How to insulate plastic windows yourself

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Date: 14 November 2017

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Reinforced-plastic windows made of polyvinyl chloride have become part of our everyday life, gradually replacing window structures made of wood. The main advantage of plastic structures is the increased level of thermal insulation, which makes it possible to provide a comfortable environment. With poorly performed installation, the street air cools the living space and the question arises of how to insulate plastic windows. The work is easy to do on your own. This will save money. It is important to understand the design features, to determine the source of the cold.

Do-it-yourself plastic window insulation for the winter - the main points

Plastic insulating glass units are actively advertised by manufacturers who convince customers of their high thermal insulation properties. The increased interest in plastic structures is forcing specialized firms to carry out their installation by accelerated methods using only foam-like assembly composition. Foam, even if poured abundantly, cannot provide effective protection of the room from the penetration of cold.

A plastic or metal-plastic window, like any composite structure, has weak points

As a result, problematic situations arise, in order to get out of which it is necessary

:

• apply with an application to the specialists of the service center. This is associated with additional costs and certain inconveniences. After all, you need to adjust your schedule to the time of arrival of a service representative;
• perform thermal insulation work on your own. After examining the device of the metal-plastic structure, as well as determining the reason for the entry of cold air, you can fix the problem yourself.

Let's dwell on the second option. It is not necessary to delay the solution of problems of insulation with the following negative points:

• detection of heat loss;
• the presence of a constant draft.

In winter, it is problematic to carry out thermal insulation measures, since a significant cooling of the room is possible and many sealing compounds require a special temperature regime. It is better to carry out work on thermal insulation of plastic frames in the spring-summer period. It is advisable to choose a day with a comfortable temperature and, if possible, without wind to perform the work.

You should first study the design, which includes the following elements:

• metal-plastic profile, which is a load-bearing element of the frame;
• elastic seals that seal the junction area of ​​the glass unit;
• glass bag, consisting of several hermetically assembled glasses;
• fittings for adjusting the position and opening of the sashes;
• window sill and slopes located in the lower and lateral parts of the window opening.

Lack of tightness, breakage of components causes heat loss. By insulating the window frames, it is possible to further reduce the noise level, ensure the dust-tightness of the opening, and also improve its aesthetic perception.

The presence of a defect in one of the components of the window block leads to the fact that blowing from plastic windows

How to insulate slopes?

How to insulate plastic windows so that they do not let the cold out of the street? When performing work on thermal insulation, many people forget about the slopes and the windowsill. They are often the main source of heat loss.

To insulate them, you need to follow the following technology:

1. The surface of the slopes should be cleaned of old plaster in order to get to the base - brick or concrete. If the coating is in good condition, you do not need to do this.
2. A plaster mortar is applied to the wall surface, in which it is desirable to drown the reinforcing mesh. This will increase the strength characteristics of the resulting coating.
3. After the plaster has dried, you can start installing the foam. An adhesive should be applied to the insulating sheet, and then pressed against the surface of the slope. The seams between the foam must be covered with the same solution. Insulation is installed in the same way on the horizontal part of the slope.
4. You can close the foam with a putty, drywall or decorative plastic panels.

With these simple methods, you can protect your home from heat loss.

Thermal insulation of plastic windows - problem areas

Elimination of defects in a metal-plastic structure requires a professional approach and compliance with safety requirements. Insulation of the slopes of plastic windows from the outside can be done independently only if the windows are located at the level of the first or second floor. In other cases, it is necessary to use the services of specialists who can perform work at height.

For independent work, it is necessary to carefully study the technology of thermal insulation, to know the problem areas:

• the contour of the window structure along the perimeter of the frame;
• slopes on the inside and outside of the opening;
• a window sill located inside the premises.

The most problematic area through which heat loss occurs is the slopes. Room cooling through double-glazed windows is possible only in case of depressurization. It is important to correctly diagnose the cause of the cold air intake and be able to fix the breakdown.

How to insulate a window with your own hands - step by step instructions

Do you prefer to do all the housework yourself? This is worthy of respect, but it is not always possible to insulate plastic windows on your own. Before starting insulation, you must thoroughly study the entire technological process so that delays and delays do not affect the quality of the repair. The video at the end of the article will help you with this.

Thermal insulation of plastic windows with foil

Let's take a closer look at how a metal-plastic window is insulated using a special heat-shrinkable film that will not let the heat escape through the window panes. A similar technology is used in cases with PVC windows, which have thin double-glazed windows, since an insufficient number of chambers often causes heat loss through the glass.

The process consists in applying a special film material to the surface of insulating glass units, which is sold in hardware stores. The work must be carried out extremely carefully, without wrinkles and swellings, in order to obtain a higher effect as a result.

Attention! Before applying the film, it is necessary to examine whether there are any gaps. First, work should be done to fill the cracks with polyurethane foam and only then proceed to applying the film to the glass. In the spring, it is advisable to remove the film so that it does not interfere with the penetration of sunlight into the house.

The film for insulating plastic windows is applied as follows:

1. We will prepare the film itself for the size of the frame, a construction knife, scissors, double-sided tape and a powerful hairdryer. When cutting, keep in mind that it will overlap with the tape.
2. We clean the entire window structure from dust and dirt. The glass unit must be perfectly clean.
3. We glue double-sided tape on the frame around the perimeter.
4. Remove the protective strip from the tape.
5. Gently put the film on the scotch tape and press it carefully.
6. Further, the thermal insulating film must be blown with a hairdryer - in order to smooth out all wrinkles, and so that the film becomes transparent.

As you can see, it is inexpensive to insulate plastic windows for the winter and it is quite simple. Insulating a window is an important step, but it is only one step in arranging the correct thermal insulation for your home. It is also necessary to carry out work on the insulation of walls, floors, ceilings.

Complex measures will be much better able to keep warm, but this will require significant funds, so start small - with simple do-it-yourself plastic window insulation. Happy renovation!

How to identify air leaks

Identifying problem areas through which cooled air enters is best done on a windy and cool day. These are the most favorable conditions for identifying the problem area.

To identify the gap, it is enough to run your palm over the surface of the window block

You need to pay attention to the following points:

• the condition of the lining located along the perimeter of the glass bag fixing;
• the integrity of the rubber seal, which ensures a tight fit of the glass unit to the frame;
• the absence of backlash and the functioning of the fittings, which ensures the rotation and fixation of the frames;
• tightness of the opening along the contour of the fiberglass window at the level of the window sill and slopes.

To find the gap, it is necessary to visually assess the condition of the assembly seam. You should look for the source of the draft using the following methods:

• lighted lighter. By the state of the flame when moving the lighter around the perimeter of the frame, you can easily find where the cold air enters the room;
• with the palm of your hand. By substituting your palm in the seam area, and slowly moving it around the perimeter, it is easy to identify problem areas where the installation was performed in bad faith.

Having found the cause of the heat loss, you can proceed to elimination.

How to eliminate the leakage of plastic windows?

How to insulate windows without the help of professionals? Sometimes it is enough to eliminate all heat leaks by creating a completely sealed structure. This can be done in the following ways:

• you need to check the glazing bead. If this is the source of the problem, it is necessary to dismantle the unusable part and replace it with a new one. It is very easy to do this with a spatula. Glazing beads can be ordered from a window company or purchased from any store that sells profiles;
• if a defect is detected, it is necessary to replace the entire seal along the sash contour. To do this, you need to carefully remove the glazing bead, pull out the linings and remove the glass unit. Only then will it be possible to remove the unusable seal. The new tape should be cut at the old part, adding 3-5 cm as a reserve. The seal is placed in its original place, but during the installation process, you do not need to pull it too much or press it. All unnecessary should be removed and all structural parts installed in the reverse order;

• if there is a problem with the adjusting screws near the plumb bob, a screwdriver should be used. One of them is necessary to fix the position of the sash, and the other to determine the degree of pressure. To get rid of heat leakage, the first screw must be loosened as much as possible. The other retainer must be tightened clockwise as far as it will go. The correctness of the adjustment of the screws should be checked with the same lighter;
• if the problem is in the slopes, first they should be carefully examined. If large gaps are found, it is recommended to use tow or any other insulating material. They are placed in the gap, fixed with alabaster. It is also recommended to knock on the surface of the slopes in order to identify possible voids that must be eliminated in the same way;
• if the cold oozes from the windowsill, you should carefully insulate the gap that forms near the wall. It can be covered with cement mortar or pasted over with wallpaper.

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How to insulate plastic windows for the winter - selection of a heat insulator

In specialized stores, a wide range of various building materials for thermal insulation are offered. They use as insulation:

• foam for installation. This is the most commonly used heat insulator. It is easy to apply and expands in volume. However, it is destroyed under the influence of temperature fluctuations and ultraviolet rays;
• mineral wool. It is a safe and fire-resistant heat insulator, with the help of which it is convenient to insulate a window sill. Minvata is hygroscopic, needs protection from moisture;
• silicone sealant. An inexpensive and proven tool that reliably seals small cracks around the perimeter of the window structure. Does not allow dust to enter the room;
• heat-saving film for windows. The transparent material is easy to self-attach to the surface. It prevents heat loss through the glass of the bags;
• sheet polystyrene. Differs in an affordable price, is easy to cut, is used to seal cracks and eliminate gaps located along the contour of the window frame;
• construction tape. It is used in conjunction with various types of sealing compounds, it is attached after hardening to a frozen surface. Increases the efficiency of thermal insulation.

Having studied the features of the materials and having consulted with a specialist, you can decide on their use for thermal insulation of windows.

Construction tape. Glued over or instead of sealant

Why may PVC windows be insulated?

For the production of modern window structures, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is used - a material that is resistant to the effects of various atmospheric phenomena, therefore, thermal insulation for a plastic window is not always needed. If heat leakage occurs, either the window manufacturers or the craftsmen who installed them are most often blamed for this, but this is not always the case.

Why insulate metal-plastic windows for the winter? Consider the most common reasons due to which PVC structures during operation cease to cope with their functions:

• The formation of gaps between the sashes, which occurs shortly after the installation of a new reinforced-plastic window due to the shrinking of the walls. This is an absolutely normal phenomenon and there are no big problems from the cracks that have arisen. A simple adjustment of all elements of the window fittings is quite enough: no additional window insulation is performed.
• The sealing rubber has worn out, has ceased to be elastic and cracks have gone along it, which are not visible to the naked eye. A similar defect most often occurs in houses where the windows are constantly closed or open. Some owners try to remove cracks using superglue, but this does not work: the damaged section of the rubber seal must be replaced.
• Loss of tightness in the area between the window structure and the slope or window sill. Depressurization very rarely occurs due to shrinkage of the house, most often the slopes were simply incorrectly mounted, poor-quality building materials were used.

Proper care of metal-plastic windows implies that the window structures must be periodically inspected and all the fittings will be tightened. If you cannot afford such work, contact the specialists. Do not delay maintenance to avoid having to solve more serious problems.

Insulation of slopes of plastic windows

In the area of ​​slopes, significant heat loss can occur in the absence of effective thermal insulation. You can use polyurethane foam, basalt slabs, as well as other available insulation.

Consider how to insulate the slopes of plastic windows inside. Procedure for thermal insulation of slopes:

1. Make sure the surface of the slopes is clean.
2. Secure the insulation.
3. Seal the gaps with polyurethane foam.
4. Apply a layer of protective plaster.
5. Seal the cracks with sealant.
6. Finish off.

Thermal insulation of the side parts of the window opening from the outside is carried out in the same way using moisture-resistant heat insulators.

Working with slopes

Today, additional slopes are often installed when installing windows. They look pretty nice and are made from dense grades of plastic. A crack is formed between the decorating strip and the wall surface, allowing the cool wind to pass into the dwelling without much difficulty, and therefore, in order to normalize the thermal insulation of the glass unit, it is necessary to carry out insulation in the slope zone. All actions must be done in the following order:

• remove excess polyurethane foam;
• if the surface is uneven, it is allowed to cover it with plaster;
• the slopes are treated with a primer, antimicrobial agents are also suitable to prevent the formation of mold;
• take the styrofoam and cut out the area corresponding to the slope.

To help the cut area adhere better, you can scratch slightly from the opposite area. Further, assembly glue is applied and gently pressed against the slope. Fix the corner, putty the surface and fix the platband.

There are different situations when it is required to insulate a plastic window. It blows from there for various reasons. It is quite possible to independently change the components that have become unusable at home. Step-by-step instructions help with this. Euro-plastic windows are also not as complicated as they seem. Even an unskilled home craftsman can compact them to the required parameters. Depending on the problem that provoked the drafts in the apartment, you can insulate the plastic windows from the inside if it blows. The easiest way is to work with single-chamber double-glazed windows. Replacing defective components is almost as easy as it is with wooden windows.

The condensation effect is especially felt when winter comes. If the homeowner wants to keep warm in the house, he needs to consider additionally methods of sealing insulating glass units. This is the best way to ensure that it doesn't blow from anywhere.

Adjusting the position of the flaps

As a result of the gradual shrinkage of the building, which is typical for new buildings, there is a slight distortion of the sashes. This negatively affects the thermal insulation properties of the window structure.

To reduce heat loss, you need to adjust the fittings (components) of the window block

When performing adjustment work, using a special key, the eccentrics located on the following structural elements are rotated:

• top loop;
• lower hinge;
• locking mechanism.

By gradually turning the eccentric key, you can ensure a tight fit and secure fixation of the frames.

What time to choose for work?

Do-it-yourself insulation of plastic windows can be done at any time convenient for you, but it is most comfortable to carry out such work in spring or summer. The day should be dry and without wind: such weather contributes to better performance of work, drying of consumables, and when the doors are opened, the living space will not freeze through.

Tip: if you notice a draft or heat loss in the fall or winter, do not postpone work until spring. Insulation, repair of plastic windows can be carried out as soon as possible if necessary.

In winter, it is necessary to identify all the places where the windows were blown out.

In winter, it is quite possible to carry out insulation work, the difference will be only in the complexity of their implementation. For example, in freezing temperatures, you cannot use the sealant outside, as it simply will not dry out.

Advice: in case of an urgent need to work in frost, a construction hairdryer can help out, which will need to thoroughly warm up the applied seams of the sealant.You can do with frost-resistant foam, and when it gets warmer, cover the seams with a sealing compound.

When working, you will inevitably have to open the window, in winter this is associated with inconveniences for the residents of the rooms, since the room will immediately become cold.

Using a building hair dryer

We change the insulation for plastic windows

To replace the insulation, it is necessary to remove the plaster layer and seal the cracks with cement mortar. The increased efficiency of thermal insulation is provided by a three-layer protection, which is applied in the following sequence:

• polyurethane foam;
• moisture resistant sealant;
• drywall or sandwich panels.

After completing the work, you can apply any finishing options. It is necessary not to forget about checking the condition of the rubber insulation. It provides tight contact around the perimeter of the window frames. Needs proper care and periodic treatment with special compounds. This allows you to maintain its elasticity for a long time.

The need for insulation

PVC windows will create a reliable barrier to cool air in the early years if they are made and installed with good quality. Also, they will not be afraid of noise from the street, as well as drafts. The older the glass units, the more often problems appear in them. Often the owner himself is to blame for them. Various defects sometimes manifest themselves in the first year. Improper installation contributes to this. The reasons why it is worth arrange additional thermal insulation, as follows:

• installation inappropriate to technology;
• shrinkage of the house, which often occurs in new buildings;
• wear over time of rubber insulation;
• incorrect installation of slopes.

As for the insulation made on the basis of rubber, then the manufacturers initially inform people how to properly care for it.

The problem is that few people follow these guidelines. In the meantime, the structural element must be regularly inspected for defects.

If you ignore this rule and do not provide proper care for the insulation, it will soon become thin and provoke the formation of microcracks in the window structure. The surfaces will not adhere closely to each other, and therefore the thermal insulation will deteriorate.

It blows out windows even if they were not made of quality materials and in accordance with the climatic conditions on the ground.