Installing plastic windows is often not enough, as their correct maintenance is also required. If used improperly, problems can arise, and in this case the windows will not protect the room from wind, cold and noise. Most often, you have to pay attention to this problem when you need to change the mode. To do this, you must configure.
Why regulate plastic windows?
Everyone knows that plastic windows have two main modes: summer and winter, each of which plays a role. Window manufacturers usually indicate in their recommendations how to properly operate and adjust the metal-plastic construction. It is safe to say that this avoids a lot of problems.
On how to do this correctly, we will tell you later in the article. It is important to remember that all recommendations will help to properly configure the metal-plastic construction and keep the heat in your home.
Why is it necessary to adjust the windows to the summer-winter mode?
Few people know how to configure the window, so some prefer to turn to specialists for help. But there is nothing complicated in setting up windows, and if you carefully study all the recommendations, then you can carry out all the work on regulating the structure yourself.
Initially, the adjustment is made when the windows are only installed. This greatly simplifies operation, but, unfortunately, does not allow you to select the desired mode in the future. For example, if the windows were installed in the summer, then in the winter it is necessary to reconfigure them, and vice versa.
Experts say that it is simply impossible to do without adjustment, since it is a kind of repair, which allows you to determine the preparation of the structure for use in the cold season. Setting the plastic windows for the winter allows to improve their tightness and prevents drafts from entering the room. Thanks to her, the microclimate in the room will always remain at a normal level.
If the adjustment is carried out incorrectly, then the room will always have high humidity, and sometimes even frost on the windows. If the structure is operated for a long time, then the tightness becomes minimal, and there are a lot of reasons for this.
Often, plastic windows are required when a breakdown occurs. To avoid this, they must be constantly adjusted as soon as the seasons change. If you leave the windows in the summer mode, then the cold air masses will be able to freely penetrate into the room, which will naturally affect both the level of heat and the energy consumption for its conservation. By setting the windows for the winter season in the desired mode, you can save heat in the room.
When is winter window adjustment required?
Setting up winter-summer plastic windows may be required in several cases, which you should pay attention to in more detail:
- Adjust windows immediately after the design has been installed.
- Even specialists can sometimes make mistakes during installation, such violations entail deviations, cracks begin to form. In this case, a full repair and adjustment of plastic windows will be required.
- A technical inspection should be carried out every two years. If the frame is operated without such checks, some deviations may be detected.
- The window may fail if it was installed in a new building or in an old house, as the building may sag. It’s easy to notice - after adjusting the windows for the winter period, cold air will still enter this room. In this situation, it is important to take into account the possibility of subsidence of the building, and problems can be avoided.
Naturally, these are far from all the reasons that may require window adjustment for the winter period, but they are the main ones that a consumer may encounter.
Instructions for adjusting the window for the winter
Making plastic windows for the winter with your own hands has always remained the most pressing issue. To attract specialists to work, you need to spend a pretty decent amount of money, and in order to complete all the work yourself, it is enough to carefully follow the recommendations.
The design for the winter must be prepared in advance, otherwise the owner may encounter big problems during operation. The fact is that it will be very difficult to fix anything during lower temperatures.
First of all, you need to pay attention to fittings. Adjusting the fittings of the plastic windows allows you to make the windows begin to fit snugly against the frame. If the windows have not been correctly adjusted before, then it will be possible to notice strong drafts in the room.
Adjusting the window does not take much time. In order to carry out all the work, you will need to use the hex wrench, which is available for almost every owner in the house. At the end of one sash there is an element that serves to lock, otherwise it can also be called a clip. It is located on a rectangular platform, but can be moved up or down. It is very important that this clip is shifted in the direction of the street when a strong cooling is planned, this will provide the owner with good tightness.
To properly tighten the clamp, use the hex wrench. Twist it counterclockwise, applying a small amount of effort. Thanks to this, he will be able to turn into the correct position and he will be fixed. As soon as all the manipulations are completed, it will be possible to say with confidence that the work is done at the proper level, and now it will be warm and comfortable to be in the room even in the most severe colds.
How to set up different types of hardware for the winter?
Each hardware manufacturer fights for quality according to his own understanding, and this affects the adjustment of the plastic window. Some developers use a complex structure, and some use a simplified structure. Consider all types of fittings and how it can be configured:
- Roto has round heads in its designs, which is why the owner may have a problem with the keys, as it will not work to find the right one. Here you have to torment and look for the key with a large cross.
- Maco made sure that the heads were the most comfortable - the manufacturers made them oval, and you can twist them with ordinary pliers.
- TORX hardware is considered the most reliable. To switch to the winter period, you will need to use a hex key.
Some developers of plastic windows use special protection in their system, in which the mechanism can be rotated 360 degrees, but as soon as the owner does this, the mechanism will return to its place. By the way, often doing this is highly discouraged, since the mechanism may simply break down, and then its complete replacement will be required.
It should be noted that adjusting plastic windows without specialists requires special attention and patience. As soon as one head is tightened, it is worth checking how tightly the window closes. As a rule, adjusting one head gives nothing, therefore, gradually twisting the rest, you can check the tightness on all sides and all the flaps of the metal-plastic window.
How to insulate windows in another way
When setting up plastic windows, it is worth paying attention to the condition of the seal. Often the reason for the drafts from the cracks lies precisely in its wear. Such a sealant is made of rubber. If the material is not properly looked after, it will soon be noticed that no adjustment of the windows can save the owner from the penetration of cold into the room.
So that the sealant does not wear out much, you should use a special silicone grease, which motorists love to use. Thanks to it, rubber is coated with a special molecular film, which is valid for six months.
Over time, the seal can be completely changed, and then the window settings will become even easier.
What problems can arise when adjusting windows?
Today, some plastic windows have a complex structure. Naturally, setting up plastic windows with your own hands in this case can cause some difficulties. Such windows often require proper preparation for the winter, so one adjustment in this case is indispensable.
Windows require special attention, and if they do not switch to summer or winter mode on time, then their life will soon disappear. It is important to remember that if they are always in winter mode, then soon they will fail, or rather, the seal will deteriorate. Switching from winter to summer is also beneficial because more fresh air will enter the room.
Some people wonder how to adjust the plastic windows themselves. It should be noted that all the manipulations are very simple, so you do not need to seek help from specialists. Most often, difficulties arise when cylindrical eccentrics are used in fittings. Before starting work, you must first carefully examine all the window blocking elements and try to adjust the screws. Window manufacturers, as a rule, leave their recommendations, so you can use their tips.
Step adjustment
When plastic windows are required, some guidelines should be followed:
- It is necessary to carefully study the end face of the sash. This part of the window is moving, with cylindrical elements that, when moving, enter the window frame and fix the sash in one position. Among the elements you can see two stripes that are divided into two semicircles.
- To switch the window to winter mode, simply turn these stripes towards the street. In this case, the expansion is obtained, and the window sash automatically falls into the bar, while the frame is pressed harder, and air cannot freely enter the room.
- You can return the windows to summer mode in the same way, but for this you need to turn the sash in the opposite direction, more precisely, towards the room.
Innovations in window setting for the winter period
To date, windows with low emission glass are considered innovative . In this case, this term refers to windows with a three-chamber double-glazed window - such glasses allow you to save heat by 70%. Some believe that these windows are absolutely not suitable for the summer period, but it is safe to say that they will reflect the energy of the sun.
You can freely install a climate valve on plastic windows, then setting up plastic windows with your own hands will become even easier. In this case, without any effort, you can make sure that the air from the street does not enter the room, and, conversely, make sure that there is more fresh air in the house, providing good ventilation. Using the mechanism correctly, you can achieve the expected results.
Window Adjustment Tips
If the window cannot be adjusted, it is worth taking care of replacing the seal. After all, when a product is used for a long time, setting up plastic windows may be practically impossible and all that remains is to replace the seal. Over time, it may lose its properties, cracks appear in it, and recommendations for switching to winter mode will not give the expected effect.
Replacing the sealant is not difficult, you should buy a suitable material and carry out the appropriate manipulations. It is advisable to carry out the replacement not when the house becomes cold. The old seal is removed from the upper or lower corner, as soon as this work is done, grooves should be processed, or rather they should be cleaned of dust and dirt, otherwise the new seal will not be able to lie as it should. After that, a new sealant begins to be laid from the upper corner, which is superimposed over the entire width.
It is very important to carefully monitor that he lies tight. Only when all the work has been completed can we begin fixing the new gasket. In no case can the rubber be stretched, since then it will not match the size of the window. Remember that turning the eccentrics to the stop is also not recommended, otherwise the seal will need to be replaced again. Provided that you follow all the recommendations, the adjustment of the window will pass quickly and efficiently.