How to buy uPVC Door/Window in India ?

For most people the word " windows" bring the image of the computers windows rather than the image of the house window. In our contemporary world where progress enters our everyday life so fast that we sometimes don't even notice it, "regular" windows have also undergone significant changes and one can probably say that ordinary windows have managed to become extra-ordinary.

There is surely one connection between user of the computer operating system windows and homeowners. Without basic knowledge of how things work it is not going to be easy to maintain both the windows system and house windows. That's why it is important to be aware of certain elements.

If you are buying a new home, be prepared that your builder or, contractor might not do his best in installing the windows and doors even if on the superficial level everything looks nice. I had a chance to see some new homes where the owners had to deal with the window & door problems.

Probably one may ask, " what is so special about windows ? There is just a frame and glass". Well, both the frame and glass of a modern window differ drastically from the earlier one.

Today there are more than 200 upvc windows & doors manufacturers in India & as per market growth, you will be amazed to know that in next 10 years, it is going to be more than 2000....as a customer, options are unlimited for us. But still million dollar question is Which one is better ? Should I go with India Manufactured or, should I go with German Manufactured or, What is the cost of upvc windows ? or, How do I get best deal out of my hard earned money......; so here are few points which will definitely help you to get a better deal -

REMEMBER "Quality is never an accident. It is always the result of intelligent effort." - John Ruskin

1. BUY WINDOWS WITH WRITTEN SPECIFICATIONS- It is one of the most important factors while making decision to buy high quality doors & windows in India which is going to affect you & your family for next 15-20 years. In my own experience which is reinforcing same thought day-by-day , most of the time advertisements corrupts our need-based decision making & we fill our world buy things we do not need, instead of things we actual needs. So it is important to buy doors & windows with written specifications rather than buy heavily advertised No. 1 or, best Brand worldwide. One more thing I would like to mention doors & windows are manufactured worldwide as per International Standards as Britain has BS norms(EN 12608 ), Germany has DIN norms, America has ASTM norms even country like china is following EN standards(GB/T 8814-2004 is same as EN Norms) but in India still there is a long way to have standards for Doors & Windows, so in India if you are no.1 it does not mean you are following high quality standards. Trust my experience in Building industry, there is no safety norms followed while designing uPVC doors &windows in India. So once again BUY WRITTEN SPECIFICATIONS RATHER THAN BUY SELF PROCLAIMED EXPERTS BRAND.

TRUST this if you get it in written, then Half the battle is won...

Normally Sales People will not understand your concern as rightly said by Upton Sinclair ," It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his job & entire salary depends on not understanding it."

• UPVC Profile specification : Which company profile he is using? (German/Turkish/Chinese/Indian) 
• Steel Reinforcement type : What type of reinforcement he is using ? (Galvanized steel & its thickness ) 
• Fittings: What type of fittings or, hardware he is using ? (German/Turkish/Chinese/Indian ) 
• Glass: What make Glass he is using ? (AIS or, Saint Gobain or, Others ) 
• Warranty- What kind of warranty for after sales service is he providing ? (Is he providing only on upvc profile or, also on fittings )-ASK MIN. 10 YEARS WARRANTY ON PROFILE AS WELL AS ON FITTINGS FROM MANUFACTURER... 

2. UPVC PROFILE - Every one talks about benefits of upvc doors & windows, no doubt upvc is best material to be used in place of wood, aluminum & steel but it has one disadvantage i.e. limited tensile strength, that’s why it has steel reinforcement inside all upvc profiles.

Worldwide standards( EN 12608 accepted in Germany, Europe, China & Britain) have been made to use regarding uPVC profile as below mentioned-

• Outer Wall Thickness- As shown in picture uPVC profile is having outer wall thickness "A" means its outer wall thickness is more than 2.8mm . If it is "B" than outer wall thickness is more than 2.5 mm. If it is C than it is less than 2.5 mm. 

• Impact Test- As shown in picture uPVC profile is having class "II" Impact Test -Class II is better than Class I as Impact test is for 1.5 meter height & Class I is for 1 meter height. (Please check specially in Indian Profile as they match outer wall thickness of International players but Impact test is important which will confirm their Material mix )

• Weather Test- As mentioned in the below picture it is " S "i.e. for Severe weather , it can also be " M" that means for Moderate weather which is not suitable for Indian condition ( Please check specifically uPVC Profile from Germany as Germany has Cold climate & Moderate weather profile can turn yellowish due to sunlight exposure) 

Please check profile marking as per EN 12608 guidelines.( check below mentioned picture )

3. STRUCTURALLY STABLE OR, SAFE DESIGNED DOORS & WINDOWS- This is another one of the important factors while choosing high quality doors & windows. As discussed earlier uPVC Profile has limited tensile strength so it is important to ask the uPVC windows & doors manufacturer about maximum deflection allowed when exposed to wind speed as per your city. (Please note as per DIN standards, it should not be more than 8 mm i.e. DIN 1055 part-4 & DIN 18056).(I know it would be bit technical but it is some thing like your car, How much maximum safe speed you can attain with-out vibrations ). It will cover the point of inside steel reinforcement's thickness as well as shape as reinforcement gives required tensile strength to uPVC windows & doors system.

4. FITTINGS CHOICE – One of the major differentiating factor in upvc windows & doors in comparison to wooden and aluminum counter parts-i.e. wider range in fittings. We can choose multi point locking to single point locking –no more locking the door with 3 different locking mechanisms. ( I remember when I visited a customer’s Home & lady was pregnant & she has to bend to lock the door from the bottom, it was dangerous way to live life when we have wonderful product like uPVC doors &windows –Please check picture )

                                    

3 Different Locking points in wooden doors                     

                                                                                   

Also Functioning of windows & doors depends on good fittings. Three types of fittings are available in the market. German, Turkish & Chinese. Go with German fittings if you want peace of mind for min. 10 years.Ask your vendor about weight of sash as in uPVC doors & windows each high quality fittings comes in according to sash weight. E.g. Hinges for Doors are available from 50 kg. To 180 kg. . If your supplier is not calculating or, mentioning sash weight on its proposal then most likely you will have trouble while functioning of doors &windows.

5. GLASS: - Glass itself is one of the important factors in window & door. One need to do self analysis while choosing glass( I will address Glass in a separate article )-

Written Specifications will answer below mentioned queries-

• Where do I need safety? 
• What are my security requirements? 
• Do I need to control noise? 
• How my building look like aesthetically? 
• External & Internal Reflection? 
• Can I make my residential/commercial project more green efficient as well as minimize negative impact on environment? 
• How can I control solar heat in tropical country like India? 
• Availability for service in case of breakage? 
• U-value & UV radiation? 

6.SEARCH FOR LOCAL FABRICATOR- Try to search for local supplier for high quality windows & doors. (Remember your old carpenter & old Doctor- I know; you can not leave your Home & Body to be in vulnerable condition). It is easy to contact local guy as he is always there for broken glass or changing the handle. BUT TRY TO GET LOCAL FABRICATOR BY UPVC PROFILE MANUFACTURER CERTIFIED !

“DON'T LEARN SAFETY RULES SIMPLY BY ACCIDENT”

7. SITE CONDITIONS & INSTALLATION STANDARDS– It is the most important factor which lies in our hands. Most of the time we make same mistake as rightly said AL-GORE (Ex. vice president of United States & Presenter for An Inconvenient Truth of a documentary film about climate change, specifically global warming and a future ice age in Northern Europe)- “ Old Habits plus Old Technology have predictable consequences. Old Habits, that are hard to change, plus New Technology can have dramatically altered consequences.”

Same true for while thinking about site readiness about windows & doors. Most of the time customers request to install windows & doors when site is not ready & bad installation conditions can kill high quality product. (Check picture)

Drainage Slot has been blocked by Post-Stone installation

UPVC has high resistance to weather,to corrosion and to the most materials found on Building sites so it would be best to install uPVC windows & doors after final paint or. P.O.P. . Installed windows are subjected to dead load, live load and wind load, high and low temperature and weathering. These factors have also big influence on the joint between walls and window as well as Doors. Careful planning and good craftsmanship is therefore essential for the quality of installation.

Some times Good Installer has to follow instruction of Customers as Arc. Wren did. In 1688, Sir Christopher Wren, the celebrated English architect, was asked to design a town hall for the city of Westminster. When the mayor saw the design, he told Wren the second floor was not secure and that it could all come crashing down. And therefore, he wanted Wren to add two stone columns for extra support. Wren didn't argue. He complied even though he knew it would serve no purpose. It was only years later, when workmen got on a high scaffold for some minor repairs did they see that the columns Wren gave in to stopped a few centimeters short of the ceiling. They were dummies. But the point is, both men got what they wanted. The mayor could relax and posterity demonstrated Wren was right.

8. ENERGY EFFICIENCY IS MUST- UPVC windows & doors is an energy efficient material but we have to choose glass & windows combination in a manner in which it should save energy. E.g. if it is south facing opening, we should choose heat reflective glass with double glazing to save energy.

Making mistakes in centuries and generations past would have consequences that we could overcome. We don't have that luxury anymore......

9. HOW TO GET BEST PRICE FOR UPVC WINDOWS & DOORS – Most of the time first time buyer ask this question to me.One has to understand Doors & windows is not a ready-made product & there is no thumb-rule for costing. One has to go in details to get best deal out of his/her hard earned money as It is customized product so price depends on below mentioned factors-

• UPVC windows & doors Profile- Good Quality profile will increase price 15-20 % costlier than cheaper Turkish & Indian profiles made windows & doors.(Go for Profile as per International standards as it is customized product , You can change fittings but not profile easily) 
• Fittings – Good multi point locking & as per sash weight calculating fittings will increase price 20-30 %. 
• Glass has 20-40% share in window & door price. E.g. 6 mm toughened glass costs approx. 60/- Sq.ft & double glazed glass costs approx. 150/- Sq.ft 

10. LAST CHECKING POINT: - Last but not the least- [quoting Mark Twain] "What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know. It's what we know for sure that just ain't so." So BE ALERT ALWAYS.

THERE IS MORE TO A WINDOW THAN MEETS THE EYE......

Case study-Noise insulation of A Home @ Unitech South City , Gurgaon

There is a famous song by singer-songwriter duo Simon & Garfunkel , " Sound of Silence". It is one of the song which I liked most & perfectly fit in India's metro city life right now.

But can we achieve absolute silence in a Home ! Can we control outside noise level & feel Himalayan abode in our Home ?  yes it is possible... We did it many times..sharing one case study.... Residence @ Unitech South City II, Golf Course Road, Gurgaon. In my previous post, I have shared sound terminologies & ill effects of noise.

There are different standards & Indexes to measure noise levels.. I being associated with a German MNC always like to follow DIN ( German ) norms which are safest & highest in Quality.

After visiting the site, I realized that it was quite terrible situation as noise levels @ that House was around 60-65 dB during day time & also in the night, it was 70-75 dB with existing aluminium doors & windows.

Town planners, Builders & Developers are not thinking about reducing noise levels in the city &  in the apartments as there is no vision for

• Regularly review the City Plan rules relating to acceptable levels of noise.
• To ensure the quality service is provided for enforcement, response & complaints.
• To develop the noise map of Delhi NCR and monitor trends over time.
• To develop a system that identifies areas of concern. e.g. residential areas which are near motorways and other road network.

Now come back to our story, the challenges for us were-

• Removal of existing Doors/Windows - As family was residing their, We need to complete the house same day as they can not keep their house remains open in the night.
• Fitting of New Doors/ Windows with Joint insulation- It is prevalent industry practice to use silicone for joint insulation between wall & frame. But silicon is not fixing material. For proper noise insulation, one needs to use PU Fom. ( Rw ; 61 dB )

Joint insulation by PU Fom & sealing tape

" Listen to yourself not the noise of the world, only you know what is right for you."

Removal of existing Aluminium Door/Window via cutter

Sound level outside 

Sound level inside after installation

Sound level inside after installation

Noise level outside road side

Before Aluminium Window

After installation window

Case study-Mr. Naveen Bhatia's residence,Naraina vihar, Delhi

 

Barrier-free Air & Water tight low threshold

Dark Oak Finish

French Door with side fix used flat steel bar couplings to accommodate Hinge weight

Turn restrictor to control movement of Doors

Lever operated bottom hung window for ease of operation

Case study-Architect Sukhtej Gill's residence in Ludhiana ( Punjab)

Mr. Sukhtej Gill is an USGBC accredited LEED architect based in Ludhiana. He is always keen for in-detail discussion about Doors/Windows system. He needed something sustainable material for his own residence which provide quality with performance guaranteed . 

A common saying in the architect's field is Design follows Function. It becomes especially true when designing doors/ windows for an architect's own home. Here appropriate design needed with best performance. 

When mr. gill shared his architectural drawings , I realized & said to myself that for me & fabrication partner it is not going to be easy cake walk to convince him for size limitations ( by the way UPVC Doors/ windows needs to be strictly designed as per size limitations recommended by profile & fittings manufacturer otherwise it is complete waste of money & time ). As  he designed most of the door's height more than 8 ft or, 2440 mm.  We tried to convince him as not going more than 2440 mm height as it is not advisable as most of the doors fitting or, hardware locking mechanism comes with 2440 mm height & going beyond that is Indian Jugaad, not recommended by not only by profile manufacturer but also fittings manufacturer.ultimately Mr. Gill has freezed 2440 mm which we offered in SL 90 mm system.

There are other challenges in his office cum residence as most of the rooms were having large door opening specially south west facing where solar heat needs to be controlled & needs to have thermal insulation for winter. We suggested double glazing with neutral colored heat reflective glasses which he agreed. There were other challenges in while designing as he required 3-sided U-shape window for lounge area where we have suggested to use flat steel bar couplings to avoid deflection & make it as rigid as wall.

Rest is history. for us it is like a building a Taj Mahal by innovative & sustainable material like uPVC Window and Doors, for some our work is " frame a view " , for us frame work for life......

Case study-Mr. Saurabh Agarwal, MG Road, Gurgaon

Most of the time story is built around the house...but have you ever heard story is built around  doors/windows...yes it happened in gurgaon with Mr. Saurabh Agarwal working @ Google India. 

I remembered when he invited me to his home based in Essel tower on MG road. His first concern was  as he was originally from Kolkata & used to travel a lot from Delhi, he needed his home to be dust proof & also peace of mind by screeching noise created via sharp turning of metro rail & heavy traffic noise from Iffco crossing but poor aluminium windows/ doors which were having leakage at all corners are making their night worse to sleep & cleaning was arduous task. 

What we have done... First we suggested them to have only casement or, openable doors/windows system all around the house as sliding doors/ windows can not be 100 % leakage proof...also we suggested to have acoustic glass ( Acoustic Laminated glass has high level of noise insulation upto 50 dB-Rw ).

But as usual first reaction of new customer i.e.Mr. Saurabh was that it is costlier & out of Budget...but don't he needs peace of mind, absolutely he needs but what about cheap competition as others were cheaper...we again worked on price & suggested 12 mm glass ( Rw ; C ,C tr- 35 dB ) with uPVC Class A Profile ( acoustic design-Rw ; C, Ctr- 42 dB).  ( by the way it is a myth that double glazed glass is good for noise insulation as 12 mm glass has better noise insulation values than double glazed glass) but we did not compromised on fittings. Because only good  fittings makes uPVC doors & windows better product than wooden & aluminium windows....


Address- 903, PC-1, Essel Tower, MG Road, Gurgaon

Experience of making a house into a Home !

Bottom frame to make Home completely air-tight

Before Picture

Metro Track which brings screeching sound

Economical Door stopper suggested by Saurabh Agarwal

Feedback of Mr. Saurabh after 3 year 

Why uPVC Windows !

• Weather Resistant Doors & Windows -More than any other building material, uPVC windows and doors have excellent material properties even after many years in use. As a matter of fact, they do not alter under extreme temperature or weathering.
• High Security Doors & Windows – High-stability window and door profiles made of uPVC offer the best solution for increased safety. Special fittings and glazing, qualified window fabrication and expert installation offer an enhanced security at various levels.
• Maintenance Free- UPVC window and door systems do not require regular repainting and expensive maintenance. They do not rot, warp nor corrode even in tropical and salty coastal climates. Therefore, their maintenance is reduced to simple cleaning and does not involve any further costs.
• High Noise insulation- The protection against noise is an essential characteristic of a modern window in order to ensure a comfortable life both at home and in the office.
• Efficient Thermal Insulation- No matter in which climate windows and doors are installed – they contribute to a cosy and comfortable atmosphere in your home. As the design prevents thermal bridging, the thermal insulating performance of the finished window is exceptionally good
• Termite Resistance-In tropical climates wooden windows and doors are often destroyed by termites, whereas uPVC window and door systems are fully resistant to these insects. Thanks to the highly developed compound of uPVC windows and doors, termites are not able to attack to uPVC profiles.
• Fire Resistance-Fire tests have shown that uPVC materials, being naturally flame retardant throughout their product life, will not cause, support or enhance the development of accidental fire. Unlike timber windows, the uPVC sections do not support combustion and are in fact self-extinguishing.
• Maximum Water Tightness- UPVC window and door systems have been successfully used in swimming-pools, marine and ocean environments without detriment to the surface finish or performance. One of the main assets of window and door systems is their resistance to driving rain and their joint tightness.So Your Home stays absolutely dry however heavily it might be raining outside.
• Durable Doors & Windows-The longevity and superior quality of this material has been conclusively proved for almost 40 years. UPVC material compound performs to worldwide standards for strength, durability, heat stability, colour retention, and termite resistance.All in all, an uPVC is virtually guaranteed to help you save plenty of time and money over long duration of its use.
• Maximum Wind resistance- Due to their excellent material properties, uPVC window and door systems are ideal for being installed in buildings close to sea where they are permanently exposed to strong wind, heavy rain and salty air.
• Rust resistance- Unlike metal windows, uPVC windows & doors are rust proof and resistant to atmospheric pollution ,including a range of acids & alkali.This also means they will also perform better than wooden doors & windows.
• Dust Proofing-The sealing of uPVC windows & doors effectively stops dust drifting in from the outside, which drastically reduces the time you’ll spend cleaning your house.

Are uPVC Windows environmental safe?

Preserving the environment is one of the leading concerns, we, as a society, face today. Individuals and corporations alike must act responsibly and understand how the products they purchase and manufacture will affect the environment today and tomorrow. A number of factors can influence how “environmentally friendly” a product or industry is viewed. Those products and industries associated with recycling, energy efficiency and minimal waste disposal will have a definite advantage in the ever “greening” global marketplace. 

Plastic, once regarded as a substitute material that is used and thrown away, is becoming one of the most durable and widely recycled materials in the industry today. Plastic products have made an impact on modern medicine, global communications, transportation and food preservation. Plastics are also used in the preservation and protection of the environment in such ways as materials recycling and pollution prevention. Ironically, plastics, which were originally thought to be one of the larger of waste disposal problems, are now vital in the construction of material landfills. These facilities depend on plastic liners to protect groundwater by blocking toxic escape into the environment. Plastic drainage nets and textiles are used to remove the leachate and methane gas that collects inside the landfill, while plastic reinforcing materials and foam coverings save space, suppress odors and deter pests. Plastic products also conserve energy since they are lighter than alternative materials and use less fuel to transport. Plastic building components and insulation are extremely efficient in reducing conduction and infiltration into living spaces, lowering the amount of energy used for heating and cooling. Plastics generally require less energy to manufacture than equivalent products made of alternate materials. 

PVC is the world’s second most widely used plastic material. PVC, a non-hazardous white granular powder made from upvc chloride monomer, is fabricated into diverse upvc products having a variety of applications. upvc is predominantly used in construction and building applications that include window and door frames, sewer and water distribution pipe, drain, waste and vent plumbing pipe , flooring and wall coverings. upvc is an integral part in the manufacture of electrical wire and cable, packaging, furniture and coatings. A vast array of products found in the home and industry use upvc products because of their unique characteristics and low cost. Because most upvc applications are long-term uses that are not disposed of quickly, relatively little (about two and a half percent) is found in the waste stream. upvc is highly recyclable and can be incinerated safely without harm to the environment. Reground upvc is used to manufacture many items including mobile home skirting, PVC pipe and upvc siding. The small amount of upvc that is discarded is also environment-friendly. 

Studies conducted by independent bodies, such as the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, have shown that the presence or absence of upvc waste in incinerator feed has no effect on the amount of dioxins produced by incinerators.* Dioxin production from any source can be minimized by carefully controlling incinerator operating conditions. pollution control equipment minimizes dioxin emissions, and scrubbers remove over 90 percent of the acid gases produced from the incineration. upvc also resists attack from the corrosive action of water and soil conditions typically found in landfills. It remains inert and will not leach harmful chemicals into groundwater. As the use of upvc and other plastics continues to increase, so does the need for continued research to develop more and stricter recycling programs and industry regulations.