Rules for the adjustment of plastic windows

Plastic windows have long ceased to be an indicator of luxury. To date, modern windows are considered a kind of indicator of the level of comfort at which your home remains protected not only from the cold, but also from noise. But for this you need to follow a few rules in the maintenance and care.

And if for high-quality and correct installation of a double-glazed window it is necessary to seek help from specialists, then all the rest of the periodic maintenance work can be done independently. And for this it is not necessary to have special knowledge and skills.It is enough to understand the features of the design and be able to handle the tools.

The design feature of plastic windows is the ability to adjust the mechanism during maintenance. And this procedure may be required by any window, regardless of the service life and quality of fittings. It is important to periodically check the health of the opening and closing mechanisms. And also when changing the season, inspect the condition of the fittings - it depends on this the durability and functionality of the windows, which is more likely to save you from large-scale repairs in the future.

Plastic windows have many advantages:

• optimum level of noise insulation - modern windows protect the living room from unwanted sounds from the street;
• retains heat - plastic frame saves up to 20% of the heat in the room;
• excellent tightness - which allows you to protect the room from drafts, and you do not need to additionally warm the frame before the onset of cold weather;
• plastic is not deformed at constant humidity and temperature difference;

• fire safety - plastic, from which modern windows are made, does not sustain combustion;
• attractive appearance and many modifications - the customer has the opportunity to choose any size, color and style of the window frame;
• unpretentiousness in cleaning - in order to maintain cleanliness it is necessary to periodically wipe the surface of the frame with a damp cloth;
• preserves the original appearance for a long time - the surface does not fade in the sun, does not change color and does not require periodic painting;
• multifunctionality - modern plastic window also protects against insects and bright sunlight.

However, it is worth noting some of the disadvantages of plastic windows:

• non-compliance with installation technology can reduce the life of the window;
• unlike natural wood, plastic is not able to maintain an optimal level of humidity and temperature in the room;
• moving parts require proper maintenance;
• for a long period of operation requires the replacement of fittings and insulation.

During operation, you can encounter many problems.The window can cling to the elements of accessories, allow air and cause drafts in the room. And most often, to fix the problem, it will only be necessary to tighten the fastening screws and oil the fittings. And in order to determine the cause of the malfunction, it is necessary to roughly understand the design features.

The plastic window consists of standard parts.

• Plastic frame - inside of which there is a reinforcing fortification. The entire structure must withstand enormous loads, so the frame undergoes quality tests during the production process. For reliable fixing of a steel profile self-tapping screws are used.
• Sash - hermetic design of the valves also has a steel profile. All moving parts are made of reliable materials, which guarantees the normal closing and opening of the window.

• Double glazing - depending on the requirements, manufacturers offer windows with one, two, three or more double-glazed windows: an air chamber with a special gaseous substance is formed between the two glasses, which is necessary to create excellent thermal characteristics.
• Fittings - these are all devices and parts in the casement and frame that are necessary for fixing glass packs, handles and controlling the casements.
• Compactor - it is necessary for hermetic closing of a window. Insulation and sealing elements protect the room from moisture and cold air from the street. Over time, the quality of the seal may deteriorate due to normal wear and mechanical deformation.

• Beadings - These are plastic parts that are needed to hold the glass in the frame.
• Impost - it is necessary to strengthen the structure, if the window frame has more than one structural element. This element is fixed in the window opening and divides it into several parts. But lately, manufacturers have improved window frames and can offer customers large windows without additional fixing profiles.

Modern manufacturers offer PVC windows with two sash opening modes: plowing and ventilation.The opening angle of the flap can also be adjusted with integrated stops. A common problem of windows with multiple modes is the simultaneous plowing of the sash and the opening of the micro-winding mode.

It may occur when the open sash is transferred to the mode of ventilation by turning the knob up. In this case, the sash is fixed only on one lower loop, and the upper part sags and falls under its own weight.

This problem must be solved as soon as possible, otherwise the lower loop may not withstand the load and break. To do this, you need to press on the upper part of the sash and try to firmly press the window to the frame. At the same time, the handle should be turned up to the ventilation mode. Then, after the sash in the frame is completely closed, the handle is lowered onto the opening mode. If necessary, you can independently adjust the lock on the sash. After that, the window closes.

But also manufacturers of plastic windows offer sliding structures. Such shutters in the best way are suitable for installation on a balcony.The main advantage of sliding windows is to save space, the windows do not open by turning, but by displacing parallel to the frame. In this case, the sill area can be used more efficiently.

Such windows do not require special care and will last in the same way as classic counterparts, from 10 years. They retain heat in the room and do not let the street noise into the apartment. Another advantage of these structures is the ability to move the mosquito net, like the frames themselves: the net can move parallel to the frame to the right and left.

Adjust the plastic window at home - the task is simple. In this case, it is important to have basic skills in possession of tools. Before work you should prepare the necessary set. The choice of tools depends largely on the internal window mechanism.

To adjust the plastic window you will need:

• pliers or pliers;
• hex key number 4;
• flat and curved Phillips screwdrivers;
• a set of keys "stars";
• scissors for compactor;
• putty knife;
• engine oil, silicone grease or spray WD-40.

In some cases it is necessary to use different tools. For example, it is better to use pliers for turning oval-shaped eccentrics, and a hexagonal key or a screwdriver for adjusting screws with an internal slot. Whereas only a Phillips screwdriver is used to replace the handle.

A spatula is needed only in case of a straightening plate failure. But if the warranty is still valid, you should contact the manufacturer for troubleshooting.

Many simply do not know or forget that plastic windows require periodic maintenance. Adjustment and adjustment of double-glazed windows may be necessary if low-quality installation was carried out. Just like normal wear and tear, it can make itself felt for several years even after a quality installation. And even an experienced master may have questions when adjusting the window.

You can read the detailed instructions on how to fix the basic problems that are fixed by yourself.

• There is friction when opening or closing a window., or the sash touches the frame - in this case, the reason may be to loosen the hinges. This problem may occur when the building shrinks or the accessories are weakened. To eliminate the malfunction it is necessary to adjust the upper and lower loops horizontally. For this job you will need a hexagon. Insert the key into the upper window hinge and turn it clockwise to adjust the height from the sash to the window frame. At the same time, the lower part of the oppositely standing element drops noticeably. To adjust the lower loop, you also need a hexagon, but the same work must be done from the outside. Shifts average 2 mm.

• Draft and window blowing - cold air enters the apartment through the frame insulation. During operation, the window may lose tightness due to wear of the rubber seal. On a quality seal manufacturers provide a guarantee of about 15 years.If we neglect the control of the technical condition, the seal may wear out. To replace it, carefully remove the unusable seal from the grooves and secure the new one.

• Handle turns tight - The problem may be a malfunction of the mechanism or a lack of lubrication. In this case, for the beginning it is worth treating the mechanism with machine oil. To do this, turn the handle at a right angle, unscrew the screws and remove the plastic decorative trim. Under the rectangular plate are bolts that are tightened with a screwdriver. If the mechanism periodically sticks, or the handle hardly turns, lubricate all the elements of the turning mechanism. If there are visible defects, and if after processing the fittings with lubricant the problem persists, replace the handle with a new one and check the technical condition once a year.

• If the handle is stuck in the mode of ventilation - most often the reason lies in the jamming of a mechanism called “scissors” in the upper corner. To cope with the problem is possible only after removing the sash from the hinges. To do this, carefully remove the decorative plugs and unscrew the screws.After that, inspect the locking mechanism of ventilation, find and try to adjust the flown items. Put in place all the items and check the operation of the “scissors”. They must be adjacent to the upper loop. After that, install the sash in place in the window opening.
• Swing-out problems eliminated quite simply. If the window is opened in two modes at once, it is necessary to quickly return the sash into place with a slight pressing and lower the handle for the closed mode.

• Most problems can usually be tackled after adjusting the top and bottom hinge of the window.. To check the clamping of the sash to the frame, you can bring a lighted candle to the window: if the fire dies out, it means you need to adjust the sash. In this case it is necessary to check the pins - these are small details of round shapes that are on the sash and adjust the clamp. In order to make the sash and frame more dense, it is necessary to turn the mechanisms clockwise, and to loosen the pressure, turn it counterclockwise. This adjustment should be carried out twice a year when the season changes.In winter, the window should be sealed so that the cold outside air does not enter the apartment. And in the summer heat, on the contrary, the clamp should be minimal so that fresh air could enter the room even with the window closed.

Quite often there is a problem when the sash stops closing. And this is not surprising, especially if the window was set 5-6 years ago. In such cases, a minor overhaul is required. And fortunately, you can do this work yourself. But first you need to understand the cause of the fault.

A window may stop closing for several reasons:

• manufacturing defect design;
• poor quality fittings;
• neglect of installation rules during installation;
• distortion of the sash;

• seal replacement required;
• malfunction of the opening and closing mechanism;
• debris, dirt or dust.

If it is not possible to close the sash tightly, you should first make sure that no elements interfere with this. Another problem may be the bias of the sash.In this case, the window will cling to the corner of the frame, and as a result of a skew, a slot appears. In the case of sagging one of the corners of the sash, it is necessary to adjust the bolts on the hinges. To do this, you need to adjust the angle of inclination of the sash vertically and horizontally.

At the end of the sash there are a large number of different elements. Hardware plays almost the main role as a window and is responsible for trouble-free operation during the entire service life. And the life of the window depends on the quality of the fittings.

Window fittings are divided into three types.

• Budget - often used by developers in new buildings. Such accessories are offered by domestic manufacturers, and it, as a rule, is limited by functionality. For example, windows with budget accessories do not translate into various seasonal modes and do not have the opening function for micro-ventilation.

• Standard - produced by both domestic and foreign companies.
• Specialized - used by various manufacturers for windows installed in crowded places: airports, shopping centers, office buildings.

The following tips and tricks will help fix plastic window problems without the help of specialists. But the main thing is that all work should be carried out without pressure and effort, otherwise there is the likelihood of larger breakdowns. Check out what else you need to know for self-adjusting the plastic window.

• In some cases, it may be necessary to adjust the window frame vertically. To do this, remove the decorative plastic cap from the bottom hinge and adjust the position of the frame with a hexagon. Clockwise circular movements allow the sash to be raisedand counterclockwise - lower.

• Once in 5 years it is necessary to clean the accessories in hard-to-reach places from accumulated dust and dirt. This process cannot be called laborious, but it will be much easier to carry out this work together. To do this, you will need to remove the sash from both hinges and remove the overhead elements. All parts must be cleaned and lubricated moving parts with oil. After complete drying, the hardware is installed in its place, and the design is assembled in the same sequence.
• It is not recommended to wash windows using abrasive cleaners and solutions. To clean the surface is best to use a soft cloth and a special tool for plastic windows.

• Keep track of the quality of the rubber seal - it must be replaced periodically. It should not have cracks and cuts. To make the seal last longer, periodically inspect the window and lubricate the rubber with silicone grease. In the absence of proper care, the seal will become unusable after 5-6 years of operation.
• With prolonged use of the window may require the replacement of the seal.This need is not always associated with poor quality rubber or inadequate care, there is also such a thing as physical wear and tear. Cope with the replacement of the seal, perhaps, can even be a common man in the street. In the hardware store, you must purchase a new rubber seal and carefully remove the old rubber from the surface of the sash. All work is better to start from the bottom or top corner. After that, the surface and the existing open grooves are carefully cleaned. Check in advance that the amount of new rubber is exactly enough for the entire window, the seal can not be stretched.

Most of the work on the adjustment of plastic windows can be done independently and without work experience. If during the installation process mistakes were made, or the window withstood the lengthy process of operation, problems can be handled by additional adjustment or replacement of fittings.

For information on how to self-adjust plastic windows, see the following video.