How to insulate old plastic windows. Instructions for self-insulating a plastic window for the winter

Why insulate plastic windows? This reasonable question arises, for sure, among all owners of modern hermetic structures, because manufacturers sold us a perfect product with perfect thermal insulation. Installation errors, improper operation, house shrinkage and time can play a cruel joke even with the highest quality windows. Do not rush to change the entire structure - you can try to insulate plastic windows with your own hands. It's easy and short. We deal with the weak points of modern windows and learn how to eliminate them.

No. 1. Why plastic windows need insulation?

Qualitatively made and installed plastic windows in the first years will certainly be a reliable barrier to cold air, drafts and noise. Over the years, of course, problems can appear, and often the user himself is to blame. With dishonest installation, various defects can make themselves felt in the first season.

The most common reasons for additional thermal insulation of plastic windows:

installation performed in violation of technology;
shrinkage of the building, which is especially typical for;
wear of rubber insulation. Responsible manufacturers and installers inform the user about the rules for caring for a rubber seal, but few people follow the rules and regularly inspect the condition of this structural element. Lack of proper care leads to an accelerated process of thinning and drying of the rubber, the appearance of microcracks in its structure, the result is a decrease in the fit to the frame and deterioration of thermal insulation;
incorrectly installed slopes.

A window of poor quality or with technical characteristics inappropriate for climatic conditions will also not be able to provide normal thermal insulation, which is why it is so important to be able to correctly and immediately determine the right one.

No. 2. We identify weaknesses

To carry out effective insulation of plastic windows, you must first figure out in which places the tightness is broken. Immediately, only the frame can be deleted from the list of suspects: multi-chamber plastic is a good heat insulator, it does not dry out, unlike.

Cold air can penetrate through such structural elements:

A double-glazed window rarely causes a violation of thermal insulation (an exception is its depressurization), but it can also be additionally insulated. "Extra" heat in winter does not hurt.

Detect leaky items window simple - just run your palm along and across the entire structure, and you will feel that in some places it is blowing decently. Some advise using a lighter for this purpose. If you light a flame and run it around the perimeter of the window, maintaining a safe distance, it will tilt in those places where there is even a small draft. Be extremely careful with this method!

As a rule, work on the insulation of a plastic window can be done by hand. The exception is when it is necessary to insulate from the outside, and the apartment is located above the second floor. You need to be prepared that complex insulation may be needed if several zones of warm air leaks are found, but first things first.

No. 3. Debugging the clamping mechanism

Shrinkage of the house and weather factors can lead to a slight distortion of the window sashes and slight deformation of the sealing gum. This leads to a deterioration in thermal insulation, but in this case, returning to its former tightness is a matter of a couple of minutes, however, knowledge of the design of the plastic window and skills in working with tools will be needed.

Presser adjustment can be carried out with the help of special eccentrics located along the perimeter of the wings. To make the sash fit tighter, the eccentric must be turned clockwise using a 4 mm hex wrench. Focus on the serif located on each such element. When it is directed towards the street, the clamp is loosened, towards the seal it is strengthened. Everything is well shown in the video.

Sometimes a simple window helps to insulate a plastic window. loop regulation, which also have their own mechanism responsible for the pressure density. Here the regulation is carried out using a hexagon. You should be guided by a simple rule: if the tongue is strongly advanced, then the sash fits well. To pull it out, you need to turn the hexagon counterclockwise if the hinges are on the left, and clockwise if on the right.

Things are even easier with glazing bead. It is enough to pry off the old departed glazing bead with a thin spatula, and install a new one in its place, which can be bought from the same company that sold and installed the windows for you.

After adjustment, check whether the tightness of the structure has improved, with the palm of your hand or with a lighter. If everything is done correctly, and the draft is still walking, then you will most likely have to change the seal.

No. 4. Seal replacement

Ideally, a rubber seal can last a long time, but certain conditions must be met for this. According to the rules for the operation of plastic windows, the seal must be regularly lubricated with special substances, but which of us does this? So it turns out that after 5 years the rubber dries out and begins to let in a cold breeze from the street. The problem may be in the seal, which is located under the glass, or in what is located along the contour of the sash. Replacing the seal in a plastic window is not as difficult as it is responsible. If you doubt your skills, it is better to call a specialist.

Procedure for replacing the glass seal:

May need to be replaced sealant, which is located along the contour of the sash. In this case, it is better to remove the sash. First, the decorative trims are dismantled from the hinges, and then with the help of the mounting handle or the pin is pulled out of the hinge. It remains to carefully remove the sash, and only then it is very easy to remove the old seal from it. It is better to start installing a new seal from the top of the sash, gently pressing it, but not stretching it. It is better to fix the beginning and end of the sealing tape with glue. Everything! It remains only to hang the sash back: the pin can be installed with bare hands, and then the decorative trim can be returned to its place. The video is very well shown and described.

No. 5. window sill insulation

The installation of a plastic window is often associated with decent destruction, they are especially significant in the area between the wall and. Some installers fill the gaps with cement and construction debris. There are no comments here. It is better, of course, when the space under the windowsill is flooded, but this option is not ideal either. Foam can shrink or even dry out over time, decent gaps are formed through which cold air enters the house.

To insulate a plastic window, you will have to get rid of the old foam and fill in a new one. Keep in mind that it tends to expand when solidified. After complete solidification, the excess is cut off; some builders recommend additionally filling small cracks with silicone sealant. This is followed by plastering work and applying a decorative coating.

If possible, the window sill area can be additionally insulated from the outside. For this, mounting foam is also used, but sometimes it is also used. From above, everything is on the grid and gets off.

No. 6. Slope insulation

Today, often when installing plastic windows, slopes are additionally installed, even, beautiful, made of dense plastic. It often happens that there is a large crack between the decorative strip and the wall, which perfectly conducts cold and wind into the apartment, therefore, to improve the thermal insulation of plastic windows, it is recommended to insulate the slopes from the inside or outside.

The procedure is as follows:

dismantling of unnecessary parts of the mounting foam;
if the surface is very uneven, you can plaster it;
slope treatment with a primer, antibacterial compounds can be used to prevent the development of mold;
a fragment corresponding to the slope is cut out of the foam plastic. To make it better stick to the surface, it can be slightly scratched on the reverse side. It remains to apply mounting glue and press firmly against the surface of the slope; for a guarantee, several dowels can be installed;
it remains to mount the corner, putty the surface and fix the trim.

No. 7. What else can be done to insulate a plastic window?

The above methods will allow you to reliably insulate plastic windows and get rid of all the cracks, but it is possible to make the structure even warmer - it will not only not let the cold into the apartment, but will also prevent warm air from leaving the apartment. This is not magic, but reality, which is achieved through the use of:

heat-saving film;
window heating;
woolen blinds and curtains.

Heat-saving film- a thin transparent material that does not change the optical properties of the glass, but reflects the thermal energy back into the apartment. The effect is achieved due to the presence of a thin metal layer. Of course, when it comes to plastic windows, it is better to use a special heat-saving double-glazed window - its efficiency is many times higher than any film, but if a regular double-glazed window is installed in existing windows, then additional insulation will not be superfluous.

You can easily handle the installation of the film with your own hands:

the surface of the glass and frame are thoroughly cleaned;
double-sided tape is glued around the perimeter of the box;
the necessary fragment is cut off from the film roll, it is better to cut with a margin;
the film is glued to the previously attached double-sided tape, its surface is blown with warm air from a hair dryer. It is necessary to act slowly so that the result is neat, there are no distortions and bubbles. A properly glued film is almost invisible.

Glass heating it is already more difficult to equip, it is better to do this at the stage of window installation, but most window companies can install such a system already on an installed window. Heating is carried out at the expense of the electric heating spiral which is built in glass.

Well, and finally, the most banal, simple and versatile ways to make the window a little warmer. This thick curtains and woolen blinds. The latter can be done by wrapping ordinary blinds with a woolen cloth.

It is better to carry out work on the insulation of plastic windows on a warm, dry day, since it is no longer possible to work with many materials at temperatures below +5 ... +10 0 C, and you can let the cold into the apartment. In order to face the problem of insulating a modern window as late as possible, it is worth taking the choice of a window manufacturer as seriously as possible, paying attention to the selection of optimal technical characteristics, focusing on the climate of the region. It is also important to choose a responsible installer and remember to properly maintain the window.

A warm home is a guarantee of a cozy atmosphere and comfort for all family members. To make our home warmer, we use energy-saving technologies, make underfloor heating, use alternative heat sources.
An important factor is not only the accumulation of heat in the cold season, but also its preservation. Experts, not without reason, believe that about 40% of the heat leaves through our windows.

It's no secret that panoramic windows, large windows to the floor are one of the main causes of heat loss. Plastic and wooden windows also need to be insulated, thanks to which it will be possible to significantly save on heating in winter.

Insulate plastic windows for the winter with your own hands

Plastic windows that have been in operation for a long time also need to be insulated in winter.
If the window served you for a long time and the first season began to let in the cold, then you need to adjust the locking mechanism and change the insulation. Frost, condensation or frost inside the frame may indicate a window depressurization.

1. Replacing the plastic window seal

Replacing the plastic window seal can be done independently. It is better to buy a sealant "native". If you can not buy one, you can consult with the seller in the hardware store. To select the appropriate sealant, it is enough to take a small piece of the old one with you.
It is better if the rubber seal is black. There is not so much street dust on it.

First you need to remove the handle of the sash handle so as not to damage it. Lay the sash with the inner side (where the handle is located) down. Next, you need to remove the old insulation by prying it with a knife, clean and degrease the groove. After the insulation is laid around the perimeter of the window, it is necessary to cut the sealing profile 0.25-0.5 cm longer than the perimeter. This seal residue must be pressed into the groove. The frame seal is also being replaced.

After that, the sash is installed in place. The sash is mounted from top to bottom on the bottom hinge, then the parts of the top hinge are connected by moving away from itself, the pin, lock washer and hinge overlay are installed. We close the sash with a lock and check the quality of the work performed, testing the joint for a draft.

It is advisable to clean and wipe the seal 1-2 times a year. Wipe the seal with a dry cloth from accumulated dirt. Then it is better to degrease the plastic window seal with soapy water and apply silicone grease. Such preventive work will save the sealant from high temperatures in summer and will allow it to retain its qualities longer in the cold.

2. Adjustment of plastic window fittings

Over time, plastic window locks require adjustment. The fixed part of the lock is on the frame. The main indicator for adjusting locks is a bolt head recessed into the structure, which has a groove for a hex key. This is an adjusting bolt that changes the position of the wedge, behind which the locking "tongue" of the lock goes. Adjusting this wedge changes the tightness of the sash against the frame in the closed position. In summer, the closure density can be weakened, and in winter, on the contrary, the density should be maximized. To adjust the lock of the plastic window, use a hex key.

3. Warming of slopes and window sills.

It is good if, when installing a plastic window, slopes and PVC window sills were installed at the same time. If a draft is heard through a plastic window, you need to take care of the insulation of slopes and window sills. Large cracks can be filled with tow or foam rubber. From above, the slots can be filled with mounting foam or alabaster. Then complete the treatment of cracks with sealant.

We warm wooden windows for the winter with our own hands

4. In order to eliminate drafts in the house, it is necessary to lay in all the cracks between the frames and glass pieces of paper, which before that are wetted and twisted into a tourniquet. On top of such a heater, paper is usually used to increase tightness. The disadvantage of this method is that after the cold weather, the dried paper from the frames will need to be removed, and the frames themselves will need to be repainted.

5. The next method of wooden insulation is to place cotton wool and pieces of foam rubber. From above, you can stick strips of unnecessary fabric 5 cm wide. Before using such fabric strips, they must be wetted, wrung out and lathered with soap. Compared to paper, the fabric will not yellow and can be easily removed in the spring.

Important: the foam seal absorbs moisture, so it must be replaced annually.

6. Insulation of window slots using paraffin. First, the paraffin must be melted to a temperature of 70 degrees. Then, using a heated syringe, paraffin is injected into the cracks.

7. Warming with tubular profiles. Such profiles are sometimes also called gaskets. Such heaters are made for large and small cracks. The advantage of the insulation is that it is invisible, as it is glued to one side of the frame. Service life up to at least 5 years. A feature of these profiles is that it is necessary to start warming the window before the onset of severe cold weather. Since such profiles can be installed at a temperature of at least 10 degrees. PVC seals are more resistant to frost. When choosing rubber seals, it is better to give preference to softer ones.

8. Another modern and convenient way to insulate wooden windows heat-saving film. The peculiarity of this material is that it has two sides, plain and with a metal coating. Due to this, it transmits the sun's rays through itself, but does not transmit infrared radiation back. This explains its heat-saving effect. The material is glued to both glass and frames. With proper execution, it will be almost invisible to the eye, and the room will immediately become much warmer.

Window insulation using Swedish technology

The patented name for this technology is EuroStrip. In some countries it is also called Canadian technology.

Insulating windows using Swedish technology is good because it allows you to keep environmentally friendly wooden windows, providing them with good tightness for many years. Also, this technology is good in that it allows you to reduce street noise at times and reduce the penetration of dirt and dust between the doors to almost zero. The cost of window insulation using Swedish technology is ten times lower than the cost of installing new plastic windows.

The material for sealing using this technology is made of wear-resistant and durable rubber, which contains natural rubber. The material is also not affected by water and is able to retain its heat-saving properties in the temperature range from -53°C to +128°C. That is, under any weather conditions, Swedish insulation will protect the house from drafts. Of particular note is the savings in heat in the apartment. After the work carried out, the temperature in the house rises by an average of 3-5 ° C. The specially made wide profile provides you with protection from rain, wind, noise and dust. Aesthetically, the window retains its original appearance. With the doors closed, the insulation is not even visible.

High-quality insulation of windows according to Swedish technology is carried out in stages, in compliance with all technological requirements.

The process of warming wooden windows using Swedish technology:
1) First you need to thoroughly wash the windows.
2) Check the sashes. Do they close tightly and do all the mechanisms work.
3) Remove the doors from the hinges.
4) Excess layers of old paint are worn off the sashes, which interfere with closing and opening.
5) Create grooves along the entire contour of the flaps with a cutter.
6) A special high-quality sealant is rolled into the grooves. 7) To reduce the penetration of dust and dirt, window sashes are insulated between themselves and inside.
8) The sashes are put in place, while the fittings are replaced.
9) The sashes and the correct operation of the wooden window fittings are checked.

Specialists who are engaged in window insulation say that it is better to entrust such insulation work to professionals. Since the work on the insulation of windows using Swedish technology requires special skills and the appropriate tool. The use of a cutter when rolling the seal into the groove ensures that the seal does not peel off and fall out over time.

Alternative ways of warming

Heat leaves the house through dirty windows. Do you want to make your home warmer? wash all windows before the onset of cold weather. It has been proven that a window, if it becomes dirty and loses transparency in the visible part of the spectrum, increases transparency in the infrared spectrum. And heat leaves the house due to drafts and infrared radiation going outside. It is best to wash windows using ethyl or ammonia. This will clean the grease buildup on the windows in the kitchen and avoid streaks on the glass.

Use woolen blinds. Ordinary slats are wrapped with strips of wool and fabric. Such blinds become a good protection from the cold.

Electric window heating. It involves the installation of a special heating coil on the windows, which provides heating. This method of heating should be provided at the stage of window installation.

Preliminary preparation of wooden windows

Before starting work, wash and wipe the windows, inspect the gaps between the frames and glass. Such gaps appear when the frames dry out, and the window putty in which the glass is installed crumbles.

Repair stages

Check the condition of the glazing beads - long wooden slats, with which the glass is strengthened in the window frame. It is better to immediately replace rotten and cracked elements with new ones.
Pull out problematic glazing beads and nails. Take the glass out and clean it of putty residue with alkaline products, such as soda ash diluted in water.
Clean the frames from putty and paint in places where the glass is inserted, wipe dry and treat with transparent silicone sealant.
When installing glass, try not to pinch it. Secure the glazing beads with window nails.
Coat the remaining gaps with the same sealant, let it dry for 2-4 hours and wipe the windows with a special detergent.

How to insulate wooden frames

Window structures made of wood are usually insulated with:

Modern profile seal

Window seal profiles

This material is sold at any hardware store and is a tape, with or without an adhesive layer. Such a seal is also called a tubular profile and is made of the following materials:

foam rubber
rubber
polyvinyl chloride;
polyethylene foam;
polyurethane

Adhesive-based seals are more popular. But their disadvantage can be considered the fact that they cannot stick as securely as their self-adhesive counterparts.

The foam rubber seal absorbs moisture, so it must be replaced annually. The polymer tape is water resistant, which significantly increases its service life.

The sealant is easy to use: the tape is glued to the open sash around the perimeter, inside and out. To eliminate especially large gaps, you can additionally use masking tape.

The seal for a wooden window is attached around the perimeter of the frame

For gluing a sealant without an adhesive base, it is best to use a transparent silicone adhesive-sealant.

improvised means

The method is suitable for insulating old wooden windows for the winter. , as it is designed to eliminate too large gaps . They can be filled with cotton wool, rags, paper or foam rubber. A special putty for wood is also suitable.

Stages of warming:

firmly tamp the cotton wool or other material into the slot using, for example, a wide screwdriver;
glue strips of fabric or paper over the material.

Glue for these purposes can be made from a soap solution or two components - water and starch. The recipe is simple: pour a heaping tablespoon of starch with one 200 ml glass of water, bring to a boil, stirring constantly.

Instead of starch, you can use sifted flour. After cooling the paste, proceed to the insulation.

Paraffin can be purchased at any hardware store.

This method was widely used several decades ago among housewives who knew exactly how to insulate wooden windows for the winter, as they made it possible to seal large gaps quickly and without cost.

Melt the paraffin candle in a water bath and pour the hot mixture into a preheated syringe. With this device, you need to quickly process all the gaps.

Putties

Insulating windows for the winter with special mixtures or something similar with your own hands is an effective, but radical method. Removing such insulation often damages the paint, so this method is suitable for old windows that you plan to replace soon.

Adhesive putties, a solution of alabaster and chalk 1: 1, special sealants for window seams are suitable as a heater. The mixture is applied to the gaps, leveled with a spatula and left to dry completely.

Heat-saving film is an effective way to avoid heat loss

This method is suitable for warming wooden window structures and PVC windows.

In hardware stores, you can find a special protective film that has universal properties - in summer it protects the room from sunlight, and in winter it raises the temperature to 5 degrees.

The material of the required dimensions is glued to the frame glazing beads using double-sided adhesive tape and blown with air from a hair dryer to level and make it transparent.

Read more about energy-saving window films

Additional cold bridges

Be sure to check jumpers above the windows, as they often serve as a place for heat leakage. The lintels are insulated from the outside by alternately applying facade polystyrene foam, reinforcing mixture and plaster.

Also conductors of cold can be slopes. For thermal insulation, the side surfaces are sanded, then primed and PVC panels are installed. If voids have formed inside, it is necessary to fill them with tow or polyurethane foam.

Windowsill, incorrectly treated with foam, are insulated by attaching a piece of PVC panel under it, adjusted to size. The voids are filled with the same materials as in the case of slopes.

Read more about window sill insulation (plastic or wooden)

How to insulate plastic windows yourself

To improve the thermal insulation qualities of plastic windows, it is imperative to use a heater. This can be a traditional mounting foam or a sealant suitable for this purpose:

polyurethane sealant. Experts consider this material ideal for sealing deep cracks, since the mass after hardening increases its volume several times and penetrates far deep into the gap.
Silicone sealant. This is the most popular and affordable means of getting rid of unwanted sources of air entering the room. The sealant tightly fills the gaps and has a high elasticity, which makes it easy to use.
acrylic sealant. It is elastic and easy to use - its excess can be easily removed during application, unlike silicone sealant. But this material has one drawback - in a short time of operation, the acrylic sealant changes color from white to gray. This is due to its ability to attract dust and dirt to itself.

When insulating plastic windows, follow the main steps:

Clean the cracks with a stick or brush from crumbled mounting foam or debris.
Thoroughly go over the slopes, frames and window sill with a degreasing cleaner.
Fill the gaps with mounting foam or sealant, depending on the material chosen.

Summing up

If the budget does not yet allow you to replace old windows with new ones, do not despair. A variety of materials for their insulation will allow you to choose something for yourself based on the financial condition and the characteristics of the work.

Related video

Heat loss in the house affects both the comfort of life of its cloisters, and when paying bills for heating. Energy efficiency issues are a priority today, and special attention is paid to this aspect in the construction of modern buildings. However, when moving into a new apartment, you can find some flaws, even in plastic windows, which are reliable.

When analyzing the condition of old housing for the penetration of cold, you can certainly find more than one source of heat loss. This problem becomes especially urgent in anticipation of winter. The inefficiency of housing protection can be caused by design or installation errors.

Information on how to insulate plastic windows on your own will help save on this operation without calling a professional whose services can cost a lot for the family budget. For repair, you only need desire and knowledge. When working, you can use a simple tool that is found in the house.

It is possible to make an analysis of the state of the apartment in preparation for winter in terms of heat-shielding efficiency at home, without seeking help from specialists. It is better to do this in the cold or cool season when there is no wind outside. Why is this the best way to test window construction?

Because the temperature difference in housing and on the street creates the prerequisites for the convection of air masses, which will help to correctly diagnose the problem and decide how to insulate plastic windows for the winter with your own hands. To identify hidden sources of cold penetration, you can create additional draft by opening the front door or turning on the exhaust ventilation.

An open flame is used as an indicator. You can take a lighter, matches. Better yet, use a candle. A trickle of smoke reacts more subtly to the movement of air. Incense sticks, in extreme cases, a lit cigarette will become an accurate tool for finding the smallest defects, poorly insulated areas through which the cold makes its way into the home.

Carefully, slowly examine the following areas in front of the windows:

adjoining a double-glazed window to a carrier profile;
porch of the sash to the impost and the box;
the junction of the window system with the opening;
windowsill.

Having found the places where the fire or the wisp of smoke begin to fluctuate, mark them. After completing the examination, begin a visual inspection. This will help to compile a list of works, and how to insulate double-glazed windows, slopes, window sills will be discussed below. In some cases, the causes are easily identified. Just enough to replace the seal.

Often you need to adjust the plastic windows. But sometimes it is difficult to understand why it is blowing in this place, although external prerequisites are not visible. In some cases, the plastic window structure will need to be partially disassembled before being insulated.

Causes of heat loss through window systems

When replacing old wooden windows with modern plastic counterparts, the installers promised that all problems were a thing of the past. But in practice it turned out that the apartment did not become much more comfortable. The vaunted soundproofing actually turned out to be not so effective, and is not much different from the time when there were wooden windows. Inspection revealed places through which heat flows out of the room in the winter.

Before you start insulating plastic windows with your own hands, you need to identify the reasons:

If heat leakage is detected through the junction of the double-glazed window and the profile, then the matter is in the seal. Two contours of the gasket should form a sealed volume, the outer one is installed on the profile, and the inner one on the glazing bead. The factory dimensions of the seats for plastic and metal-plastic windows are accurate and designed for the recommended thickness of the double-glazed window. The penetration of cold in this place means one of two things - incorrect dimensions of the double-glazed window or failed seals.
If heat escapes through the junction of the sash in the design of the window system, then 3 reasons are possible. The first is the incorrect position of the sash, when its parallelism with respect to the carrier box is not observed. The second is the incorrect adjustment of the fittings. The locking mechanism does not provide clamping, leaving a gap that reduces the level of thermal insulation of the housing. The third is a failed seal.
The penetration of cold through the gaps between the supporting structure of the wall and the window is one of the most common causes of heat loss. Incorrect installation, ignorance of the installation features of plastic windows lead to the fact that in the first year of operation, the heaters lose all the declared qualities. There can be many reasons for poor thermal insulation of windows. This is poor-quality sealing of the technological gap, and incorrectly made slopes, both inside and outside, and the use of materials not intended for this type of work, and a failed insulation for plastic windows. The thermal expansion coefficient of a plastic structure is several times higher than that of a wooden counterpart and a metal-plastic system, therefore, such windows are installed taking this feature into account.
There are frequent cases of heat leaks in the window sill area. Quite often, cracks and gaps in this area are hidden, and it is not easy to detect them, although they can be a powerful source of cold penetration into housing. The reasons can be both improper installation and the quality of seat preparation, in particular, additional bricklaying or installation of a special design to obtain the required dimensions of the opening, into which plastic windows are then installed, the repair of which will subsequently become a laborious and costly operation. Often the source of cold is under the windowsill.

Many of the above reasons are eliminated on their own with the existing skills and experience of the home master. When we insulate the window area on our own, it is not necessary to have a professional tool, special knowledge and skills. It is enough to responsibly and carefully approach the solution of this problem and correctly decide how to insulate plastic windows in a particular case. What materials to choose? What technology to use to ensure maximum thermal insulation of housing.

Technologies and methods of insulation of plastic windows

Having identified the causes, you can proceed directly to their elimination. How to insulate a plastic window quickly, efficiently and inexpensively? If it is better to choose a cool time to search for places of depressurization, then repair and restoration procedures are carried out when the ambient temperature allows the use of materials for which frost and humidity are unacceptable.

On the packaging of building mixtures, sealants, the conditions of use are indicated, which must be strictly followed in order to achieve the desired result. It is better not to repair and insulate plastic windows in winter, with the exception of some emergency operations, adjusting mechanisms and replacing seals.

The best double-glazed windows for plastic windows are made from energy-saving glass, but they also do not cope with the task in the event of gaps. The reason for this is the sealant that has lost its qualities. To replace it, it is better to remove the sash and carry out operations in a horizontal position.

In order to understand how to insulate plastic windows with your own hands, you need to familiarize yourself with the order of work:

glazing beads are carefully dismantled;
the double-glazed window is removed;
old seals are removed from the grooves on the profile of the window system and glazing beads;
a new elastic insulator is installed in the seat;
a double-glazed window is inserted into place;
when installing the glazing beads, the pressure of the sealant on the glass should occur, that is, they are mounted with an interference fit;
the fit of the elastic elements along the entire contour on both sides is checked, and if vibration is observed, the movement of double-glazed windows inside the sash, then the wrong seal is selected. In rare cases, a factory defect is possible. The thickness of the double-glazed window is less than the permissible norms and a replacement with a new product will be required;
when the visual tightness test is passed, the sash is installed in the window unit.

If the window uses non-energy-saving glass, and replacement is not possible due to some circumstances, then you can increase the efficiency of double-glazed windows yourself. For this, a special film is purchased that has a reflective ability. Insulation of plastic windows in this way is economically and technologically justified. Following the installation rules and recommendations, the film is glued to the surface of the windows from the inside, thereby significantly reducing heat loss.

A lot of problems are caused by incorrect adjustment of the window system. Before doing it, you should make sure that the structure as a whole has the correct geometry, otherwise the work will be useless.

Deviations from the vertical of the side power profiles should not exceed 1.5 mm per meter. When measuring diagonals, the critical value defined by GOST R 52749-2007 is a difference in size of no more than 8 mm. The window structure itself cannot have bends and deformations.

This is checked by a building rule, a metal ruler, an even rail. The tool is applied to the horizontal parts of the structure. If both ends are tightly pressed against the profiles of the window block, and there are no gaps of more than 1-2 mm along the length, then the plane complies with the standards. Otherwise, repair of plastic windows or their reinstallation is required.

Now you can begin to adjust the position of the flaps relative to the box. The window is slowly closed, fixing the touch of the profile. If it occurs simultaneously along the entire length of the vertical line, then this position is considered correct.

Then check the size of the gap around the perimeter of the sash. It must be the same. If the conditions are met, but the window continues to blow, then most likely it is a worn seal, which changes in the same way as in a similar operation with a double-glazed window.

If deviations are noticed, then adjust the loops. Depending on the manufacturer's standards, the adjusting window screw can be a cross or hex. Use a screwdriver or wrench to adjust the window to a satisfactory condition.

Equally important are the adjustments of the shutter mechanism of eurowindows. When the handle is moved from the "open" to the "closed" position, the sash should be firmly pressed against the box. The lever operates in a range of about 2 mm.

If, when closing the handle, the sash remains stationary, this means that the seal, at best, only touches the box, although it should be slightly deformed, ensuring tightness.

Adjustable clamping eccentric at the end. Use a key or screwdriver to set the desired position. Setting up plastic windows for the winter is recommended to be done every season.

Slope insulation

Window openings when installing plastic windows have some nuances. Because they allow for greater thermal expansion, it is recommended that only technologies be used that can withstand these changes. It is not advisable to fill the technological gap between the box and the wall with concrete even for a metal-plastic window, which has a lower coefficient of thermal expansion.

It is better to do this with mounting foam, which is also a good insulation. This method of fixing the window system requires reliable protection from external influences, so special attention is paid to finishing on the outside. The sun and freezing destroy the structure of the foam. Slopes should go to the profile of the window block. This contributes to better insulation.

For high-quality thermal insulation protection of the euro-window to be repaired, old materials are removed.

Under the new decorative finish, an additional layer of insulation is laid outside:

Mineral wool. The material requires additional protection against moisture. When insulating with mineral wool, a waterproofing layer is necessarily made;
Foamed polymers based on polypropylene or polyethylene. It is important to insulate PVC windows with these materials, leaving no cracks and gaps, excluding the occurrence of cold bridges;
Composite materials. Sandwich panels are modern products, the production of which takes into account external influences. Additional materials for insulation are not required. Composite panels will be good thermal insulation for finishing external slopes.

The metal-plastic eurowindow on the inside requires more decorative finishing. Having provided external protection, the opening with the block will become an insurmountable barrier to the penetration of cold into the housing. Slopes are trimmed with insulating materials from the inside in cases where there is not sufficient thermal protection on the front side.

The sealing done with waterproofing is not enough to create a comfortable environment in the house. Understanding the principles of system installation, a decision is made on how to insulate metal-plastic windows using the best method.

window sill insulation

Inexperienced craftsmen do not pay close attention to this part. about equestrian structures, assuming that it is not necessary to insulate in this place. The result of this mistake will be cold indoors in winter. Outwardly, everything looks reliable, the window sill is tightly adjacent to the plastic profiles.

Insulation has been done for the window slopes, but cold air flows continue to penetrate into the room. The reason may be the insufficient level of thermal insulation of the window sills from below. The place for viewing is not convenient, it is difficult to determine the source of heat leakage there. It is not for nothing that during the initial analysis of the state of housing it is strongly recommended to do a full inspection of all obvious and hidden shortcomings.

Troubles can occur due to insufficient waterproofing from the outside. Leakage of water under the box and its subsequent freezing destroys the heat-shielding layer, so they begin to insulate the window sill of plastic windows from the outside. If necessary, remove the failed materials and lay new ones. But it is not necessary to be satisfied only with the replacement of thermal protection.

The layer should be securely protected from moisture penetration. First, they insulate, then cover the material with a waterproofing agent and mount a decorative finish or ebb. It is advisable to purchase a finished product for water disposal. Such low tides will become a reliable protection for euro-windows from getting wet and freezing of openings in the lower part. Easily mounted on a metal-plastic profile using sealants and self-tapping screws.

If cracks with a frame have formed on the window sills, then repairs should be done. Having insulated problem areas, it is necessary to protect them. It is desirable to use plastic materials for this purpose, for example, silicone sealants. Then the windows will be insulated, waterproofed and not subject to the formation of new gaps due to the elasticity of the polymer.

Filling gaps with dry mortar is not advisable. They don't adhere well to a plastic surface as opposed to a wooden frame where their use is justified. For the same reason, many craftsmen get rid of old finishes with traditional materials, preferring to decorate slopes with modern products.

If you insulate the window block with mineral wool, then it is impossible to plaster on it without reinforcement. It is preferable to use sheet materials. The final decision on how to insulate the window sill of a plastic window is made based not only on their technological, but also on aesthetic considerations using similar techniques used in interior decoration.

Ideally, the insulation of window structures should be dealt with at the installation stage. Of course, in this case, the total cost of each window will increase significantly (by about a third), since the price of thermal insulation material and work (if they are not done by hand) will be added to it. But the operational life of the entire structure will be extended. Moreover, you do not have to subsequently dismantle the windows (inside and outside).

But if no one took care of thermal insulation during installation, then you will have to do it yourself. Therefore, today we will talk about how to insulate double-glazed windows.

Design features of PVC windows

Any plastic window includes the following structural elements.

Profile.
Slopes.
Rubber seals.
Windowsill.
The glazing itself.
Control accessories.

Tellingly, if one of these elements breaks down, the window will blow through.

What materials will be required?

For thermal insulation of modern double-glazed windows, it is preferable to use the same modern materials. Insulation for window construction in this case can be one of the following options:

expanded polystyrene;
some kind of "warm" mixture;
mineral wool;
assembly foam.

When choosing one or another of them, it is necessary to pay attention not only to the properties of each of the materials, but also to the features of installation and further use (external and internal). The most convenient option is, of course, polyurethane foam, but under the influence of ultraviolet rays, temperature changes or even air, it easily collapses. Therefore, it is desirable to perform external work using "warm" mixtures. And for waterproofing the mortar for plaster, you can apply both staining and a primer with moisture-proof properties.

Note! The only drawback in this case is that it is difficult to choose a consumable insulating material, for the installation of which it would not be necessary to dismantle the slopes and other components. Only under such conditions it is possible to determine with accuracy what the material should be and how much it will be needed at all.

To seal small gaps in places where the window profile adjoins the window sill and other elements, sealant can be used. Even an ordinary housewife will cope with such work - you just need to follow the instructions for use indicated on the package.

What is the purpose of thermal insulation?

The thermal insulation of double-glazed windows consists, as noted above, precisely in the slopes. If we talk about other structural elements, then only troubleshooting will be required there. For example, drafts never appear due to the profile. And modern technological plastic, which is used in windows, is no longer wood, it is unable to either “move out” or dry out.

Plastic windows lose thermal energy if certain sections of the structure are depressurized. And if you do not want the cold to penetrate inside the room, then take care of the isolation of the slopes or look for the causes of the problems. Well, let's proceed directly to how to insulate double-glazed windows, and let's start with insulating the slopes of window structures.

7 ways to insulate windows for the winter

Previously, we gave several instructions on how and what is the best way to insulate windows for the winter, in addition to this article, we advise you to read this information.

We are engaged in slope insulation

As you know, in metal-plastic windows, the slopes must be plastic. Plastic should act as a cladding, and it must be hard. What caused it? The fact is that this material is ideal for additional thermal insulation.

And here the opening formed between the window frame and the wall surface must be blown out with mounting foam. Of course, there are other options - for example, insulating boards (they are made from basalt fiber) or foam insulation. Therefore, you may well choose the material that is ideal for current purposes.

Both inside and outside the wall must be insulated. But in this case, the materials used will not only insulate, but also protect. The insulator itself is necessary to protect against various kinds of external negative factors.

Fixing skewed sashes

As you know, in some cases, even plastic window structures can shrink. And, alas, there's nothing you can do about it. As a rule, mainly houses that are built quite recently “suffer” from such a problem. And due to shrinkage, respectively, the sashes are slightly warped, which has a negative effect on the thermal insulation characteristics of the structure. But this problem can be solved - for this it is necessary to debug the fittings.

What tools will be needed?

The clamping of the sashes can be adjusted by hand using special eccentrics. When the handle is turned, they move beyond the "conscription area". It is necessary to install such elements around the entire perimeter of the frame. And to ensure the most tight clamping, the eccentric must be scrolled strictly clockwise.

Each of the elements mentioned above has a special “drawing”. If it is directed towards the street, this means that the clamp is loosened. But if this pointer is directed to the seal made of rubber, then the sash is perfectly pressed against the frame structure.

A little about loops

Hinges in metal-plastic window structures also have their own mechanism, which is responsible for pressing. The device is adjusted using a special hexagon. One simple rule should be guided here: if the tongue is strongly extended, then the window sashes fit snugly. To push this tab, it is necessary to scroll the hexagon, while moving counterclockwise. If the hinges in the window are located on the right, you need to turn the hexagon in the opposite direction. So here it is clockwise. It turns out that there is nothing complicated in this event - the elimination of skew is easy and simple.

Note! If the manipulations described above did not bring any result, and cold air continues to penetrate into the apartment, then most likely the problems are more serious. Here it remains only to seek help from specialists.

We continue to talk about how to insulate double-glazed windows. Now let's find out how the preparation of windows for winter is carried out.

Changing the rubber seal

What is a rubber seal? Its main function is to ensure the tightest possible fit of the window frame and sashes. To make it more reliable, it is made of rubber, so it does not let in cold air even if it is closed.

With proper care and periodic treatment with special mixtures, the sealant will last quite a long time. But only some of the owners of double-glazed windows do this, because this element is hidden behind the sashes almost all the time. What is there, only a few know that the sealant should be periodically treated with something.

For this reason, after five years, the density of the element is lost. When the seal becomes unusable, it must be replaced. To do this, the windows are removed from the sashes, then the glazing bead is removed and the sealing material itself is removed. Replacing the latter is nothing complicated: the old seal is removed, and the new one is placed through the groove. If desired, the element can be fixed with glue. You should not worry about the difference in colors - the element can be either gray or black, but there are no special differences between them.

Note! Extreme care should be taken when removing and installing the bead. The fact is that it is extremely fragile, so it is quite easy to break it. And if the glazing bead is broken, then the structure cannot be installed back.

What other insulation options are there?

It is worth noting that there are other ways to protect your home from the cold. Let's get acquainted with some of them.

Method number 1. Wool blinds

A non-standard method of thermal insulation of a window structure, but quite effective. Ordinary blinds need to be wrapped with strips of woolen fabric, because of which they will prevent the penetration of cold into the room.

Method number 2. window sill insulation

Through the joints between the elements of the window sill, cold air can also penetrate. Therefore, these joints should be carefully sealed. In addition, in case of illiterate installation, “black holes” may appear under the window sill itself, which means that the element must be dismantled, and the gaps between the block and the slab must be carefully processed.

For this purpose, the plugs are opened, the window sill is unscrewed with a screwdriver, and there you will find all the slots (if any) that allow cold air to pass through.

Method number 3. Application of heat-saving film

A double-glazed window can also be thermally insulated using a heat-saving film - a cheap, but at the same time effective material. It must be glued in such a way that no air bubbles remain under it, since not only the aesthetic indicators of the entire structure, but also the thermal insulation properties will depend on this.

And if you decide to use such a film, then it is better to take care of gluing it even before you start installing the double-glazed windows themselves. Although, in principle, this can be done after the installation is completed.

Video - Sticking a heat-saving film

Method number 4. Curtains

This may sound ridiculous, but curtains can be another way to insulate double-glazed windows. These elements act as a barrier to air, which means that it does not let it through in winter (if it still penetrates through window structures). Moreover, the air passing through the curtains is even warmed up a little.

Video - Preparing plastic windows for the winter period

Where does warming begin?

Thanks to properly carried out measures aimed at thermal insulation of window panes, it will allow you to get rid of all the mistakes that were made at the stage of installation work. If you want, you can even make some structural changes to the windows - for example, install a window, replace the sashes that open with deaf ones or vice versa, make adjustments to the functionality, etc. And where does the thermal insulation procedure itself begin? First of all, from the choice of a particular technology, consumables, from the development of a detailed plan for further work, and in order to do all this correctly, it is necessary to objectively assess the general condition of the window system.

Note! Despite the fact that the work on the thermal insulation of plastic windows can be performed at almost any time of the year, it would be right to do this during the warm period. In addition, there is another important condition - the weather must be dry and calm.

But, by the way, in frost it is extremely easy to find out where the cracks are located, through which cold penetrates into the room. And now let's consider what "weak points" all metal-plastic structures without exception have. These places include:

seal of the sash that opens;
emptiness under the slopes and window sill;
glazing bead location area;
the place where the window frame adjoins other structural elements of the entire structure;
window fittings (all).

In addition, it is imperative to pay attention to what is the width of the window sill. The fact is that it should not cover the heating radiators that are under it. Yes, of course, a wide window sill is extremely convenient, but from a technical point of view, this is not entirely correct.

Hire experts or do everything yourself?

There are a number of defects, the correction of which is preferable to entrust specialists. These defects relate directly to the metal-plastic construction and include the following.

Defects in the sealing material in the sash that opens.
Defects in the thermal insulator along the contour of the entire window.
Faulty window fittings or mechanism.

The first point: it will be necessary to isolate the ebbs and slopes of plastic windows from the outside, and of course, this is not so easy to do, especially when it comes to an apartment located above the second floor. Second, self-insulating would be a direct violation of the warranty terms of both the manufacturer and the installer. Third: the quality of work will be guaranteed by hired specialists. Finally, the fourth important point: when performing repair work, professionals will use "native" fittings and window materials.

But if the home master has sufficient experience and knowledge, then he will only need high-quality instructions on how to insulate double-glazed windows in order to select the most suitable technology for specific conditions. As for the thermal insulation of the window frame contour, this procedure can be handled with your own hands. Moreover, you can isolate the ebbs, slopes and window sill yourself. Today we will find out how to do this, but first, let's take care of all the materials necessary for the job.

As a conclusion

As a result, I would like to focus your attention on one more simple thing: if thermal energy is lost due to a double-glazed window, then one of the structural elements of the system has failed. And if you fix the problem, then the window will again “acquire” the previously lost characteristics.

In fact, as noted above, the insulation of window structures should be dealt with at the installation stage. Of course, in this case, the total cost of each window will increase significantly (by about a third), since the price of thermal insulation material and work (if they are not done by hand) will be added to it. But the operational life of the entire structure will be extended. Moreover, you do not have to subsequently dismantle the windows (inside and outside).

As for full-fledged thermal insulation, it is necessary only for slopes and, perhaps, a window sill. No other measures to isolate the window are needed in this case. Double-glazed windows can already boast of high-quality protection from the cold, since they were originally designed to provide a comfortable microclimate in the room.