Window seal for plastic profile plays the role of insulation, protects the interior space from external noise, cold, wind, and moisture. You can use it in the windows of buildings for any purpose. Recently, residents of modern houses and apartments have increasingly begun to install plastic windows, which differ in practicality and functionality from their wooden counterparts. With their help, you can reduce the cost of heating services. But over time, any, even the highest quality thing can fail, and plastic windows are no exception. Rubber seals and other elements of modern systems require periodic maintenance.
Description
Window seal prevents foreign objects from entering the room. With it, you can protect the fittings from moisture, which can destroy it. Sealing elements have high strength, which is sometimes compared withproperties of vulcanized rubber. Such seals can be used in a wide range of temperatures, which vary from -40 to +55 °C. These elements are resistant to deformation, they are environmentally friendly, and their scope is quite extensive. If we talk about environmental friendliness, then the window seal does not contain elements that would be toxic. By visiting the store, you can choose the color of the seal, which will match the shade of the window frame.
Specifications
Window seals can last up to 30 years, and operating temperatures may vary depending on production technology. The material at the heart of this element is not so sensitive to ozone and ultraviolet radiation. The specifications of different brands of seals may vary, so special attention must be paid to this issue.
Choose by material: rubber and silicone seals
The technology of manufacturing a rubber seal involves the vulcanization of rubber using sulfur and ultraviolet light. The main component is soot; these elements can be used for 30 years. This version of the seal provides sealing of all existing joints.
Silicone is ready to last 10 years longer. In the manufacture of these elements, environmentally friendly materials are used, which have increased resistance to temperature extremes. Properties are not lost during operation, even if the temperature varies from -40 to +150 ° C. The material is resistant to sunlight, oxygen and ozone.
EPDM and TPE seals
Window seal for plastic windows can be made of ethylene propylene. The service life in this case reaches 20 years, the material is resistant to atmospheric factors and does not crack, which allows it to be effectively used for its intended purpose. When the material is based on thermoplastic elastomers, the name sounds like TPE, while the material manifests itself as rubber, based on modified synthetic polymers.
Features of PVC seal
Window seal, which profile can be effectively insulated and protected, can be made of PVC, which has many advantages and some disadvantages. It can be used exclusively in warm residential areas, but the operational period is only 3 years. The manufacturing technology is quite simple compared to analogues, which has a positive effect on the cost, which, unfortunately, cannot be said about the quality.
Need to replace seal
The rubber band for the window needs to be replaced if you notice that there is a draft in the rooms, there is condensation on the surface of the glass, and the windows themselves have begun to freeze. On the inner surface, as a result,frost, which contributes to the complete or partial wear of the sealing rubber. Condensation can form if the sash closes poorly, causing the temperature between the panes to drop, which leads to moisture build-up.
Carrying out the replacement of the seal
If the silicone window seal has failed, lost its properties and no longer protects the profile, then it must be replaced. To do this, you should use a certain set of materials and tools, among them:
- sharp scissors;
- glue;
- sealing material.
As soon as the old seal has been removed, the pores should be cleaned of contamination, for this you can use an elastic brush. The grooves are then wiped with a damp cloth, and then dried well. The corners are processed with glue, processing is also carried out in those places where the new material will be fixed. The cord must be solid, it is important to cut off the excess with scissors, and connect the resulting joints using glue.
Specialist recommendations
The seal for window frames should not be stretched during installation. The need to replace the seal can be avoided by adjusting the seal; for this, a key is installed in a specially designated hole and turned until the desired result is obtained. If this technique did not allow to achieve the desired effect, then at the first stage the window sash is removed, it is best to do this starting from the top hinge. Next, the old seal is removed,and then a new one is installed to the grooves, while it is necessary to act gradually.
When a rubber window seal is installed, there is no need to get rid of the old glue. It is better to apply a new layer. You should not rush during this procedure, as the glue can be smeared. You should wait for the mixture to dry completely, only after that it is recommended to install the window sash in place. If it turns out that the old rubber band is not completely worn out and can still be used, it is recommended to restore the seal, for this it is lubricated with aerosol lubricant.
Additional recommendations for choosing a seal
If you still do not know which seal to choose, then you should pay attention to the features of each of them. For example, polymer is made from high-quality polyvinyl chloride, but has the disadvantages of being highly susceptible to adverse weather conditions. In summer, such a seal softens, and in winter it hardens, among other things, it is exposed to sunlight. But rubber and rubber seals are the most reliable and versatile in operation. They have the qualities of resistance to temperature extremes. Ultraviolet does not affect such seals, they have high wear resistance. Self-adhesive window seal can be made of polyethylene with foam rubber. This material is less common due to low quality and a small variety of shapes. The most expensive is silicone, so it is not in such high demand. The material is weather resistantconditions, has high stability and is inferior to the rubber seal in terms of mechanical exposure. Poor EPDM seal provides low wind and noise protection.
Conclusion
The service life of the sealing gum will depend not only on external negative factors, but also on proper care. To prolong the life of this window element, it is necessary to keep it clean. To do this, as necessary, the surface of the seal is cleaned of dirt and dust, lubricated with silicone gel. Such manipulations should be carried out several times a year, only under such conditions it will be possible to replace the rubber bands much less often.
