Plastic window constructions are present in almost all multi-storey buildings. Double-glazed windows are popular due to their reliability, good sound and thermal insulation, long service life and attractive appearance. But they also have their drawbacks - in winter, windows can freeze through due to improper use or lack of sufficient care. Window insulation is carried out in several ways, including independently, using various materials and methods.
Reasons and places of freezing
Blowing out and freezing of windows in winter can occur for various reasons. Often the problem lies in the difference in temperature outside and in the house. Double-glazed windows do not have time to heat up from the side of the room without condensation. If the outside temperature drops, the condensate outside the window turns into an ice layer with a thickness of at least 1 mm. High humidity levels are also bad for the condition of the windows.
In this case, we are talking about poor ventilation, when warm air is not automatically removed by the ventilation holes. If they are clogged, the indoor microclimate is kept low and causes high humidity. Thermal insulation of plastic windows can improve the situation.
If the installation of windows was carried out in violation of the technology, this can provoke the formation of condensation. Most often, it forms in the corners, at the junction of glasses and glazing beads, turning into water in the warm season or into ice during frosts.
There are several of the most problematic areas that need special attention. Window sashes can sag due to poor fittings. If they do not adhere enough to the frame, gaps form through which air from the street enters. Because of this, the glass is very cooled, condensation appears on them, as a result, they begin to freeze. When replacing windows, the cause of freezing is often the deepening of the frame inside the opening, because of this, the room can be blown out.
Normally, the thickness of the opening is 120 mm, the approximate depth is at least 70 cm. For this reason, the warm air from the battery does not get onto the glass unit. As a result, an unheated area is formed in the window sill area; in severe frosts, the condensate on it completely freezes. To prevent the problem, it is better to choose windows with a thick profile, this will help to reduce the indentation.
Air circulation can be negatively affected by a wide window sill in a room. Indoor potted flowers and curtains can block the flow of heat from radiators or radiators.
Insulation of plastic windows
Insulation of plastic windows helps to create a comfortable temperature regime in all rooms of a house or apartment. For this purpose, silicone, insulation and special seals are used. The insulation works themselves are divided into several stages:
- thermal insulation of slopes;
- adjustment of fittings for double-glazed windows;
- replacement of the seal and other parts.
With proper insulation with your own hands or with the help of specialists, you can create a comfortable mode in the room. These measures help prevent the formation of dampness and mold, as well as save energy.
Insulation of slopes
You can insulate the slope with the help of polyurethane foam, which is poured into the space between the wall and sheets of drywall. Mineral wool, gypsum plasterboard, polyurethane foam, basalt fiber, silicone or polyurethane foam are used as insulation. The most commonly used combination of silicone and drywall. Before the procedure, the quality of processing of window blocks is checked. Places where the foam is filled with poor quality, there will be a draft that can blow through the windows.
After measuring the slopes, you need to cut out several blanks from drywall and insert them into the slots. In the process of pouring, in order to avoid deformation of the sheets, the side slopes are fixed to the wall with masking tape. The joints between the window blocks and the drywall are treated with a sealant, the window slopes are also insulated from the outside. Additionally, silicone sealant must be applied to the foam to prevent weathering.
Replacing the seals
Insulating the windows of the house from the outside includes replacing the seals, which can be made independently or purchased ready-made. To create insulation with their own hands, they sew pillows and fill them with loose and dense material, for example, rice or sand. Each pillow is placed on a windowsill.
The best option is thick denim that can handle the cold air. Black material looks much better than colored material and does not spoil the appearance of windows. After removing the old seal, the surface is cleaned of dirt and dust, only then can the new material be installed in compliance with all the necessary conditions.
Clamp setting
The pressure is adjusted twice a year, increasing its degree on the eve of the winter period and decreasing it after the onset of heat. To adjust the pressure from the inside, oval cylinders, the so-called pins, are found at the end of the sash. The downforce is adjusted by moving the holes in the frame or rotating the trunnions. To increase the reinforcement, the eccentric is turned with its protruding part towards the inner side of the window opening. To reduce it, perform the procedure in the reverse order, turning the trunnion with the protruding side outward.
Setting the sash position
If the sash touches the edges of the frame, then the hardware parts are loose or deformed. This happens when the window is often open - the hardware is damaged due to the severity of its sashes. Also, the problem may arise due to the sharp opening and closing of windows - this leads to weakening of fasteners and deformation of parts. To return the sash position to the correct mode, you will need:
- turn the sash to the lower canopy or lower the structure down completely if it touches the frame from the side of the upper end;
- lift and turn the element towards the upper hinges, if the sash touches the frame with its lower end on the side of the handle;
- move the structure towards the hinges, turn the sash to the lower or upper canopy, if it touches the frame in the middle of the end part.
To adjust the frame, you need to turn the bolts using the hexagons in the upper part of the window and on the lower canopy.
Bonding heat-insulating film
Before starting work, it is necessary to exclude the presence of gaps that may be present in wooden frames and doors. They are sealed with silicone or sealant.
Next, the inner sides of the frames or the door are washed, treated with degreasers and double-sided tape is glued around the perimeter. The film is divided into uniform parts, taking into account the size of the frame, leaned against the surface of the adhesive tape, after slightly stretching it. In this case, it will be fixed in the desired position and will serve for a long time.
It is necessary to prepare for insulation in advance so that the process does not drag out and the procedure is as comfortable as possible. Better to choose a dry and warm day for her. In winter, it will be difficult to install a protective cover and film. Some components are used only at a certain temperature. All stages of warming must be studied before the procedure, taking into account even the smallest details. In this case, the windows will not blow cold air, the ideal microclimate will remain in the premises.
