A famous person once said that windows are like the eyes of the house to the outside world. If designed properly, windows can be like living paintings, as one architecht said breathing fresh air, giving life and emmitting light into the house.
uPVC, which stands for unplasticized polyvinyl chloride, windows have been used in the European countries for decades. In the USA, it is called vynil. It is a primary material for windows instead of its substitutes such as aluminum and wood because it is a better insulator, cost-efficient, corrossion-free, and has a elegant appearance.
It is just recently that uPVC has been taking over the windows and doors market in the Phils. Over the past few years in Cebu, companies that are selling these windows are sprouting like mushrooms. Here are my comments about the some of them:
1. Kenneth & Mock Designs Inc.
KMDI really pays attention to quality plus they use top quality Kommerling profiles and ROTO accessories but customers would have a burned pocket after buying windows that are the same price range as a lxury car. Another issue is the time. Since production is in Manila, it usually takes a long time for them to deliver the finished windows. But who cares? One or two customers a month and I bet Mr. Kenneth is happy.
2. EDCON Glass & Aluminum Incorporated and it's consignees
EDCON uses VIGNET uPVC profiles and claim it is BRITISH design technology. I think this is total crap. I also think VIGNET is the one damaging the uPVC market in CEBU because there have been confirmed cases of Vignet windows turning yellow. That is why there are some who are hesitant about choosing uPVC. Ironically, I think they are the biggest distributor of uPVC profiles because they distribute it without thinking about the quality and also they are among the first to introduce uPVC in Cebu.
3. Chang-Cheng Building Materials
Chang-Cheng, from the name itself, is super Chinese and they're proud of it which can be a good or bad thing. From the name itself, you can expect what to get. Cheap price definitely. Quality? I'll let you be the judge of that. They use Chinese-Standard profiles, accessories could not be determined.
4. CrizBen Trading & Fabricators
Now, here is a tricky company. Crizben brags about their imported, world-class ZC-profiles, hardware, accessories, and Glass from JAPAN. What people don't know is that ZC means "Zhong Cai" (CHINA), at least Chang-Cheng is not fake about its identity. And everyone from the glass industry know that ASAHI has a plant here in the Philippines. They give out warranties, but it's not from them, and all their prices are VAT exclusive.
5. Fourlin-Q Windows & Doors
This is another company from Manila that thinks Cebu is a big market, big enough to expand its operations here. Fourlin-Q maybe quite dominant in the uPVC market in Manila, but here in Cebu, it still has a lot to cover. It doesn't have a fabrication plant here so that is already a major disadvantage. It has a high-quality but high price profile (VEKA profile, ROTO accessories). Still the same issues with KMDI. Too expensive, too long to fabricate, ship. But it also has cheaper alternative but quality is not so good. (Zong cai profiles)
6. KUNSTOF uPVC Windows & Doors
This company just opened just recently and its direct consignee is KIMA GLASS Supply Company, Inc. to maintain its quality and so not to tarnish its name. This company claims to have German technology products. They have the best looking showroom and as for machinery and competence, they are the company to beat because they have a full-blown assembly plant. Giving the price, it's quality is not that bad at all.
7. Elite Windows
As the name implies, it is for the elite. The price is too expensive.
8. EUROPA
This company only show up on big projects. This is because they are based in Iloilo so basically most of Boracay is theirs. Their quality and price is just there in the middle.
VERDICT:
Best in Quality: Kenneth & Mock
Best in Price: Chang - Cheng
Best in Quality & Price: KUNSTOF uPVC Windows & Doors
