How to insulate plastic frames. Insulation of plastic windows. Video: insulating wooden windows using simple means

As winter approaches and the weather gets colder, you notice a draft moving through your apartment. Placing your hand near the window on a windy night, you find a source of painful coolness. Stop putting up with this and sleep under three blankets! There are many ways to insulate windows. They range from simple to complex, from practically free to quite expensive, from "old-fashioned" methods to modern technologies. In this longread we tried to collect the most effective methods.

Before taking drastic action, let's consider possible reasons draft coming from the windows. It would seem that wooden windows, due to their material, preserve more heat, and plastic ones - a relatively new achievement of science and technology - are simply designed for heat and sound insulation. Then why can they allow a draft into our house?

1. Unfortunately, poor-quality window installation is quite common. Sometimes installation company workers who call themselves professionals have a very superficial understanding of the installation of window units.
2. The second reason may be partly related to the first - an attempt to save on installation 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.
3. Even if cold air doesn't leak through the gaps, the windows themselves may be to blame, like the old "single-pane" windows that provide only a thin glass barrier between the house and the outdoors, but not cozy warmth.
4. The skew of the window and the loose fit of the window frame to the wall also threaten heat loss. Sometimes this happens due to deformation of the building, which especially often happens in old wooden houses.

It's 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 window sill or window sashes? Maybe the problem is a worn-out seal or poor-quality slopes?

To determine the exact location from which cold air is blowing, you can simply run your hand over the surface of the window unit. If the problem cannot be identified in this way, light a candle or lighter and move it around the frame - the fire is more sensitive to drafts.

Look at the windows when it's raining. Moisture accumulated in certain place, will indicate gaps and cracks. When moisture accumulates in the corner of a window or along one of its edges, the problem is likely in the joints. Moisture that accumulates in the middle of the window panel may indicate some type of crack in the glass.

Perhaps the wind is blowing due to a poor-quality seal. Try placing a piece of paper in an open window and closing the window completely. If the paper pulls out easily as soon as you pull the corner of the sheet, it means that the seal is not pressed well against the frame.

Before you choose a method of insulation from those available, it is worth thinking about the goals of the insulation. It's clear that temperature control is a major concern, but what compromises are you willing to make? Will you be able to refuse in favor of cheapness? beautiful view, limit the flow of light or block access to a 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 specialist help, but in the long term they may be a worthy investment.

Should I ask for help or insulate the windows myself?

To insulate your windows, you basically have only two options: do all the work yourself or turn to a professional. With your own hands, you can simply insulate a window sill, frame contour, window opening indoors, or replace the seal. If any defect appears during the warranty period, the installer company will have to eliminate all 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 significant height - replacing it or renovation work may be related to increased risk, and experts know exactly how to properly insulate plastic windows from the outside.

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 building 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 polyurethane foam will do. As it expands, it fills the voids in the opening and prevents air movement. However, foam is a short-lived material that is susceptible to low temperatures and is suitable for small gaps. Also a popular insulation material is mineral wool, with heat and sound insulation. It is resistant to high temperatures and easy to install.

Carry out insulation window frames Silicone sealant will also help. When working with it, it is best to use an inexpensive tool - a lever syringe. The sealant also blocks moisture, making the windows resistant to mold and mildew. It is also worth choosing a transparent sealant - this way it will not be noticeable if it accidentally gets on the glass.

Before you apply caulk or expansion foam, it's worth checking exactly how much it expands - to determine this, apply a small drop to the corner of the window.

Another “cheap and cheerful” method is to plug the cracks in the windows with industrial wool and then seal them with masking tape. Previously, instead of tape, they used fabric or paper strips with a paste made of laundry soap. But when using this option, its fragility is obvious, and it will not completely get rid of blowing.

Good and inexpensive insulation for plastic windows - foam rubber: monetary costs will be minimal. Remove the film from the adhesive surface of the insulation and press the foam rubber insulation for windows into the required places. With the onset of warming it is very easy to remove. However, if moisture gets in, the insulation may lose its seal.

How to insulate the slopes of plastic windows

To insulate the slopes of plastic windows, you can use a variety of materials - sandwich panels, plasterboard, polystyrene foam or expanded polystyrene. However, polystyrene foam is the most fragile of the listed materials and tends to accumulate moisture. If it is necessary to insulate a window from the outside, dry mixtures for finishing slopes will help.

First you need to carefully treat the cracks - eliminate possible contamination and remove old polyurethane foam. If you have chosen drywall to insulate the slopes, then the sequence of actions is as follows:

• We cut out blanks of the required sizes from plasterboard and treat them with a moisture-resistant primer, wait until the blanks dry;
• insert plasterboard sheets in the slot;
• fill the small gaps remaining between the drywall and the wall with polyurethane foam;
• after the foam has hardened, we finish cosmetic repairs primer and paint.

External insulation work is 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 to insulate windows. It lets light into the room and at the same time does not “let it out” infrared radiation. Such a film not only protects the warmth of our home, but also helps to get rid of the effect of “crying windows”, that is, from. Also, windows on which heat-saving film is glued 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 faces the street. The film is glued not only to the glass itself, but also with an overlap to 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 cope with drafts is to attach bubble film to the window. Choose film with large bubbles as it tends to handle cold air better. Trim the bubble wrap so that it extends slightly over the window frame. Spray the window with water from a spray bottle, then “glue” a sheet of cut wrapping film onto the wet glass. You can reinforce it with double-sided tape. The “bumpy” side should face the glass. The film should adhere easily 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 light will nevertheless enter the room.

Sew a plain fabric to fit the width of the window. Fill it with some loose, dense substance such as sand, rice or polyester, then place it along the bottom of the window. In this case, heavy materials (denim, corduroy) will retain cold air more effectively than light materials (cotton, knitwear, etc.).

Replace the seal

If the problem is a worn seal, you can replace it yourself by selecting a suitable one hardware store. It is also better to choose a black sealant: 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, you need to clean the grooves from dust and dirt, treat the corners of the frame with glue and trim 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 which our grandparents used - sealing wooden windows newspapers. They were soaked in water and plugged into cracks. The space between the glass and the frame was sealed paper strips. Of course, “paper will endure anything,” and you can survive the winter with it, but removing newspaper particles in the spring will be very problematic. 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, ordinary paper is also suitable. To make paper putty, you can shred old newspapers, soak them in water, add clay or crushed chalk and seal the cracks with the resulting composition. To secure the window putty, simply use tape. However, this method is short-lived and will most likely last only one season.
• Foam rubber - regular or tubular - can be used as insulation for wooden windows. It will be effective if the wooden doors have already dried out and do not fit tightly to the frame. Previously, foam rubber was nailed down with small nails, but now you can use regular 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 sealant. It is necessary to remove the wooden beads holding the glass using a screwdriver, apply sealant and install the beads back - preferably new ones, since old ones often break during dismantling.
• Wood tends to crack. Therefore, the frame is often covered with a network of small cracks through which heat can escape. To seal them, you will need to clean the double-glazed windows from decorative covering, fill the cracks with melted paraffin, homemade putty, sealant or special putty, and then cover the frame again with paint or varnish.

High-quality plastic windows are beautiful, easy to use and allow you to avoid large heat losses in cold weather. Usually it is recommended to start insulating a house or apartment by replacing old wooden windows with new plastic ones. And all because through low-quality double-glazed windows the room can lose a significant part of the heat.

Try to switch your plastic windows to “winter mode” before the heating season begins.

New plastic windows also do not always provide energy savings. The reasons may be different: violation of installation technology, wear and tear of materials, improper operation or simply poor quality of the glass unit. Therefore, even before the onset of the heating season, you need to check whether reliable thermal insulation is provided, and, if necessary, insulate the plastic windows.

Preparatory work

First of all, it is necessary to find out whether the windows allow heat to pass through and in what place.

The following signs may indicate that the seal is broken:

• drafts;
• clearly audible noise from the street;
• the appearance of condensation on inside windows.

To find the problem area, you can use an ordinary match. The flame will flicker in the place where air from the street passes into the room.

Before you start insulating plastic windows with your own hands, you need to determine when the warranty period their operation. Information about this can be found in the contract for the purchase and installation of window equipment. If it was installed very recently and the warranty period has not expired, then all defects, including those associated with a violation of the window seal, must be eliminated by the manufacturer at its own expense. But after self-repair The warranty automatically expires and in the future you will have to fix all problems yourself.

If the windows were installed quite recently and the warranty period for them has not expired, then defects associated with the violation of the tightness of the windows should most likely be corrected by the manufacturer (specify this in your contract)

If the windows are no longer new, and the warranty period has long expired, you can safely begin to improve them. Doing the work yourself will help you save not only on paying for the services of a master, but also on utility bills.

It is best to insulate plastic windows before the onset of cold weather. By preparing your home for winter in advance, you will save more heat. Many jobs will be much easier to complete, since some types building materials cannot be used when low temperatures.

Before proceeding directly with insulation, you should wash the windows, frames, window sills and slopes from the inside and outside. This is necessary for quality repairs: will not adhere well to dirty surfaces various materials. In addition, washing itself increases the thermal insulation of windows. A clean window allows light to pass through, but has poor permeability to infrared rays, which transmit heat. When dirty, on the contrary, the glass begins to give off heat more strongly.

Tips for insulating plastic windows with your own hands and step-by-step instructions are presented below.

Step 1: Adjusting the Lock

Very often, if the window seal is poor, the problem lies in the adjustment. When installing equipment in the summer, craftsmen usually install the mechanism in such a way as not to pinch the seal. In winter, the lock needs to be adjusted to ensure tighter contact between the window and frame. You can do this yourself.

Depending on the design of the window, the lock can be adjusted using:

• a screw securing the locking wedge to the frame;
• a locking tongue located in the lock on the window sash;
• screws located in the area of ​​the hinges and folding mechanism.

In order to insulate plastic windows, you need to use a hex wrench and tighten the indicated screws more tightly. A suitable “hexagon” can come with the windows or can easily be found on the counter of a hardware store. Its modification will depend on the design of the window.

It is better to check the tightness of the frame to the window sash every year when preparing windows for cold weather, because over time the tension of the fittings weakens.

The following video talks about this in more detail.

Step 2: replacing the seal

Both on the window sash and on its frame, a rubber strip is attached along the entire length - a seal. It helps to close the window as tightly as possible without leaving any gaps. Over time, the rubber wears out: in summer it often heats up and dries out, and in winter the strips can freeze to each other and become deformed when the sash is opened. In preparation for heating season You can replace the seal, but this is usually done once every 5-8 years.

In order not to make a mistake when choosing a new material, it is better to cut a small piece of rubber from the window and take it with you to the store. The new seal must be the same in thickness and configuration as the one that has become unusable, which will avoid problems when replacing it.

The easiest way to replace it is to remove the window sash from the frame. Window installers carry out this manipulation in less than 1 minute; for a non-professional, the process will take a maximum of 5 minutes.

The sequence of actions is as follows:

• the window is locked as tightly as possible;
• remove the top hinge cover and the lock washer;
• remove the pin;
• open the window lock by turning the handle;
• remove the sash from the top hinge by pulling it towards you;
• I remove the flap from the bottom hinge by pulling it up.

(In the video below you can see the entire sequence of actions.)

Having laid the sash with the handle down on a flat surface, you can proceed directly to insulating the plastic windows. First of all, old sealing materials are removed. Usually it is enough to separate a small piece of rubber from the plastic and pull it until the entire strip is separated from the surface.

Place where it will be installed new material, you need to thoroughly clean it of dirt and degrease, otherwise the rubber will not last long.

The new seal is placed in place of the old one, pushing it into the groove with your fingers. It is not worth cutting off the material from the common skein in advance; it is better to do this when the entire perimeter has been passed, leaving a margin of 0.5 cm. The remaining tip is forcefully pushed into the groove. Ideally, there should be no gap between the beginning and end of the rubber band. If the end of the seal is too long and pops out of the groove, it needs to be trimmed.

On the frame, replacement is carried out using the same technology, and then the sash is returned to its place, observing the reverse sequence of actions. First of all, insert the sash into the lower hinge, then into the upper one, install the pin, lock washer and upper hinge cover in place.

We offer a video for clarity.

In order for the rubber gasket in the sash and on the frame to last a long time, it needs care. Every time you wash the windows, the seal is cleaned, degreased and lubricated with silicone grease. This coating will prevent deformation and increase the service life of the material.

Both on the window sash and on its frame, a rubber strip is attached along the entire length - a seal. In preparation for the heating season, you can replace it, but this is usually done once every 5-8 years

If, after adjusting the lock and updating the gasket, the windows continue to release heat, it is necessary to insulate with additional materials.

Step 3: insulation with additional materials

Window insulation methods

Additional insulation of plastic windows is carried out using different materials, which you can either purchase in a store or make yourself.

If the sash does not fit tightly to the frame, you can additionally stick self-adhesive rubber or foam tape(a roll of such tape is visible in the photo)

If, after replacing the “original” seals, the sash still does not fit tightly to the frame, you can additionally stick around the perimeter of the window self-adhesive rubber or foam tape. The service life of such a seal is short - most likely, it will last until the windows are washed for the first time. Its advantages are that by additionally insulating the window, it is invisible and does not spoil its aesthetic appearance.

If appearance windows are secondary in the fight for heat in the house, you can use the old “old-fashioned” methods. The gaps between the window sash and the frame, as well as in the place where the frame is attached, are clogged cotton wool or foam rubber. Newspapers or other coloring materials It is better not to use them, they may stain the plastic. But you can make insulating material yourself by simply wetting it with water. white toilet paper.

The insulation materials are sealed on top with a special sticky paper for insulating windows (“Tape for sealing windows”) or regular masking tape. This design will not last long, since the tape does not stick to the plastic very well. It is possible that during the cold season some areas of the window will have to be re-glued. But with the arrival of spring, the insulation will be easy to remove without damaging the windows.

Insulation of slopes and window sills

A lot of heat is lost in a room not only through sashes or frames, but also through slopes and window sills. When insulating plastic windows, you cannot ignore these elements of the window structure.

Most often, cold air enters the room from the joints of slopes and walls or from under the window sill. After problem areas installed, the cracks need to be filled with cotton wool or foam rubber, and then filled with polyurethane foam. After hardening, the foam is trimmed and additionally covered with sealant.

Insulation of slopes of plastic windows is carried out not only indoors, but also outside, while observing safety measures. Since polyurethane foam cannot be used at low temperatures, it is better to perform the procedure before the onset of cold weather.

If there are no visible cracks under the cladding layer, there may be voids in the slopes that allow cold from the street to pass through. You can detect them by tapping the surfaces. To eliminate the cavity, you need to remove the cladding and perform insulation using foam rubber and polyurethane foam.

Often cold air enters the room from the joints of slopes and walls or from under the windowsill. When insulating windows, you cannot ignore these elements of the window structure

Insulation of double-glazed windows

Often the cause of heat loss is poor quality glass. In this case, the glass itself needs to be insulated.

Film for insulating plastic windows is an inexpensive and effective means of increasing the thermal insulation of a double-glazed window. It is easy to insulate plastic windows with this material, even without special skills.

The film prevents heat loss by creating an additional air layer between itself and the surface of the glass. The disadvantage of this method is that the appearance of the windows does not change for the better.

To install the film, first of all you need to clean the frame and wipe it with a degreasing compound. Then glue is applied along the perimeter of the frame around the glass. double sided tape. The film is attached to tape, making sure that there are no gaps left, and then treated with a stream of hot air (hairdryer). As a result, the film is stretched and smoothed.

Insulating plastic windows before the start of the cold season is a task that anyone can cope with

Use the suggested step by step instructions, and your home will become warmer and more comfortable without extra costs.

There are special traps to combat moths. IN sticky layer, with which they are covered, female pheromones are added, which attract males. By sticking to the trap, they are eliminated from the reproduction process, which leads to a decrease in the moth population.

The easiest way to remove scale and carbon deposits from the soleplate of the iron is table salt. Pour a thick layer of salt onto the paper, heat the iron to maximum and run the iron over the salt bed several times, applying light pressure.

If your favorite things show the first signs of gestation in the form of untidy pellets, you can get rid of them using a special machine - a shaver. It quickly and effectively shaves off clumps of fabric fibers and returns things to their proper appearance.

Fresh Lemon Isn't Just for Tea: Clean Up Surface Contaminants acrylic bathtub, rubbing with half a cut citrus, or quickly wash the microwave by placing a container with water and lemon slices in it for 8-10 minutes at maximum power. The softened dirt can simply be wiped off with a sponge.

Before removing various stains from clothing, you need to find out how safe the chosen solvent is for the fabric itself. It is applied in a small amount to an inconspicuous area of ​​the item from the inside out for 5-10 minutes. If the material retains its structure and color, you can move on to stains.

Stretch ceilings made of PVC film can withstand from 70 to 120 liters of water per 1 m2 of their area (depending on the size of the ceiling, the degree of its tension and the quality of the film). So you don’t have to worry about leaks from neighbors above.

Threads made of gold and silver, which were used to embroider clothes in the old days, are called gimp. To receive them metal wire pulled with pincers for a long time to the point required subtlety. This is where the expression “to drag out the rigmarole” came from - “to do long, monotonous work” or “to delay the completion of a task.”

The habit of using sparingly automatic washing machine may lead to the appearance of unpleasant odor. Washing at temperatures below 60℃ and short rinses allow fungi and bacteria from dirty clothes to remain on internal surfaces and actively multiply.

The correct decision regarding the insulation of plastic windows would be to carry out this process at the stage of installing the frame. Although this will raise the total cost of work by 20-30%, it will ultimately have a positive impact on indoor comfort. If for some reason it was not possible to combine repairs and insulation of plastic windows in the room, then you will have to spend time doing the work yourself. It's not difficult, but it requires following certain rules.

Choose the right time

The preferred time for insulation is the summer and spring seasons. To do this, choose dry and windless weather. You should not delay insulating plastic windows for the winter with your own hands if the following signs appear:

• noticeable heat loss;
• small drafts;
• drops of condensation in the window area.

Effective insulation of plastic windows outside and inside is easier to carry out in the warm season, since some materials lose their plasticity when they cool significantly. Sealants also require a certain temperature range at which they will take on the desired consistency.

According to warranty technical specifications, sealants are applied at temperatures above +5°C

It should be taken into account that during frosty and windy weather it is easier to identify problem areas and mark them, and later it is worth addressing them.

In windy weather, the quality of installation of plastic windows is also checked. With the doors completely closed, the candle flame should be motionless when it is drawn around the perimeter of the window.

Identification of cold bridges

The main problems with double-glazed windows are improper installation, worn seals and unbalanced locks.

Before insulating plastic windows for the winter, it is worth identifying areas where heat leaks occur. Such areas may include slopes, window sills, double-glazed windows, and fittings. Detection is carried out using tactile methods and using a lighter (matches). Running your palm around the perimeter of the window or passing a flame can help identify leaks. Visual diagnostics are carried out. Common reasons include the following:

• worn seal;
• glazing bead coming out of its seat;
• misaligned clamping mechanisms (locks);
• construction foam has lost its performance characteristics;
• poorly installed window sills.

It is necessary to pay attention, among other things, to slopes, since they can also become a conductor of cold into the room.

In order for the seal long time remained intact, once every year and a half it is lubricated with special compounds. It can be universal silicone lubricants or professional kits for comprehensive care of PVC windows, but here is not only a product for caring for rubber bands, but also for other elements.

Ensuring tightness

The main task that is solved when insulating plastic windows with your own hands is to increase the isolation of the room from the external environment. To implement this strategy, in most cases you will have to use technical features designs. The actions will be feasible even for specialists who do not have much experience in repair work.

1. Often the glazing bead protrudes from its seat. This may occur due to its deformation. Replacement is carried out using a thin spatula, with which we pry up the element for removal. In the vacated space we install a new part, which can be ordered from a manufacturer of a similar profile.
2. Built-in sealing tape for insulating plastic windows requires more time. Having determined that the part has lost the plasticity necessary for effective use, we replace it. We remove the bead from its side and, having pulled out the linings, remove the double-glazed window. We dismantle the worn strip. We measure the length and cut a new ribbon 2-4 cm longer. We lay it in the technological groove using an auxiliary roller. We cut off the excess tape and return the dismantled parts of the window in the reverse order of disassembly.
3. High-quality insulation of plastic windows with your own hands, as in the video, is impossible without reliable operation of the clamping mechanisms. If they provide insufficient pressure between the frame elements, then gaps with drafts will form. There are a pair of adjusting screws in the plumb bob mounting area. The first is responsible for the position of the valves, and the second provides the pressing force. For self-adjustment the clamp is completely loosened, and the adjuster should be tightened clockwise. It will be possible to determine the quality of such work using the flame of a lighter, which should not fluctuate when brought to the joint.
4. A few years after installing a modern profile, in some cases it is necessary to insulate the slopes of plastic windows. Cracks may appear in them, which are a source of cold. They are usually caulked with foam rubber or pieces of rags. If visually it was not possible to detect gaps, then it is necessary to lightly tap the surface of the plaster to identify voids. Next, we open up this area and also caulk it with available materials. We apply a layer of plaster on top of the insulation. If necessary, cover the surface with decor.
5. It is necessary to insulate the window sill of plastic windows. In this situation, work is carried out with the joining seams, and not with the slab itself. It is necessary to fill them construction foam, and then spend finishing. Since a radiator is traditionally located under the window, the surface behind it up to the window sill is sealed with heat-insulating material.

1. External work can be carried out without outside help only for the first or second floors. Otherwise, it is necessary to call the appropriate specialists. They will seal the seams concrete mortar or plaster.

VIDEO: Plastic windows. Quick sealing of joints and seams

Insulation film

Conducting thorough construction work in demand after a long period of use. Then it would be appropriate to use such advice. However, often you want to improve the current situation without applying any construction technologies. To do this, manufacturers recommend using effective improvements. One of them is film for insulating plastic windows. The high-tech device is designed to reduce heat loss.

From the outside it seems like a normal polyethylene film, and far from being the densest. In fact, it is polyester, which is used in the creation of heat-saving and sun-protective structures.

How film works on windows

Taking into account the special manufacturing technology, the canvas has a special structure, due to which light easily enters the room, and the heat emanating from the inside is reflected and returned back. In fact, such a film allows you to create a thermos effect in a house or apartment, in which heat loss will be reduced by 25%. It is not removed in the summer, since it also reflects heat, but now coming from outside. The indoor temperature remains stable. The film is designed for 3-5 years of operation.

The usage procedure consists of the following points:

1. The glass and frame are thoroughly washed with soapy water and left until completely dry(do not wipe with towels, as lint may remain).
2. The frame, and it is on it that the film will be glued, is degreased with any alcohol composition.
3. Along the edge adjacent to the glass, double-sided tape is applied around the entire perimeter.
4. Lay out the film, level it and cut it with a construction knife to the required size along the glass unit with an allowance of 20 mm on all sides using tape.
5. Gluing the film to the tape, for which it is first glued along top bar, then, pulling. Fix it on the sides and at the very end, carefully stretching it, glue it to the bottom.

• Fingerprints may remain on the canvas, so it is advisable to carry out work with gloves;
• If folds remain during gluing, they can be removed using a hot stream from a hairdryer. When exposed to heat, the film shrinks and the folds disappear;
• You cannot stretch the film too much - it may burst;
• the film should not touch the glass - it is glued directly to the frame of the double-glazed window.

VIDEO: Nuances of insulating windows with film. Detailed instructions

Many people have a question about how to insulate plastic windows for the winter. This problem must be approached with all seriousness. Plastic windows without high-quality insulation are a source of heat loss from the premises. The entire range of work on their insulation can be done independently or hired specialists.

Insulating plastic windows both in an apartment and in a private house allows you to reduce the heat loss of the building several times. Many problems arise at the installation stage due to errors by craftsmen or incorrectly selected materials. Therefore, the installation of a plastic window should be trusted only to professionals who provide a guarantee for their work. But if, after installation, any defects were noticed during operation, they should be identified and corrected.

With high-quality insulation of plastic windows for the winter, it is possible to prevent drafts in the room. Also, in this way it is easy to increase the temperature in the house by several degrees without additional heating costs.

PVC or Euro windows can be insulated all year round, but it is best to do this in summer, late spring or early autumn. The optimal weather for carrying out the entire complex of work is dry and windless. This will allow you to achieve the highest quality of thermal insulation and extend the service life of the installed materials.

You also need to understand that only minor defects can be corrected on your own, while serious problems are best left to a professional. For example, work on insulating slopes or ebbs, if the apartment is located above the 2nd floor, should be carried out by specialists. Doing this on your own is life-threatening. Also, if any defects are eliminated, a person automatically loses the warranty from the manufacturer of the plastic window and its installer. Therefore, before any work, it is better to find out whether they can be repaired for free, without involving third-party companies.

How to identify problem areas?

It is very easy to detect heat leaks. You can use a regular lighter. If there is a draft, the flame will change or simply go out. Also, heat leaks can be easily identified without additional accessories. It is enough to run your hand along the contour of the plastic window and in the area of ​​the window sill to feel the movement of cold air. The most common problem areas are the following:

• seal placed along the contour of the sash;
• the area of ​​the window block where the glazing bead is located;
• area where window unit adjacent to walls, window sills, sills and other structures;
• areas where any headset is installed;
• a section of wall under a window sill, ebb or slope.

How to eliminate a leak in the seal of plastic windows?

How to insulate windows without the help of professionals? Sometimes it is enough to eliminate all heat leaks by creating a completely sealed structure. This can be done in the following ways:

• you need to check the glazing bead. If it is the source of the problem, it is necessary to dismantle the unusable part and put a new one in its place. This is very easy to do with a spatula. The glazing bead can be ordered from a window manufacturing company or purchased at any store that sells profiles;
• If a defect is detected, it is necessary to replace the entire seal along the contour of the sash. To do this, you need to carefully remove the glazing bead, remove the linings and remove the glass unit. Only then will it be possible to remove the unsuitable seal. New tape should be cut according old part, adding 3-5 cm as margin. The seal is placed in its original place, but during the installation process there is no need to pull it too tightly or press it. All excess should be removed and all structural parts should be installed in the reverse order;

• If there is a problem with the adjustment screws near the plumb line, a screwdriver should be used. One of them is necessary to fix the position of the sash, and the other is necessary to determine the degree of pressure. To get rid of heat leakage, the first screw must be loosened as much as possible. The other clamp must be tightened clockwise until it stops. The correct adjustment of the screws should be checked with the same lighter;
• if the problem is in the slopes, first they should be carefully inspected. If large cracks are identified, it is recommended to use tow or any other insulating material. They are placed in the gap, secured with alabaster. It is also recommended to knock on the surface of the slopes to identify possible voids that must be eliminated in the same way;
• if the cold oozes from the window sill, you should carefully insulate the gap that forms near the wall. It can be covered up cement mortar or cover it with wallpaper.

What materials can be used to quickly insulate windows?

How can you insulate plastic windows without the help of specialists? It’s not that difficult to do, the main thing is to choose quality materials and carefully study the technology for performing the work. It is also recommended to watch several training videos, especially if you do not have relevant experience.

You can insulate plastic windows for the winter with your own hands using the following materials:

• polyurethane foam. Helps eliminate gaps between the glass unit and the window opening. It only works effectively if it is protected from external influence using other insulating materials. Polyurethane foam quickly collapses when exposed to direct sun rays or wind;
• mineral wool. Counts modern material, which has high thermal insulation properties. With its help you can insulate the window sill;
• silicone sealant. Necessary to eliminate the most small cracks, which can be sources of cold air entering the room;

• polystyrene foam Effective insulation for plastic windows, with which you can eliminate large gaps or prevent cold penetration through slopes;
• heat-saving film. If the question arises, how to insulate double-glazed windows, with minimal investment, you need to use this particular material. This film is glued directly to the glass and helps retain up to 80% of the heat that is lost through window openings;
• construction tape. Allows you to achieve better sealing after applying the sealant;
• heat-insulating plasters or paints. They are applied to the surface of slopes as an insulating material.

Technology for performing window insulation work

When insulating plastic windows with your own hands, you must follow the following technology:

1. It is necessary to remove the old mounting foam, which is recommended to be done around the entire perimeter of the window. To complete the work, it is recommended to use a stiff brush, spatula, or brush. Remaining foam can be removed with a vacuum cleaner.
2. It is necessary to degrease the surface of the window sill and slopes with a special cleaner.
3. All cracks must be filled with foam. After hardening, it is recommended to cover it with plaster or putty with additional application of protective paint.
4. If cracks are eliminated using sealant, you should use a special mounting gun. Only after it has dried (after 5-7 minutes) should the treated areas be additionally insulated with construction tape.
5. At the final stage, you should begin installing the thermal insulation film. Before performing all work, you need to thoroughly clean the window and stick double-sided tape around the perimeter. To separate the film, use a utility knife. Before gluing it, you need to determine the size of the window, taking into account the tape, and cut the required piece accordingly. To better fix the film to the surface, it is recommended to use a hairdryer.

How to insulate slopes?

How to insulate plastic windows so that they do not let in the cold from the street? When performing thermal insulation work, many people forget about slopes and window sills. Often they are the main source of heat loss.

To insulate them you need to follow the following technology:

1. The surface of the slopes should be cleared of old plaster to get to the base - brick or concrete. If the coating is in good condition, this may not be necessary.
2. A plaster solution is applied to the surface of the wall, in which it is advisable to embed the reinforcing mesh. This will increase the strength characteristics of the resulting coating.
3. After the plaster has dried, you can begin installing the foam. An adhesive composition should be applied to the heat-insulating sheet, and then pressed against the surface of the slope. The seams between the foam plastic must be covered with the same solution. The insulation is installed similarly on the horizontal part of the slope.
4. You can cover the foam with putty, drywall or decorative plastic panels.

With these simple methods you can protect your home from heat loss.

Most likely the installation metal-plastic windows was part of your plan for insulating your house or apartment. And now this element itself needs insulation, but it shouldn’t be blowing from anywhere... Why is it blowing? Properly installed metal-plastic windows do not need insulation. But, if errors were made during installation or a long period passed during which the double-glazed window was not maintained, 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 we need to figure out which parts are most likely to cause difficulties.

These could be:

• Joint (seam) between the frame and the wall (window sill, slopes);
• Double-glazed window fittings;
• Bead (The element that holds the glass in place - if it blows from under the glass).
• Seal.

Here we have arranged the reasons not according to any principle, but only in a chaotic order. But a little further we will understand the reasons sequentially - starting from the simple solution, to the most difficult (labor-intensive, labor-intensive). We will see that insulating windows with your own hands is not as difficult as it might seem at first.

Problems with windows

In the previous subtitle, we dealt with structural elements that can cause problems and may require insulation of double-glazed windows. Employees of one Kyiv company identify the three most common:

• The rubber seal has not been maintained for a long time and is in 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 hinges;
• The seam between the frame and the window opening was poorly made initially and destroyed as a result of erosion.

How to find out what the problem is in a particular case?

This stage of insulating PVC windows usually does not raise any questions. A person may not know what the element is called, but where it most often blows from is not difficult to determine. Most people use one of three proven methods.

• Check with a candle or lighter. Light a candle and hold 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 through. This is where examinations need to be carried out;
• The sash pressure should be very tight. There should be no pulling from under it. To check the “strength” of the clamp, insert a sheet of paper into the sash and slam it shut by turning the handle. If a sheet falls out, the hardware may need adjustment. Or the window may be in “summer mode”;
• Although the third method is more expensive, it can help identify problems not only with windows - thermal imaging research. By using special equipment heat leakage zones can be identified. An example photo 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 responsible for adjusting the clamping density, in fact, summer and winter modes. Using a special key, adjust the degree of pressure and seal of the sash to the frame. In some profiles you can do without a key by turning such rollers manually.

You can see a notch on the pressure roller itself. If it is turned closer to sealing rubber- it means winter mode, and if outside, it means summer mode.

For more information on how to change the window mode, watch the video.

So, at this stage, we have already figured out the structure of the window itself, found out which elements can cause difficulties, and found out what problems residents most often encounter. Now let's look at the most common problems and find out how to solve them.

Handles, hinges...

When insulating windows with your own hands, you need to start with the fittings. As employees of the same Kyiv company for 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, after all, the thermal insulation of windows, it is only worth saying here that the average cost of ordering an adjustment from a company in Kyiv costs approximately 100-150 UAH. ($4), and in Moscow 400-700 rubles. You can fix this yourself by watching the video:

Sealing rubber bands

In CIS countries various reasons it's unpleasant to carry out regularly service. 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.

The seals are located on the frame and also on the sash. In most cases, removable parts are installed that can be easily replaced. How do you know if the seal needs replacing? 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 an easier way. Test without getting up from your chair.

The seal requires lubrication at intervals of approximately 6 months. If such a procedure has not been carried out for at least 3 years, there is a 90% chance that the rubber band needs to be replaced.

What is the best way to insulate windows? There is no definite answer, but the seal definitely needs to be changed.

In a separate article, we have already described in detail how the procedure is carried out and showed a video.

A short summary of this section. Two small, but most common problems when insulating windows 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 ebb.

Low tide

How to insulate a plastic window with your own hands if problems are observed in the lower part of the window? The first thing that might come to mind would be window sill insulation. But its removal is a thorough matter, which is more reminiscent construction project, so there is an alternative. You can start by insulating the outside of your windows by adding flashing insulation. First you need to dismantle the old ebb. To do this, we twist all the screws that secure it 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 polyurethane foam - a material that is easily affected by cold and moisture. Therefore, if the foam was not reliably protected, it may be the reason for the blowing.

Look at the layer of foam under the frame. If:

• The foam itself crumbles,
• There is no vapor barrier,

The seam needs repair.

Gently peel off the layer 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. You need to place one edge of the membrane under the frame, and place the second under the ebb. Apply a new layer of foam. The foam can be protected from the outside using PSUL tape.

At this point, the sealing of the outer seam, which can be a source of cold, can be considered complete

Let's create another camera

Among the three reasons for blowing out metal-plastic windows mentioned at the beginning of the article was 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 eliminates all blowing between the glass and the frame. Thanks to this, a single double-glazed window becomes a double-glazed one.

How to insulate double-glazed windows in this way?

Film - good option, when insulation was needed “yesterday”. In this article we are only, in general, discussing all the ways to insulate plastic windows with your 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 the floor above the second, it is prohibited by law to insulate anything from the outside - you need a special license. You can insulate windows yourself only in a house or on the first or second floors of an apartment.
• It is better to entrust such work to professionals.
• Secondly, when we talk about external insulation of windows, we are talking about insulation of slopes and insulation of the seam under the ebb, which we talked about above. The issue was discussed in a separate article a little earlier.

Cost of services

Window insulation includes several procedures. Below is the table approximate cost for the services of contractor companies.

Results

You probably understand how to insulate plastic windows depends on the method and approach. You may need to replace the seal or use foam to seal 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 using tape, well, this is already the case for very old PVC windows. And let's repeat: how to properly insulate windows?

The first thing you need to find out is the cause of the heat leak. 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 soberly. Therefore, if you still have questions, use the comments or the “Question-Answer” section.