The coextrusion colouring process involves fusing the PVC main body with the coloured acrylic in one step. The melding of both materials creates a silky smooth exterior surface that easily resists sun, wind, rain, the cold and extreme temperature swings.

GEALAN has been using the coextrusion colouring process since 1980. Our experience in the field has been recognised with the RAL quality seal and the South German Plastics Centre seal of approval.

We deliver white profiles as well as profiles with acrylcolor and wood decor within three days from our logistics centre.

The gaskets in our profiles can be delivered in either black or Papyrus White (RAL 9018).

We chose our five-chamber system S 7000 IQ for tests against forced entry. The system's construction depth of 74 millimetres offers several advantages:

• The resistance against mechanical attacks is markedly higher than standard depth profiles.
• The hardware is mounted further from the outer edge, thus harder to reach with tools. Also, the centre-seal ridge provides a further obstacle to any attempts to pry the window or door open.
• The lock mechanisms are safely protected by the centre seal. The 13 mm axle width allows the locking hardware to be screwed onto the steel stiffeners and are better protected against attempts to remove.

The following table provides an overview of the elements and the approved installation combinations:

Due to climatic differences between the interior and outside air, exterior entrance doors slightly warp over time. This is unavoidable, but proper treatment can minimize the effect..

The ift institute for window technology in Rosenheim says the following about door warping:

"Based on the average differences in interior and exterior climates, a warping of up to 4.5 mm is permitted."

To prevent such warping, it is recommended that the doors be "pre-stretched". Then the stile is grooved on the lock side to reduce the convex expansion.

That the door does not lie flush in the jamb is not a defect, but rather provides for a long, maintenance-free life

With vinyl windows, glazing the windows on-site by low temperatures is especially problematic and must be done with the utmost care. PVC becomes brittle and more susceptible to mechanical influences when cold. When the pane is pressed in from one corner to the other instead of evenly from the middle, the glazing bead's length allowance is forced into the corner, causing tension in the entire pane. This can lead to tearing in the corners.

To ease the pane installation, we recommend spraying a light coat of silicon on the locking foot of the glazing bead during "winter glazing", to reduce friction. We also recommend storing glazing beads in a warm location until they are required for installation.

Today we can assume that installation joints must contain an vapour diffusion seal on the inside and an outer rain-proof layer. Additionally, sufficient thermal insulation and an even load distribution are vital. These measures have been defined by the ift in Rosenheim, the RAL testing cooperation for windows and doors and from independent consultants.

The German insulation regulations state since 1995 that "all other joints in heat transferring surfaces must be sealed in accordance with modern technology against air leakage" (Wärmeschutzverordnung, §4, part 3). This requirement will also be in the new energy conservation ordinance, and will even be tested by "blower door" tests. This testing method can immediately identify any leaks.

Already, the ift has validated this with several fact-finding reports about structural damage caused by insufficient caulking. The old argument that "it used to work just fine in the past" can no longer be used. We also need to be aware of the fact that architectural styles have changed. In the past, air leaks in the building construction helped with air circulation. High room humidity was visible on the poor windows, and could condensed out of the air. But buildings became better insulated, and air-tight. That increased the demand placed on the caulking.

The current regulations also apply to older buildings, but they are difficult to implement. However, the construction physics makes no distinction between new and old, so the new standards still need to be followed. Even if a RAL installation isn't mentioned in the bidding invitation, the current state of technology needs to be followed. As a professional, you are required to at least make a special note!

For more information, please consult our handbook Praxishandbuch Montage, with detailed solutions and descriptions of standard caulking possibilities.

Inferior adhesiveness is often related to the surface tension of the glass pane. Normally, the rule for all adhesive bonds is that the higher the surface tension of the surface is, the better the adhesiveness.

Interestingly, though, glass has a very wide spectrum of surface tensions. This can range from "optimum bonding" to "non-adhesive". Another problem is that the hydrophilic surface of glass can undermine the adhesive by allowing a film of water in between the glass and the glue. At first glance, glass is a fully inert material, but from a chemical standpoint the surface of glass is highly active. Window glass is mainly a sodium/calcium/magnesium silicate. Under the influence of alkaloids and alkaline hydroxides, glass can hydrolyze with surface water. This is the main reason for the above mentioned water film between adhesive and glass. With a coating of glass primer, however, the hydrophilic behaviour of the glass can be countered and a water-resistant surface achieved.

GEALAN Glass Primer (Art.# 3536 99) improves the surface tension of glass and prevents hydrophilic behaviour.

The installation and minimum requirements for roll shutters, sun screens and shades is defined in DIN 18 073.

This also defines the requirements for roll shutter guide rails in chapter 5.1.6. In it, there is no mention of brush gaskets anywhere in the document.

Should you desire brush gaskets, you must order them separately.

We do not recommend it. Due to the extreme heat conductivity of aluminium, the aluminium sill should be used only in entrance doors leading to non-heated vestibules or stairwells, due to the low relative humidity and temperature. These areas have a lower dew point and thus a reduced risk of condensation. In heated living areas, the aluminium sill is inappropriate due to the high risk of water condensation. Especially in well-insulated buildings, these little thermal bridges make themselves felt. Surface temperatures near the sill drop below the dew point. To prevent condensation-related damage, these sills should not be used in heated rooms.

For balcony doors and similar projects we recommend the GFK Sill 3481 60 with brush gasket. It offers better insulation through usage of fibreglass-reinforced plastics and an extra air chamber on the interior side. Thus, the risk of condensation is minimised.

No. Stabilising the vinyl window profile helps maintain a long usable life span of up to 40 years, and helps the profile to resist the elements without additional aids. At GEALAN, cadmium based stabilisers have been replaced by lead phosphate systems years ago. The PVC compound used for our window profiles contains approximately 3.5 to 5% stabilisers, for a net average lead content of 2%.

As a comparison, glass products such as lenses, wine glasses, bowls, plates and jewellery use lead not only as an additive, but as the main ingredient in the form of lead oxide (24-36%). The glass used in medicinal equipment can contain up to 76% lead.

Lead is all around us, whether in the glasses, pewter or soldering mass. However, lead is only poisonous upon direct contact. The lead contained in vinyl window frames is capsulated from contact, just like the lead in lead crystal glasses. It is not able to reach the organism. If lead stabilisers were to escape, then the long life span of PVC-based products of up to 80 years would not be possible

"Less than 2% of the lead produced yearly goes into manufacturing PVC stabilisers"
-Organisation of plastics manufacturers, Argumentarium Bleistabilisatoren

"As far as the usage of lead stabilisers in PVC is concerned, there is no toxicological data known, therefore the Toronto Environmental Conference concluded that no restrictions are necessary"
- Dr. A. Kürzinger, "Possibilities for Stabilising Vinyl Window Profiles", 1995 International Vinyl Window Congress