Parallel imports of PVC profiles: the hidden risk no one tells you about

A silent problem that could cost you thousands of euros

Imagine investing €5,000, €8,000 or €12,000 in replacing all your windows. The first few weeks everything looks perfect. But by the second summer, you notice the white profiles starting to yellow. By the third, a window won't close properly. By the fourth, the seals leak when it rains with wind. What happened?

What happened is that you had PVC profiles installed that were manufactured for a different climate. It's not a malfunction or bad luck: it's a structural problem affecting thousands of homes in Spain since the rise of parallel imports of PVC profiles from Poland, Romania and other Eastern European countries.

As professional installers with over 15 years of experience, we've had to repair or replace windows with this type of profile on numerous occasions. It always pains us, because these are problems that could have been avoided with the right information. This article is that information.

What are parallel imports of PVC profiles?

Parallel imports are PVC profiles purchased in countries with lower manufacturing costs — mainly Poland, Romania, Turkey and other Eastern European countries — and resold in Spain at prices well below the official market. Sometimes they use well-known brands (Veka, Rehau, Salamander) but manufactured in plants that don't produce for the Spanish market.

The problem isn't the country of manufacture itself, but the technical specifications of the profile. The differences you can't see with the naked eye are the ones that will cause problems:

• Different PVC formulation: without the thermal stabilisers and UV filters that the Spanish climate requires
• Incorrect climate classification: Zone M (moderate) profiles installed in a Zone S (severe) country
• Thinner wall thickness: Class B or C profiles instead of Class A
• Lower quality hardware and accessories: that degrade quickly in coastal environments or with high sun exposure

Zone M vs. Zone S: why your profile needs the letter 'S'

The UNE-EN 12608 standard classifies PVC profiles into two climate zones. This classification determines the chemical formulation of the PVC and its ability to withstand solar radiation and extreme temperatures:

The difference between both classifications is invisible to the human eye, but critical for durability:

• Zone M (moderate climate): for countries where the average maximum daily temperature of the hottest month is below 22°C. Designed for northern and central Europe: Germany, Poland, Netherlands, Scandinavia...
• Zone S (severe climate): for countries where that average is 22°C or above. All of Spain is Zone S. Also Portugal, Italy, Greece and southern France

All PVC profiles installed in Spain must carry the S classification. If it carries an M, it's not designed for our solar radiation. You can verify this by looking for the laser-engraved marking inside the profile before the window is assembled. If you see an 'M' where there should be an 'S', you're looking at a profile that will degrade prematurely.

Class A, B and C: the thickness that makes the difference

The same UNE-EN 12608 standard classifies profiles by the thickness of their outer walls. This thickness determines mechanical resistance, ability to support heavy hardware, and the window's service life:

• Class A: outer wall ≥ 2.8 mm. The most demanding. Used by leading brands like Veka, Kömmerling and Cortizo. Greater impact resistance, better hardware support, longer service life
• Class B: outer wall ≥ 2.5 mm. Lower resistance. Common in low-cost imported profiles
• Class C: no minimum thickness requirement. The lowest quality on the market

The 0.3 mm difference between Class A and Class B may seem insignificant, but in practice it means up to 15% less mechanical resistance. In large windows or those with heavy hardware (tilt-and-turn, lift-and-slide), this difference leads to mid-term deformation, closing difficulties and loss of airtightness.

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Hardware and accessories: the part that fails first

The profile is the structure, but hardware is the functional heart of a window. These are the mechanisms that allow opening, closing, tilting and sealing. And this is precisely where parallel imports show the most visible and annoying daily problems.

The hardware that comes with low-cost imported profiles is usually generic, without a recognised brand and without UNE-EN 13126 certification. The consequences appear before the profile problems:

• Premature oxidation: especially in coastal areas or high humidity. Within 2-3 years, mechanisms start jamming
• Loss of airtightness: seals and locking points don't maintain the pressure needed to seal the window
• Mechanism failure: handles that snap, hinges that give way, tilt-and-turn systems that stop working properly

Real problems we're seeing as installers

We're not talking theory. These are the specific problems we've found when inspecting or replacing windows with profiles imported through unofficial channels:

• Profile yellowing within 2-4 years due to lack of UV protection. The white turns cream or yellow irreversibly
• Frame deformation from excessive thermal expansion. Frames bow in summer, preventing proper closure
• Corner weld failure. The welded joints between profiles crack or open, creating entry points for water and air
• Water leaks on rainy windy days, because the seals don't maintain watertightness
• Interior condensation from degraded profile losing its insulating properties
• Inability to claim warranty because the original manufacturer doesn't honour guarantees for product distributed through parallel channels

The last point is especially painful: when the customer tries to claim, they discover that the manufacturer's official warranty doesn't cover profiles distributed outside authorised channels. They're left without proper windows and without warranty. That's why it's so important to know exactly what's being installed.

How to verify your profiles are correct for Spain

Before signing any PVC window quote, demand this information and verify it personally:

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Profile brands with official distribution in Spain

If the installer can't or won't provide this information, it's a clear warning sign.

1. Ask for the profile's technical data sheet. It must clearly state the manufacturer, series, climate classification (S) and thickness class (A)
2. Look for the laser-engraved marking inside the profile. Before the window is assembled, ask to see the profile from the inside. It should carry the manufacturer's reference, the UNE-EN 12608 standard and the letter S (severe climate)
3. Verify the fabricator is official. Ask who manufactures the windows and whether they're an authorised fabricator for the profile brand. Manufacturers like Veka, Kömmerling and Cortizo have public lists of their official fabricators
4. Compare prices with common sense. If a quote is 40-50% cheaper than the others for the same dimensions and window type, ask yourself where the difference comes from
5. Demand the warranty in writing with exact details of the profile manufacturer, series and fabricator. A warranty that simply says 'PVC window' without further detail doesn't protect you

These are the PVC profile brands with official presence, certified distribution network and after-sales service in Spain. All manufacture or distribute Class A and Zone S profiles specific to our climate:

Our guarantee as installers

Other recognised brands such as Schüco, Deceuninck and Weru also have presence in Spain, though with a smaller distribution network. The key is always to verify that the specific profile offered is certified for Zone S and is Class A.

• Veka: world leader, with a factory in Spain. Profiles with specific formulation for the peninsular climate, reinforced thermal stabilisers and UV filters. AENOR and RAL certifications
• Kömmerling: German brand with over 120 years of history. Benchmark in high-quality PVC with its EuroFutur system and NaturKolor76 premium finishes range. Manufactured in Spain
• Cortizo: Spanish manufacturer based in Galicia. 100% Spanish-made profiles with proprietary quality control. A84, C70 and DesignPlus series

At Instal Tancaments we've been installing PVC windows for over 15 years and we know how important this investment is for a family. That's why we work exclusively with officially distributed profiles, certified for the Spanish climate and with direct manufacturer warranty.

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Every window we install carries Class A, S classification profiles, with UNE-EN 13126 certified hardware, high-performance glazing and installation by professionals trained by the manufacturers themselves. It's not the cheapest on the market, but it's what guarantees your windows will work perfectly for decades.

If you want to know exactly how much it would cost to replace your windows with certified profiles, use our online price calculator or request a quote with no obligation. And if you already have a quote from another installer and want us to help you verify what profiles they're offering, write to us — we'll be happy to help.

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Frequently asked questions about PVC parallel imports

Is it illegal to sell PVC windows imported from Romania or Poland in Spain?

No, it's not illegal. Parallel imports within the EU are legal. The problem isn't legal but technical: profiles manufactured for the Eastern European market usually have a moderate climate formulation (Zone M) that isn't suitable for Spain (Zone S). It's perfectly legal to sell them here, but they may not meet the specifications needed to last in our climate.

How do I know if my profile is Zone S or Zone M?

All PVC profiles carry a laser-engraved marking inside the profile, visible before the window is assembled. This marking shows the climate classification: the letter S means severe climate (suitable for Spain) and the letter M means moderate climate (not suitable for Spain). Ask your installer to show you this marking before installation.

What's the difference between a Class A and Class B profile?

The difference is in the outer wall thickness of the profile. Class A has a minimum of 2.8 mm and Class B a minimum of 2.5 mm. Although it seems like a small difference, Class A profiles have up to 15% more mechanical resistance, better support for heavy hardware and a longer service life. All leading brands in Spain (Veka, Kömmerling, Cortizo) manufacture Class A profiles.

Are windows imported from Eastern Europe always poor quality?

Not necessarily. The problem isn't the country of manufacture, but the technical specifications of the specific profile. A Veka profile manufactured in the Poland plant but with Zone S formulation and Class A can be perfectly valid for Spain. The problem arises when Zone M profiles with Class B and uncertified hardware are imported simply because they're cheaper.

Can I claim if my imported windows have problems?

It depends. If the windows were purchased through an official distribution channel of the manufacturer, the manufacturer's warranty covers you. But if purchased through parallel import, the original manufacturer doesn't recognise the warranty because they don't control the chain of custody. In that case, you could only claim from the installer or importer, who are often companies without after-sales service structure.

How much more expensive are windows with profiles certified for Spain?

The price difference is usually between 20% and 40% compared to low-cost imported profiles. It may seem like a lot, but consider that quality windows last 30-40 years while low-quality ones can develop serious problems from the third or fourth year. The cost difference pays for itself quickly and saves you the headache — and expense — of having to replace windows that didn't last.

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