How to insulate glazing beads on plastic windows. How to insulate plastic windows for the winter. Replacing the assembly seam, installing insulated slopes and window sills. When is the best time to isolate?
Wooden windows are replaced with new ones made of PVC or metal plastic, for the reason that they lose the ability to retain precious heat in an apartment or house. When installing a double-glazed window, few people are interested in how it will behave in the future. Will the cold be allowed to pass through, is it necessary to carry out insulation, how effective is it?
Many consumers are wondering how to insulate a plastic window. Like any other structure, metal-plastic or plastic system has weaknesses. They act as a direct path for heat to escape from the room.
Why is it blowing? This is exactly the question homeowners often grapple with. If you are also among them, then you should consider the main components and deal with design features window block. The most common places for inflation are:
- rubber compressor;
- perimeter window frame;
- window bead;
- window fittings.
In order to determine where it is blowing from a plastic window, you must run your palm over the surface of the block. You can also use a lighter. The last procedure is very simple. It is similar to the previous one. The fire will be sensitive to drafts, so you can detect blowing.
Before insulating a plastic window, you can take a sheet of paper and clamp it into the sash. If you pull the corner, you can easily pull out the sheet. In this case, we are talking about insufficient sealing of the glass unit. This indicates that the seal is not pressed well against the frame.
Why is it blowing from the window?
Over time, many consumers wonder why it starts to blow from a plastic window. There can be many reasons. Among others, it is worth highlighting:
- installation error;
- distortion of the glass unit;
- physical wear and tear of window components;
- violation of operating rules.
The most common cause is an installation error. It may be due to non-compliance with technology. Sometimes it happens that the window is simply warped. This problem remains relevant for residents wooden houses and new buildings.
Window components may experience physical wear and tear. This especially applies to rubber seals. In order not to have to decide over time the question of how to insulate a plastic window, you must use it correctly. The seal must be washed and treated with glycerin from time to time. Such care will prevent loss of elasticity and cracking of the material.
What you can do yourself
If you want to solve the issue of ventilation, then you can replace the seals with your own hands, insulate the contours of the frame, and insulate the window opening and window sill. It is necessary to do this work before the onset of cold weather. This is due to more comfortable working conditions, optimal humidity, material requirements, absence of drafts and reduced risk of getting a cold. When it’s warm outside, you can do not only outdoor, but also internal insulation.
If you are thinking about the question of how to insulate a plastic window, then first you need to choose a material. For this purpose the following are usually used:
- polyurethane foam;
- mineral wool;
- Styrofoam;
- expanded polystyrene.
The first option allows you to fill all the voids around the perimeter of the opening. This approach will eliminate air movement. Foam is 90% air, so it will be an excellent insulator. But in a frozen state, it must be protected from ultraviolet radiation, low and high temperatures.
Mineral wool will become great solution for thermal insulation internal slopes and window sills. It has a limited range of uses for insulation. As for polystyrene foam, it is widely used for insulating slopes. It is advisable to use rigid insulation when the thickness assembly seam no more than 3 mm. In all other cases, it is better to purchase mineral wool.
If you want to solve the problem of how to insulate plastic windows for the winter, then you can consider silicone sealant. It will eliminate blowing between the elements of the double-glazed window. Dry mixtures for slopes are also widely used. With their help, you can also provide thermal insulation from the outside. But if you purchase construction tape, you will need to stick it on top of the sealant. Sometimes it is used as an independent insulation.
Preparation for thermal insulation of a window block
In order to insulate window unit, you need to prepare:
- seal;
- sealant;
- construction tape;
- heat-saving film.
The latter is also called energy-saving. In a great way thermal insulation will become mechanical methods. This should include adjustment fittings.
External insulation of slopes
Quite often, owners of houses and apartments wonder how to properly insulate the slopes of plastic windows. The first step on the path to promotion thermal insulation properties the design becomes a dew point displacement. This will prevent the appearance of dampness and the development of fungus.
You can cover the cracks, but this measure will be temporary, since over time the plaster will become covered with cracks and the polyurethane foam will open. The latter, under the influence external factors, will begin to collapse. You can cover the insulation with plaster, protecting the layer from atmospheric agents.
First you need to prepare rigid insulation and clean the surface of the slopes from protruding parts and dirt. The base is primed. On glue solution or foam insulation is installed. It is better to use foam, as it eliminates the need for wet work and sets in a short time. With its help you can strengthen the insulation sheet as firmly as possible.
If you are faced with the task of how to insulate the slopes of plastic windows, then you will have to seal all the cracks with glue, install perforated corner, polymer mesh and finish the surface with plaster. When installing a layer of thermal insulation, it is necessary to ensure that the material covers part of the window frame and protects the installation seam.
Thermal insulation of low tides
If you want to insulate the ebbs, then it will be enough to fill the cracks with foam or place thermal insulation material inside. In order to protect it from contact with moisture, it is necessary to mount it on top metal strip low tide It is located at an angle of 5°. The horizontal edge should extend beyond the façade by 30 mm. The side edges are folded up. The place where the plank will adjoin the surfaces must be treated with sealant.
Internal thermal insulation
If you are among those who want to insulate a plastic window from the inside, then you should take care of the slopes, which are not so influenced by external factors, but can still become a place through which heat escapes. It is important to leave the slopes aesthetically attractive.
First you need to treat the cracks, remove dirt and old foam. A primer is applied to the surface. The cracks are filled with polyurethane foam. Its excess should be removed after drying. Next, thermal insulation materials are installed. They can be cotton wool or polystyrene foam. At the next stage, you can begin installing drywall. It is important to produce finishing its surface, covered with putty and painted.
Thermal insulation of window sill
If you want to insulate plastic windows for the winter with your own hands, then you can also work on the window sill. The gaps between it and the wall are a place of significant heat loss. Before starting work, it is important to determine the weak point of this part of the window unit. Blowing can occur between parts of the window and window sill.
In this case, a sealant is usually used. Heat can escape into the space between the wall and the window sill. In this case, thermal insulation must be carried out before installing the window sill by laying an insulating layer. After finishing installation work distance between concrete or brick wall and the window sill can be filled with foam.
Insulation by adjustment method
If you want to solve the problem of how to insulate plastic windows with your own hands, then you can take a comprehensive approach. For this, in addition to the above methods, adjustment is usually used. You can eliminate the misalignment of the sash.
Some property owners change the seal. You can do this yourself. Old material is pulled out and a new one is installed in the groove. Before doing this, you must decide which seal to choose. After reviewing the assortment, you will understand that black and gray seals are available for sale. The former are characterized by greater plasticity, while light shade due to the presence of additives that reduce the price and worsen the properties. The material is not so airtight when pressed.
Alternative methods
If you still cannot decide for yourself the question of how you can insulate plastic windows with your own hands, then you can use more simple methods. To do this, many use thick curtains, which retain the ability to retain heat indoors. Sometimes improvised means are used, but some of them can ruin appearance glass unit
The following are used as insulation:
- window tape;
- soaked paper;
- foam;
- strips of white fabric.
You can purchase heat-saving film, which is also called energy-saving film. It is glued to the doors. It is important to prevent the formation of air bubbles and the formation of folds. The film can reduce heat loss by 75%.
If you want to understand how to properly insulate plastic windows, you can use electric heating. In this case, there is a heating cable around the glass unit, which will heat the spiral. Sometimes it is installed on the window oil radiator. Most in a technological way is the electric heating of the glass unit.
You can install heated windows. This technique is used at the production stage. It involves installing a conductive film on the inside of the glass. It is transparent and contains conductive threads. In this case, the glass is heated from the inside. If you still haven’t decided how to insulate plastic windows for the winter, you can use an integrated approach. It is most appropriate in a private house or apartment, as it allows you to eliminate possible reasons heat leaks.
Using a special tool
For insulation, you can use the method of adjusting the pressure of the sashes. An eccentric is used for this. Elements are installed around the perimeter. To ensure tight pressure, the eccentric is rotated clockwise. There are risks on the elements. When they are facing the street, this indicates a weakening of the pressure. If the pointer faces the seal, you will ensure that the sash is well pressed to the structure.
It is also important to pay attention to the hinges. They have their own mechanism. It provides pressure. You will need to use a hex wrench when adjusting the device. By sliding the tongue, you can ensure a snug fit of the sash. To extend, you must turn the hexagon counterclockwise. When the loop is on the right, the turn is carried out in the other direction - clockwise. The misalignment of the sashes is very easy to eliminate.
Finally
Now you know how to insulate the slopes of plastic windows inside. For integrated approach You need to pay attention to the window sill. Experts do not recommend performing other thermal insulation work.
You should also be prepared for the fact that insulation can negatively affect the ventilation in the room. Complete tightness is not only protection from the cold, but also fogging of the glass, which causes the destruction of slopes and the occurrence of fungus.
Reading time ≈ 9 minutes
Plastic double glazed windows are considered one of the most airtight types of home windows, but even they begin to let air into the house over time. cold air. In this article we will look at how you can insulate plastic windows indoors for the winter with your own hands. This will increase the indoor temperature by several degrees and save a lot of money on heating.
Identifying draft locations
For effective insulation windows, it is necessary to find and eliminate the cause of the draft. Otherwise, all procedures aimed at insulation will not give the desired effect. For search problem areas You need to check all the critical nodes of the window yourself:
- Glass holders.
- Seal.
- Hinges and handles.
- The junction of slopes, walls and window sills with window frame.
The appearance of technical faults in one of these places can lead to the appearance of drafts, which in cold weather greatly affects the temperature inside the room.
To determine the exact location of the heat leak, the following methods are used:
Causes of drafts
You should also have basic information about the causes of drafts. Having basic knowledge, you can avoid such unpleasant situations in the future.
If you evaluate in detail all the causes of drafts and heat leaks, you can divide them into two categories, if possible, eliminate them - with the help of window installation specialists and independent decision problems.
It is best to use the services of professionals to solve the following problems:
If the work is done from the inside, then most of it can be done independently.
Insulation of a plastic window
Depending on the identified location of the heat leak, the work performed will be different. Let's look at each direction in more detail, and also determine how to insulate plastic windows for the winter.
Insulation of slopes
If a draft was detected in the cracks between the window frame and the wall, then the cause of this phenomenon should be considered poor thermal insulation. It could have become unusable over time, or there were technology violations during the installation process.
The most correct would be full installation thermal insulation materials again. To do this, you need to remove the slopes and do the following:
If the cold weather has already set in, and there is no way to complete replacement thermal insulation materials, then you can take temporary measures and treat the cracks with sealant. This will save you from cold penetration into the house for a while, but in the future it will be necessary to carry out a more thorough reconstruction.
Important! Many sealing compounds have a clear temperature range within which they can be used. Violation temperature regime may affect the main qualities of the composition. Be sure to check if you can use sealant.
Window sill insulation
In case of loss of tightness in the window sill area, it is necessary to accurately determine the location of the leak.
Such measures will be enough to insulate the window sill and eliminate any drafts in these places.
Insulation by adjusting windows
The reason for the appearance of drafts may be an insufficiently tight fit of the locking elements to each other. To eliminate this, you need to know the basic principles of operation of plastic window sashes.
If the windows were initially installed correctly and closed tightly enough, then the problem can be eliminated by slightly moving the sash. How to adjust a window at home yourself is described in detail in this video:
Windows of most brands have a system for switching to winter or summer mode. To determine what position the windows are currently in, you need to pay attention to the locking pins. Depending on the window manufacturer, they are marked Current state window. If the mark is turned inward, then the windows are in the “summer” mode, and in the winter mode if the trunnion is turned in the opposite direction.
When installing the window in summer mode, when the sash is closed, it does not fit tightly enough to the frame. This allows you to maintain microventilation in the premises.
In winter from such ventilation more problems than useful, so the window needs to be switched to winter mode. To do this, rotate all the trunnions to the desired position.
The average state represents a balance between micro-ventilation and heat retention. It is also called spring or autumn mode.
Important! Windows in winter mode are designed to press the sash against the frame as much as possible, which means that fogging of the glass will be almost guaranteed. To avoid the appearance of fungus, it is necessary to regularly ventilate the room, even on winter days.
Replacing sealing material
Another way to insulate plastic windows for the winter with your own hands is to replace the rubber seal between the window frame and the opening sashes.
Important! It is worth replacing the seal only if it has become unusable. With regular care and treatment with softening compounds, it can last more than 5-8 years without losing its qualities.
First you need to determine whether the seal can be replaced. If you are the happy owner of a window with a replaceable rubber seal, then you can proceed to the next steps.
You can get acquainted in detail with the procedure for replacing the seal using the example of the work of one of the installation companies:
Attention! If you are not sure about the correctness of the work listed above, and also doubt the own strength, we recommend that you seek help from professionals. Most vinyl window installation companies can provide additional customization and minor restoration work for an appropriate fee.
Insulation with additional means
Sometimes a plastic window is in perfect order and does not create drafts, but in itself is a place of heat loss. In this case, it must be insulated with additional means. Let's look at a few simple ways additional insulation window.
The use of improvised means used for, in the case of correctly installed and configured double-glazed windows, shows minimal effectiveness. Their main purpose is to eliminate drafts, but does not work with hermetically sealed plastic windows.
Now you know how you can insulate plastic windows in your home for the winter and can put most of the methods into practice. Also remember that windows are not the only place where heat is lost. You can get maximum heat retention after and..
Warmth in a house or apartment is the key to comfort, coziness and well-being. To do this, we take you to our apartments central heating, we build heated floors and more. However, it is important not only to deliver heat to the house, but also to preserve it.
Most of the heat leaves our apartments through the windows, by insulating them you can significantly improve your living conditions during the cold season.
let's consider quick ways insulation of both modern plastic windows and old wooden ones. Let's start with the simplest and cheapest...
1. Do you want to insulate a window? - Wash him!
Heat leaves our apartments not only due to drafts, but also goes outside in the form infrared radiation.
Ordinary glass, being transparent to visible light, has a low level of transparency to infrared rays that transmit heat.
But contaminated glass, losing transparency in the visible part of the spectrum, significantly increases it in the infrared spectrum. Therefore, to preserve heat, it is enough to simply wash the window before the start of the cold season.
However, it wouldn’t hurt to do this in the spring either, so that less radiant heat penetrates into the apartment in the already hot summer.
The window should be washed inside and (necessarily!) outside with a product based on ethyl or ammonia. This will allow, firstly, to clean grease stains, which is especially important for the kitchen, and, secondly, to avoid stains left by dissolved salt in the water, remaining after the moisture evaporates.
In addition to the glass, we also need to wash the frames - we will glue seals, insulation, etc. on them. It doesn't stick well to dirt and falls off quickly. You don’t want to re-glue the seal in the middle of winter with the door wide open. open windows?
2. Traditional methods of window insulation
An effective way to reduce heat loss is to install heat-shrinkable energy-saving film on inner side frames, parallel to the glass or double glazing.
This film has a double effect. Firstly, it prevents heat from escaping in the form of infrared radiation. Secondly, it creates an additional heat-insulating layer of air between itself and the glass. This usually gets rid of the " crying windows».
Installing thermal film is quite simple. After cleaning and degreasing the frame, apply double-sided tape around the glass. The film is usually sold folded in two layers. We separate the layers from each other and cut the film to the size of the glass, plus two to three centimeters from each edge.
We glue the film onto the tape so that its surface covers the entire glass. We try to stretch the film, but we don’t pay attention to the wrinkles. It is more important to ensure that the entire edge of the film “sits” tightly on the tape without “bubbles.” Direct it onto the film hot air from household hair dryer. Thanks to its shrink properties, the film itself will stretch and smooth out.
The view at the window with such a film, of course, is not so great, but it’s warm and dry.
New double-glazed windows do not heat. Why?
The seal on the frame is changed in the same way, after which the sash is installed in place.
The procedure for installing the sash is the reverse of the procedure for removing it:
The sash is placed on the lower hinge from top to bottom, then the parts of the upper hinge are connected away from you, the pin, lock washer and hinge cover are installed. We close the sash with a lock and check the quality of the work performed by testing the joint for drafts.
To ensure that the seal on a plastic window does not have to be changed every two to three years, this part requires proper care. The seal must be cleaned and lubricated at least once a year, but preferably twice, before the start of the cold season and at its end.
We wipe the seal on the sash and frame with a dry fluffy cloth to remove accumulated "rel="lightbox" href="/images/stories/kvartira/7-sposobov-uteplit-okna-na-zimu_8.jpg"> 
mud. Then wipe the seal with soapy water better cleaning and degreasing and wipe it dry. Apply silicone grease to a cloth (it can be purchased at any auto store) and rub it into the seal. This simple procedure will protect the seal from drying out in the heat and “stiffening” in the cold, allowing it to retain its properties for a long time.
6. We insulate slopes and window sills
For some reason, some people forget that a window is not only glass, frame and sashes, but also slopes and window sills. What's the point, from the very better window, if from under the window sill it “siphons” all the way? Of course, it’s better if, along with replacing the window, you also replaced the slopes and window sills modern designs made of PVC, however, it is during their installation that installers often “scrap”, knowing that the customer will pay the main attention to the frames.
Inspect the places where the slopes meet the concrete. If large cracks are found, we fill them with tow or foam rubber and cover them with alabaster on top, or fill them with polyurethane foam, which will need to be straightened and sanded with sandpaper after drying. Finishing the sealing of cracks construction sealant.
If the initial inspection reveals nothing, perform a more thorough test using a burning match or a wet finger. If “cold bridges” are detected, you need to “tap” the cladding layer. A dull sound compared to neighboring areas will indicate the presence of voids under the cladding layer. In this case, remove the cladding and seal the cracks using the method described above. Do it, really" rel="lightbox" href="/images/stories/kvartira/7-sposobov-uteplit-okna-na-zimu_9.jpg"> 
, follows in warm time years, because polyurethane foam and finishing construction sands do not work well in the cold.
You can make slopes yourself from inexpensive materials at hand, for example, from polystyrene foam, while saving on PVC slopes and the services of installation companies. To do this, you will need foam panels at least three centimeters thick, foam glue (for example, “ceresit”) and cement mortar.
This work, however, is not the easiest, fastest and cleanest. You should think twice about whether it would be better to invite a professional. But if you decide for yourself, then in brief the following awaits you:
The sides of the window opening and part of the adjacent wall should be opened to the base - brick or concrete. This is done in order to embed the insulation layer into the wall. A lot of surprises can await you here, in the form of boards walled up by builders, tow rolls and other “insulation materials”. The holes will be impressive. A fair chunk of the adjoining wall's plaster may even fall off, so be prepared for plastering work of an appropriate scale. To ensure reliable adhesion of the future slope to the base, you can secure the reinforcing network with dowels (plastic - so as not to conduct the cold).
Having mixed the cement mortar, we apply a layer of plaster to the window opening and to the wall, to the width of the future slope (about 20 cm) from the opening. You can add clay to the solution. This will give it additional viscosity, and it will be easier to plaster the vertical surface of the walls. We achieve a smooth surface and let the plaster dry well.
However, if you are confident in the reliability of the existing layer of plaster, then you can simply carefully scrape off the wallpaper, paint, or other decorative coating walls, prime and level the surface with a small layer of putty.
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Next, apply glue to the foam panels with a notched trowel and press the panel to the surface, holding for 10-20 seconds until the glue “sets.” First, we glue the foam to the vertical part of the wall and slopes. The seams between the panels are carefully covered with the same glue. Similarly, we install the panels on the horizontal part of the slope in window opening.
As an alternative, you can use polyurethane foam. It fills the voids in the slopes well, holds tightly to the base, and the insulation itself can be reliably “glued” with it. It’s just that it’s a little expensive, and you need a lot of it (a large bottle for a double-leaf window may not be enough).
You can cover the foam with plasterboard or thin plastic panels, placing them again on glue.
I repeat, the surfaces are complex, there are many angles. Professionals use other insulation materials and install special facing panels. But if you need to save money or want to do everything yourself, you can definitely try it.
7. Window insulation using Swedish technology
If installation modern window made of a PVC profile is beyond your means, or is not suitable for some other reason, you can insulate an ordinary wooden window using newfangled Swedish technology. This sonorous name was given to the technology of window insulation using a Euro-strip grooved seal, produced in Sweden, although analogues produced in other countries have already appeared on the market of Eastern Europe.
The technology requires the use of a rather specific tool that not everyone has home handyman, and experience in handling it is needed. So for this service it is better to turn to 7 ways to insulate windows for the winter: Photo 11" rel="lightbox" href="/images/stories/kvartira/7-sposobov-uteplit-okna-na-zimu_11.jpg"> 
specialists. But all the work is done quickly, so this method is quite suitable if winter “suddenly crept up unnoticed.”
To install the seal, the window sash must be removed. In the place where the sash is adjacent to the frame, a groove is made with a milling cutter, into which a tubular profile is placed with a special roller, which takes the shape of the groove. Additionally, the connection is sealed with silicone sealant. If desired, insulation using a Swedish profile can also be done inside a double frame. The balcony door is insulated in the same way.
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« Swedish technology» also includes adjustment of sashes, frames and balcony doors, however, this must be done in any case, regardless of the installation of Swedish seals.
The effectiveness of such insulation is little better than traditional sealing, but it allows you to freely open windows and vents during the winter for ventilation.
We looked at the most common methods of insulating windows that do not require major repairs. I hope our tips will help add a little warmth to your life.
It often happens that cold weather comes unexpectedly and sunny days are replaced by chilly wind and rain. Therefore, you should take care of the weather in your home in advance and start with the windows. If you make the right choice when deciding how to seal your windows for the winter, you will be able to retain up to 2/3 of the heat in the room.
Contrary to popular belief that you only need to insulate yourself wooden windows, plastic structures they also often need to improve their heat-saving qualities. This happens if the service life of plastic windows has expired or the structures were installed in violation of 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 a closed space has excellent heat-insulating properties.
To obtain comfortable temperature indoors, you need to eliminate the cracks through which cold air gets inside.
To insulate wooden frames, one (or both) of the following is usually used: traditional ways: gluing sealing gum, sealing cracks with cotton wool, glue and paper strips, fabric or tape. An adsorbent can be placed between the frames - a substance that absorbs moisture, for example, Activated carbon, silica gel, soda or salt.
Preliminary preparation of wooden windows
Before starting work, wash and dry the windows, inspect the gaps between the frames and glass. Such cracks appear when the frames dry out and the window putty in which the glass is installed crumbles.
Repair stages
- Check the condition of the beads - long wooden slats, with the help of which glass is strengthened in the window frame. It is better to immediately replace rotten and dried elements with new ones.
- Remove problematic glazing beads and nails. Take the glass out and clean it of any remaining putty using an alkali solution, such as soda ash diluted in water.
- Clean the frames from putty and paint in the places where the glass is inserted, wipe dry and treat with transparent silicone sealant.
- When installing the glass, try not to squeeze it. Secure the glazing beads with window nails.
- Seal 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
Wooden window structures are usually insulated using:
Modern profile seal
Window seal profiles
This material is sold in any hardware store and is a tape, with or without an adhesive layer. This seal is also called a tubular profile and is made from the following materials:
- foam rubber
- rubber
- polyvinyl chloride;
- polyethylene foam;
- polyurethane
More popular are adhesive-based seals. But their downside is that they cannot stick as reliably as their self-adhesive counterparts.
The foam seal absorbs moisture, so it must be replaced annually. The polymer tape does not care about water, which significantly increases its service life.
The seal is easy to use: the tape is glued to the open sash around the perimeter, inside and outside. To eliminate particularly large gaps, you can additionally use masking tape.
The seal for a wooden window is attached around the perimeter of the frame
For gluing the seal without adhesive base It is best to use a clear silicone adhesive sealant.
Available 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 will also work.
Warming stages:
- firmly tamp the cotton wool or other material into the cracks 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 into 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 insulation.
Paraffin can be purchased at any hardware store.
This method was widespread several decades ago among housewives who knew exactly how to insulate wooden windows for the winter, as it allowed them to seal large gaps quickly and at no cost.
The paraffin candle must be melted in a water bath and the hot mixture must be poured into a preheated syringe. Using 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 Suitable for old windows that you plan to replace soon.
Suitable insulation materials include adhesive putties, a 1:1 solution of alabaster and chalk, and special sealants for window seams. The mixture is applied to the gaps, leveled with a spatula and left until completely dry.
Heat-saving film - effective method avoid heat loss
This method is suitable for insulating wooden window designs and PVC windows.
In hardware stores you can find special protective film, which has universal properties - in summer it protects the room from sun rays, and in winter it increases the temperature to 5 degrees.
The material of the required size is glued to the frame beads using double-sided tape and blown with air from a hair dryer to level it and make it transparent.
Read more about energy-saving films for windows
Additional cold bridges
Be sure to check jumpers above the windows, since they are often the place where heat leaks. The lintels are insulated from the outside using alternate application of façade polystyrene foam, reinforcing mixture and plaster.
They can also become conductors of cold slopes. For thermal insulation, the side surfaces are sanded, then primed and PVC panels are installed. If voids have formed inside, you need to fill them with tow or polyurethane foam.
Windowsill, improperly treated with foam, is 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 insulating a window sill (plastic or wooden)
How to insulate plastic windows yourself
To improve the thermal insulation qualities of plastic windows, it is imperative to use insulation. This can be 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 into the depths of the gap.
- Silicone sealant. This is the most popular and accessible remedy getting rid of unwanted sources of air entering the room. The sealant tightly fills the cracks and is highly elastic, which makes it easy to use.
- Acrylic sealant. It is flexible and easy to use - its excess during application can be easily removed, unlike silicone sealant. But this material has one drawback - in a short operating time acrylic sealant changes color from white to gray. This is due to its ability to attract dust and dirt.
When insulating plastic windows, follow the main steps:
- Clean the cracks with a stick or brush to remove any spilled polyurethane foam or garbage.
- Carefully go over the slopes, frames and window sills with a degreasing cleaner.
- Fill the gaps with foam or caulk, depending on the material chosen.
Let's sum it up
If your 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 financial condition and features of the work.
Video on the topic
Now many people are replacing wooden windows with plastic ones. However, during operation their tightness may be compromised. People are faced with the question of how to insulate plastic windows so that the integrity violation is corrected and air from the street penetrates less into the room. It is important to understand what is the cause of the problem and solve it, and then isolate it.
Why does it blow from plastic windows?
Before you begin to correct the current situation, you should find out why the blowing occurs and whether there is fogging. There are many reasons, but there are several main ones:
- Defect in production.
- Low-quality plastic was used to make the windows.
- Poor fittings were installed.
- Errors were made during installation.
- Poor quality of seal material.
- The slopes were not properly insulated.
How to determine the cause
First, let's make sure that there is definitely a breeze coming from the window. To understand this, you can hold a lit candle or lighter to the joint window sash and frames. If the flame fluctuates, it means it is blowing from the window. Then the candle should be drawn around the entire perimeter. The problem often occurs at the junction of the window frame and the slope. This indicates poor installation, so you need to contact the company and demand that the work be corrected (if the warranty period has not expired).
The reason may lie in incorrect adjustment of the fittings or lack of setting to winter mode. To do this, try opening the window and looking at the lock. Not everyone can independently determine the problem and make adjustments, so it is better to call a specialist. Sometimes the reason is a violation of the window geometry. In this case, there is poor pressing of the sashes, and drafts arise due to this connection. A complete reinstallation of the glass unit will be required.
Another diagnostic method is to check the condition of the seal. It probably causes moisture to blow in or leak (condensation forms), if it is of poor quality or very dirty (remove all dust). When exposed to low temperatures, it loses its elasticity. You should touch it with your hands, checking for elasticity. If the reason is wear and tear of the insulation, then it needs to be replaced.
The next step is to pay attention to the quality of the plastic. Unfortunately, the average person will not be able to visually distinguish high-quality plastic from bad one; this requires a specialist. However, if all of the above diagnostic methods did not reveal the cause, then most likely you bought windows from bad material. We will have to dismantle and install a new metal-plastic structure.
When is the best time to isolate?
The problem of window blowing occurs during the cold season. IN summer period people either don’t notice it, but with the onset of cold weather the air from the street becomes noticeable. It is best to do thermal insulation in spring or summer in calm weather. The sealing compound requires a special temperature and cannot be used in winter weather. There is an advantage of insulation during the cold season: it is clear which place to insulate and whether the chosen method is effective.
How to insulate plastic windows
It is extremely important to understand how to insulate plastic windows. There are many methods of thermal insulation, so everyone can choose one that is convenient for themselves. Insulation for plastic windows is as follows:
- Polyurethane foam - fast and available method. However, foam is short-lived and is negatively affected by temperature changes, ultraviolet radiation, air.
- Mineral wool is a safe and fire-resistant modern material.
- Window film can be used as insulation for the glass itself.
- Silicone sealant is reliable and inexpensive.
- Polystyrene foam is used to eliminate cracks in window slopes.
- Warm mixtures used outside.
- Gluing construction tape over the sealant will improve the effect.
- Facade paint has high weather resistance. It is easy to apply to a surface of any shape.
- The primer dries quickly and is easy to apply. It is frost-resistant and is not afraid of moisture.
When you can't do without a master
A professional is needed when there are obvious defects, and work to eliminate them requires compliance with safety regulations.
- To carry out repairs, it is worth calling a specialist because:
- insulation of slopes and ebbs from the outside can be dangerous, especially if the window is located above the second floor (you can fall and break); in order to properly insulate, it is important to know all technological process
- installations;
The window is still under warranty.
A professional will advise you on how to seal plastic windows for the winter. However, there are simple and easy ways in which you can make repairs yourself. A simple example is the thermal insulation of a window using foam or sealant:
- Remove old foam from all openings around the window. To do this, use a stiff brush, sticks and brushes.
- Thoroughly rinse and wipe the surface of the window sill and slopes with a cleaner to degrease and remove dust.
- Cover the resulting cracks with putty and plaster, then fill with polyurethane foam.
- If sealant is used instead of polyurethane foam, then after inserting it into the gap, it should be sealed with construction tape on top. To carry out the work, you must have a knife and scissors at hand.
- Install heat-saving film. Window box cleaned of dust and covered with double-sided tape. The film is measured to the size of the window, then carefully applied and smoothed. To avoid unevenness and bubbles, you need to blow it with a hairdryer.
Outside
Insulation from the street side can be done in different ways, suitable facade paint, primer, silicone sealant. It is best to use foam plastic for thermal insulation of slopes from the outside:
- Styrofoam the right size it is necessary to stick it on the slopes, and close all visible cracks with glue.
- A special mesh should be placed on top of the foam and then plastered.
- Level the plaster with a water-repellent layer and apply a primer.
- Paint the resulting slopes, which will create additional energy-saving protective layer from the wind.
Inside
The insulation of plastic windows inside should be done as carefully as possible, using different ways. Thermal insulation will contain the following stages:
- Insulate the slopes of plastic windows inside. To do this, use polyurethane foam.
- Place plastic on top of the foamed slopes.
- Adjust the fittings. This is done using an eccentric through rotation.
- Replace the seal. This element must be changed every 5 years. During this period, it loses elasticity and begins to let air through.
How to insulate the window sill of a plastic window
Under the windowsill you can often feel the movement of cold air. If a crack is visible, it needs to be foamed. It will be good if you attach a piece of plastic under it and fill the void inside with polyurethane foam or polystyrene foam. Stages for insulating a window sill:
- Remove the window sill.
- The wall on which it was located should be thoroughly cleaned of dirt and dust, after which all cracks and problem areas will be visible.
- Cracks can be closed with polyurethane foam.
- When the foam hardens, cut off the excess with a knife.
- Prime the entire surface.
- Apply sealant to all joints and corners.
- Plaster.
- Place the window sill in place.
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