Maintenance of joinery, assembly, services for automatic doors, production of glasses.

The right choice of joinery (profil type - aluminium or PVC, glass, casing) is an important task for us because the average period for change in Bulgaria is 15-20 years which is less than the period of change of the family car. Please, read and follow our advices.

As a demonstration of its innovative spirit, Cheh Plast Ltd. launched into exploitation a new line for production of window glasses (look at the pictures below) with flexible spacer DuraSeal of the American company TruSeal Technologies.

Assembly and adjustment of the press, working table and applicator for setting the flexible spacer was made with the support of the Commercial Director for Russia and Belarus - Viktor Sirichev who showed his indisputable technical knowledge about the spacer, the technology and line machines. After the assembly and adjustment which took place with active participation of workers and employees of the company, Mr. Sirichev trained the workers in department "Window glasses" for the different operations related to production of window glasses with the new spacer. Despite of their long experience in the department, workers, technologists, production director and the manager, were watching the demonstration because the technology is different from the one used so far and is almost unknown in Bulgaria. Indisputable advantages of this technology using DuraSeal and DuraLite ( we will start to use the last one in short time) which is often called "hot end", could be summarized in two directions.

The first is the decreased number of operations during the production of window glasses (4 operations) compared to the standard (8 operations) and secondly, these are the indisputable exploitation advantages of TruSeal products - DuraSeal and DuraLite compared to other known spacers and mostly the aluminium one.

Spacers DuraSeal and DuraLite have been examined in the production of TruSeal Technologies in the laboratory of TruSeal as well as in independent laboratories. The tests have confirmed notable thermal characteristics and permanence compared to indicators of analogous spacers. By using multi-component structure and unique processes, TruSeal has developed a family of spacers having superb life with excellent thermal characteristics. All of the abovementioned along with the simplicity of application and lack of secondary pressurisation, makes the spacers on Dura-platform of TruSeal the best alternative to all other spacer regarding quality and price as well as better productivity and reliability.

DuraSeal saves 50% more energy than ordinary U-shaped metal spacer and 90% more  than an aluminium spacer. In DuraLite the corrugated aluminum separator is replaced by polycarbonate which reduces the heat diathermancy and makes DuraLite leader among the other systems "hot end" type. Due to its air-heated structure TruSeal spacers increase the temperature at the end zone of the window glass by 4-6 oC, which increases the total temperature of the window glass and ensures additional comfort and heat in the house. By increasing the temperature in the end zone of the window glass the possibility for condensation is decreased by 80% and it completely excludes freezing and formation of frost at the end of the window glass.  The DuraSeal system allows shorter time for argon fill of the window glass (3.5 seconds instead of 2 minutes) which optimizes the production time for the windows.  Thanks to the pressurization properties of the spacer the system retains argon, while maintaining thermal properties of the window during its exploitation. The use of window glasses ​​using DuraSeal and DuraLite is possible in all areas with severe climate. For more than 15 years pressurization systems have been used in the Far East and more than 10 years - in Ural and West Siberia. One of the advantages of the flexible pressurization system is the presence of only one separable angle which is sealed at the end of the assembly. All other angles are whole which ensures reliable protection against moisture and perfect permanency.

There is a sustained tripartite moisture-protective barrier entering in the structure of the flexible DuraSeal and DuraLite system as an additional protection against penetration of water vapor. Padding plate provide The main feature of the spacer TruSeal from other systems is vlagopoglashtashtiya smooth laminated layer in the composition of which is included desiccant (molecular sieve) with high absorption capacity, providing high dew point.s additional strength, durability and sustainability. The main feature of the spacer TruSeal which distinguish it from other systems is moisture absorbing smooth laminated layer in the composition of which is included desiccant (molecular sieve) with high absorption capacity, providing high dew point. The moisture absorbing layer connects the rest of the moisture in the window glass, keeps it during its entire exploitation (more than 30 years) and prevents the fogging of the glass from the inside. Unique hermetic DuraSeal and DuraLite do not contain acrylic and other additives, bursting under the influence of UV-rays. Due to that, it keeps high adhesion properties and significantly reduces the rate of moisture penetration. The spacers have an adhesive layer with best indicators for resistance to moisture penetration compared to all other windows. P1 tests conducted in independent certification laboratory in the Netherlands showed that under strong influence of UV-radiation in different temperature regimes (from -70оС to +120оС), adhesion of the pressurization has remained constant for 44 weeks. Moreover, the distance between the glasses has changed in the range of 0.02%. Waterproofing layer also serves to retain inert gases such as argon and krypton. DuraSeal and DuraLite spacers and are fully compatible with inert gases and have excellent characteristics for retaining the gases. Adhesive layer and hermetic are an integral part of the spacer system, so there is no need to use a second barrier of polysulphide, polyurethane or butyl.

As a conclusion to all superlatives can be added that spacers with DuraSeal and DuraLite are the most appropriate for passive and energy saving buildings which are targeted by Cheh Plast as the future of Europe and the world.

Glass is construction of two or more glass, between which there is an air gap that occurred with different size spacers and hermetically closed. 
Good glass must be double barrier. One barrier in the glass is butylene affixed on both sides of the spacer and the second is silicone, polysulfides or tiokolat filling the space between the panes and the spacer. In operable windows can not penetrate water outside and inside the closed moisture with air in making it is absorbed by molecular sieve, which is filled spacer. Thus, between the panes can not be formed condensate.
Glazing may be several types and for different requirements: low-emission, energy saving double glazing, triple glazing, insulation, sound insulation, argon.

The precise mounting is guarantee the quality of a good window or door.

Known are several installation of windows: with dowels, screws for direct mounting only foam installation of anchors and remote installation. Assemblies Company Cheh Plast Ltd. ensure excellent execution of installation, whatever your chosen method, the warranty period is 60 months from the date of installation.

We will pay attention to the installation of windows in new low-energy and passive buildings, where appropriate coefficient of thermal conductivity to be reduced accordingly under 1,0 W / m²K for low-energy and 0,8 W / m²K for passive buildings.

The installation of anchors (or so-called brackets) is only possible for low-energy buildings. This type of installation can be used for all types of windows and doors of PVC, aluminum and wood. Typical for the installation of anchors is that it does not violate tselosta profile because it is not necessary to make breakthroughs in frames (profile-Fund). Thus do not violate the technical parameters of the profiles as thermal and sound insulation, reinforcement and sustainability of the risk that it may corrode.

Remote mounting system for installation of doors and windows outside the plane of the wall (over insulation), which ensures optimum isothermal line outside the construction base (wall) around windows and doors. This installation combined with external vapor permeable outside and inside watertight tape or pre-compressed tape three together, provide the required air tightness, stops moisture to the wall, while allowing release of moisture from the same building.

In 2009 Cheh Plast mounted with remote installation PVC windows system GENEO the German producer REHAU. We used galvanized consoles made from L-profile yet because there are no solutions for remote installation. Gradually we moved to the consoles ready with L-plates for tying wooden structures and system WINTeQ Henkel hydro, thermal and acoustic insulation and shield against condensation and water vapor. The disadvantages of using remote mounting brackets are: the attachment of brackets in the bricks of the wall is difficult and often hammered, neremontoprigodnost because the attachment of the windows to the consoles of the console and also for the installation takes more installers.

Recent years, the systems for remote installation to avoid problems with installation of systems, some of them already on the Bulgarian market.

We will discuss in detail two systems - TREMCO-ILLBRUCK, offered by Access Novello AD and greenteQ Klima Konform System, offered by VBH Bulgaria.

The first passive house certified Passivhaus Standart Plus, issued by the Passivhaus Institut Darmstadt in Bulgaria and the Balkan Peninsula was built in Markovo, Plovdiv region.

It is built on two levels with a total area of 220 square meters overall concept is a combination of modern architecture with the technical requirements covering passive house standards.

The energy parameters of the house, calculated PHPP9 (2015) are as follows:

- Specific energy demand for heating -13 kWh / m2 per year;

- Primary energy for all needs - 42 kWh / m2 per year;

- Result of the test for air permeability n50 (Blower door test) - 0,46 h-1 (if permissible statutory result for each passive house no more than 0,6 h-1.

Worldwide there are more than 30,000 passive houses as most of them were built after 2000. A passive house is a globally known and recognized German standard for modern, low energy and ecological construction. A passive house is not brand and embodies an open construction concept that has proven itself in practice. The name "passive" due to the fact that the building is no need for active heating and cooling systems. A passive house is a leading worldwide standards for energy savings in buildings thanks to that achieved reductions in energy consumption to 90%. This extremely low power consumption is achieved thanks to good insulation, energy efficient windows, air-tightness of the building envelope and controlled ventilation of rooms with energy recovery from exhaust air.

With joy we can share that part joinery contractor for the construction of the house in Markov company Cheh Plast Ltd. Here again is the place to mention that windows is one of the most important conditions in the construction of passive houses and therefore its choice can not be accidental. One of the main requirements to meet passive house standard windows with U - values - ≤ 0.8 W / m2 / K.

During the construction of the passive house. Markovo are selected profiles of German company REHAU, a system used is Geneo PHZ. From an energy perspective, GENEO is the best window. GENEO is a special high-tech material RAU-FIPRO. This multilayered fibrous material, which imparts maximum stability of the profile. Steel reinforcement, which generally is necessary to ensure stability, eliminated in 90% of applications. Thus GENEO ensure the best values for insulation, because the lack of steel leads to the elimination of thermal bridges. As further improvement is GENEO PHZ (certified system for passive buildings). By inserting the thermo-modules and special secondary seal GENEO PHZ fulfill the requirements for windows for passive buildings. Distinctive system Geneo PHZ is the coefficient of thermal insulation, which is Uf up to 0,79 W / m²K. It is important to note that windows GENEO profiles perfectly meet not only the requirements for insulation, but also the requirements for static and tightness.

For the needs of passive house in Markovo Cheh Plast Ltd. delivered and installed on the south façade shading the Czech company ŽALUZIE NEVA sro For - a great convenience to the user station is mounted on sun and wind. The drive is via motor and remote control. The installation of shading is a must in order to avoid overheating of the room during the summer months. By sun protection not only to avoid overheating, but also limits the need for additional cooling.

 Engineer Dimitar Ivanov:   I am satisfied with the status quoof Cheh Plast in Vratsa.

An interview of Annie Damyanova

I am talking to engineer Dimitar Ivanov on the eve of 15th anniversary of Cheh Plast and his fiftieth anniversary. I didn’t know about both anniversaries and I was  pleasantly surprised by these facts, because in these days he is going to be the face of one to one.  A down to earth manager, a man in his prime, socially responsible person and father, who could be every child’s dream.  I saw all this in him and I hope you can feel it while reading the interview. My first question was whether or not he is going  to run for mayor of Vratsa, but the response was negative. And not, that he had no proposals, even three, but his responsibility to the development of the company and "Association for doors, windows and facades" of which he is a chairman, is greater now than anything else.

Engineer Ivanov when is Cheh Plast established? I know you are a Czech citizen. Why Bulgaria?

My parents came to Bulgaria in 1968, so I only was born there, in the townSokolov, a small town 20 km. from Karlovy Vary. I have a Czech passport, because of this fact, but I grew up in Bulgaria. My mother is a Czech, and my father is Bulgarian. 

Do you have a double citizenship?

No. The Czech Republic does not permit issue of dual nationality, but I think since last year it is already possible and I may initiated a procedure in preparation of documents for the issuance of Bulgarian passport.

Is this the symbolism in the name of Cheh Plast?

Yes and it is more than clear.

How did you decide to establish the company?

It was in 1996. One of my classmates invited me to his employer for a conversation in which I got an offer to do a workshop for production of woodworks to his company, which in turn was in the furniture industry. I had, for 45 days of specialized training in Varna, to learn how to do carpentry and how to calculate. Then with a small team trained by me, I have created the workshop. The work went very well, even if there were times in which we maintained the furniture part of the company. In 2000, however, the company  was in front of a bankruptcy and I decided to separate and make my own company and thus was born Cheh Plast on November 8, 2000.

How many people work in Cheh Plast ?

Together with Cheh Plast Montazhi about 70, but throughout the years we have been and much more. At the peak of the construction we even scheduled three-shifts.

And how many people did you start with at the beginning? The small workshop was the beginning of  Cheh Plast.

With six people. 

When was the hardest time?

It was not when there was a lot of work, but when there was not: from 2009 until 2012. In 2011, I started talking to the Belgian company Beliprof which is now  my current serious contractor. It gave me hope that things would  begin running. We then did export but for considerably smaller sites in France and Italy.

What kind of business does   Beliprof have?

The company deals only with the installation of window frames and we actually replaced part of their suppliers in Belgium.

Your company works with all major importers of profiles in the country. Is there a preferred brand currently on the market and what is the reason for that?

In PVC to aluminum ratio PVC is preferred and since I work with Rehau, this means that the brand in PVC profiles comes from this company. And in terms of aluminum profiles, the preferred brand is ETEM. This choice I ascribe to the correctness of both companies and their desire to meet all requirements of the customers.

How according to you the Bulgarian chooses his  window frames? What is the most important?

There are two types of clients. One of them is the one who has bigger possibilities, he is looking for the best for his house, makes a wise investment and that is in all aspects, not only for the window frames. Another customer is interested exclusively from the price. These are construction companies and unfortunately the majority of people who have no financial resources. If I am in their place I would do the following - will replace one instead of two windows, but it will be with higher profile and class system. What does it mean? According to the statistics, the deadline for window replacement in Bulgaria is  fifteen years, in  Germany and France, for example it is thirteen and a half. For such period of time a person changes his car a couple of times, and where his comfort of  life is obviously breached, one  is not looking for the best option, but on the contrary – he is looking for the cheapest window. This means that he tends to give a far greater amount of money for a car from which there is not going to be any household budget savings, but not for a good quality of window frames that will bring comfort to his house and will reduce the costs for heating and cooling. For me this is incomprehensible logic. I am happy when I see that someone wants to change only one window this year, but of a  high class and  next year to replace another. This means that he really thinks and wants to invest money into something qualitatively. For us, of course, it is not economical, but it gives me satisfaction.

And your business with the facades how's it going?

 In administrative buildings the curtain walls are increasingly used for stairwells in the  office areas and conservatories. We recently completed in hotel Medicus,in the town of Varshetz, an extension of  the lobby bar with a length of 14 meters and 4, 5 meters wide. It was realized with metal construction and curtain walls. There are large retail chains which buildings we have also performed in this way. In Vratsa we have finished six-chamber windows in residential areas and stairwells with curtain walls of two blocks. We have started work with ventilated facades in about 2004 - 2005 and as a matter of fact during the crisis, this is one of the units, which has barely remained unemployed.

How is it doing business in Vratsa? Do you have any support from the municipality? And when I say support, I mean really if theyhelp you. It is clear that the public procurement have some rules but do they encourage you otherwise or ....?

Let me say that it is not an obstacle, which I appreciate as aid. About another support I can not think of such now. But in terms of procurement, we do not compromise our quality, the main criteria in these contracts is "the lowest price". Thus, we can not be among the winners in such auctions. But in general, my opinion is that a good business can be done in Vratsa. I am personally satisfied with the status quo, which Cheh Plast and Dimitar Ivanov have got here.

When a business can be called successful?

If I have to answer pragmatically this is the time when it gives you better profits. But now I contradict  to myself because by this logic, I had to be stopped working in 2009. Thank God, however, that passed and weeven feel an increase of the orders in the domestic market. We have been talking with colleagues from the Association and they share the same. It reassures me, even though the main for us is the export.

Speaking of which, you are the president of the Association Bulgarian doors, windows and facades, how many members do you have? Why did you establish it and what are the  benefits deriving from it?

We are not many. There are about 70 companies now. We were 130-140, but the good thing is the qualitative and the large companies are the ones that have remained. I can safely say that over 30% of the volume of production of windows in Bulgaria is done by companies, members of the Association. It was founded in 2004 with the idea to help in the work with local and state structures. We’ve attempted to make it a factor of which depends the things in our branch. It is difficult, but I see that more and more our words are heard. 

Is there anything specific that happened thanks to your proposal?

Yes, in Ordinance №7 for the Energy efficiency of the buildings. The last two changes (in 2009 and 2015) in our field are our proposal. The amendment of the Ordinance published in issue. 27, 2015 of State Gazette "waited" for almost two years. Exactly in this period there were two Ministries - one of  regional development and investment projects and this has also slowed the things down. Henceforth: in the end of 2018 - the beginning of 2019 the public buildings, and in 2020, all new buildings must be of a nearly zero energy consumption. This means that we should make a reduction of heat transfer coefficients, respectively, and all other indicators associated with it, because otherwise the change will be seamless. At the beginning of 2020 to be able to say - the ratio is 0.9 or 0.8, because at the moment with lot of debate it is 1,4 for PVC  and 1.7for  aluminum. Now, around 2016 - 2017, it has to be reduced to 1,1 - 1,2W / m2 K for PVC and respectively 1,3 - 1,4W / m2 K for  aluminum. All this should be clearly explained and coordinated with producers and suppliers They will have to invest in new profile systems corresponding to the higher requirements. This is the other direction, we are working on.

What is your dream in this direction?

Firstly the Association - to be able to legalize the registry so that the members in the register to operate as in the Netherlands, Belgium, France. It is necessary a classification to be made, which should be convenient for the customer - for aluminum windows, PVC windows, facades, ventilated facades and glass packages. We have established rules in which, according to equipment, technical staff and  turnover the companies are divided into three levels for each type of production. For example, there is an investor who has a site with 10,000 square meters curtain walls where  Cech Plast can not perform facade of such size for regular deadline and  should hire a company from a higher class. If I want to do this facade, I must answer the requirements for equipment, technical team, etc. and once I meet all these conditions I will be able to submit documents to make it go on a higher level in the register. I dream of the time in which the customers will  begin using this register and it is going to be regulated by a statutory document. About the company my dream is to come a time when I will participate less in its management and the direct work. To think about the strategy of development of the company for the next 10 years.

I see that you do a lot with charity and you are sponsoring many events   ... Are there any traditions in your family? Why do you do all these?

If you ask me if I have an example from my parents, no, I do not. My parents were not wealthy, I'm from a working-class family. I  accept very difficultly the  human suffering and the pain of others. My wife and my son are the same. This is the reason. I do it because I want to help as  much as I can, of course, and I even feel bad that I can not give more.

Do you have any case that has reached the deepest into your soul? How did you feel then?

I do not feel well and it is because I think I have given a little. There are many of these cases.  For me, each case involving health is of this type. But I will share the latter, because it is a young man with a tumor in his leg, who is going to have a very expensive surgery. Also, the story of the young John. I still remember his face. His story has also touched me very much.

Have you got time for your family and for the children?

My son is already big enough. He even started his own business. But frankly, my working day ends after 8 pm  even now. I had not spent the time my son and my wife deserved to be spent with them. 

Do you have the feeling that you had missed something?

I surely have missed, but these are the issues of transition and they refer to our entire generation.

Have you given everything to your son?

I can not say, but I try to support him financially in his business endeavors. I advise him constantly using my 20 years of business experience.

What do you like doing in your free time? Do you have a favorite place?

I love traveling. Me and my wife, we organize or take part in trips. I'm a fan of Formula 1, so I like watching  live races. I love them.

Are you vain?

I’d say yes.

Do you sleep peacefully?

Yes.

What is more important for you freedom or truth?

Freedom, unless it does not violate or distort the truth.

Between 9 to 12 March 2016 the Bulgarian Doors and Windows Association, in cooperation with TUYAP Fairs and Exhibitions Organization INC. organized a visit to the exhibition in the city Istanbul ISTANBUL WINDOW 2016.

In attic spaces of mansards and maisonettes as well as in case of architectural requirements, canted windows that you can see below are used.

This is how the ready window glass with flexible spacer DuraSeal looks like. You can see the belt made of aluminium, ensuring immobility of the spacer and the lack of second barrier.