Research methodology and substantiation of methods and solutions for the application of pvc windows in architectural monuments

Abstract

The use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) windows in architectural monuments has been actively debated over recent decades, particularly in Western European countries. Germany, Austria, and other countries place special emphasis on the restoration of architectural heritage. The traditional approach to restoration is based on the use of materials that were originally employed at the time of the monument’s construction. However, in recent years, there has been a growing tendency to consider the use of modern materials in order to preserve and extend the lifespan of heritage objects.

The decision-making process regarding the application of PVC windows in architectural monuments occurs in several stages and is based on numerous factors. A particularly important stage in this process is the formation of a system of methods and solutions aimed at optimally addressing restoration tasks while ensuring the preservation of the object. It should be noted that the research methodology serves as a fundamental prerequisite for substantiating the methods and solutions for the use of PVC windows. It enables the systematization and generalization of construction and technological characteristics of the object based on system-forming features that describe both the overall value of the architectural monument and its individual elements, including window and door structures, which are among the most frequently replaced components throughout the lifecycle of the building.

The result of systematizing these system-forming features should be the development of a structured set of methods and solutions for the application of PVC windows. These methods and solutions must ensure the integrity of window systems through repair or complete replacement, improve the energy efficiency of the building, and enhance the overall preservation of the architectural monument.

Based on these objectives and through organizational and technological modeling, a set of rational methods and solutions should be developed to ensure the proper organization of construction and technological processes, account for organizational constraints, and define interrelationships. The outcome of such modeling should be the selection of an optimal system for the application of PVC windows and doors in architectural monuments.