If your house is cold, there is a constant draft, or you just decide to make a major overhaul, then do not forget about installing metal-plastic windows. Of course, it is better to entrust the latter to professionals, because it can be difficult to complete such a task on your own. If you are determined to change the windows on your own, then remember that during the execution of the work you will need to observe some nuances, for example, make sure that after installation the window opening is airtight, the sashes close well and the glass does not fog up.
Preparation for installation
The advantage of self-installation of plastic PVC windows is that you will be much more scrupulous about this work than most employees. However, this task will require you to have experience in the construction industry, otherwise there is a chance that you will not cope and install the structure not in accordance with GOST.
When is the best time to change windows?
Install metal-plastic windows in a wooden house or apartmentbest in the warm season. It is desirable that there is no precipitation during work, so check the weather forecast in advance.
Of course, you can make the correct installation of metal-plastic windows in winter, but experts do not recommend doing this. If you urgently need to change the windows, then remember that such an operation can be performed at a temperature not lower than -5 degrees Celsius. In extreme heat, changing windows is also not recommended.
Regardless of what time of the year the replacement will be, all measurements must be taken correctly and accurately.
Measuring instructions
First of all, it is necessary to measure the window opening where it will be installed. Then, based on the data received, you can already go to the hardware store for shopping.
Better of all, a custom-made plastic window, because in this case the goods will be made according to individual parameters, taking into account all your wishes. In hardware stores, you can also find ready-made PVC windows that have standard dimensions. Such a product is suitable for installation in apartment buildings that were built according to the same project. In addition, this purchase will cost significantly less than custom-made production.
Measurement work must be carried out in order. First you need to measure the opening in width at the top and bottom, as the walls may be uneven. Then it is necessary to measure the height of the hole under the window, taking into account the thickness of the window sill. If you live in a panel house,then, as a rule, part of the wall plays the role of a window sill there, therefore, during installation, a new window will be installed directly on top of it. If the window sill is removable, then it is necessary to measure its thickness and add to this number the size of the opening itself. After that, you should measure the depth of the hole under the window. For such an operation, sometimes it is necessary to beat off part of the plaster and remove the wooden planks from the sides of old windows.
To correctly measure the window opening from the outside, you must also start by measuring the width, height, and depth of the frame hole. It is also advisable to remove the tide to check if there is a border at the bottom of the opening.
Gap between window and wall
Before installing metal-plastic windows with your own hands, you should make sure that the window is slightly smaller in size than the opening where it will be installed. Indentation is necessary not only for ease of installation of the product. Plastic tends to expand and contract depending on the temperature outside, which is why it needs some free space. See table for minimum clearances.
| Window size, mm | Indent, mm |
| 1200 | 15 |
| 2200 | 20 |
| 3250 | 25 |
When measuring and installing metal-plastic windows with your own hands, you must also take into account that the double-glazed window mustbe located in such a way that there is a distance of at least 4 cm from the sash from the side of the street. This free space is required for slope installation.
Also, don't forget to get a window handle, a mosquito net to keep insects out of your home, and a window sill and drip tray.
What do you need for installation?
In addition to the components that make up the plastic window, you will have to buy additional materials and fasteners. The list of tools for installing metal-plastic windows is presented below:
- Mounting foam. Its amount depends on the amount of work to be done. Calculating the approximate consumption of such a building material is quite simple: three cylinders are enough for one window with two sashes. Four cylinders will be enough to install a three-leaf window.
- Rotband. One bag will be enough to install two large windows.
- Styrofoam. To install one window, you will need 2 sheets of this building material.
- Liquid plastic. One tube of material is enough to install several windows.
- Water-based paint. To install one window in the opening, you will need about two liters of paint material.
- Three plastic strips for decorative finishing of concrete slopes.
For reliable fasteners, you will need a set consisting of:
- Dowels size 6x60 mm.
- Self-tapping screws complete with a press washer. Their length must be at least 16 mm. They are necessary for fasteninglow tides.
- Anchor plates to securely fix the window to the wall.
- Metal screws 9 mm long.
- Tool set.
Preparing the window for installation
The first thing to do before the direct installation of metal-plastic windows is to remove the sash from the purchased product. Next, you should insert three sticks of the starting profile into the special grooves made for them. Then you need to attach four plates with anchors to the window. Do not completely unpack the PVC product, as the packaging will help protect it from possible damage during installation.
In order to dismantle the sash, we need pliers and a window handle. The latter is usually placed separately, together with all the necessary fittings, so that it is not accidentally damaged during transportation to the installation site.
Using the handle, open the sash, then, taking the pliers, press on the top hinge rod so that its cap comes out of the top hinge by a few millimeters. With the same tool, it is necessary to pull the rod down until it comes out completely. It remains to lift the sash up until it pops out of the bottom sash. Window exploded.
Now you need to insert the starting profile into the appropriate grooves, and then fix it with screws. First you need to install the top (starting profile), and then the remaining side ones. The length of the starting profile is calculated as follows: you need to measure the width of the window, and then add a centimeter on each side.
Insert topprofile can be done with a hammer or with your hands, if you have enough strength. It must be fixed to the window with self-tapping screws 9 mm long. Then measure the distance from the bottom of the window to the bottom edge of the top profile, then cut the two side profiles. You need to screw and insert them in the same way as the previous material.
The next step is to attach the anchor plates to the window. Using a hammer, drive the plate into the profile about 15 cm from the top of the window, leaving 15 cm from the bottom as well.
You need to make sure that the dummy profile is installed at the very bottom of the window. If everything is in order, you can proceed to install the product in the hole.
Removing the old window
To dismantle an obsolete window frame, you will need a crowbar nail puller. To facilitate the workflow, you must first remove all the shutters, then remove the ebb and window sill. Using a hacksaw, cut the impost, and then it must be removed. Next, saw the bottom of the window box, and then use a crowbar to remove the box as carefully as possible.
Before installing a plastic product, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the opening from debris, remnants of insulation, tow, dust and other things. Then you need to moisten the surface of the window opening where the purchased product will be installed. This is done so that dust does not fly around the room. Wall hole ready for installation.
Installation process
Before installing metal-plastic windows, it is better to find a partner for yourself, since the weight of the product reaches sever altens of kilograms.
The double-glazed window is installed in the opening on wooden blocks. In order for the product to be installed evenly, one worker must hold it in place of the opening, and the second, armed with a building level, align it horizontally and vertically. It is also necessary to ensure that the window is fixed symmetrically with respect to the slope. The distance from the edge of the outer wall to the plastic profile must correspond to the width of the tide minus two centimeters. It is best to use a small level for mounting the window, no more than 300 mm in length.
After making sure that the prefabricated structure is level, it is necessary to install the frame holders for metal-plastic windows using plates and anchors. After the double-glazed window is securely fixed, unpack the foam bottles and fill the gaps around the perimeter with it. In order for the building material to dry as soon as possible, experts recommend moistening the concrete at the application site with water.
Expanded polystyrene should be installed in large gaps to save expensive building foam. Thus, a three-layer seam is obtained. It is necessary to make sure that all cracks are eliminated, otherwise the room will be very cold in winter. After all construction operations have been completed, spray the foam with water to achieve a speedy drying.
Window sill installation
After a few hours, after waiting for the foam to harden, you can proceed with the installation of the window sill. If it has already been cut and fits the size of your opening, it is necessary to dismantle the slopes inside the room. Suchthe operation is necessary in order for the product to fit the false profile. So that there are no gaps between the window sill and the window profile, it is necessary to place small blocks under the installed plastic product. Align the window sill should also use the level.
As soon as the installation of the window sill is completed, you need to put a load on it (a brick or a three-liter jar of water). After that, it is necessary to foam the resulting empty space between the window sill in such a way that the construction foam is squeezed out only from the edge, since during the drying process it expands and can subsequently squeeze out the plastic product. If the gap is too large, Styrofoam sheets can be placed in the empty space.
Installation of slopes
It's time to install the slats for the in-house slopes. First, install the top rail in level, then the remaining side rails. They are all attached to the wall with dowels.
After all the slats are installed, fill the gaps between them and the wall of the house with foam. To avoid deformation of the lath from the pressure exerted by the foam, it is necessary to fix it in the middle using special hangers attached to the wall. After the foam has completely hardened, these fasteners are removed.
Next, slopes should be installed. First, they should be cut off with a grinder, and then screwed to the wooden rails with 25 mm long self-tapping screws, which were prepared in advance. After installation, gaps remain between the slopes, which should be closed with a startingprofile.
To keep the house or apartment always warm, it is necessary to insulate the gaps between the slope and the wall. This can be done in several ways, for example, by foaming and then sticking polystyrene onto the building foam. The second method is to insulate the identified gap with a material called Izover.
Installation of platbands
As a rule, decorative platbands are installed on plastic slopes. First you need to install the top trim, then the line will reach the side ones. To cut the material evenly to fit the window, use a square to mark the cut points with a pencil, and then cut off the excess with a grinder.
How to install ebbs
At the final stage of the installation of windows, it is necessary to install a low tide. It is screwed to the base profile using press washers. Before installation, measure and cut the slope to the required length, then you can screw it on using several self-tapping screws. Next, you should foam the ebb around the entire perimeter.
Cleaning the window from pollution
Any stains found on a new window frame after the installation is completed can be easily removed using a cloth pre-moistened with solvent. After the plastic window has become clean, it is necessary to attach decorative caps to the hinges on it, install the handle, caps on the window sill and on the drainage channels. The latter are located on the outside of the window.
So that the installed window does not have flaws, you should cover up everythingvisually detected gaps with liquid plastic.
