The advantages of installing metal-plastic windows are not only in performance, but also in ease of installation. The process is quite simple, facilitated by the fact that there are many devices for fasteners and additional elements. Moreover, all these devices and elements are present in the configuration from the factory. And if you are friends with the tool, you can do the installation of plastic windows strictly according to the technology with your own hands. Of course, you need patience and accuracy, as well as at least one assistant. In this case, you will make the installation of windows of the highest quality and absolutely free.
Preliminary measurements and calculations
Before you run to the store and buy windows, you need to measure the openings. Be sure to consider whether there is a quarter on it. With a quarter openings usuallyused in concrete structures. They can significantly reduce heat loss. If the opening does not have a quarter, then you will need to purchase windows, the length of which will be about 5 cm less. The width should be 3 cm less. It is necessary to leave a gap of one and a half centimeters around the entire perimeter in order to subsequently fill it with mounting foam. By installing plastic windows in an apartment, you can achieve significant savings on heating.
3.5 cm below must be left in order to install the window sill. If you focus on GOST, then you need to leave exactly 2 cm along the entire perimeter. In order to equip an opening with a quarter, you need to measure at the narrowest point. The length of the window should be the same as the opening, and the width should be 3 cm more.
Window sills and flashings
As a rule, windows are not located in the center of the opening, but approximately at a distance of 1/3 of the length, closer to the outside. But if you wish, you can measure and install plastic windows with your own hands, shifting it in any direction. But this must be taken into account at the time of ordering a window sill and an external ebb. After all, the dimensions of these elements depend on how the window will be located relative to the opening. When calculating the width of the window sill, the position of the battery must be taken into account.
The window sill should overlap the radiator by about half, no more. It is also necessary to add about 2 cm to get the window sill under the base of the metal-plastic window. Necessaryleave a margin of at least 8 cm in length, but it is better if you leave 15 cm. Only in this case you can cut the window sill beautifully. And never give up the plugs that are installed on the ebbs and window sills. They are inexpensive, but it will significantly improve the appearance.
Methods of fixing the frame
The technology for installing metal-plastic windows with your own hands does not at all depend on how many cameras are inside the profile. Also, it does not depend on how many cameras are directly in the double-glazed windows. The technology directly depends on what material the house is built from, as well as on the size of the window. Based on these data, it is necessary to choose the most optimal method for fastening.
There are only a few:
- With the help of mounting anchors or dowels that are inserted into the walls through pre-drilled holes in the profile. Next, we will consider the technology of installing plastic windows with your own hands in this way.
- With the help of special toothed plates, they must be pressed into the profile. It should be noted that they are not inserted directly into the wall, but are placed in a spacer and fixed with screws.
Expert Opinion
It is worth following the advice of experts. And many advise anchor plates to have openings at a distance. After completion of installation work and the end of foaming, it is necessary to install slopes. Anchor plates will hide under them. All the space betweenslope and opening planes must be filled with foam. To reduce the consumption of foam, you need to make a small recess under the plate.
Now let's take a closer look at both fastener options.
Frame mounting features
Using anchors is the most reliable way, many people use it when installing metal-plastic windows. But most often it is used in the installation of heavy and large window structures. The fastening is through, so the window resists various shock-type loads well. They occur, for example, during the operation of windows with sashes that open in different directions. In addition, the anchors pass through the frame through and through, which allows for the most accurate horizontal and vertical adjustment of the entire installed structure.
But if you have a small window and double-glazed windows, it is easiest to use anchor plates. They will not be able to spoil the appearance of the structure, as they will subsequently hide under the slopes. If you are installing anchor plates in a brick or concrete opening, it is best to make small indentations so as not to apply an extra layer to level the internal slope.
How do the pros do it?
Very often installers combine these two methods. The anchors are driven into the walls through the side parts of the frame and the base of the metal-plastic window. The upper part is fixed with anchor plates. And in the event that plastic windows are being installed in a wooden housedo it yourself, anchor plates are not used, as they loosen very quickly. It is best to use wood screws coated with a layer of zinc. This will protect the metal from corrosion.
Features of installing windows in wooden houses
Very often the installation process depends on the building material from which the house is made. If the walls are made of hollow or solid brick, foam concrete, then the differences in installation are small. And they will consist only in the dimensions of the depth of the anchors. But if the openings are in wooden buildings, then many nuances must be taken into account.
And more specifically, when installing plastic windows in a wooden house with your own hands, you need to consider the following nuances:
- It is recommended to install metal-plastic windows in a wooden structure only after shrinkage occurs. This is about a year after construction is completed. It should be noted that the shortest shrinkage period for buildings made of glued beams.
- You can not mount windows directly in the opening. First you need to install a wooden box, it will protect the entire window structure from deformation. The window block must be free from damage, rot or defects. Before starting work, all surfaces must be carefully treated with antiseptic agents.
- Slight shrinkage after window installation and finishing will still occur. Therefore, it is necessary to leave a small gap between the top of the opening and the box.a gap of 3-7 cm is enough. This value directly depends on what building materials are used, as well as on humidity. After that, it is necessary to fill this gap with insulation and close it with platbands from 2 sides.
A little more about wooden houses
Completely different rules for installing plastic windows in brick houses, this will be discussed later. Now let's talk about wooden buildings. You will not find exact recommendations on what materials to use for the manufacture of window sills or sills. As a rule, ebbs are installed by those that come with the window design. But the window sill is allowed to be made of polymers or wood.
Please note that this profile can rest directly on a timber window sill. In other words, you can install the window sill before the installation of windows begins.
There is one small point that is not specified in the regulations. But it is recommended by all experienced builders. If the wood is able to pass evaporation, then the mounting foam will lose its technical qualities. And so that it does not get wet, it is necessary to process the entire block along the foam application line with polyethylene foil tape. Similar requirements for the installation of plastic windows on the balcony with your own hands. All parts of the foam that protrude must be treated with a waterproofing compound.
Standards for installing plastic windows
A distinctive feature of the do-it-yourself plastic window installation technology is that mounting foam is used. She attachesrigidity of the connection between the opening and the frame. The layer, which is obtained as a result of the solidification of the foam, performs the function of not only an insulator, but also a fastener. In order for the foam to retain all its technical characteristics, it is necessary to surround it with a layer of insulation. To do this, on both sides you need to glue insulating strips. It is imperative that a material with a waterproofing effect be used on the outside. And from the outside, the coating must have vapor barrier properties.
When it is best to install plastic windows, it's up to you. Some installers advise putting windows in the cold to immediately identify all the flaws. But it is necessary at the same time to choose the right mounting foam so that it hardens in cold weather. It is recommended to use professional formulations. And to work comfortably at low temperatures, you will have to purchase a special nozzle.
It is necessary to fill the openings with foam from the bottom, making a rotary-circular upward movement. In order to avoid overspending, it is necessary to blow out the foam in several steps, filling sections of no more than 30 cm. In order to shift the dew point, foaming must be carried out with uneven density. So, the part of the layer, which is closer to the street, should have a density less than the inner one. But gaps and voids are not allowed. Be sure to install ebbs on plastic windows, you can do it yourself quickly enough.
How to prepare a window opening
The most important thing is to cleaneverything from debris, dust, paint, and other items. In the event that you will install a metal-plastic window in an old wooden box, you need to remove the top layer of wood. Only in this case the foam will grab the top layer. All gaps between the opening and the frame must be filled only with foam, but only if the distance is no more than 4 cm. If the gaps are much larger, they can be filled with cheap materials like drywall, brick, foam, timber.
How to prepare the window
Now the fun begins. You need to perform the following manipulations in order to prepare the window for installation:
- Release the frame from the sash, pull out the pin, which is installed in the upper hinge. It must be picked up as carefully as possible at the bottom with pliers and a screwdriver. After that, by slightly lifting, it is necessary to remove the sash from the hinge located at the bottom. If the windows are large, then be sure to remove these double-glazed windows. Before that, remove the longitudinal and transverse glazing beads. In order to remove the glazing beads, it is necessary to carefully climb into the gap with the thick side of the knife or a spatula and move it. Be careful not to damage the glass while doing this. If the metal-plastic window has small dimensions, then it can be installed using plates and without removing the double-glazed windows. If possible, do not violate the integrity of the entire structure.
- Then you need to lean the sash or double-glazed window against the wall, put some kind ofsoft material or cardboard. Laying flat is strictly prohibited. It is also impossible to install with a warp, as a small pebble that has fallen under the base can cause cracks.
- The film must be removed from the outside of the frame. If it is not removed at this stage, then later it will be much more difficult to do this and it will be necessary to use an industrial hair dryer.
Marking places for fasteners
Regardless of which mount you choose, you need to mark the places for installation. Many builders recommend a step of about 40 cm or less. GOST allows an increase in pitch up to 70 cm. In the event that you plan to use mounting plates, they must be fixed to the frame in advance using self-tapping screws. And if you are going to use anchor bolts or self-tapping screws, then you need to make holes with a drill from the outside of the frame.
Installation process
Many people wonder: at what temperature are plastic windows installed? It is better to do this during the cold weather, because all the “jambs” can be seen immediately after the installation is completed. And now about how the technology of installing plastic windows looks like, in more detail:
- First, you need to install a frame in the opening, around the entire perimeter you need to put plastic corners or small bars to withstand the required gap. Gently move these wedges and align the frame horizontally and vertically. Ensure that all side clearances are the same. All spacerselements are recommended to be placed near the fastening point with an anchor or self-tapping screw. They will protect the entire structure from deformation.
- Differences can be observed when installing metal-plastic windows on different houses. If the opening is in a wooden house, then simply screw a self-tapping screw into the frame holes. If the walls are made of brick or foam concrete, then it is necessary to mark points through the holes in the frame. Then remove the frame and drill holes with a hammer drill or impact drill. Install anchors in it.
- After you check the vertical and horizontal position, you can finally fix the profile. But it is not recommended to tighten it too much, otherwise the frame will stand out. As soon as the head of the self-tapping screw is on a par with the frame, you can complete the tightening. Some installers recommend undercutting by about 1mm.
- All removed items must be installed in reverse order. After that, the performance of the entire structure is checked.
- Fill all gaps with mounting foam. From the outside and inside, the seams must be closed with protective tapes.
- And also with foam you need to fill the gap, which is under the drainage system. Install it in such a way that the slope is from the window, fastening is carried out using self-tapping screws to this profile.
- And after the foam hardens, you can install the window sill. The plastic one should wind up about a couple of centimeters under the bottom profile. But if you need to make a slight deviation from the design of the window, all the space that is underwindow sill, you can foam.
- All slopes are recommended to be done directly on the day when the installation is carried out.
After you complete all installation work, you must withstand at least 16 hours. It is impossible to use windows so that everything is not violated. Such step-by-step instructions for installing plastic windows with your own hands will come in handy if you decide to perform all the work without the involvement of specialists. But it is recommended before starting work to familiarize yourself with the recommendations of experienced craftsmen. They will not be superfluous.
