When it becomes necessary to install new windows, you immediately need to take care of such important structural elements as ebbs. They look like a kind of external window sill and are designed not only to give the window zone a complete and aesthetic appearance, but also provide unhindered flow of water formed on the surface of frames and glasses due to weather conditions. The long-term use of the plastic window as a whole depends on how well these elements are installed.
Features
The purpose of window drainage is to remove moisture from window panes. In addition, they do not allow water to fall on the windowsill and frame, prevent the destruction of building materials, and therefore protect against increased humidity of the wall. In addition to protective functions, the ebbs perform an aesthetic function - they make the window look complete. The window opening looks harmonious and neat.
Window drainages are made of different materials and in different color options, so you can pick them up under the facade and window in any design. So that it fits into the general view of the facade of the house, the tide should not be massive and defiant.
The most popular and durable are window drainages with a polymer coating.
Manufacturers of PVC windows produce products of the required width, length and color for individual orders. Most often, the width of the strip of window drainage is 250 mm.
Installation of products can be done at any time: at the stage of construction of the building, or during its operation. In the first case, installation work is much cheaper and easier. All seams and joints can be sealed with minimal loss of funds and time.
Production material
Window drainage is not made from all materials, since rust and dark smudges on the walls may form on the products.
In order to prevent such troubles and unjustified financial expenses, it is recommended to understand what materials can be used for the manufacture and installation of drainages on windows.
Use:
- galvanized steel;
- polyvinyl chloride;
- tin;
- copper;
- extruded aluminum.
Consider the features of drainage from different materials.
Sheet steel
The most common are window drainage made of galvanized steel. There are also products with a zinc coating, which is much more expensive, but can be painted in different colors with polymer paints. Metal castings are installed on plastic and wooden windows in block, brick and wooden houses.
Galvanized window drainage is most often made in white or brown. White products are installed on white PVC windows, and brown versions are installed on windows having a laminated wood surface: walnut, mahogany, oak, cherry.
From the sides on the ebbs install end plastic linings of the same color as the product.
The service life of such products is measured for decades, since the thickness of the steel window drainage is not less than 0.55 mm. An important advantage of such products is their affordable cost.
Installation of galvanized window drainage does not imply the presence of special skills and special devices, and if desired, they can be made with one's own hand.
Non-galvanized sheet steel is rarely used today, since corrosion quickly develops under the influence of precipitation. The window drainage made of steel is coated with powder paint, which over time can fade or crack. You need to be prepared for this. The thickness of the window drainage coating is measured in microns (microns).
There is another drawback. The disadvantages of window drainages made of steel include the characteristic noise resulting from hail, rain or strong gusty winds.
Aluminum
These are more expensive window drainages compared to steel counterparts. And this is due to the fact that this material has increased strength characteristics and operational life. The width of the products can be up to 35 cm. The strength of the coating of aluminum castings is due to the use of anodizing technology (coating with an oxide layer). The color of such products is only white or brown. If execution in a different tone is necessary, powder coating is performed.
Among the shortcomings can be noted sound effects during hail or rain, as well as high cost.
Plastic Drainage
Polyvinyl chloride is a practical and durable material without any drawbacks. It is moisture resistant, not subject to negative atmospheric influences, it is quite simple to install and does not require any special care. Such ebbs are considered the quietest, since even with a heavy rainfall, the drum roll is not audible outside the window. Separate fittings (plastic side moldings, plugs, etc.) are produced for such products, which significantly improves the appearance of the outer window sill and the window itself.
But the biggest advantage is the price. If there is a fairly respectable look, plastic tides are cheaper than the competitors described above.
Designs are resistant to ultraviolet radiation, but destruction occurs anyway. This material soon enough loses its resistance and plasticity, microcracks appear on it, in which dust begins to accumulate, various biological species settle. That is why window drainage systems made of plastic have not served for more than 30 years.
During installation, it is necessary to observe the slope and produce high-quality sealing of the seams. In addition, it is important to consider the climatic conditions of the region. If predominantly subzero temperatures prevail, then the ebbs of plastic will not last long. Most often, the width of the strip of window drainage is 250 mm.
Epoxy resin
This is a modern heavy-duty material, the basis of which is fiberglass. Corrosion is not afraid of such reflux. The peculiarity of such products is that they can be mounted both as an independent element and as an overlay on an existing tide.
An important advantage of epoxy drainage is the absence of noise during precipitation, since the material absorbs it. Products are available in three colors: white, brown and black.
Price issue
The cost of window tides depends on several factors:
- The manufacturer.
- Manufacturing material.
- Product sizes.
Dimensions
The size of the ebb is different. Products are often sold ready-made, designed for the standard dimensions of the window opening, but often customers select drainage systems for individual sizes.
Before buying, it is important to accurately take the dimensions of the base of the product, not only when buying a finished tide, but also when implementing your own project. But this is not difficult, since the accuracy of the removal can vary within a few millimeters, and it is quite simple to perform such calculations.
First of all, using the angle, it is necessary to calculate the small leg of the first and second angle. The sum of these legs is added to the length of the frame and the ebb of the window - as a result, the total length of the ebb is obtained.
After that, add 1 cm (when inset) and 2 cm (when bending the edges). So in total, the tide length is the distance between the outer sections of the window opening, to which 60-80 mm are added to the tolerances at the edges.
Window drainage width
It directly depends on the size of the ledge, i.e., the distance between the window frame and the edge of the wall. To this figure you need to additionally arrive 30-40 mm on the visor, take into account the angle of inclination of the product relative to the horizon.
The width of the window metal drainage strip is from 9 to 40 cm. The length is up to 3 meters. The thickness of the steel window drainage is 0.5-1 mm. As already mentioned, you can make the tide of any size to order of the customer.
Design
Since the ebbs not only protect window structures well, but also relate to decorative elements, the color design must be taken into account when choosing them. In this case, the coloring and design of the window itself, as well as the appearance of the tide and the design of the facade, are taken into account. This product should look neat and be done in soothing colors.
Today, manufacturers offer customers a fairly impressive range of colors, but the most popular and sought-after is still white, especially in combination with plastic windows. If necessary, drainage can be painted using a special technology in a different color according to the RAL catalog. Most often, the product is chosen to match the tone of the window frame. But with a creative solution, you can experiment with designs of contrasting colors - in this design, the building will look very interesting and unusual. You can use perforation and embossing, so you can create unique models that will attract close attention to such a house.
Also, low tides can differ in textures and configurations. Many of these elements are produced in a standard window shape, and for unusual design decisions you can always make an individual tide to order.
The design of metal drainage can be performed not only in the form of curved standard rectangles. Sometimes they are given the form of steps and tiers, a round or semicircular, convex or concave configuration. Possible solutions are limited only by the imagination of the manufacturer.
The configuration is most often selected depending on what material the house is built from. For example, in a frame house or in a building with a ventilated facade, window shimmers will radically differ from products in a classic panel or brick structure. But at the same time, no matter what form is chosen, products always consist of 3 parts:
- shelves attached to the frame;
- drip;
- drainage itself.
It is extremely important to install the ebbs correctly, since later negative consequences may occur, and a lot of effort and time will be required to complete the repair. There are times when it is necessary to repair even the coating of facades. For this reason, you should always adhere to the installation instructions.
Mounting tools
To carry out your own installation you will need:
- scissors for metal;
- sealant;
- insulation;
- mounting foam;
- fittings.
A felt-tip pen and level are also useful for determining the horizontal position of the mounted structure.
Mounting
When installing the ebb with your own hands, first of all, it is worth deciding whether it will be made independently or whether it will be a customized item. Then you need to take the dimensions.
Both options are possible. For example, the choice is limited to a purchased metal tide. Its installation is as follows:
- First check the condition of the lower slope. If it does not quite meet the requirements, plastering is carried out.
- Before that, they remove the excess foam with a knife, clean the surface of dust and debris.
- Align small gaps with ceramic glue. If the slope is not prepared at all, use a cement-sand mortar.
- When working, observe the bias. It should not exceed 10 degrees. Low tides are placed on the windows perpendicular to each other. If you follow this not difficult recommendation, you can get an effective drain of water and condensate.
- Before plastering it is very important not to forget to wet the surface of the facade. After leveling and hardening of the solution, you can proceed directly to the installation of the ebb tide.
- When ordering a structure, it must be remembered that it must exceed the slope parameters by several centimeters. After that, the size of the slope is transferred to the ebb, then the metal surface is bent according to the marks, and the places of bends are cut with scissors for metal or grinder. The height of the side bends should be approximately a centimeter, and the edges to the side slopes should fit snugly enough. Next, the finished cast is placed in the mortar mass.
In the second version, centimeter grooves are cut in the plaster with a grinder at the level where the ebb will be placed. The groove in the corner where the disc grinder does not reach, you will need to cut through manually. The fastening is carried out as follows: the drainage is tightly inserted into one groove, bent and the second end falls into the second groove. The structure is leveled, and the recesses are poured with a solution. You need to remember about the waterproofing tape located under the ebb.
It should be noted that the second option is not suitable for plastic tides, which should be butt-fastened and then sealed. In this case, special inserts are used to end caps.
- At the next stage, for metal ebbs, the bend is mounted on self-tapping screws, and attached to the window frame.
- Ideally, if the bends are in the groove. Instead of screws, you can use liquid nails. In certain situations, all joints and points of contact of the product with the wall are covered with mastic. It strengthens the connection and improves waterproofing. But more often than not, everything ends with a simple sealing of all adjoining areas. If the manufacture of castings is carried out independently, they buy a sheet of galvanized steel of the right size, measure out all the parameters, taking into account the bends, and cut out the final structure along the marking lines.
- When installing a metal tide on a wooden room, instead of a cement mixture, a frame of wooden bars is used. As a rule, just a few boards that differ in thickness are sufficient. They are laid along the opening and secured with nails. In order to strengthen the fastening and protect the drainage from snow, add foam.