Malmerk Klaasium systems vs imported solutions

Terrace glazing, balcony glazing and winter gardens are sold in Estonia by around a dozen companies. Some offer Malmerk Klaasium systems, others import glass from China, Turkey or elsewhere. At first glance the results look similar. But the difference becomes obvious ten years down the line.

In this article we look at what sets Malmerk Klaasium apart from imported solutions and why it matters.

Who is Malmerk Klaasium

Malmerk Klaasium is a subsidiary of Malmerk AS, Estonia’s largest glass manufacturer. The factory is located in Tallinn and produces terrace glazing, balcony glazing, balcony railings and glass solutions for winter gardens. It is an Estonian manufacturer that has been market-oriented from the very start.

This means the products are engineered for the North European climate — not for the Mediterranean or South-East Asia, where most imported systems were developed.

Quality and certification

Malmerk Klaasium

• CE-certified. Complies with European Union construction product requirements
• VTT tested. The Finnish Technical Research Centre has tested the systems under North European conditions — in a climate chamber, with wind load and cyclic testing
• Engineered for the Estonian climate. Temperature range -35°C to +35°C, wind load, salty sea air — all taken into account
• Toughened safety glass. Standard glass is 8–10 mm toughened, meaning that upon breakage small fragments are produced rather than sharp shards

Imported systems

• CE marking is often absent altogether or present only at the level of a formal declaration
• Testing has been carried out by the manufacturer’s home-country laboratory — often to milder climate standards
• Aluminium profiles may not be anodised — in a coastal climate this means corrosion within a few years
• Seals are not always UV- and frost-resistant

This does not mean that all imports are poor. But as a consumer it is difficult to verify what you are actually getting. CE marking and VTT testing provide a level of assurance that manufacturer promises alone cannot give.

Warranty and spare parts

This is where the difference becomes very practical.

Malmerk Klaasium

• Manufacturer’s warranty. Malmerk provides a manufacturer’s warranty on its systems
• Spare parts from Estonia. Seals, rails, clamps, hinges — everything is available from Estonia. If something needs replacing ten years from now, you call Malmerk
• The manufacturer is close at hand. If there is a technical question, you can deal with the manufacturer directly. In Estonian

Imported systems

• The warranty is often the reseller’s warranty, not the manufacturer’s. If the reseller ceases trading, the warranty is gone
• Obtaining spare parts is difficult. A Chinese factory does not sell individual seals to Estonia — the minimum order is often in the thousands of units
• If the system is no longer in production, spare parts are impossible to find

In practice this means that 5–7 years down the line, when seals start to harden and rollers begin to wear, a Malmerk system is straightforward to service. With an imported system this may mean replacing the entire system.

Price — cheap upfront vs total cost of ownership

The main selling point of imported systems is price. And it is true — at the initial point of purchase, imports are often 20–30% cheaper. But terrace glazing is a 20–30 year investment, not a 3-year one.

When calculating total cost of ownership:

• Maintenance. The service interval for Malmerk systems is longer because the seals and mechanisms are of higher quality. Imports require more frequent maintenance and earlier replacements
• Spare parts. Replacing a Malmerk seal costs tens of euros. With an imported system where spare parts are unavailable, it may cost thousands — or require replacing the entire system
• Energy costs. Better seals and profiles mean less draught and lower energy costs out of season
• Visual longevity. Quality surface coatings stay looking good. Cheap coatings fade, scratch, and look tired after 5 years

When all costs over 20 years are tallied up, a Malmerk Klaasium system is often the more affordable option. Not at the outset, but overall.

Estonian manufacturing — why it matters

Beyond quality and spare parts there is another aspect: you are supporting Estonian industry.

• Malmerk employs Estonian people — designers, production staff, installers
• Taxes remain in Estonia
• Lead times are shorter — the factory is in Tallinn, not Shanghai
• Warranty claims are resolved locally, not through international correspondence

This is not an emotional argument — it is a practical one. A local manufacturer is accessible in a way that a distant factory never can be.

What to look for when comparing quotes

If you have received several quotes — some with Malmerk systems, some with imported solutions — ask:

1. Is the system CE-certified? Ask for the certificate. Not just the declaration, but the test results
2. What is the manufacturer’s warranty? A reseller’s warranty is not the same as a manufacturer’s warranty
3. Where will spare parts come from in 10 years’ time? This is the most important question
4. What are the seal materials? EPDM is the standard; PVC is not acceptable in glazing systems
5. Is the aluminium anodised? In a coastal climate this is mandatory

Klaaskoda’s choice

We install only Malmerk Klaasium systems. This is not a chance decision — it is a deliberate choice made after comparing different manufacturers. We want to offer a warranty that holds — and to do that we must be certain the system earns it.

Because in addition to the glazing we also handle the entire structure — from foundation to glass — we can guarantee the complete result, not just the quality of the glass.

Would you like to know which Malmerk Klaasium solution suits your project? Get in touch — consultation is free.

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ATKA Klaaskoda — full-service glazing solutions from foundation to glass. Official Malmerk Klaasium dealer in Pärnumaa, Saaremaa and Hiiumaa.