PVC window structures have practically supplanted their wooden counterparts. This is dictated by the fact that the installation of plastic windows is not difficult, they are easy to care for, they are more resistant to the effects of precipitation, and also provide good insulation of the room. During manufacturing, all calculations are carried out using automated computer systems, so the risk of getting a marriage is minimal. In order for all the positive qualities of the structures to be preserved, they must be correctly installed.
Construction of plastic windows
PVC window consists of the following elements:
- Profile. Frame, the base of the entire structure, which is located along the perimeter of the window opening. Such a product may have additional properties: protect against burglaries, be reinforced with metal.
- Double-glazed window. Transmits the sun's rays into the room. A double-glazed window can differ in the tightness of glasses, their quantity, properties in heat conduction.
- Sash. The presented half of the structure is attached to the fittings and can be opened. This part is made of the same material as the main frame.
- Shtapik. This detail is fixed around the entire perimeter of the glass, as well as the sash. The bead has a rubberized base. Thanks to this element, dust and moisture do not penetrate into the glass unit.
- Impost. The part divides the window into several parts. It is usually reinforced with reinforcement.
- Fittings. This group includes all the small details of the structure: handle, hinges, plank. The elements are subject to maximum loads, therefore they must be made of durable materials.
- Window sill. It must be installed at the bottom of the window indoors.
- Low tide. They are mounted on the outside of the structure. The element provides fluid drainage so that it does not fall under the frame.
- Slopes. Fastened inside the opening along the entire perimeter.
- Platbands. The elements are installed from the side of the wall on the slopes. They complete the design.
In the place where the glass touches the profile, a seal is installed that does not allow cold air to enter the room. This material needs to be changed periodically.
The window sash can occupy a part of the structure along its entire height, or it can be made in the form of a window leaf.
Correct measurements
Installation of PVC windows begins with an inspection of the window opening and its measurements. To do all the work yourself, you need to take into account the following features:
- Measurements are taken from the outside and inside of the building.
- Some openings have protrusions called “quarters”.
- If there is a skew at the base, the dimensions of the structure are determined by the larger indicator of the width. The resulting value is checked against the internal parameter of the opening.
For windows with a quarter, primary measurements are taken from the outside of the building. You need to measure both the width and the height of the opening. It should be borne in mind that the brick should step onto the profile by 1-2 cm.After measuring the width in a quarter, add 3-6 cm to the resulting indicator.You can determine the height of the future frame by measuring the distance between the upper and lower edges of the hole. This takes into account that you need to leave 2 cm for the assembly seam.
If it is necessary to install a support profile for attaching an ebb and a window sill, another 3 cm must be subtracted from the initial indicators. Before making and installing plastic windows with your own hands, the dimensions must be checked several times.
If the window is without a quarter, first measure the width of the opening. If the walls are uneven, the distance at the top and bottom points is measured along the sides and center. From the smallest obtained parameter, subtract from 2 to 4 cm. This is necessary to obtain a gap for the assembly seam. The height of the structure is calculated in the same way.
During the measurement, the configuration of the product, the complete set of the window, the methods of finishing the slopes, the type of window sill, assembly seams, the type of fasteners, the location of the structure relative to the facade line and quarters are taken into account.
Preparatory work
Installation of windows involves the preparation of the opening and the structure itself. Before you put a plastic window, you need to choose a tool:
- drill with a set of drills for metal;
- polyurethane foam and a gun for its application (no more than one cylinder for two windows is required);
- puncher;
- plumb line, building level;
- measuring tape marker for marking;
- knife;
- rubber hammer;
- ladder;
- spray for water;
- polymer or wooden wedges, pads on which you can put the frame and adjust its position;
- vapor barrier tape;
- hex keys for adjusting fittings.
If it is necessary to repair the opening, as well as restore the integrity of the outer slope, a dry cement mixture will be required. To dismantle an old wooden structure, you need a saw. To fix the structure, you need mounting plates, dowels, as well as self-tapping screws for metal. Expansion anchors can be used instead.
Further preparatory work is carried out in the following order:
- all objects and furniture that may interfere with the fastening of the frame are removed from the room;
- everything that is left in the room is covered with a cloth or plastic;
- the window is freed from cornices, curtains, flowers;
- it is advisable to remove carpets from the room, cover the floor with paper or oilcloth.
If the house is new, side grooves are performed in the places where the window sill and ebb is installed. The aperture is cleaned from debris, dust of mortar flows. Potholes, cracks, cracks on the base are removed with a repair mortar. The damaged areas are leveled with the same mixture.
It is necessary to mount the window disassembled: first, the frame is installed, then double-glazed windows are inserted into it and other elements are fixed.
Dismantling an old window
It is necessary to dismantle wooden frames in compliance with the safety instructions. The work is accompanied by a lot of dust and debris, so all furniture from the room must be removed or covered with plastic wrap. The room should leave as much room for maneuver as possible.
Scrap is required to carry out the work. First, the old glazing sashes are removed. The frame must be completely free. At the same time, you need to remove the glass as carefully as possible so that the canvas remains intact and does not break in the room.
They remove the old drainage system, remove the window sill. Most often, this will require a puncher. Using the same tool, the internal cleaning of the concrete under the frame is carried out. After the connection with the reception is broken, the structure can be removed. If dowels were used for fastening, the tree will have to be broken in these places. The remnants of fasteners, if they do not unscrew, can simply be cut down.
If the window is old and rotten, you won't be able to remove it entirely. To dismantle it, you need to cut it along the lower crossbar. The upper part is removed so as not to break off along with the slope. After removing dust, debris, old sealant, concrete build-ups or loose parts, you can start installing PVC windows.
Choosing a method for installing a plastic window
With unpacking
The fastening method involves the disassembly of the glass unit. It is necessary to remove the glazing beads, pull the glass itself out of the frame. The released structure is fixed in the window opening through the through method using dowels. After it is securely fixed, the glass unit is installed in place and pressed down with glazing beads. This installation method is more reliable and is therefore more commonly used in multi-storey buildings as well as in office buildings.
Without unpacking
The method is used only when installing double-glazed windows in low-rise buildings. In this case, it is not necessary to disassemble the structure completely. Through fastening is not used here. For fixing, not self-tapping screws are used, but special fasteners.
DIY installation instructions for plastic windows
Before fixing the frame, wooden blocks or plastic substrates are laid on the lower end of the opening. They are needed under the edges of the structure, as well as in the middle or under the B-pillar. It is not worth removing them even after the installation is completed, since the fasteners alone will not be able to withstand the weight of the plastic window for a long time.
The stakes are installed on the sides of the frame. You need to hammer them closer to the top edge. At this stage, temporary fastening of the structure is carried out. In this case, you need to constantly use the building level. If there is a skew of the frame, it must be leveled using additional underlays. A plumb line is used to check the vertical level. After the frame is correctly positioned, you can start fixing it.
Further work:
- Screwing the structure. The choice of fasteners depends on the type of frame fixation. If it is through, using a puncher, holes are made in the wall right through the holes in the plastic. Initially, the lower part of the frame is fixed on both sides. After that, the anchors are inserted, it is fixed, but it is not worth tightening the fasteners to the end. At the same stage, the verticality of the installation is checked, after which the middle and upper holes are processed with a perforator. After the final measurement of the frame level, the fastener can be tightened. If plates are used for fixing, make sure that the shoulder of the attachment fits snugly with the eye to the wall. After that, in the designated places, he makes a hole for the anchor.
- Drainage installation. This element must be inserted into the groove present along the outer edge of the structure. In some types of windows, this fixture is fixed with screws.
- Assembling the window. This process is not difficult and involves the insertion of double-glazed windows in their place, as well as securing first with the upper and lower glazing beads, and then with the side elements. A rubber mallet is used for a tight fit. At the same stage, you need to mount the swing doors.
- Checking the window. After complete assembly of the structure, it is necessary to check the installation level. The sash must not move on its own to the open position.
- Sealing the gap. Polyurethane-based polyurethane foam is used. It should be borne in mind that the seal should not be in contact with the external environment for a long time, as it quickly loses its technical properties. To prevent the destruction of the sealant, a reliable hydro-barrier is equipped on both sides of the seam using a vapor barrier adhesive tape. It is fixed along the perimeter of the structure, except for the lower part.
When foaming a window, all sashes must be closed. After installing the structure, you need to remove the protective film from its surface.
For installation of the window sill, glue or polyurethane foam is used. Brackets are also suitable.
Ebb tides need to be fixed after installing the window sill. Problem areas must be covered with silicone sealant or plaster.
The finishing of the slopes is carried out last. Plastic sheets are attached to the prepared structure.
After a few days, as soon as the foam completely hardens, you can carry out the final debugging of the fittings.
