Accessories for windows: types and advice on choosing

Choosing a window, many buyers often pay attention to its appearance, the beauty of parts and accessories. But not everyone pays enough attention to their quality. Window fittings must ensure the integrity of the design and protect the room from unauthorized entry.

Every day we open and close windows, but rarely attach importance to accessories. It is impossible to install any window without using it.Buyers have the opportunity to purchase mechanisms produced by both domestic and foreign manufacturers. Window mechanisms consist of window handles, hinge, holder, thrust, latches and other elements. Their number may depend on manufacturers and on the requirements of buyers.

You can open and close the casement windows:

• in folding;
• turning;
• tilt & turn mode.

The quality of accessories can be judged by such criteria as:

• Wear resistance. Opening and closing the window handle must withstand at least 10 thousand times without damage. Many well-known manufacturers promise that the mechanisms will operate at least 60 thousand cycles. These data are usually indicated in the quality certificate, therefore it is worth exploring this document when purchasing. If the certificate contains a full cycle of opening and closing the handle within 15 thousand, such accessories can be considered high-quality, it will last more than 10 years.
• How resistant the hardware is to corrosion. Corrosion resistance is an important indicator on which the product's service life directly depends. It is necessary to give preference to accessories of high-quality materials, which are additionally processed with anti-corrosion coatings.

• Smooth running. When buying a window, you should check how easy it is to open and close. When the fittings are correctly mounted, the sash will open and close without application of force. You shouldn’t believe the seller’s beliefs that the window is “being developed”; it’s better to change it to something new, otherwise it may serve quite a bit.
• Neat performance. Even with a smooth opening and closing it is worth seeing if there are any flaws. Sometimes you can see handicrafts with accessories of low quality. Such products will be inexpensive, but do not need to save, otherwise their service life may be short.

Over time, the sash can begin to sag and cling to the frame. To solve this problem, a microlift is needed, which is the lift of the leaflets.

The design consists of two strips. One of them is fixed on the frame, and the other, mobile, is fixed on the sash.When closing a window the shutters interact with each other, and, lifting a little, remove the load from the hinges.

Advantages of microlift:

• increases the life of loops, handles, sealing circuits;
• prevents loosening fasteners;
• gives an amazing ease when opening and closing the valves.

Accessories for windows consists of the following elements:

• handle for the window - it controls the work of accessories from a certain point;
• corner element - it serves to connect other elements of the window structure;
• a striker plate, which with the help of rollers presses the window to the sash;
• scissors - this element is necessary when opening the sash;
• window hinges - with their help, fix the window to the window box for its smooth opening and closing;
• additional scissors and a corner bar to enhance the operation of the structure;
• pin or roller to ensure that the sash is pressed firmly against the window frame.

The structure of the window fittings often include additional items. This may be a child lock that will securely fix the handle and prevent the child from opening the window and looking out onto the street. When installing the latch for children can not be afraid that the baby will be able to fall out of the window. Children's lock can be embedded in the handle or fasten it to the sash and frame. Such locks allow you to open the window for airing, but to prevent its full opening by a small child.

In addition, for child safety it is worthwhile to install a mosquito net with special grids that can prevent it from falling out. Using the metal flag, you can quickly install and also quickly remove the grid.

Fittings can be classified:

• by the way of its opening;
• towards;
• by weight.

If for old wooden windows it was enough just a regular handle for opening, a latch and the presence of hinges, then for glass packs, the set of fittings can be much larger.

Often there are situations when the window handle becomes unregulated. Then you should find out the cause and fix the damage.Sagging is possible if the sash is slack, that is, when moving, it begins to cling to the window frame or other elements.

When choosing knobs and loops should pay attention to such moments:

• The handle must be made of metal, on top of which is covered with plastic or other material. If the plastic is painted with short-lived enamel, then the accessories are of low quality.
• The hinges should be steel, with screws that are screwed into the frame with a metal amplifier. If you screw the screws into plastic, they will soon become loose.

The main function of hinges for plastic windows is ease when opening and closing the window. Thanks to them, the mechanical load is evenly distributed, the geometry of the windows is preserved. The hinges on the windows may differ in their location, size, methods of manufacture. They can be standard size, large or small.

The screw loop is secured with special threaded pins.The number of pins depends on the reliability of the design. Up to six pins can be attached to the loop. If earlier screw loops were used for designs from a tree, today they are made for windows from PVC.

For wooden structures hinges according to GOST, can be overhead, mortise or combined. Loop groups can be lower and upper. The lower universal loop can be adjusted in several dimensions.

Manufacturers pay special attention to the design of the window structure. This is how the hidden fittings appeared, which has several advantages:

• hinges for plastic or aluminum windows are mounted in the folds of the sash, so they are not visible;
• thanks to the original design, hidden loops look elegant;
• there is no need to select caps for canopies;
• loops do not allow cold air to penetrate from the street;
• due to good tightness, additional pressing of the flaps occurs.

By the way of opening fittings can be divided into the following types:

• Swivel with vertical suspension. This type of fittings can be considered the most common.
• Swivel with horizontal suspension. This type of accessories is also called framuzhny. When you open the window, the sash may remain open for ventilation at any angle.
• Tilt & turn fittings. When using it, you can reduce the load on the sash.

Fittings for roof windows may differ from the usual. They need a lock with a handle. The lock should fix the frame in the desired position. The most popular is considered a locking embedded system with a central axis. With the help of a multifunctional handle, the frame can be fixed in any position.

Sliding windows are characterized by such mechanisms:

• System sliders. To open the window with this fitting, you need to click the lock and pull the sash to one side, and it opens like a wardrobe. Such a system is considered the most running and durable.
• Fittings parallel-sliding. Install this system on structures made of wood, aluminum or plastic.

The material used for the manufacture of fittings is more demanding, regardless of which window it is installed on, whether it is a wooden structure or a PVC window. Steel, brass, aluminum alloy will be preferable for window constructions, strong plastic is taken for decorative strip. Steel is coated with an anti-rust compound, and steel plugs are placed on the steel hinges.

Sometimes it can be found plastic fittings, which will cost less. Plastic performance is unreliable and will not withstand a constant load, the service life of products will be much less.

When choosing, it is difficult to determine which fittings are better, since one mechanism is suitable for an aluminum device, while for a plastic window or from a tree is completely different. If you choose a universal option, it is worth considering parallel-sliding fittings. It will be the most durable and reliable and can withstand the weight of the valves up to 400 kg.

If we talk about the size of window hinges, it should be said that they can be medium (standard), large and small-sized.The choice depends on the features of the window design. This fitting can be installed in a window of any shape and size, it is also suitable for PVC products of round or oval shape.

For fixing sash fit unregulated loop size of 75 mm, made of aluminum alloy. It can withstand a load of at least 60 kg. Unregulated window hinge solid, has a metal pin rigid fixation. A plastic insert is provided between the moving parts made of metal, which will prevent the parts from rubbing. When purchasing window accessories, special attention is paid to both the quality of products and their sizes.

At the choice of accessories it is worth paying attention to color of products. It should fit the overall design of the room and emphasize the chosen style. Accessories for windows usually have inconspicuous colors, often handles for PVC windows are white.

Many manufacturers produce colors of steel or copper-colored hardware, accessories in black look very interesting. Particularly harmonious products in black will be combined with the design of the room, made in the style of hi-tech.

Choosing accessories, it is worthwhile to dwell on the products of well-known companies that pay great attention to quality. Although such products may be more expensive, but in the process of long-term operation they will not require additional repair.

Fittings for windows are made by many manufacturers, we will focus on the most famous.

• Company Roto. The German brand, which is engaged in the release of window fittings and rightfully occupies one of the leading positions, as evidenced by its rating. The company gives a guarantee for its elements for at least 10 years. Using Roto fittings, you can open the window and adjust its rotation at a certain angle. But it is necessary to control how securely the parts of the hardware are fixed. To do this, you can tighten the fastening screws or replace the parts completely. All the work that is done to adjust the lower loops, the replacement of damaged parts, is carried out by specialists.
• Austrian company Maco specializes in the production of secret hardware, which is hidden inside the valves. Maso produces anti-burglary protective mechanisms with a high degree of reliability.

• Siegenia - German company engaged in the release of universal accessories for plastic products and windows made of wood. The company is engaged in manufacturing models of non-standard sizes.
• Axor Industry provides consumers with reliable and high-quality fittings. The company manufactures products at an optimal price-quality ratio. Windows with accessories are equipped with additional features, have anti-burglar elements.

• Fittings Internika produced in Slovenia. The company has been successfully operating since 1954. Products have a high degree of reliability, confirmed by tests and relevant certificates.
• For Finnish windows choose different types of fittings. You can opt for accessories for wooden structures from Greenteq, which can be used when opening and closing both windows and doors. Judging by the reviews of customers, accessories of well-known companies listed above, can be considered the most appropriate option.

To choose high-quality and good fittings, you should pay attention to the following criteria:

• it is necessary to measure the window and select a set for it, which should clearly match the parameters;
• you need to decide how the window will open;
• it is better not to purchase plastic products, since their service life will be small;
• it is worth buying accessories from metal which in visible places will be closed by caps;
• quality products should be smooth and smooth.

After installing the window and selecting high-quality fittings, it is useful to take care of the choice of balcony blinds. Horizontal will be an excellent option for a standard balcony. Wooden curtains will look no less stylish on the windows. Blinds are chosen, taking into account the type of glazing of balconies and the material used for the manufacture of frames. It may be:

• standard horizontal view of blinds;
• vertical option;
• roller blinds;
• curtains-pleated.

During the operation of PVC windows, dirt and dust can get into the mechanisms.Such contaminants are deposited on the factory grease and begin to mix with it, which can lead to difficulties in the work of accessories. Old grease will lead to wear parts, and, as a result, their failure. If you do not lubricate the parts in time, they can remind you of their wear with a creak or a rattle, clicks.

On their products manufacturers of window accessories give a guarantee of 5 years. This period is sufficient for factory lubrication. If the rattle or clicks began to be heard earlier, you should carry out maintenance work. Products need to be prevented, therefore at least twice a year they should be lubricated and cleaned.

Choosing accessories, first of all, buyers are guided by their own preferences. An important criterion is the quality of products, its durability. Fittings should favorably emphasize the style of the room.Many people choose hidden fittings, considering it more practical. The main part of customers chooses standard pens in white, although it is worth considering other options and colors of products.

Manufacturers of window fittings are constantly trying to please buyers with new products, make interesting and original models.

• Accessories in black or dark gray will look very unusual and stylish. Products with a zinc-chrome plating silver are very popular.
• No less original look window handles with special notches for fingers.

• It looks very interesting on the new window antique fittings. Products taken from old buildings are successfully used in modern design.
• Using a mechanical and thermal method, they are cleaned in order to finally get a product made by masters in the XIX century. When dismantling old buildings, cremones are removed, which have been painted more than a dozen times. This hardware is a long latch with slats along the entire height, which served to open and close the valves.
• For historic windows, you can use modern fittings with plastic or brass plates, and pens, cremons or latches are taken after restoration work.
• Two-frame or historical window with cremona.
• Accessories for historic windows.

In the next video you will find a review of fittings for REHAU windows.