Developers and fabricators prefer uPVC door & window profiles nowadays. There are many advantages to using uPVC; this includes its toughness, ability to withstand environmental elements, energy-efficient properties, long-term durability, and low-maintenance qualities. Due to these characteristics, uPVC is the ideal product for residential/commercial/industrial construction projects.
While buying material based on a low cost may seem reasonable initially, those who fabricate/build/consult for a project need to understand that buying lower-quality uPVC profiles will cause long-term negative impacts on the success of their business.
What is the main difference?
The main difference between good-quality uPVC profiles made by manufacturers and low-quality uPVC profiles imported from overseas lies in how they are made. Quality manufacturers use better machines, follow proper manufacturing processes, and use high-quality raw materials. They also test their products at every stage to make sure the profiles are strong, durable, and meet performance standards.
On the other hand, low-quality importers usually focus on low cost rather than quality. They often use inferior raw materials, add more filler content to make it cheap, have limited  quality checks, and do not follow strict manufacturing or testing standards. As a result, these profiles may not perform well or last long.
Some low-cost profiles produced outside India are made using recycled or poor-grade PVC materials, vary in thickness throughout the profile, and contain a low-quality UV stabiliser. These are not always readily apparent but will become evident due to the performance failure of the product.
The Impact of Quality Extrusions on Performance
uPVC extrusions of higher quality are specifically engineered to perform consistently under the influence of varying climatic conditions. For example, in India’s market, the profiles have to withstand very high and low temperatures, heavy rainfall, humid conditions, and the effects of environmental pollutants. High-quality manufacturers use only virgin PVC resin, meet the industry’s maximum level of titanium dioxide (like) in the resin, and create a formulation to suit the customer’s climate. The result is a product with long-term consistency in its colour stability and ability to retain the strength of the resin over time.
The profiles of overseas suppliers usually lack sufficient UV protection; this results in the profiles becoming discoloured, brittle, or cracked within a few years. For companies that sell to other businesses (B2B), as a result, they will have an increasing number of warranty claims; they will have to deal with unhappy customers; and they risk damaging their own reputations.
Structural Strength and Ease of Fabrication
 The precision extrusion process is necessary for achieving the desired structural strength and ease of fabrication of quality-driven manufacturers. These manufacturers maintain tight tolerances, use uniform chamber design, and assure compatibility of appropriate steel reinforcements. Therefore, they have fewer challenges when fabricating, meaning they can create the best fitment of hardware and have the highest load-bearing capability.
On the contrary, cheap profiles have inconsistent dimensions, resulting in difficulties during fabrication. Issues of misalignment, hardware failure, and poor sealing are all issues that fabricators encounter frequently. Additionally, fabricators spend extensive amounts of time attempting to correct defects that should not exist, thus increasing their labour costs.
Certifications, Compliance, & Trust
Most reputable uPVC profile manufacturers will comply with both national and international standards (ISO) and industry-specific quality standards. Their products are tested for thermal performance, impact resistance & weathering.
On the other hand, cheap imported profiles usually do not have any certification and thus cannot provide documentation supporting the claims they make. If the product is purchased from a manufacturer that is not compliant, a customer could be disqualified from projects, receive fines, or be sued.
Buyers who purchase from compliant manufacturers will create stronger relationships of trust with the developer and/or consultant because they have proof that they are purchasing “certified” products.
 Long-Term Costs vs Short-Term Prices
A misunderstanding often seen within the B2B purchasing space is that a low initial purchase price equals cost savings. This view is incorrect because the total lifecycle cost will provide a much better understanding of true costs. High-quality uPVC profiles will provide a much longer service life and reduced maintenance and replacement.
Cheaper imported profiles can provide a low initial purchase price; however, they can create a much greater financial burden as time goes on and require greater amounts of money for repairs, replacements, and/or customer dissatisfaction. Fabricators and installers, too, will have poor quality issues erasing their client relationships and future potential work.
Strong Supply Chain & Quality After-Sale Service
One of the most important benefits that manufacturers focused on quality in the domestic market can provide to B2B companies is a reliable supply chain. That means that if a company offers steady deliveries of quality goods, technical assistance, customisation options, and continued after-sales support, a B2B company is much more likely to have a successful business venture with that supplier.
Cheap imported products are usually supplied through sporadic supply cycles, have limited technical support, and provide very little accountability after product sale. Supply instabilities could significantly impede the delivery of products promptly for projects currently under development (or in progress) and could also adversely affect your business’s relations with customers.
Furthermore, in addition to supply instabilities, another aspect of uPVC profile production that has grown increasingly essential is sustainable & responsible manufacturing.
More sustainable and responsible manufacturing processes have become an overriding goal for the construction industry, as well as for providers of uPVC profiles. Today’s leading manufacturers of uPVC profiles use more responsible methods of creating their products through the effective utilisation of materials and the development of systems for recycling. Manufacturers that have developed systems of recycling their products and ways to optimize the material usage through more efficient processing are defined as ‘responsible’.
While reputable manufacturers provide a means for businesses to utilise their products while reducing potential negative environmental impact, many unregulated importers or other manufacturers may not be providing these same responsible methods of disposal or optimising their material usage. As such, companies looking to align themselves with their customers’ sustainability values should focus on supporting domestic uPVC profile manufacturers that are committed to the highest standards of quality and sustainability.
Why Choosing Quality-Driven uPVC Extrusions Matters for Long-Term B2B Growth
B2B players within the uPVC ecosystem face a choice between manufacturers focusing on quality and low-priced imports. The decision on which to purchase will have long-term ramifications on a company’s bottom line, as well as the performance and reputation of a company, due to purchasing decisions made based upon price alone.
Companies that use quality uPVC extrusions gain competitive advantages, including durability, consistency, compliance, and confidence in their products.
Reliability is the cornerstone of the development of good partnerships and the creation of repeat business.
Companies that invest in high-quality products will achieve a greater return on investment over time and will be able to differentiate themselves from competitors.
By – Mr Ankit Modi, Managing Director, Durakraft Extrusion
