A draft represents the flow of air that is created in the room, coming from the street through open doors, windows, cracks in them. In the summer, a draft is a real help, in the autumn-winter season it leads to heat losses, as a result, despite the heating, we freeze, and the bills charged for the delivery of heat increase.
A common cause of drafts is leaky, improperly adjusted windows. Through the fault of the cracks in the window frames, 20-30% of heat is lost. How to insulate plastic windows for the winter with your own hands and prevent drafts? This will be discussed in this article.
Start heating season – last call when you need to make sure that the window frames are sufficiently tight, prepared for winter, cold air does not penetrate into the room. How to do it?
Simple Ways check for cracks:
- run your hand along the edges of glass, door jambs, the flow of cold air is immediately felt by the palm of your hand;
- bring a lit candle, follow the flame.
You should pay attention to the condition of the fittings, loops. If a cool breeze is felt in the palm of your hand, you need to spend small repair work.
How to insulate old windows for the winter correctly?
After 10-15 years, PVC windows become insufficiently energy efficient. If the frames, profiles are in good condition, they need to be thermostated. With the approach of cold weather, many are wondering how to insulate with their own hands plastic euro windows.
To save on heating, it is often advised to change old frames. It is not always necessary to do this. There are methods to make improving the thermal insulation of window openings cost-effective. What is better to use?
Stages of isolation
Modernization of window units usually includes replacement of the glazing unit, replacement of gaskets, repair or replacement of fixtures, repair of plaster. You can perform some of these actions or one. The optimal effect is achieved through the following work:
How to adjust plastic windows?
Adjustment of the eurowindow, setting it in the correct mode effectively eliminates the problem of uncontrolled breakthroughs of air masses inside, helps to reduce the costs charged for heating.
What you need:
- screwdriver;
- original keys for adjusting the window (can be replaced with a regular hex wrench of a suitable size).
Checking the position of the sash relative to the window frame
The setting begins with checking the position of the sash, the stages of work:
- Outline the window in the corner with a pencil.
- Open the sash to check the distance between the closed sash and the frame. Correctly it should overlap.
- The sash adjustment screws are located on the top and bottom hinges of the window. The screws allow you to adjust it vertically and horizontally (right to left). After tightening the screw with a hex wrench, set the sash so that it overlaps the frame by a few millimeters.
The degree of fit of the sash to the frame
Check the degree of fit of the sash as follows:
- Insert a sheet of paper between the sash and frame.
- Close the window.
- Try to remove the paper - if the paper comes out easily - you need to increase the degree of adhesion.
To improve the degree of fit, it is necessary to replace or adjust the eccentric screws on the window fittings. Usually they have small "dots" - markers showing the direction of the screws. By unscrewing the locking screws relative to the gasket, you can change the degree of fit:
- increase (dot faces "exit")
- decrease (the point must be in the room).
The adjustment will allow the sash to fit snugly against the frame, increasing the tightness of the eurowindow structure. Once adjusted, closing the window can become more time consuming. If you do not want to do the adjustment yourself, you can use the services of professionals.
Checking the condition of the gaskets
The condition of the gaskets affects the air permeability of the window panes, it is important to take care of them by lubricating them with the appropriate products:
- silicone grease,
- technical vaseline.
The lubricant will retain the properties of the eurowindow for a long time. However, if the gaskets are deformed, cracked, “out” of the frame, they must be replaced with new ones. The gasket is cut into suitable parts, carefully glued. Can be used:
- self-adhesive pads,
- rubber seals.
It is important to replace the gaskets before the onset of frost!
Before sealing window frames, the frames should be thoroughly cleaned with a special product for the care of window frames.
Hardware check
Fittings - key element window frame, although not very noticeable at first glance. Check before winter technical condition fittings:
- if they "sit" too loose, they should be tightened;
- Lubrication may be required (Vaseline works great).
Gaps between frame and glass, trim and wall
Heat also escapes through such cracks; it is necessary to eliminate all gaps. There are several options for solving the problem.
Thermoresistant paper
A popular option is shrink wrap for insulation. pvc windows. The film is attached with double-sided adhesive tape directly to the window frames. The films form an additional layer on the glass, which increases the thermal insulation coefficient. Self-adhesive thermal insulation films with low-e coatings are popular, give an excellent effect, do not require additional processing.
Films allow you to create an additional layer of air that increases the thermal insulation of a double-glazed window:
Thermal film is inexpensive, effective material. The film is installed inside and outside. The film mounted inside is more stable, is not exposed to gusts of wind, adverse atmospheric factors.
After stretching with warm air from a conventional hair dryer, the film becomes transparent, does not distort the image. During the heating season, when insulation of double-glazed windows is not required, the film can be removed.
Window insulation - video
When sealing, care must be taken not to overdo it. It is important to provide micro-ventilation, in which a small amount of fresh air enters the premises. Microventilation is important for:
- exploitation gas system,
- reducing the level of humidity,
- Fresh air improves our mood.
Overly airtight "jar closure" is a bad idea.
Old windows sometimes cause trouble, letting drafts into the premises. There are several options for sealing windows for the winter at home. The choice of insulation option for window openings depends on their condition and budget.
With the advent of metal-plastic windows, there is a tendency for their widespread introduction. In many respects, they are indeed more practical than wooden ones. Many users cite their tightness and the absence of the need to care for them, like wooden ones. But after a certain period they need maintenance, so it is important to know how to insulate plastic windows. The article will discuss the reasons for the need for such maintenance, as well as ways to identify problem areas.
Causes of problems
Consumers who choose plastic windows are mistakenly convinced that they will be able to maintain tightness throughout their entire service life. At first, such windows really reduce heat loss and coolant bills. Much depends not only on the quality of plastic windows, but also on the method of their installation. If the latter was made in violation of elementary rules, then you may not see the difference with old wooden windows. In addition to the mistakes that were made during installation, the following factors can worsen the situation:
- insulation wear;
- delamination of overlays from a double-glazed window;
- changing the window geometry;
- wear of valves;
- PVC base wear;
- improper installation of window sills;
- violation of the technology of finishing slopes.
Insulation in most cases is represented by rubber gaskets, which dry out and become unusable due to constant changes in temperature and humidity. This results in drafts and loss of tightness. Problem areas are also places where the double-glazed window is pressed against the window frame. If the slats begin to lag behind, this will lead to condensation and ice on the window. In production, the corners of the frame and sashes of the window are made ideal, but their geometry can be violated by physical impact. For example, the shrinkage of a building can change the angle, resulting in a sash leak or a gap near the wall.
Metal reinforcement, which is used in plastic windows to fix the sashes, fails over time. In this case, the window cannot be pressed with due force, which is why problems arise. Each material has its own service life, this also applies to PVC profiles. It can also be the reason that the window has lost its tightness. It can seep through from under the windowsill. If during installation the window sill was replaced with a plastic one, then errors could be made during installation, which left a gap through which cold air enters. Slopes require compliance with technology when finishing, so that they can perform their tasks. If they are not sealed enough, then problems are bound to arise.
The solution of questions on the repair or maintenance of plastic windows can be entrusted to a company that specializes in this. Usually in the arsenal of masters there are components that often fail and require replacement. The work will be completed quickly, but it should be borne in mind that a certain part of the budget will have to be paid for such a procedure. Therefore, it is easier to insulate plastic windows with your own hands.
Revealing the causes
Before proceeding with the elimination of the problem that has arisen in plastic windows, it is necessary to accurately determine the location of its deployment. To do this, carefully inspect the window frame for any defects. If it was not possible to visually identify them, then you can do this:
- tactile;
- with a lighter;
- sheet of paper.
If you wet your hand in warm water and bring it to the window, then you can immediately feel the place where the draft breaks through the crack. Sometimes this is not enough, then you can resort to using a lighter or a match. It is enough to light the flame and hold it near the problematic place of the plastic window, if there really is a defect, then the flame will deviate to one of the sides, everything will depend on the direction of the air flow. To detect the loss of tightness due to insulation, a sheet of paper is used. It is necessary to open the window, put a sheet of paper and close the window. If the sheet is easily pulled out, then we can safely talk about a leaky seal.
When to work
Maintenance and insulation of plastic windows in winter is not always convenient. That's why best time will be spring and autumn. This is due to a suitable air temperature, which makes it possible to freely open and close windows without fear of catching a cold or increasing the consumption of gas or other media for heating. Insulation of plastic windows may require the use of building mixtures. Most of them are used only at positive temperatures, which is the key to proper drying. Excessive humidity, which may be present in late autumn and winter period is also a hindrance to normal work. At the optimum temperature, it is easy to carry out not only internal, but also external work.
External window insulation
Proper insulation of plastic windows involves external and interior work. The first ones include:
- finishing of external slopes;
- drainage insulation.
Each type of work requires its own approach, so it is important to consider them separately.
External slopes
Most often, during the installation of windows, the outer slopes are not finished, so they are the first item to take care of for insulating a plastic window. Without this event, you can do anything from the inside, but this will not give an effect. Insulation of plastic windows from the side of the street makes it possible to move the dew point. Thus, moisture condensation will not occur on the glass from the inside. Often this leads to the appearance of mold, which not only spoils the appearance, but is also harmful to health. Another factor that requires slope finishing is mounting foam. If it is not protected from ultraviolet radiation and precipitation, then it will begin to crumble, which will only increase the drafts.
To carry out the work, you will need a heater, glue and tools. As a heater for slopes, it is best to use extruded polystyrene foam. It has minimal thermal conductivity and is easy to install. This insulation also perfectly resists moisture and does not rot. To fix it to the wall, you will need dowels in the form of umbrellas, as well as special glue.
Note! If desired, use stone wool for slope insulation, it is necessary to take care of its high-quality waterproofing. If this is not done, then it will pick up moisture and lose its insulator properties, which will not solve the problem.
The first step is to clean it well. window slopes from garbage. If they left sagging from old plaster, then they should also be knocked down with a hammer or a puncher with a chisel. If there are cracks or other damage, they must be repaired with tile adhesive or a similar mortar. After that, the surface is covered with a deep-penetrating acrylic primer. If the first layer is absorbed too quickly, then you can apply another one and wait until it dries completely. Using a construction knife, the insulation is cut to the required size. An adhesive base is applied to it, and it is placed in its place. At the same time, it should fit snugly against the window frame.
Using a perforator, several holes are drilled in the insulation and the wall. A small amount of foam is blown into them and plastic umbrellas are clogged, which will additionally press the insulation against the wall surface. All remaining gaps that may be between the insulation and the plastic window are sealed with glue. The insulation is covered with a small layer of glue. After that, a reinforcing mesh is mounted on it, which will increase the strength of the slopes. With a spatula, the mesh is pressed against the insulation so that the glue comes out evenly on its surface. After grouting and drying, you can proceed to finishing work. You can watch a video on window slope insulation below.
Working with ebbs
Insulating the ebb of a plastic window is not a difficult task, so it can be easily handled and it does not require large funds. It is important to carefully examine the space and eliminate all the gaps that exist between the wall and the window. A metal bar is mounted on the ebb, which closes part of the opening and prevents it from getting wet. A small piece of insulation can be placed under the bar, which is firmly glued to the surface. All gaps are additionally filled with sealant.
Internal window insulation
The process of how to insulate windows with your own hands also includes interior decoration some nodes. These include:
- internal slopes;
- insulation;
- windowsill.
Insulation will require special patience and care.
Internal slopes
The process of how to insulate the slopes of plastic windows from the inside is very similar to what was described above. Internal slopes require careful processing to achieve a pleasant appearance. It must match the chosen interior. The first step is to cut off the protruding foam, and also add it in those places where the gaps have formed. Completely removed old finish, which was near the old windows. The surface of the slopes is treated with a deep penetration primer and left to dry completely. The next step is the installation of drywall, plastic panels or putty and plaster.
Note! After finishing, the slopes can be painted with water-based paint or trim decorative plaster which is better than using plastic panels.
Windowsill
The window sill is an integral part of the window. For plastic windows, PVC window sills are used, which can be of various sizes and designs. But to unite them correct installation. First of all, you need to find out where the heat loss goes. The gap can be between the window and the window sill, as well as the window sill and the concrete part. In the first case, it is necessary to seal the gap with a sealant. For a white profile, you can purchase a white sealant, and for other colors, transparent is perfect if the required color is not available.
If it blows from under the windowsill, then certain mistakes were made during its installation. In the case when the complete dismantling of the window sill is impossible, there is an option using foam to try to blow out problem areas. After the procedure, it is advisable to put something heavy on the windowsill so that the foam does not deform it and does not lift it. If it is possible to remove the window sill, then you can additionally foam the junction of the window to the wall. Also, a small layer of insulation is laid under the window sill.
Advice! Warming can be done using a special film. The process of such insulation is shown in the video below.
insulation
In some cases, it may be necessary to replace the insulation on the window sash and on the frame. In plastic windows, replacing insulation is a simple matter. It does not require the use of adhesives. The rubber base is fixed in special grooves that are located on plastic profile. The old insulation is removed. To make it easier to push the insulation into the grooves of the sash or ramie, it can be slightly moistened with soapy water. It is worth remembering that it must be laid in one contour. To do this, it is important to measure everything correctly and make a small margin. It is better to opt for a black insulation, which is also made of PVC. Insulations painted in a different color have a less durable structure, which leads to their rapid wear. In some cases, it is necessary to replace the sealing gum that holds the double-glazed window. To do this, it is necessary to remove the retaining strips and the double-glazed window itself. The junction points are cleaned of dust and other dirt, after which the insulation is installed and the double-glazed window is installed.
Advice! Before replacing the insulation on the window, you should try to adjust it or switch it to winter mode. The illustration below shows how this can be done.
Summary
As you can see, plastic windows also require insulation. If, after calculating the cost of time, effort and money, it becomes obvious that during self-insulation you can earn a large amount, then it is better to hire specialists who will do everything on their own. When working on window insulation, you must be extremely careful and follow safety rules, especially if the window is not on the first floor.
Most likely, the installation of metal-plastic windows was part of your plan for insulating a house or apartment. And now this element itself needs to be insulated, but there should not be anywhere to blow ... Why is it blowing? Properly installed metal-plastic windows do not need insulation. But, if mistakes were made during installation or a long period passed during which the double-glazed window was not serviced, insulation of PVC windows may well be required.
To understand how to solve the problem, you need to find out what elements the window consists of. Below in the diagram you can see all the main details.
So, now you need to find out which details most often cause difficulties.
It can be:
- Joint (seam) between the frame and the wall (window sill, slopes);
- Glass fittings;
- Glazing bead (The element by which the glass is held - if it blows from under the glass).
- Sealant.
Here we have built the causes not according to any principle, but only in a chaotic order. But, a little further we will understand the reasons sequentially - going from the simplest solution to the most complex (labor-intensive, labor-intensive). We will see that insulating windows with your own hands is not as difficult as it might seem at first.
Window problems
In the last subheading, we dealt with structural elements that can cause problems and may require insulation of double-glazed windows. Employees of one Kiev company identify the three most common:
- A rubber seal that has not been serviced for a long time and has come into poor condition. This insulating element plays an important role in thermal insulation;
- Lack of tight contact between the sash and the frame. For example, this can happen due to skewed loops;
- Poorly made initially and destroyed as a result of erosion, the seam between the frame and the window opening.
How to find out what is the problem in a particular case?
This stage of PVC window insulation usually does not raise questions. A person may not know what the element is called, but where it blows from is most often easy to determine. Most use one of the three proven methods.
- Check with a candle or lighter. Light a candle and bring it to the gap between the frame and the wall or between the sash and the frame. In the place where the candle goes out, a cold stream is passed. There you need to conduct surveys;
- The sash clamp must be very tight. You shouldn't pull from under it. To check the clamp for “strength”, insert a sheet of paper into the sash and slam it shut by turning the handle. If the sheet falls out, the fittings may need to be adjusted. Or the window may be in "summer mode";
- Although the third method is more expensive, it can help to identify problems not only in windows - a thermal imaging study. With the help of special equipment, heat leakage zones can be determined. An example snapshot is shown below.
Summer and winter window modes
If you open the sash and look at its end, you can see several pressure rollers. They are then responsible for adjusting the pressure density, in fact, the summer and winter modes. Via special key adjust the degree of pressing, sealing the sash to the frame. In some profiles, you can do without a key by turning such rollers manually.
On the pressure roller itself, you can see a notch. If it is turned closer to the sealing gum, it means winter mode, and if it is turned outward, it means summer mode.
For more information on how you can change the window mode, see the video.
So, at this stage, we have already dealt with the structure of the window itself, found out which elements can cause difficulties, and found out what problems residents most often face. Now let's look at the most common problems and find out how to solve them.
Handles, hinges...
Do-it-yourself window insulation should begin with fittings. As employees of the same Kiev company for the repair and installation of windows say, if the problem is not started, it can often be solved by adjusting the fittings. Since the topic of our article is still thermal insulation of windows, it’s only worth saying here that the average cost of ordering an adjustment in a company in Kyiv costs about 100-150 UAH. (4 dollars), and in Moscow 400-700 rubles. You can fix this moment yourself by watching the video:
Sealing gum
In the CIS countries, for various reasons, it is unpleasant to regularly carry out service maintenance. This leads to premature or very severe wear of various parts. Therefore, when deciding how to insulate windows, make sure that the sealing elements of the windows are in good condition.
Seals are located on the frame, as well as on the sash. In most cases, removable parts are installed that can be easily replaced. How do you know if the seal needs to be replaced? One of the methods was given at the beginning of the article.
Second. Open the sash and feel the seal. If it is hard (and especially if it starts to crumble - it needs to be replaced). There is also an easier way. Test without getting up from the chair.
The seal needs to be lubricated at intervals of approximately 6 months. If such a procedure has not been carried out for at least 3 years - 90% of the fact that the gum needs to be replaced.
What is the best way to insulate windows? There is no definite answer, but the seal must be changed exactly.
In a separate article, we have already described in detail how the procedure is carried out, and showed a video.
A small summary of this section. Two small but most common problems with window insulation are fittings and cutters in plastic windows. But, there are also more "severe patients" who need "hospitalization". In such cases, the problem is usually with the window sill or low tide.
Low tide
How to insulate a plastic window with your own hands if problems are observed at the bottom of the window? The first thing that might come to mind would be window sill insulation. But, its removal is a matter of solidity, which is more like a construction project, so there is an alternative. You can start by insulating the windows from the outside by insulating the ebb. First you need to dismantle the old ebb. To do this, we twist all the screws with which it is attached, and carefully remove the piece of iron itself.
When working on high floors, be extremely careful and use insurance.
We are interested in the seam between the frame and the window opening. It is sealed with mounting foam - a material that is easily affected by cold and moisture. Therefore, if the foam was not reliably protected, the reason for blowing may be precisely in it.
Look at the layer of foam under the frame. If:
- The foam itself crumbles
- There is no vapor barrier
The seam is in need of repair.
Carefully scrape off the layer of old foam with a knife. Prime the remains of the old layer and the entire surface and cover it with a new vapor barrier membrane. It is necessary to bring one edge of the membrane under the frame, and lay the other under the ebb. Apply a new layer of foam. From the outside, the foam can be protected with PSUL tape.
On this, the sealing of the outer seam, which can be a source of cold, can be considered complete
Creating another camera
Among the three reasons for blowing through metal-plastic windows mentioned at the beginning of the article was a glazing bead. To insulate this element, special films are used. It creates, as it were, another air pocket between the glass and the film itself, which levels out all blowing between the glass and the frame. Thanks to this, a single-glazed window becomes a two-chamber.
How to insulate double-glazed windows in this way?
Film - a good option when insulation was needed "yesterday". In this article, we only, in general, discuss all the methods that allow us to carry out the insulation of plastic windows with our own hands, but in a separate article we discussed this topic in more detail.
External insulation
How to insulate plastic windows from the outside? There are two key points here:
- Firstly, in an apartment on a floor above the second, it is forbidden by law to insulate something from the outside - a special license is needed. You can insulate windows yourself only in the house or on the first or second floors of the apartment.
- It is better to entrust such work to professionals.
- Secondly, when we talk about external window insulation, we are talking about slope insulation and seam insulation under low tide, which we talked about above. The issue was discussed in a separate article a little earlier.
Service cost
Window insulation includes several procedures. Below in the table we give the approximate cost for the services of contractors.
Results
You probably understood how to insulate plastic windows depends on the method and approach. Maybe you need to replace the seal or use mounting foam for sealing the outer seam. Insulation for plastic windows can also be a film that is glued to the frame from the inside. You can seal the seams inside with tape, well, this is already in the case of very old PVC windows. And let's repeat: how to properly insulate windows?
The first thing to find out is the cause of the heat leakage. As you remember, there are only three main ones. Although, of course, there are various unusual and unforeseen situations, especially in our area, where windows were not always installed on a sober head. Therefore, if you still have questions, use the comments or the "Question and Answer" section.
As winter approaches and the weather gets colder, you notice a draft moving through the apartment. By placing your hand near the window on a windy night, you find a source of agonizing coolness. Enough to endure this and sleep under three blankets! There are many ways to insulate windows. They range from simple to complex, from virtually free to quite expensive, from "old-fashioned" methods to modern technologies. In this longread, we tried to collect the most effective methods.
Before we take decisive action, let's consider possible reasons draft coming from the windows. It would seem that wooden windows retain more heat due to their material, while plastic windows, a relatively new achievement in science and technology, are simply designed for heat and sound insulation. Then why can they let a draft into our house?
- Unfortunately, poor-quality window installation is quite common. Sometimes employees of installation companies, who call themselves professionals, have a very superficial idea of the installation of window blocks.
- The second reason may be partly related to the first - an attempt to save on the installation of plastic windows. Companies often reduce the price by saving on insulation, foam, and the installation itself. Subsequently, low-quality windows are much more expensive due to the need to additionally insulate them.
- Even if cold air does not seep through the gaps, the windows themselves may be to blame, such as the old "single-layer" windows, which provide only a thin glass barrier between the house and the street, but not cozy warmth.
- Skewed windows and loose fitting of the window frame to the wall also threaten heat loss. Sometimes this happens due to the deformation of the building, which is especially common in old wooden houses.
It is wise to start by diagnosing the situation. Determine the most critical places from which the wind blows. Where does the cold come from: from the windowsill or window sashes? Maybe the problem is a worn seal or poor-quality slopes?
To determine the exact place from which cold air is blowing, you can simply run your hand over the surface of the window unit. If this method fails to identify the problem, light a candle or lighter and move them around the frame - the fire is more sensitive to drafts.
Look at the windows when it's raining. Moisture that has accumulated in a certain place will indicate gaps and crevices. When moisture builds up in the corner of a window or along one of its edges, the problem is probably in the joints. Moisture that builds up in the middle of a window pane could indicate some type of crack in the glass.
Perhaps the wind is blowing due to a poor-quality seal. Try putting a piece of paper in an open window and closing the window completely. If the paper is easily pulled out as soon as you pull the corner of the sheet, then the seal is not pressed against the frame well.
Before you choose a method of insulation from the available ones, you should think about the goals of insulation. It is clear that temperature control is the main concern, but what compromises are you willing to make? Will you be able to refuse in favor of cheapness beautiful view, restrict the flow of light or block access to the window?
You also need to consider cost. Some materials cost almost nothing: say, sealant can be bought for a couple of hundred rubles. More reliable and durable solutions will cost more and may require the help of a specialist, but in the long run may be a worthy investment.
Ask for help or insulate windows with your own hands?
To insulate windows, you have, in general, only two options: do all the work yourself or contact a professional. With your own hands, it is enough to simply insulate the window sill, the frame contour, the window opening inside the room or replace the seal. If any defect appears during the warranty period, the installer will have to fix all the problems. In addition, it is worth resorting to the help of installers if external insulation work is required, and the window is located at a considerable height - its replacement or repair work can be associated with an increased risk, and specialists know exactly how to insulate plastic windows from the outside with high quality.
It is worth remembering that it is better to insulate windows before the onset of winter - then the working conditions will be more comfortable. In addition, sealants and some other Construction Materials can only be used in a certain temperature range, otherwise they lose their properties.
How to insulate plastic windows with your own hands
If you need to insulate a window opening, then mounting foam is suitable. Expanding, it fills the voids in the opening and prevents the movement of air. However, foam is a short-lived material exposed to low temperatures and will be suitable for a small gap. Also a popular heater is mineral wool with heat and sound insulation. It is resistant to high temperatures and easy to install.
Silicone sealant will also help to insulate window frames. It is best to use an inexpensive tool when working with it - a lever syringe. The sealant also blocks moisture, making windows resistant to mold and mildew. It is also worth choosing a transparent sealant - so it will not be noticeable if it accidentally hits the glass.
Before applying sealant or expansion foam, it is worth checking exactly how much they expand - to determine this, apply a small drop to the corner of the window.
Another way from the category of "cheap and cheerful" is to plug the cracks in the windows with technical cotton wool, and then seal them with masking tape. Previously, instead of adhesive tape, fabric or paper strips with laundry soap paste were used. But when using this option, its fragility is obvious, and it will not completely eliminate blowing.
A good and inexpensive insulation for plastic windows is foam rubber: cash costs will be minimal. Remove the film from the adhesive surface of the insulation and press the foam window insulation in the required places. With the onset of warming, it is very easy to remove. However, if moisture gets in, the insulation may lose its tightness.
How to insulate the slopes of plastic windows
To insulate the slopes of plastic windows, you can use the most different materials- sandwich panels, drywall, polystyrene foam or polystyrene foam. However, foam is the most fragile of the listed materials and tends to accumulate moisture. If it is necessary to insulate the window from the outside, dry mixes for finishing the slopes will help.
First you need to carefully process the cracks - eliminate possible contamination and remove the old mounting foam. If you chose drywall for insulation of slopes, then the sequence of actions is as follows:
- cut blanks from drywall the right sizes and process it with a moisture-resistant primer, wait until the blanks dry out;
- insert drywall sheets into the slots;
- we fill the small gaps left between the drywall and the wall with mounting foam;
- after the foam has hardened, we complete the cosmetic repairs with a primer and paint.
External insulation works are carried out at temperatures up to +5 ° C, otherwise building materials may lose some of their properties.
You can use a special heat-saving film for window insulation. It transmits light into the room and at the same time does not "release" infrared radiation. Such a film not only saves the heat of our house, but also helps to get rid of the effect of "weeping windows", that is, from. Also, windows on which a heat-saving film is pasted are characterized by greater strength. Before starting work, it is important to wash the glass, treat it with a degreasing agent and wipe it dry. Next, you need to stick the film so that its "metal" side looks out onto the street. The film is glued not only on the glass itself, but also with an overlap on the frame. Some manufacturers make films on a self-adhesive basis, but some types of film require adhesive tape. To prevent bubbles and wrinkles on the film, use a household hair dryer.
A simple and inexpensive life hack that will help you cope with a draft is to attach bubble wrap to the window. Choose film with large bubbles as it will generally handle cold air better. Trim the bubble wrap so that it overlaps the window frame slightly. Spray the window with water from a spray bottle, then "glue" a sheet of cut wrapping film onto the wet glass. You can secure it with double sided tape. The “bumpy” side should face the glass. The film should set without difficulty and remain in place for several months. If desired, you can apply a double layer of film for better thermal insulation. The only negative is that this method blocks the view from the window, but the light will nevertheless enter the room.
Sew a plain fabric to fit the width of the window. Fill it with some loose solid material like sand, rice, or polyester, then place it along the bottom of the window. Heavy materials (denim, corduroy) in this case will retain cold air more effectively than light materials (cotton, knitwear, etc.).
We replace the seal
If the problem is a worn seal, you can replace it yourself by choosing the right one in a hardware store. It is also better to choose a sealant in black: black is the natural color of rubber, and impurities of other colors can spoil the quality of the product. After the old seal is removed, it is necessary to clean the grooves from dust and dirt, treat the corners of the frame with glue and cut off the excess with scissors. The resulting joint also needs to be treated with glue.
People have been using wooden windows for a very long time, so the question “How to insulate old wooden windows?” there are many answers.
- Very old way used by our grandparents - gluing wooden windows newspapers. They were soaked in water and plugged cracks with them. The space between the glass and the frame was sealed with paper strips. Of course, “paper will endure everything,” and it is possible to spend the winter with it, but in the spring it will be very problematic to remove particles of newspapers. In addition to the banal inconvenience, there is also a risk of damaging the window covering.
- If old windows need to be insulated quickly, and the aesthetic side of the issue is not very important to you, plain paper will also do. To make paper putty, you can grind up old newspapers, soak them in water, add clay or crushed chalk, and seal the gaps with the mixture. To fix the putty for windows, it is enough to use adhesive tape. However, this method is short-lived and, most likely, will last only one season.
- As a heater for wooden windows, you can use foam rubber - ordinary or tubular. It will be effective if the wooden sashes are already dry and do not fit snugly against the frame. Previously, foam rubber was nailed with small cloves, but now you can use ordinary masking tape. This material can serve faithfully for a couple of years, then it will begin to deform and will need to be replaced.
- When insulating wooden windows, you can also use a sealant. It is necessary to remove the wooden glazing beads holding the glass with a screwdriver, apply sealant and install the glazing beads back - preferably new ones, since the old ones often break during dismantling.
- Wood tends to crack. Therefore, often the frame is covered with a network of small cracks through which heat can escape. To repair them, you will need to clean the glass from the decorative coating, fill the cracks with molten paraffin, home-made putty, sealant or special putty, and then re-coat the frame with paint or varnish.
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 - elevated level thermal insulation to ensure 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. Increased interest in plastic structures forces specialized firms to install them accelerated methods using only foam mounting compound. 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 construction, 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 time it is problematic to carry out thermal insulation measures, since significant cooling of the room is possible and many sealing compounds require 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 from comfortable temperature and as far as possible without wind.
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 the 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
Elimination of defects in metal-plastic construction requires 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 self-fulfillment works, it is necessary to carefully study the technology of thermal insulation, to know the problem areas:
- circuit window construction 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.
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