How to insulate plastic windows. Panoramic glazing and insulation

Up to 44% of the heat leaves our apartments through the windows. Including through plastic ones - no matter how they were praised in brochures or verbally by the installer. Therefore, we advise you to insulate windows, even plastic ones, with your own hands, and simple tips will help with this.

Even if you contact a specialized company, you will either be promoted to install new windows, or window insulation will cost more than new windows. Strange but true

Konstantin Izhorkin

Personally, I use Uncle Kostya Izhorkin as "my own hands". In the good old days, he worked at a construction plant as a master of industrial training, so he takes payment for any work "by ear". That is, while he is doing something, you must listen to his instructions. Occupational disease!

For a good 30 years, Uncle Kostya had to publicly putty, scrape, knead, lay masonry and hang a plumb line from day to day, continuously hammering undergrowths from vocational schools what, why and how he was doing!

Thermal insulation of plastic windows

You, the intelligentsia, of course, would not be advised to simply hang a window with a cotton blanket, - Uncle Kostya begins his teachings. - Yes, and do not, other times have come! How many kunshtyukov invented! he mutters, unrolling the heat-saving film. - Here you are! Pure lavsan!

I tacitly agree that PET (polyethylene terephthalate) used to be sold under the brand name "lavsan", but I cannot agree with the fact that it is "pure". On the contrary, in the manufacture of a heat-saving film, it serves as the basis for the deposition of several layers of ions and oxides of various metals.

They create a kind of "mirror" that reflects heat into the room. By the same principle, and are created, only there oxides and ions are applied directly to the glass.

Smooth out, smooth out! - Uncle Kostya continues to mentor. - The main thing is to stick it in such a way that there are no swellings or folds! Otherwise, there will be no sense from your lavsan!

And sticks, as it should - neatly over the entire surface of the glass facing the room.

Insulation of PVC window sashes: is it necessary to insulate metal-plastic windows?

Laying insulation around the perimeter of the window sash

Eh, it was necessary to immediately put a metal-plastic window! - I grumble, but Uncle Kostya immediately stops my attempts to show mental and any other independence:

Well, you're in vain! No more than a third of the heat escapes through the glass itself. And everything else - through cracks and cracks in the frame and slopes.

Therefore, it is still necessary to insulate metal-plastic windows for the winter. Konstantin runs his hand under the doors and makes a diagnosis.

It carries from the cracks. When did you install the windows, maybe seven years ago? Here the seal is worn out.

Adjusting the position of the window sash with a hexagon

And he picks out the rubber cord laid along the perimeter of the sash.

- Probably, you slam the window a lot? Nothing, we'll change it now! - he takes out a tubular seal from the knapsack and quickly rolls it up in place of the old tourniquet.

- And you quickly wore it out because the sashes did not fit well to the frame. This is not an old wooden window for you! In plastic windows - everything is according to science! Look!

See the hex hole? He points his finger at the end of the sash near the handle. - Carefully take the tool and twist it! Adjust the clearance! And exactly the same from the side of the loops! - Uncle Kostya closes and opens the window several times, trying to see if he adjusted the sash too tightly.

“Don’t twist it tight,” he instructs, “otherwise the handle will break!”

One of the options for window insulation - there is an article on our website.
Another option to increase the comfort, safety and thermal insulation properties of your windows is to use.
One of the easiest ways to reduce heat loss through the windows of your apartment is to use thick

Rubber seal lost elasticity

This happens due to the constant opening or closing of the window. As a result of such habitual actions, gaps are formed between the doors and the product. The difficulty lies in the invisibility of problem areas.

The room is getting cold. The solution is to replace the worn seal with a new one.

Depressurization of areas between frames and slopes. If there is a loss of tightness in the indicated area, then the slopes are mounted incorrectly. The way out of the situation is to dismantle the corresponding products, followed by insulation and reinstallation.

Do-it-yourself insulation of slopes of plastic windows

This is how window slope insulation is done from the inside

It must be assumed, - the pro continues, - that when the slopes were filled with mounting foam, you didn’t follow the installation of a waterproofing and vapor barrier gasket? Now all the foam has dried up, it gets wet every time and freely passes the cold ... Well, now we'll fix it.

Uncle Kostya goes to the kitchen, builds a steam bath out of two pans and heats the paraffin in it.

Then, with the help of a strip of tissue paper, he examines the “passage courtyard” of my window and, having pumped a good portion of paraffin into a huge tin syringe, injects it into the most vulnerable places of the foam-like insulation and the cracks formed around it.

Thermal insulation of window slopes with foam plastic

Window slopes are insulated with foam

It's still flowers! he mutters. - And the berries will go when we insulate the slopes of your windows with foam plastic!

He leans out of the window, gluing foam blocks to the end of the wall, and then carefully covering them with reinforced mesh and plaster.

- That's not all! - the master explains, filling the cracks with sealant. - Next time you do it yourself, keep in mind that you need to use a special sealant outdoors.

When you go to the store, you’ll just ask: they say, “I need a sealant to cover the window frames from the outside, that is, from the street.” Understood?

Installation and insulation of slopes of plastic windows using sandwich panels

Insulation of slopes of plastic windows with sandwich panels

Then, when the plaster dries, cover it with drywall on top, Uncle Kostya continues. - He also keeps warm, and his appearance is aesthetic. There will be no shame in front of the neighbors.

However, now for those whose hands are sharpened only in the payroll to sign, special sandwich panels are sold.

Just keep in mind that to install them, you will have to buy a special profile, in the form of a channel, only from plastic. To make it clearer to you, a channel is a strip like the letter “p” in cross section.

So, you fasten this profile around the perimeter of the window, insert these sandwich panels into it, and you're done! Just do not forget to fill the mineral wool between this “sandwich” and the wall - to make it warmer - and cover it with tape. And then the condensate will wet the cotton, and after that the price is worthless!

The use of electric glass heating and other methods of window insulation

Hey, Konstantin, - I ask, when we are already sitting at the table, - maybe it’s worth installing electric heating on the windows?

Double-glazed window with electric heating

There are smart people, - Uncle Kostya squints, - who simply put an oil cooler on the windowsill. And so they live all winter: instead of a thermal curtain, it works for them.

I just don't like this option. Such an oil cooler has not yet been invented, from which oil vapors would not break out. And they give me a headache.

But electric window heating is a worthwhile thing. Just don't build it yourself. Because there it is necessary to lay an electric spiral on glass. Only the call of the master will fly into your “piece” of wood. Therefore, it is better to just hang thick dark curtains. Checked: cool additional insulation of plastic windows!

Well, be healthy and don't sneeze! - Raising a glass, Uncle Kostya completes his landmark lecture on insulating plastic windows with his own hands.

Insulation of plastic windows

Metal-plastic windows made from polyvinyl chloride have thoroughly entered our everyday life, gradually replacing window structures from wood. The main advantage of plastic structures is an increased level of thermal insulation, which makes it possible to provide comfortable conditions. With poor-quality installation, outdoor 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 cold.

Do-it-yourself insulation of plastic windows for the winter - the main points

Plastic double-glazed windows 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 install them using accelerated methods using only foam-like assembly composition. Foam, even abundantly filled in, cannot provide effective protection of the room from the penetration of cold.

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

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

• apply to the service center specialists. This is associated with additional costs and certain inconveniences. After all, you need to adjust your schedule to the time the service representative arrives;
• carry out work on thermal insulation on their own. Having studied the device of the metal-plastic structure, as well as determining the cause of the influx of cold air, you can fix the problem yourself.

Let's take a look at the second option. Do not delay the solution of insulation problems 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 significant cooling of the room is possible and many sealing compounds require a special temperature regime. Work on the thermal insulation of plastic frames is best done in the spring and summer. It is advisable to choose a day with a comfortable temperature and, if possible, without wind for work.

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

• metal-plastic profile, which is the power element of the frame;
• elastic seals that seal the junction area of ​​​​the double-glazed window;
• a glass package consisting of several hermetically assembled glasses;
• fittings designed to adjust the position and opening of the valves;
• window sill and slopes located in the lower and side parts of the window opening.

Lack of tightness, the occurrence of component failure causes heat loss. By insulating window frames, you can further reduce the noise level, ensure dust tightness of the opening, and also improve its aesthetic perception.

The presence of a defect in one of the components of the window unit leads to the fact that the plastic windows blow

Insulation of plastic windows - problem areas

Eliminating defects in a metal-plastic structure requires a professional approach and compliance with safety requirements. Insulation of 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 performance of 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 from the inside and outside of the opening;
• window sill located inside the room.

The most problematic area through which heat losses occur are slopes. Cooling of the room through double-glazed windows is possible only in case of depressurization. It is important to correctly diagnose the cause of the intake of cold air and be able to eliminate the breakdown.

How to identify an air leak

Determination of 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 state of the lining located around the perimeter of the glass package fastening;
• the integrity of the rubber seal, which ensures a snug fit of the double-glazed window 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 in the following ways:

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

Window structures made of polyvinyl chloride are self-sufficient products that do not require additional thermal insulation.

If you are increasingly thinking about insulating PVC windows, because in winter they still let the cold through, then something is definitely wrong with some of the structural elements. Let's dwell on this issue in more detail.

What is a PVC window made of?

Any plastic window construction includes the following components:

• profile;
• rubber seals;
• double-glazed window;
• adjusting fittings;
• below the window sill, and on the sides - slopes.

If a breakdown occurs in one of the listed components, blowing will appear.

What is thermal insulation?

The insulation of plastic windows consists in slopes. In the context of other elements, it is only about troubleshooting. Due to the profile, for example, drafts never occur. Modern high-tech plastic is not wood. The material cannot dry out or "go".

Double-glazed windows lose heat if there is a depressurization of certain sections of the product. If you do not want the windows to let in the cold, insulate the slopes or look for the cause of the breakdowns. Let's start considering the insulation of the window structure from the slopes.

Protect slopes from the cold

For plastic windows, it is advisable to make slopes from plastic. It is best to veneer them with hard plastic. Why? The material is great for additional thermal insulation.

In this case, the opening between the wall surface and the window frame is filled with special foam. Other options are foam insulators or boards made from basalt fiber. Choose the material that suits your current needs.

The outer and inner wall must also be insulated. Only this time, the materials no longer perform insulating, but protective properties. The insulator directly protects from the negative impact of various external factors.

Elimination of skewed sashes

Window and wall structures sometimes shrink. Unfortunately, nothing can be done about it. Especially new buildings suffer from such a “disease”. Shrinkage, in turn, leads to a slight distortion of the wings, which adversely affects the thermal insulation of the structure. The solution to the problem is the debugging of fittings.

Tool

Do-it-yourself regulation of the clamping of the sashes is carried out using special eccentrics. During the turn of the hand, they go beyond the "recruiting grounds". These elements are installed along the frame perimeter. To ensure tight pressing, the eccentric is twisted in a clockwise direction.

Each described element has a risk. When she "looks" towards the street, this indicates a weakening of the pressure. If the pointer is facing the rubber seal, the sash is well pressed against the frame structure.

loops

The hinges of the plastic window also have their own mechanism responsible for the clamp. The device is adjusted with a hexagon. The rule is simple: a strongly pushed tongue - the fit of the sash is tight. To extend it, you need to turn the hexagon counterclockwise. When the loops are located on the right side, the turn is made in the other direction. This time clockwise.

As you can see, there is nothing complicated - the skew of the valves is eliminated easily and simply.

If the described actions do not help, and the cold does not disappear anywhere, then more serious problems have arisen. In this case, you will have to contact the masters.

Preparing the window for winter:

Replacing the rubber seal

What is a rubber seal? Its main task is to ensure a snug fit of the sashes to the frame. For greater reliability, it is made of rubber and does not let the cold through when it is closed.

If you properly care for it and regularly treat it with special compounds, the sealant will last a long time. However, only a few PVC window owners care about an element that is almost always hidden by the sashes. Many do not even know that it must be lubricated with special mixtures.

So it turns out that in about five years the rubber seal loses its density. And when a product becomes unusable, it must be replaced.

To perform the replacement, the double-glazed window is removed from the sash. We remove the bead, we get the required element. The rubber seal changes elementarily: the old one is removed, the new one is inserted through the groove. If you want, fix the product with an adhesive. Do not be embarrassed by the difference in color - heaters are made of black and gray rubber, but there are no differences.

Attention! Be extremely careful when removing and inserting the glazing bead. The element is easy to break, as it is very fragile. If the glazing bead becomes unusable, it will not work to install the double-glazed window back.

Alternative insulation methods

In addition to all of the above methods, some tricks can help prevent cold ingress. Let's consider a few of them.

wool blinds

This is a slightly unconventional, but effective method of do-it-yourself window insulation. Ordinary blinds are simply wrapped in strips of woolen fabric, thanks to which they become reliable protectors from the cold penetrating through the windows in winter.

Heat-saving film

Insulation of plastic windows can also be carried out with a heat-saving film - a fairly budgetary and at the same time effective option. But it is necessary to glue the film so that there is no air left under it, that is, “bubbles”, not only the appearance of the windows, but also the quality of thermal insulation will depend on this.

This is the most modern way of warming the room. With such a system, an oil heater is placed on the windowsill, and an electric heating coil is installed in the glass itself.

But if you decide to use just such a heating method, then it is better to complete the installation when the installation of the double-glazed windows themselves is still in progress, but you can do this later by purchasing the system in a specialized store.

Curtains

It may sound strange, but curtains can quite protect from the cold. They serve as an effective barrier to air and do not let the cold in in winter, if it still penetrates through the windows. In addition, passing through the curtains, the air, although not significantly, warms up.

window sill insulation

Cold air can also enter through the joints between the adjacent parts of the window sill. They need to be well sealed. Also, with poor-quality work, “black holes” may remain under the window sill itself, so it must be dismantled and the joint between the slab and the window block be further processed.

To do this, open the small plugs on the windowsill, unscrew it with a screwdriver, and all possible slots are opened to us, where cold air can come from.

Results

Remember one simple thing - if a plastic window loses heat, there is a problem with one of the elements of the system. Eliminate the problems, the design will regain its lost properties.

The only thing that requires full insulation is slopes and, possibly, a window sill. No other thermal insulation work needs to be carried out. PVC windows are already protected from the cold at the highest level, as they were originally designed to create a comfortable atmosphere in any room.

It often happens that colds come unexpectedly and sunny days are replaced by chilly winds and rains. Therefore, you should take care of the weather in the house in advance and you need to start with the windows. If you make the right choice when deciding how to seal windows for the winter, you can keep up to 2/3 of the heat in the room.

Contrary to popular belief that only wooden windows need to be insulated with one's own hands, plastic structures also often need to improve their heat-saving qualities. This happens if the life of plastic windows has ended or the structures were installed in violation of the technology.

To insulate windows for the winter with your own hands, you need to create the most airtight space between the frames, since the air in the closed space has excellent heat-insulating properties.

To get a comfortable temperature in the room, you need to eliminate the gaps through which cold air enters.

To insulate wooden frames, one (or both) of the traditional methods is usually used: gluing sealing gum, sealing cracks with cotton wool, glue and paper strips, cloth or adhesive tape. An adsorbent can be placed between the frames - a substance that absorbs moisture, such as activated carbon, silica gel, soda or salt.

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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Clean the frames from putty and paint in places where the glass is inserted, wipe dry and treat with transparent silicone sealant.
4. When installing glass, try not to pinch it. Secure the glazing beads with window nails.
5. 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 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.