Rehau vs Kömmerling: two German PVC giants
Rehau and Kömmerling are two of the most installed PVC profile brands in Spain. Both are German multinationals with decades of experience, but they have important differences worth knowing before making a decision.
The question "Rehau or Kömmerling?" is one of the most frequent we receive at Instal Tancaments. The answer depends on several factors: the type of project, the geographic area, the budget and the performance sought.
What is Rehau?
Rehau is a German multinational founded in 1948, headquartered in Rehau (Bavaria). It is one of the world's largest PVC profile manufacturers, with a presence in over 50 countries and more than 20,000 employees.
In Spain, Rehau has a very established presence and is especially known for its high energy-efficiency systems. Its most popular systems are the GENEO (with fibreglass instead of steel) and the EURO-DESIGN.
Rehau strengths
- Technological innovation: the GENEO system uses fibreglass instead of steel, improving insulation
- Excellent thermal and acoustic insulation performance
- Passivhaus certification available on several systems
- Wide range of colours and finishes, including wood effect
- Very solid company with major R&D investment
Rehau weaknesses
- Slightly higher price than Kömmerling for equivalent ranges
- Smaller distributor network in some areas of Spain
What is Kömmerling?
Kömmerling is a German multinational founded in 1897, with over 125 years of history. It was for many years the market leader in Spain and remains one of the most installed brands in the residential market.
Kömmerling strengths
- Over 125 years of experience — the most veteran brand in this comparison
- Very extensive network of distributors and fabricators throughout Spain
- Excellent quality-to-price ratio
- Wide variety of systems and accessories
- Passivhaus certification available
Kömmerling weaknesses
- Somewhat more conservative technology than Rehau in material innovation
- Has lost some market share in recent years
Direct comparison: Rehau vs Kömmerling
Thermal insulation
Both brands offer systems with excellent thermal insulation. Rehau's GENEO system, with its fibreglass reinforcement instead of steel, eliminates thermal bridges in the profile and offers slightly superior Uf values. However, in practice, the difference is minimal for most residential projects.
Acoustic insulation
Acoustic insulation depends primarily on the type of glass chosen, not the profile. With the same glass, both brands offer very similar acoustic performance.
Price
Kömmerling is usually slightly cheaper than Rehau for equivalent systems. The difference ranges between 10% and 20% depending on the system and fabricator.
Availability and installer network
Kömmerling has a wider distribution network in Spain, especially in rural areas and medium-sized cities. Rehau has a greater presence in large cities and larger-scale projects.
When to choose Rehau?
- When seeking maximum technological innovation in PVC profiles
- Passivhaus-certified projects where every tenth of a Uf value matters
- When total elimination of thermal bridges is valued (GENEO system)
- High energy-efficiency projects with a slightly more generous budget
When to choose Kömmerling?
- Standard residential projects seeking German quality at a good price
- When the availability of local installers is important
- Renovations where budget is a relevant factor
- When a wide variety of accessories and complementary products is needed
Conclusion: our recommendation
Both Rehau and Kömmerling are excellent options. For most residential projects on the Costa Brava and in Girona, Kömmerling offers a very competitive quality-to-price ratio with wide installer and accessory availability.
If your project requires maximum insulation performance and you value technological innovation, Rehau — especially the GENEO system — is an option to consider seriously.
In any case, remember that the final quality of your window depends as much or more on the fabricator and installer as on the profile brand. Read our article on the best PVC window manufacturers to understand why.
Want to compare these and other brands? Use our interactive comparator.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rehau better than Kömmerling?
It depends on the project. Rehau innovates more in materials (fibreglass vs steel). Kömmerling offers a better quality-to-price ratio and greater availability. For most residential projects, both are excellent options.
How much does a Rehau window cost?
The price of an installed Rehau window ranges between €400 and €900 for a standard window, depending on the system, dimensions and glass chosen.
Does Kömmerling have Passivhaus certification?
Yes, the Kömmerling 88 MD system has Passivhaus certification and offers excellent insulation performance.