Windows are the most important element of any home.Currently, plastic windows have become the most popular, but wooden windows do not lose their relevance. Installing windows with your own hands allows you to eliminate dependence on anyone during construction.
Before installing plastic windows, it is necessarycarefully measure the openings, because they most often do not have a precise geometric shape. The entire process of installing window frames at first glance seems very complicated. In fact, if you understand the basic rules, this operation will not seem impossible. Do-it-yourself window installation, of any type, is available and is successfully used by many when building a house.
Window constructions
In general, a window includes a window frameframe, sashes with glass (double-glazed windows), window sill and fittings. The window frame is the framework of the window and is fixed in the wall opening. The sashes are fixed to it from the inside through fittings, and from below it is combined with the window sill.
Construction of a plastic window.Window sashes contain a glass element (glass or double-glazed window), secured with a glazing bead, and fittings for fastening to the frame and locking fittings. Sashes can be movable or fixed. Fixed sashes are manufactured together with the frame and do not have fittings. Movable sashes are connected to the frame via hinged elements. Sashes can have varying degrees of tightness and thermal insulation. Based on the required thermal protection, sashes can have one sheet of glass or several (usually two) layers. In sealed windows, double-glazed windows are installed in the sashes, which are several glasses with a sealant along the ends. A window sill is an additional element installed below the frame. It looks like a board of the required thickness and width, with a length equal to the length of the frame. Modern windows are made of plastic, wood, light metals or composite materials (plastic & metal). The most widely used types of windows in private homes are plastic and wooden windows. Return to contents</a>
General principles of installing windows
Scheme for dismantling an old window.The window is installed in a specially made window opening in the wall of the house. It is the shape and size of the window opening that determine the shape and size of the window frame. The most typical shape is rectangular. The number, type, size, location of the sashes, and the complete set of fittings depend entirely on the wishes of the consumer. The nature of the installation is largely determined by the material from which the window is made and the material from which the wall is made (to a lesser extent). When installing windows in wooden log houses, it is necessary to take into account the settlement of the wall, which can last more than a year. In this case, it is necessary to use an additional window frame that does not allow the window frame to be crushed. An important condition for high-quality window installation is maintaining thermal protection and protection from moisture. The joints of the window and the wall, the fastening elements should not reduce these characteristics, should not form thermal bridges and channels for moisture penetration into the house. A natural requirement is the mechanical strength of the window fastening, which can withstand any gusts of wind, etc. Return to the table of contents</a>
Preparing for the installation of plastic windows
Before installing a plastic window, it is necessaryfor filling the unevenness of the window opening. Plastic windows are usually ordered individually, as they can have a wide variety of sizes and configurations. Preparatory work begins with taking measurements of the desired window. To do this, measure the height and width of the window opening. If the window opening has deviations in terms of skew of the sides, then the size is measured by the smallest distance between the opposite sides of the opening. The length of the frame of a plastic window is determined as the width of the window opening minus 30 mm. The recommended gap of 15 mm on each side of the frame is necessary for filling with foam during installation. The height of the window frame is determined in the same way, but it is also necessary to subtract the thickness of the window sill (usually 40 mm), which will be installed at the bottom of the opening. The thickness of the frame is determined based on the condition that it is not fixed at the level of the front surface of the wall, but, as a rule, deepens by about a third of the thickness of the opening. When determining the length of the window sill, the dimensions of the gaps are not taken into account, and the width is at the customer's discretion. Preparing the window opening itself for installing the window includes cleaning its surface from all irregularities. In case of significant distortions, you should try to correct the situation with cement mortar or putty. If there are local significant irregularities, they should be removed with a chisel or grinder. It is most important to ensure the horizontality of the opening walls, and the horizontality should be checked with a level. If a slight distortion of the vertical walls during window installation can be eliminated with the help of mounting foam, then the slightest defect in the horizontal walls leads to a distortion of the entire window. A plastic window usually comes assembled. To install it in a window opening, it is necessary to disassemble the window, namely: remove the movable sashes, then remove the glazing beads and pull the glass units out of the movable sashes, do the same on the fixed sashes that are fixed to the frame. Return to the table of contents</a>
Installation of a frame of a plastic window
Scheme for installing a plastic window in an opening.Installation of a plastic window begins with the installation of the frame together with the fixed sashes. First, a setting profile is installed, which is strictly aligned horizontally by placing temporary spacers underneath it. If such a profile is not included in the window kit, then installation begins immediately with the installation of the frame, while it is aligned and the necessary gap for the window sill is taken into account. Before installing the frame in the opening, the fasteners should be secured. It is recommended to use anchor plates. They are secured at a distance of up to 20 cm from the corner of the frame on both sides. For fastening, screws up to 10 cm long are used, which are not screwed into the dowel all the way. Holes are pre-drilled for the dowels. A recess is made in the wall of the window opening for the fastening plate and anchor fasteners. Then all the fasteners are sealed in the wall with cement mortar. The frame is installed in the opening and adjusted vertically and horizontally. In this case, screws that are not fully tightened are used for alignment. In addition, wooden spacers are placed if necessary. It is recommended not to remove the protective film from the window elements until the end of installation, so as not to contaminate them. The gap between the frame and the wall must be filled with mounting foam. It is important to ensure the uniformity and tightness of the mass after hardening. If the gap exceeds 2 cm, then filling with foam is carried out in several stages. To improve the adhesion of the foam to the wall, it is recommended to pre-moisten the surface with a sprayer. The foam dries for 10-12 hours, during which it must be protected from direct sunlight. Return to the table of contents</a>
Window sill mounting
Scheme for installing a plastic window sill.The next step in installing the window is to install the window sill yourself. First, the length of the window sill is finally checked and cut off. The window sill is squeezed into the space between the mounting profile and the wall of the opening; if there is no profile - between the frame and the opening. Plugs are pre-installed and glued to the ends of the window sill. The gaps between the frame and the window sill, as well as between the window sill and the wall, are filled with mounting foam. A weight should be placed on the window sill to prevent deformation from the expansion of the foam. Return to contents</a>
Mounting slopes on plastic windows
Initially, the entire perimeter of the frame is removedexcess hardened mounting foam. Window slopes are made of three plastic (PVC) panels cut to the size of the frame. The slopes are secured with mounting foam. While the foam hardens, temporary fastening of the slopes can be done with masking tape. The final formation of the frame is carried out with an F-shaped profile, which is inserted between the strip and the wall. Return to contents</a>
Installing window leaflets
Scheme of fastening the ebb tide to the frame.After the window frame is installed, it is time to install the movable sashes. They are installed on the corresponding hinge elements. The glass units are installed first in the fixed sashes, and then in the movable ones. The glass units are fixed with glazing beads. First, the short glazing beads are installed, and then the long ones. Their final fixation can be done with a rubber mallet. To protect the seams, it is recommended to apply a protective tape with an adhesive layer on the inside and outside. A special water-vapor-impermeable tape is used on the inside, and a vapor-permeable tape on the outside. It is advisable to use a protective tape with a foil coating on the bottom of the frame. Return to contents</a>
Features of installation of wooden windows
The installation of wooden windows is somewhat different frominstallation of plastic windows. The advantage of wood is the ease of adjusting the size. If the opening is skewed, in places of narrowing, the wooden frame is planed to the required size. This property is used when it is necessary to install a window in a wooden house. The size of the wooden window is selected based on the maximum size of the window opening without gaps.
Drawing of a wooden window.Installing a wooden window in a concrete wall usually begins with the window sill. Cement mortar ensures that it is completely horizontal. The window sill is secured with 5-6 dowels. Next, the frame is installed, from which the movable sashes are removed. The most common option for installing a window frame is to mount it on blocks. Pieces of board or slat up to 15 cm wide are used as blocks, one edge of which is beveled to form a wedge. First, loose support blocks are installed on one side of the frame, then spacer blocks are driven in with a wedge on the opposite side. The blocks are secured with silicone. The gaps are filled with polyurethane foam. The frame is secured to the wall using an anchor or a pass-through method, i.e. by piercing the frame through with a long dowel or screw. The recommended distance between fasteners is 50-60 cm. When installing a wooden frame, it is necessary to take into account the high moisture absorption of wood. The side end of the window requires additional reliable insulation from moisture. For this, a layer of roofing felt is used. Slopes, both external and internal, are formed from cement mortar; and the slope completely covers the seam between the window and the wall, usually it goes onto the window frame. The wooden frame does not have sealing elements that are installed in plastic windows. When installing wooden windows with your own hands, you must take measures to protect against moisture penetration through the sashes. The area of contact between glass and wood is coated with silicone along the entire perimeter of the sash. After fixing the glass with a glazing bead, all gaps are filled with sealing putty. Return to the table of contents</a>
Necessary materials and tools
When installing a window yourself, you should use standard specialized materials that provide reliable fastening and protection. The following materials are recommended:
Wooden window installation diagram.
- mounting foam professional, intended for use in assembly pistols (sold in cans);
- a permeable tape with a sticky layer;
- Hydraulically sealed tape with an adhesive layer;
- tape with a layer of foil and an adhesive layer;
- Screws (self-tapping screws) for construction with metal up to 120 mm in length, 6 mm in diameter;
- construction wedges.
Installing windows yourself requires the use of the following tools:
- Assembling gun;
- Bulgarian;
- Sander;
- Screwdriver;
- electric drill;
- level;
- plumb bob;
- a spray for water;
- chisel;
- a hammer;
- a rubber hammer;
- scissors;
- knife;
- pliers;
- screwdriver;
- roulette;
- line meter.
Installing windows with your own hands is quite a painstaking task, requiring certain skills and accuracy. At the same time, almost anyone can install a window on their own.
