uPVC vs Vinyl Windows and Other Window Questions
Most people asking about uPVC vs vinyl windows have the same problem: drafts, ice on the glass, or a quote that doesn't explain what's inside the frame. Here are straight answers. We build every window in our Coon Rapids shop, sized to the opening, on multi-chamber European uPVC with compression seals and multi-point locks. Our tilt-and-turn sashes swing inward, so you clean the outside glass from inside, and every unit is built for Minnesota winters. If your question isn't here, email it with a photo to mark@vermakwindows.com and Mark will answer it himself.
uPVC vs Vinyl Windows: Common Questions
1
What are European windows?
They are window systems built to European standards: multi-chamber uPVC (we use German GEALAN profiles), insulated glass, and hardware that locks on several points. Most of them tilt and turn. They insulate and quiet a room better than typical American hung or sliding windows.
2
Are uPVC windows good for Minnesota winters?
Yes. That is the climate they are specified for. The frame does not rot or warp in the cold. Multi-chamber profiles, argon-filled double or triple glazing, and warm-edge spacers hold heat in and cut drafts.
3
What is a tilt-and-turn window?
One handle, two motions. Tilt the top inward for secure ventilation. Turn it further and the sash swings inward like a door for full air and for cleaning the exterior from inside.
4
Are uPVC windows the same as vinyl?
Yes, uPVC is vinyl. Both are rigid PVC with no plasticizer. The difference is how the frame is built. A typical American vinyl window uses a thin, mostly hollow frame. The European uPVC we use is a multi-chamber GEALAN profile with steel-reinforced chambers, compression seals that close the sash tight, and multi-point locks. We glaze it with Cardinal insulated glass. That build is what holds up in a Minnesota winter, and it's how we make our tilt-and-turn windows in Coon Rapids.
5
Do these windows reduce condensation?
Condensation forms when warm indoor air hits a cold pane. We spec glass and spacers so the room-side surface stays warmer, and the frame seals so you are not washing that gap with outdoor air.
6
Do you manufacture, or only resell?
We fabricate in Coon Rapids using GEALAN systems and European hardware, then install them, or deliver them to the job site for installation by the owner or a contractor. Showroom: 4190 Vinewood Ln N, Suite 107, Plymouth. Shop: Coon Rapids.
7
Where do you install?
Greater Minneapolis–St. Paul and surrounding Minnesota communities. Call (612) 806-1160 if you are outside the metro and we will tell you straight.
8
Can I choose colors?
White, sandstone, anthracite, bronze, black, wood-grain foils, and GEALAN-acrylcolor. We match the project, including custom color when needed.