FAQs
Are Plustec windows and doors Environmentally Friendly?
Yes!
Life Cycle Assessment Analysis provides clear evidence that windows and doors produced from uPVC consume far less energy and release far less CO2 into the atmosphere during manufacture than aluminium windows and doors. Fundamentally, uPVC windows and doors have a significantly lower carbon footprint.
The use of Ca-Zn stabilised uPVC provides a further environmental advantage through the absence of lead. The use of Ca-Zn stabilisers means that all profiles and accessories are fully recyclable.
Do Plustec windows and doors have high energy performance?
Yes.
Australians currently pay a staggering $800m per annum for energy that is lost through their windows! Why? Because only 2% of homes have energy efficient windows and only 5% have double-glazing. With eight million households in Australia, the loss amounts to about $100 per household. These figures do not include commercial buildings, which experience even greater losses.
Plustec windows and doors have 24mm double-glazing, which provides excellent energy efficiency. They also:
• Have a high energy efficient three-chamber system
• Feature frames with a low U-value and wide air gap
• Use high quality gaskets in the double sealing system
• Have corners fully welded for water and air tightness, and
• Have a higher rebate height than other profiles to provide better water tightness.
How do Plustec windows and doors perform acoustically?
Plustec windows and doors have superior acoustic performance. The wide air gap provides improved sound insulation.
How does the Tilt and Turn system work?
Our standard windows are European Tilt and Turn.
A window is primarily used in the tilt mode, with the turn operation used for cleaning the outside glass from the inside (as well as for additional ventilation if required). Our french and sliding doors also tilt, providing a means of securely leaving a door open for ventilation.
What about bush fire protection?
Plustec windows can be used in bushfire prone areas and can achieve the following ratings:
• BAL 19 – Standard Plustec Window with specific glass configurations
• BAL 29 – Standard Plustec Window with specific glass configurations
• BAL 40 – Aluminium clad Plustec Window with specific glass configurations
What maintenance is required?
The beauty of Plustec is that both windows and doors are virtually maintenance-free! They just require cleaning, which is made easier by the smooth rebate in the frame and infrequent oiling of hardware.
How secure are the windows and doors?
We use 24mm overall thickness double-glazing and higher. Our profiles are steel reinforced, and all steel in the sash frame, transom and mullion profiles are the same.
We use European hardware, which fits a standard rebate located for highest security. Multiple locking points fitted to the windows ensures an air and water-tight seal. The hardware is screw-fixed through two profile walls, and steel if required, providing additional security.
What colours do you offer?
We have in-house laminations of white or cream white timber look, shadow black, ash black, anthracite grey, Silver Brush Effect, Moondance, Bronze Platinum, Walnut, Golden Oak, Rubinrot (Red), Quarzgrau (Grey) windows and doors which can be one side or both sides (even different colour inside and out). More than 100 colours are available as a special order.
Handles and hinges are also available in a range of colours.
How do I re-use, recycle, or dispose of old PVC windows and doors?
PLUSTEC is a producer of Windows and Doors made from uPVC (rigid PVC). As a Signatory to the Australia PVC Stewardship Program, administered by the Vinyl Council of Australia (VCA), we are committed to reducing the amount of waste generated from the use of our products. While the life span of a uPVC window and door is very long, there may be a time when they are replaced and need to be re-used, recycled or taken to landfill. The following are some guidelines on how to and where to reuse, recycle or dispose of our products safely.
Reuse
The windows and doors may still be useful for many applications as second-hand windows/doors or the uPVC can be cut up and the profiles used for a variety of construction/support applications (e.g., garden posts).
Recycle
Plustec’s uPVC windows and doors are fully recyclable. Plustec will collect the old windows/doors and recycle both the uPVC and glass material. Alternatively, the VCA provides a list of companies that will recycle the product (www.vinyl.org.au).
Dispose
The old window/door may be taken to landfill where the local operator will advise on where to deposit the material at the particular site. PVC is non-toxic and inert and can be disposed of safely in landfill. A study by the Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden (Hjertberg, T. “Degradation of PVC in Landfills – a theoretical evaluation”, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden 1995) concluded that rigid PVC does not degrade in landfill. PVC will remain inert in landfill, and there is no evidence to suggest that uPVC would be a source of any toxic substances under landfill conditions. The VCA also provides information on the incineration of PVC.
These are our most frequently asked questions, but if you have a question that we haven’t addressed here, please don’t hesitate to give us a call or shoot us an email and we will be in touch as soon as possible!