (f = frame) – U-value of the frame

The heat transfer coefficient U_w relates to the entire window. This value also incorporates the U-values for the glazing and the frame U_f. The overall value Uw is also influenced by the linear heat transfer coefficient (g = glazing) and the size of the window.

Low-E Glass- Introduced in 1979, Low E glass works in a way in which reflecting heat back to its source. It is basically for controlling thermal insulation. If we see electro- magnetic spectrum of sunlight, it comprises visible light, Infrared(heat) & UV light. Low-E glass has the ability to transfer visible light but blocks IR rays as well as UV rays upto certain level. To understand more about Long & Short Infrared rays, UV , Please check below pics.

Electromagnetic spectrum of Sun

Electromagnetic spectrum of Sun

Electromagnetic spectrum of Sun

Do It Yourself: Easy Home Insulation Tips !

Things are easier said than done, or so the old adage goes, and we couldn’t agree more. That’s why we do lot of in installation of Doors/Windows, a attempt to live better. Our challenge for Now? Do It Yourself.

Insulation can make your home more comfortable and save you money. Here are a few cheap and easy tips to help keep you cool in the heat, and warm when it’s cold.

Heat transfers in three different ways: convection (the flow of air or liquid, like a drafty breeze), conduction (physical contact with something hot or cold, like touching a hot pan), and radiation (heat from sunlight or other electromagnetic waves).

During a hot summer, one of the best ways to keep your place cool is to stop the bright light from blazing through your windows. Doors/Windows with tinted glass & Heavy drapes will drastically cut the radiation from the sunlight. The drapes don’t have to be dark, so don’t worry about turning into a vampire. Temporary window tinting or, Heat Reflective Glasses will further lower the intensity, but make sure to open it in winter, as it will block the warm sunlight during those months. And if you have the ability to mount outdoor awnings, they will let ambient light keep your home nicely lit, while blocking the undesirable direct sunlight.

Convection is often the biggest offender in Winter Season, especially older homes that have gaps around windows after years of settling. You’ll want to eliminate these drafts. Windows/Doors is to help you seal cracks and minimize the cold air leakage. Take Expert Services to squeeze PU Foam under windows to fill gaps, put a sealing tape to cover your window-mount air conditioner, and put shrink film over the entire window frame to seal the glass off entirely.

Doors can be just as problematic, especially those with a large gap underneath. Adding a door sweep or threshold with a brush seal is a great way to block gusts of wind (as well as wayward critters trying to get out of the cold). The perimeter of the door can be further sealed using self-adhesive foam stripping. 

An often overlooked source of cold leakage is electrical outlets. By creating an entry into the wall interior, the internal air that helps block the outside cold can make its way into the warmer house. Insulation pads and gaskets (found at any hardware or electrical store) will block that cooler air from coming in.

You can find even more tips to fix a drafty house, from easy to advanced, on this from our Experts.

Overall, a little bit of work will make the summer heat (and winter cold) a lot more manageable. And when all else fails, don’t forget that a double-decker ice cream cone can work miracles in the summer, while a mug of hot chocolate does the trick in the winter.