UPVC profile "size" usually refers to the system depth — commonly 60 mm for casement and sliding systems and 80 mm+ for heavy-duty sliding and industrial sections — plus the wall thickness class and chamber count inside. Here's what each number means, how the systems differ, and how to choose sections for a given opening.
The Three Numbers That Define a Profile
- System depth (mm): the front-to-back dimension of the frame — 60 mm and 80 mm are the workhorse depths in India. Deeper = more chambers, more rigidity, bigger glazing capacity.
- Wall thickness (mm): the thickness of the PVC walls themselves — from ~1.5 mm economy to 2.5 mm+ heavy duty. This drives screw retention, weld strength and wind-load performance.
- Chambers: the internal hollow cells — typically 3 to 6. More chambers improve thermal/acoustic insulation and stiffness, and house steel reinforcement.
60 mm vs 80 mm Systems — The Practical Difference
| Parameter | 60 Series Casement | 60 Series Sliding | 80 Series Industrial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Depth | 60 mm | 80 mm (track) | 112 mm |
| Walls | 2.5 mm | up to 3.5 mm | 2.5 mm |
| Chambers | 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Best for | Openable windows/doors | Balcony sliders, wide openings | Coastal, industrial, high-wind |
Full technical sections: 60 casement · 60 sliding · 80 industrial.
Section Types Inside a System
Each system is a family of sections: outer frame (fixes to masonry), sash/shutter (the moving leaf), mullion/transom (splits openings), glazing beads (hold glass, sized to glass thickness), interlocks (where sliding shutters meet), and auxiliary sections — couplers, adapters, extensions — that join and finish assemblies.
Choosing by Opening — Quick Rules
- Standard bedroom/living windows up to ~1.8 m width → 60 casement or 60 sliding by preference.
- Balcony doors and openings 2–3 m wide → 60 sliding with steel reinforcement throughout.
- Openings above ~3 m, coastal exposure, upper floors of towers, factory windows → step up to 80 Series.
- Double glazing → confirm bead options; our sections cover ~4 mm single to ~24 mm DGU.
FAQ
Q: Is a deeper profile always better?
No — it's heavier and costlier. Match depth to span, wind exposure and glazing. Over-speccing a small ventilator wastes money; under-speccing a tower slider fails audits.
Q: What lengths do profiles come in?
Standard extrusion lengths of ~5.8–6 m, bundled. Plan your cutting lists to minimise offcut waste.
Q: Do all 60mm systems interchange between brands?
No. Depth may match but internal geometry, gasket grooves and hardware channels differ. Buy the system — profile + auxiliary + hardware — from one source. See the window profile range.
Related: what chambers actually do and the wall thickness deep-dive.