Warm slopes on plastic windows with their own hands. Technology for insulation of slopes from the outside, an overview and selection of insulation Insulation of plastic

Why insulate plastic windows? This reasonable question arises, for sure, among all owners of modern hermetic structures, because manufacturers sold us a perfect product with perfect thermal insulation. Installation errors, improper operation, house shrinkage and time can play a cruel joke even with the highest quality windows. Do not rush to change the entire structure - you can try to insulate plastic windows with your own hands. It's easy and short. We deal with the weak points of modern windows and learn how to eliminate them.

No. 1. Why plastic windows need insulation?

Qualitatively made and installed plastic windows in the first years will certainly be a reliable barrier to cold air, drafts and noise. Over the years, of course, problems can appear, and often the user himself is to blame. With dishonest installation, various defects can make themselves felt in the first season.

The most common reasons for additional thermal insulation of plastic windows:

  • installation performed in violation of technology;
  • shrinkage of the building, which is especially typical for;
  • wear of rubber insulation. Responsible manufacturers and installers inform the user about the rules for caring for a rubber seal, but few people follow the rules and regularly inspect the condition of this structural element. Lack of proper care leads to an accelerated process of rubber thinning and drying, the appearance of microcracks in its structure, the result is a decrease in the fit to the frame and deterioration of thermal insulation;
  • incorrectly installed slopes.

A window of poor quality or with technical characteristics inappropriate for climatic conditions will also not be able to provide normal thermal insulation, which is why it is so important to be able to correctly and immediately determine the right one.

No. 2. We identify weaknesses

To carry out effective insulation of plastic windows, you must first figure out in which places the tightness is broken. Immediately, only the frame can be deleted from the list of suspects: multi-chamber plastic is a good heat insulator, it does not dry out, unlike.

Cold air can penetrate through such structural elements:


A double-glazed window rarely causes a violation of thermal insulation (an exception is its depressurization), but it can also be additionally insulated. "Extra" heat in winter does not hurt.

Detect leaky items window simple - just run your palm along and across the entire structure, and you will feel that in some places it is blowing decently. Some advise using a lighter for this purpose. If you light a flame and run it around the perimeter of the window, maintaining a safe distance, then it will tilt in those places where there is even a small draft. Be extremely careful with this method!

As a rule, work on the insulation of a plastic window can be done by hand. The exception is when it is necessary to insulate from the outside, and the apartment is located above the second floor. You need to be prepared that complex insulation may be needed if several zones of warm air leaks are found, but first things first.

No. 3. Debugging the clamping mechanism

Shrinkage of the house and weather factors can lead to a slight distortion of the window sashes and slight deformation of the sealing gum. This leads to a deterioration in thermal insulation, but in this case, returning to its former tightness is a matter of a couple of minutes, however, knowledge of the design of the plastic window and skills in working with tools will be needed.

Presser adjustment can be carried out with the help of special eccentrics located along the perimeter of the wings. To make the sash fit tighter, the eccentric must be turned clockwise using a 4 mm hex wrench. Focus on the serif located on each such element. When it is directed towards the street, the clamp is loosened, towards the seal it is strengthened. Everything is well shown in the video.

Sometimes a simple window helps to insulate a plastic window. loop regulation, which also have their own mechanism responsible for the pressure density. Here the regulation is carried out using a hexagon. You should be guided by a simple rule: if the tongue is strongly advanced, then the sash fits well. To pull it out, you need to turn the hexagon counterclockwise if the hinges are on the left, and clockwise if on the right.

Things are even easier with glazing bead. It is enough to pry off the old departed glazing bead with a thin spatula, and install a new one in its place, which can be bought from the same company that sold and installed the windows for you.

After adjustment, check whether the tightness of the structure has improved, with the palm of your hand or with a lighter. If everything is done correctly, and the draft is still walking, then you will most likely have to change the seal.

No. 4. Seal replacement

Ideally, a rubber seal can last a long time, but certain conditions must be met for this. According to the rules for the operation of plastic windows, the seal must be regularly lubricated with special substances, but which of us does this? So it turns out that after 5 years the rubber dries out and begins to let in a cold breeze from the street. The problem may be in the seal, which is located under the glass, or in what is located along the contour of the sash. Replacing the seal in a plastic window is not as difficult as it is responsible. If you doubt your skills, it is better to call a specialist.

Procedure for replacing the glass seal:


May need to be replaced sealant, which is located along the contour of the sash. In this case, it is better to remove the sash. First, the decorative trims are dismantled from the hinges, and then with the help of the mounting handle or the pin is pulled out of the hinge. It remains to carefully remove the sash, and only then it is very easy to remove the old seal from it. It is better to start installing a new seal from the top of the sash, gently pressing it, but not stretching it. It is better to fix the beginning and end of the sealing tape with glue. All! It remains only to hang the sash back: the pin can be installed with bare hands, and then the decorative trim can be returned to its place. The video is very well shown and described.

No. 5. window sill insulation

The installation of a plastic window is often associated with decent destruction, they are especially significant in the area between the wall and. Some installers fill the gaps with cement and construction debris. There are no comments here. It is better, of course, when the space under the windowsill is flooded, but this option is not ideal either. Foam can shrink or even dry out over time, decent gaps are formed through which cold air enters the house.

To insulate a plastic window, you will have to get rid of the old foam and fill in a new one. Keep in mind that it tends to expand when solidified. After complete solidification, the excess is cut off; some builders recommend additionally filling small cracks with silicone sealant. This is followed by plastering work and applying a decorative coating.

If possible, the window sill area can be additionally insulated from the outside. For this, mounting foam is also used, but sometimes it is also used. From above, everything is on the grid and gets off.

No. 6. Slope insulation

Today, often when installing plastic windows, slopes are additionally installed, even, beautiful, made of dense plastic. It often happens that there is a large crack between the decorative strip and the wall, which perfectly conducts cold and wind into the apartment, therefore, to improve the thermal insulation of plastic windows, it is recommended to insulate the slopes from the inside or outside.

The procedure is as follows:

  • dismantling of unnecessary parts of the mounting foam;
  • if the surface is very uneven, you can plaster it;
  • slope treatment with a primer, antibacterial compounds can be used to prevent the development of mold;
  • a fragment corresponding to the slope is cut out of the foam plastic. To make it better stick to the surface, it can be slightly scratched on the reverse side. It remains to apply mounting glue and press firmly against the surface of the slope; for a guarantee, several dowels can be installed;
  • it remains to mount the corner, putty the surface and fix the trim.

No. 7. What else can be done to insulate a plastic window?

The above methods will allow you to reliably insulate plastic windows and get rid of all the cracks, but it is possible to make the structure even warmer - it will not only not let the cold into the apartment, but will also prevent warm air from leaving the apartment. This is not magic, but reality, which is achieved through the use of:

  • heat-saving film;
  • window heating;
  • woolen blinds and curtains.

Heat-saving film- a thin transparent material that does not change the optical properties of the glass, but reflects the thermal energy back into the apartment. The effect is achieved due to the presence of a thin metal layer. Of course, when it comes to plastic windows, it is better to use a special heat-saving double-glazed window - its efficiency is many times higher than any film, but if a regular double-glazed window is installed in existing windows, then additional insulation will not be superfluous.

You can easily handle the installation of the film with your own hands:

  • the surface of the glass and frame are thoroughly cleaned;
  • double-sided tape is glued around the perimeter of the box;
  • the necessary fragment is cut off from the film roll, it is better to cut with a margin;
  • the film is glued to the previously attached double-sided tape, its surface is blown with warm air from a hair dryer. It is necessary to act slowly so that the result is neat, there are no distortions and bubbles. A properly glued film is almost invisible.


Glass heating it is already more difficult to equip, it is better to do this at the stage of window installation, but most window companies can install such a system already on an installed window. Heating is carried out at the expense of the electric heating spiral which is built in glass.

Well, and finally, the most banal, simple and versatile ways to make the window a little warmer. This thick curtains and woolen blinds. The latter can be done by wrapping ordinary blinds with a woolen cloth.

It is better to carry out work on the insulation of plastic windows on a warm, dry day, since it is no longer possible to work with many materials at temperatures below +5 ... +10 0 С, and you can let the cold into the apartment. In order to face the problem of insulating a modern window as late as possible, it is worth taking the choice of a window manufacturer as seriously as possible, paying attention to the selection of optimal technical characteristics, focusing on the climate of the region. It is also important to choose a responsible installer and remember to properly maintain the window.

Frosts are approaching, and it becomes very cold in the apartment, despite the normal operation of the radiators and even additional heaters? Then the first thing you need to do is check the condition of your windows and, if necessary, insulate them for the winter.

A huge amount of heat escapes through the windows. In order to prevent this, you can use elementary improvised materials. There are many methods to temporarily solve the problem of window insulation. There are also means for longer thermal insulation, with which you can ensure the tightness of window structures for several years.

We offer you instructions for using the most popular heaters. Explore the available options and choose the best one.

Regardless of the chosen method of thermal insulation of windows, you will need approximately the same set of tools and materials.

Devices for self-insulation of windows.

  1. putty. You can use silicone or a special window.
  2. Water.
  3. Sealing rope.
  4. Detergents for window frames and glasses.
  5. Old rags.
  6. Rubber spatula.
  7. Special window insulation. Instead, you can use ordinary foam rubber.
  8. Adhesive tape.
  9. Wide bowl.
  10. Flour.
  11. Laundry or cosmetic soap.

One of the most budgetary and most simple options for insulating window structures. In accordance with this instruction, newsprint is used to seal the cracks. It is enough to simply take old newspapers, wet them with water to get a homogeneous mass, and then fill all kinds of cracks with this substance. For greater convenience, the soaked paper can be folded into tubes.

If you want to save even more, you can use plain paper. Cut it into long strips and glue it to the frames with laundry soap diluted in water.

Despite its simplicity and low cost, the method is very effective and proven by many generations of housewives. However, such insulation also has its own significant minus - when the air temperature in the street starts to rise, the thermal insulation will have to be removed. The problem is that paint often peels off along with the paper. And getting rid of soaked newspapers is not so easy. Therefore, this method is increasingly being abandoned in favor of the next thermal insulation option.

This option is very convenient and easy to implement. You need to buy technical cotton wool in the hardware store and fill all the gaps with the material. The joints of the structural elements are sealed with a cloth. Technical wool is characterized by excellent thermal insulation properties and can be removed without any difficulty with the onset of warm weather.

Such insulation, although it is the most budgetary and extremely simple in execution, but its effectiveness is beyond doubt - the windows stop letting cold air through and heat is stored in heated rooms.

To seal large gaps, it is more convenient to use foam rubber. Typically, such gaps form when the window sashes shrink very much, to the point that they stop adhering normally to the frame. It will not be possible to save the situation with the help of ordinary cotton wool in such a situation.

To eliminate drafts and reduce heat loss, foam rubber must be fixed around the perimeter of the window sashes. It will allow you to close the windows hermetically. You can buy the material immediately with an adhesive side to save time and make installation more convenient. In the absence of such material, purchase ordinary foam rubber and nail it to the window frame with small carnations.

The service life of foam rubber is on average 2-3 years. Check its condition and replace if necessary. On top of the foam rubber, you can stick paper, tape or fabric. In the spring, you need to get rid of such thermal insulation. You can leave the foam rubber itself and use it next winter.

Warming according to the "Swedish" method

Currently, this method of insulation is very popular. It got its name thanks to the EuroStrip material used for insulation. This material was developed by Swedish specialists. The second name of the technology is groove seal.

The main advantage of this technique is that it allows you to perform a partial reconstruction of windows, and not simply create temporary insulation, like the other methods above. Windows do not need to be sealed, so even in winter they can be opened for ventilation. The service life of insulation is about 15-20 years.

The only drawback is the rather high cost. Also, certain difficulties may arise during the installation process, because. a similar insulation is laid in a much more complex pattern than cotton wool, paper and foam rubber. Buy the material and use it to insulate your windows according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Paraffin and Sealant Insulation Guide

To eliminate small gaps, you can buy silicone sealant. You need to wash the windows in advance and wait until they are completely dry. Such insulation is prohibited at air temperatures below +5 degrees.

The sealant is very convenient and easy to apply using a construction gun specially designed for this purpose. Excess material is best removed immediately before it dries. In the future, to eliminate the protruding sealant, it will be enough to wipe the surface with a cloth lightly moistened with gasoline. From the glass, you can simply gently pick it off with a knife.

Also, small gaps can be sealed with paraffin. To do this, take a few paraffin candles or buy ready-made material right away. Paraffin must be melted, drawn into a syringe of a suitable volume and carefully filled with it in each available slot.

Large defects can be repaired with an ordinary clothesline. Any other cord will work too. The rope is tightly pushed into the slot, after which it is filled with paraffin.

Such insulation will last at least 2-3 years. For the rest, be guided by the state of thermal insulation and, if necessary, add new paraffin.

One of the most modern and effective methods. To perform such insulation, a sealant based on silicone rubber is used. The material withstands temperature changes and is not afraid of pollution. If desired, it can even be painted - the thermal insulation properties will not deteriorate from this.

Tubes of different diameters are available for sale, so you can choose the material that is best suited for the insulation of your windows.

You can set the required diameter using plasticine. It is enough to take a piece of plasticine, wrap it in plastic wrap and clamp it between the sash and the frame. By the thickness of the resulting "cast" you can find out the size of the gap.

The rubber seal provides reliable thermal insulation and allows partial restoration of windows. But it is quite expensive, plus everything requires some skills for successful styling. Suitable exclusively for windows without significant damage, which they tried to maintain in good condition throughout their entire service life.

If the windows are in a very neglected state, with a violation of the normal geometry, the presence of cracked or rotten areas, it is better to refuse such restoration, because. it will cost about the same amount of money as a full-fledged new window costs.

You can install the seal yourself. First you need to remove the sashes from the hinges, and then mark a place in the window frame for sampling the groove. Next, you should choose a groove around the perimeter of the window frame. This is easily done with a cutter. A sealant is rolled into the prepared groove. It needs to be glued on. Fixing is done with glue. It should be of the highest quality and reliable so that the material does not move or fall out. After laying the seal, it remains only to return the window sashes to their place.

If necessary, replace the fittings and try to align the geometry of the window, but without the necessary skills, this is almost impossible to do. With proper installation and proper handling, the seal will last about 15-20 years.

Another modern and effective method. The technology involves the use of specially designed heat-saving films. Their structure is such that they normally let the light of the sun into the room, while not allowing the heat to leave the room. The film must be fixed with the metallized side facing the street.

Fastening to the frame is carried out with an overlap. Adhesive tape is used for fixation. If you do everything carefully, the film will almost not be evident.

Features of using polyurethane foam as a heater

To seal cracks and reduce heat loss, you can use ordinary polyurethane foam. It is extremely easy to use and allows you to get the highest quality thermal insulation. It is only necessary to show maximum attention and accuracy during work in order to close up all the existing gaps. After the foam dries, its excess should be cut off with a sharp knife, and the insulation itself should be hidden with something.

To mask such thermal insulation, you can use homemade putty. To prepare it, you need to take part of the chalk and 2 times more building gypsum. Mix the ingredients, dilute the mixture with water to a semi-liquid state and spread on the foam. Of course, it will not work to completely hide the traces of insulation, but at least the mounting foam will not be so striking.

Thus, for self-insulation of windows for the winter, you can use a wide variety of materials. Choose the most suitable and convenient option for you and proceed. Good luck with your work and warm winter!

Video - How to insulate wooden windows

Video - Installation of a heat-saving film

Video - How to insulate a plastic window with your own hands for the winter

Reading 8 min.

Manufacturers of plastic windows assure that new double-glazed windows, made using the most modern technologies, will maintain a comfortable temperature in the house all year round and save its residents from the seasonal hassle of insulating frames. But in fact, many owners of such windows still face the problem of drafts and cold penetration into the room. There may be several reasons for this problem - we will deal with each separately.

Why is it blowing from a plastic window?

Determining the cause of blowing a plastic window begins with whether it is new or old. In the first case, the problem can be safely attributed to poor-quality installation of the product, which means that installers will have to solve it.

In this case: poor-quality assembly seam of plastic windows

Often, plastic windows are installed by firms whose employees do not have sufficient qualifications. Errors are also possible when trying to install windows with your own hands. That is why it is not recommended to save on specialists when replacing PVC windows with new ones. But if you encounter a problem with a bad installation or an obvious factory defect, the warranty repair should cover all additional costs.

In the second case, the appearance of a draft is associated with the features and duration of the operation of the window. Among the reasons are:


Some of the problems you can fix yourself, which will save both time and money. Others are best left to specialists. Namely:

  • if replacement is necessary (“native” parts can often be ordered only through the installer);
  • when performing outdoor high-altitude work (for windows located above the second floor);
  • when insulating windows in winter (specialists will be able to do this quickly and without strong heat loss in the room).

With your own hands, you can insulate the window from the inside or along the contour, replace the sealing material, insulate the window sill.

How do you know where it's blowing from?

Before starting work on window insulation, it is worth making sure that it actually blows out of it. Very often, the room “freezes through” for other reasons, the air circulation in it is disturbed - a cold stream moves at the windows, which creates the illusion of a draft.

There are several ways to determine the source of window blowing:


It is necessary to check the window around the entire perimeter, as well as in the area under the window sill. It is worth paying attention to specific details on the window, which most often cause drafts - a bead-holder of a double-glazed window, a rubber seal, fittings (hinges, handles).

Read also: Features of the choice of round windows: the pros and cons of materials

How to insulate a plastic window?

Different causes of drafts require different ways to eliminate them. The main thing to remember is that you should not save on the quality of materials and the services of professionals. The annual repair of a plastic window and the large heat losses of the premises during the heating season will still cost a pretty penny.

Presser adjustment

Insufficient pressure density of the window mechanism leads to a deterioration in the sealing of the sashes, and hence to the appearance of drafts. You can adjust the mechanism yourself if you have the right tools and some skills.


Adjustment tool: 4mm hex wrench

The clamping mechanism is adjusted as follows:


In this case, it is important not to tighten the clamp too much, so as not to transfer the seal and not disrupt the operation of the mechanism.

Video instruction:

Another element of the window, which is responsible for the pressure density and sometimes requires adjustment - loops. In this case, the hinge tongue is extended to the maximum with a hexagon to ensure maximum pressure.


If it blows from the side of the loop itself

The tool rotates counterclockwise for left-hand loops, and in the opposite direction for right-hand loops.

Often, the pressure deteriorates due to worn glazing bead. It is easy to remove it (by prying with a spatula, knife or other suitable tool) and replace it with a new one.


It is important that the part is exactly the same - it can be purchased from the same company that installed the windows.

Replacing the rubber seal

The sealing of the window is broken when the rubber seal "dries out". This happens over time, especially if the double-glazed window is not properly maintained.


Windows account for a fifth to a third of all heat loss at home, so the comfort of all households depends on their thermal insulation. Despite the ubiquity of sealed windows, old wooden windows have not yet left our apartments and are unlikely to do so in the next few years. They are certainly good in many respects, but they have low thermal insulation qualities, and therefore require modernization. Consider all possible ways to insulate wooden windows with your own hands, from the most budgetary to more expensive and most effective. The text of the article was prepared with the support of specialists from the Moscow RemSila company specializing in the provision of services for the insulation of wooden windows of any type using high quality consumables and European production (rubber sealant, adhesive sealant). You can learn more about the company's services at the link http://oknoremsila.ru/uteplenie-derevynnih-okon/ ( services are relevant for Moscow).

Why, with the frenzied popularity of modern eurowindows with sealed double-glazed windows conventional old wooden windows are still in use in thousands and millions of apartments? Among the main reasons:

  • the cost of plastic windows, doubts about their harmlessness, in addition, plastic windows sometimes themselves;
  • the ability of wooden windows to provide natural ventilation;
  • living in houses of high historical and architectural value, where the replacement of old windows is not allowed;
  • lack of desire and ability to carry out repairs, albeit small ones, after replacing windows;
  • living in a rented apartment.

With numerous advantages, old-style wooden windows do not provide adequate thermal insulation. This was noticed by our ancestors, who developed many ways to deal with their insufficient tightness. More modern ones have been added to the old-fashioned solutions, so we have plenty to choose from.

No. 1. Where does the insulation of wooden windows begin?

Insulation of old wooden windows begins with a survey of the structure for detection of cold bridges, i.e. the main ways of penetration into the apartment of cold air. It is important to find all the weak points in order to complex insulation. The main cold bridges in wooden windows include:

  • the junction of the window frame and sash;
  • wood from which the frame is made;
  • glass;
  • slopes, and low tide.

Slopes, ebb and window sills are best insulated from the outside, the rest of the elements require insulation from the inside, so you have to work hard to turn an old wooden window into an airtight one that meets current comfort requirements.

If the examination of the window and its insulation are carried out with high quality, you can count on an increase in the temperature in the apartment by 3-4 0 C if you are connected to a centralized one, or significant cost savings if individual heating is used. In addition, it will be possible to get rid of drafts. The reverse side of the coin is the cessation of natural air circulation. This problem is also characteristic of hermetic plastic windows. Its solution is periodic ventilation or installation, which allow you to regulate the amount of fresh air entering the apartment.

Get ready for the fact that for effective insulation you will have to use several of the methods described below. Let's start with the technologies that are used for internal insulation.

No. 2. Window insulation with paper

Most ancient, simple and inexpensive way. Today it is rarely used, but it is suitable if the budget is very limited. Exists several variations this method of insulation:


The classic old-fashioned recipe involves gluing paper insulation strips of fabric or paper. To keep them well, they were moistened with a solution of laundry soap or a home-made paste was used. The latter can be obtained by mixing water and flour in equal proportions, mix well and bring the resulting mixture to a boil.

A more modern option is to use masking tape or special window tape. In this case, the task is simplified, but the costs still remain. Insulated with paper cannot be opened for ventilation if it suddenly becomes warmer in the middle of winter. In the spring, you will have to remove strips of paper / fabric / adhesive tape and take out the insulation. Noticeable traces remain on the window frames, sometimes even part of the paint is removed, so, alas, one cannot do without updating the decorative coating. However, fabric and self-adhesive paper can be removed more easily all and leave a minimum of traces.

No. 3. Wool insulation

Instead of paper, you can use cotton wool - there are fewer problems, and the thermal insulation qualities are almost the same. All the cracks are carefully closed with cotton, strips of paper, fabric or adhesive tape are glued on top. The disadvantages of the method are the same as the previous one, but cotton wool is much easier to get out of the cracks.

No. 4. Linen cord insulation

The gaps can be filled with linen cotton cord. They fix it with small carnations or glue, and a fairly good level of sealing is achieved, but in the spring you will have to devote a lot of time to dismantling the insulation.

No. 5. Insulation of a wooden window with foam rubber and sealant

A much more modern, reliable and effective way of warming is to use foam tape and sealing cords.

foam tape It is inexpensive, but its service life is only about 2 years. This method of insulation is optimal when sufficiently large gaps have formed between the wings and the frame. The installation process itself is simple, but time-consuming, since everything must be accurately measured and carefully glued so that the window is well insulated, but at the same time does not stop closing normally. The main advantage of the method- the ability to open a window.

The process of insulation with foam tape is as follows:


Much more durable will be insulation made using sealing cords. They are made from different materials:


Main advantage rubber seal- the price, but when the temperature drops, it is able to tan and break. In addition, rubber has a high wear resistance, so it is better to choose for windows that constantly open and close. Other types of cords, although they are more expensive, but in terms of operation they show themselves much better.

Sealing cords are made different shapes- the choice depends on the size of the gaps in the window structure:


Tubular seals allow you to achieve a sufficiently high level of sealing, do not interfere with the free opening of the window, can remain in the summer and serve for several seasons in a row. The seal may have self-adhesive base and then its installation will be identical to the installation of foam tapes described above. If you take such a seal, pay attention to the expiration date of the glue: if it comes to an end, then the cord may either not stick at all or peel off quickly.

It is most reliable to take the sealant separately and separately the glue for it, which can be used as silicone. In this case, the durability of insulation reaches 5 years.

There is one more nuance. All work with tubular profiles is carried out at temperatures above +10 0 C, so it is better not to delay until cold weather. It is necessary to glue the seal very carefully so as not to disturb the opening system of the valves.

No. 6. Insulation of wooden windows using Swedish technology

This the most progressive, modern and efficient way. Windows insulated according to Swedish technology actually are equal in terms of tightness to modern plastic windows. This method also involves the use of a sealant, only for it special grooves are prepared in the window sashes.

Swedish insulation technology involves the following procedure:

The durability of such insulation is 15-20 years Therefore, the complexity and high cost of the method are fully justified. It is worth doing such work on your own only if you have at least a little experience in carpentry, otherwise you can only make things worse. The easiest way, of course, is to entrust all the work to specialists.

Windows insulated using Swedish technology can be opened at any time of the year, their appearance does not deteriorate, but Soundproofing is an added bonus.

No. 7. Insulation of a wooden window with a sealant

This method is aimed at thermal insulation of the junction of glass and sash, can be done by hand, but will require a high degree of care and accuracy. The procedure is as follows:

  • extraction of glazing beads, thin rails that hold the glass around the perimeter. During dismantling, almost all glazing beads break, so it is better to buy new ones in advance, and with a margin. Extraction starts from the bottom glazing bead, then the side ones are removed and only then the top one, for this it is convenient to use a small knife or a screwdriver;
  • the seat inside the sash is thoroughly cleaned of dirt and dust;
  • applying silicone sealant and installing glass in place. All work on the dismantling and installation of glass is carried out with thick gloves;
  • installation of new glazing beads.

Can be used instead of sealant putty for windows. The procedure remains the same, only after installing the glass, excess putty must be immediately removed with a knife. In terms of aesthetics, this method is no worse, since subsequently the junction will still be closed with a new glazing bead.

August 28, 2016
Specialization: Capital construction works (laying the foundation, erecting walls, constructing the roof, etc.). Internal construction works (laying of internal communications, rough and fine finishing). Hobbies: mobile communication, high technologies, computer equipment, programming.

I recently had to take Do-it-yourself insulation of slopes of plastic windows. The fact is that one grandmother I know at one of the feasts in the village complained to me that modern technologies in construction work worse than already proven grandfather methods.

It turned out that she recently changed the window frames to plastic ones, after which it became not warmer in her house, but, on the contrary, colder. I immediately understood why in the house it became colder, but he did not prove anything to her. I just decided to help the old man, especially since there were only two windows, and the technology itself is as simple as possible for me.

But then it turned out that the slopes had to be insulated not only from the inside, but also outside. But the result turned out to be so good that a few more grannies decided to take advantage of my kindness. Naturally, I was not able to help everyone, so I drew up a detailed work plan, according to which it was necessary to act.

This instruction, as I later found out, she helped their sons and sons-in-law to do everything with your own hands. I think that this information will help you insulate the slopes like plastic windows and wooden window blocks.

Background

Since this whole story began with a dispute about how effective modern building technologies are, I cannot help but raise the question of how windows were insulated earlier, during my childhood.

Not so long ago, in order to get rid of a piercing draft blowing through the cracks at the window opening (after all, window blocks were far from ideal, believe me), only improvised means were used. From childhood, the following types of "heaters" were remembered:

  • old unnecessary rags of different sizes;
  • special paper, which was sold in rolls in hardware stores;
  • medical cotton;
  • foam rubber;
  • adhesive tape and so on.

Such slope insulation It was produced independently, and for this neither special knowledge nor special tools were needed. However, the effectiveness of the measures taken left much to be desired. Not to mention how beautiful it all looked.

Often, after dismantling such insulation, entire layers of paint fell off the window frames, after which it was necessary to re-grind, putty and paint the damaged surfaces.

In general, I think that no one, except for a grandmother in the village, needs to prove the effectiveness of the old methods. Therefore, it is better to tell you about what thermal insulation materials are produced insulation of slopes from the inside and outside at present.

Material selection

There are a huge number of different heaters on the building materials market that are suitable for insulating window slopes. I will highlight only the most popular of them. To make it easier for you to choose, I have compiled a table, which I bring to your attention.

Material Peculiarities
Styrofoam One of the most popular solutions, in my opinion, due to its maximum cheapness. In principle, working with this material is also not difficult, but some features must be taken into account. For example, the ability to greatly change its size when heated and cooled. In this regard, I personally recommend using a minimum of adhesive so that it does not crack during operation.
Foamed polyethylene In addition to the low coefficient of thermal conductivity, it boasts excellent hydrophobic properties. Often in my work I used polyethylene with an additional foil layer, which plays the role of a heat-reflecting screen, keeping heat inside the living quarters. When working with this material, I recommend paying increased attention to sealing and sealing joints in slopes.
Basalt wool The best choice for insulating window openings in terms of technical characteristics and cost. In addition to protecting against cold and conserving thermal energy, cotton wool acts as an excellent sound insulator. For grandmothers, this can be a disadvantage, since from her window she will not hear what is happening with her neighbors in the yard.

Among other things, basalt wool has water-repellent properties and does not lose its characteristics when wet.

Multilayer panels A practical and affordable way for self-implementation. We are talking about ready-made plastic panels, which are supplemented on the underside with a layer of insulating material. They absorb noise well and are quickly mounted.

If the builders who installed the windows had crooked hands and left a large number of gaps, you can combine the materials listed above, achieving maximum protection against heat loss.

Ways to insulate windows made of plastic

After thinking about all the possible ways of warming and evaluating the scale of the work, I decided to insulate the grandmother's windows with foam sheets. It will turn out cheaply, and quickly, and with sufficient quality. Moreover, after the last repair, I had a supply of this material, so I didn’t have to spend much money.

Method 1 - Internal thermal insulation

Now I'll tell you how I spent insulation of window slopes from the inside. The scheme of work is quite simple and consists of several simple steps:

  1. Trimmed all the protrusions and tatters of mounting foam. By the way, I just want to say to all novice masters. Finishing slopes should be carried out as soon as possible, otherwise the foam, exposed to the sun and wind, will quickly crumble. You will have to re-fill the gaps.

  1. Primed the slopes with a special primer. I always buy a composition that not only removes dust from surfaces and improves their adhesive properties, but also contains antiseptics that prevent the formation of mold and fungus on slopes.

  1. I mixed the plaster mortar (for this I had a purchased plaster mixture in dry powder). For kneading, I used a special mixer, which is inserted with a drill, and a plastic bucket. I can’t specify the exact proportions of water and powder (you will have a mixture from another manufacturer), but you can always find the information of interest on the packaging.

  1. Plastered slope. It is not necessary to carefully observe the level here. The main thing is to level the surfaces of the window opening so that foam sheets can be easily glued onto it.

Particular attention must be paid to sealing the cracks into which the building foam was blown. They need to be plastered as carefully as possible to avoid destruction of the seal during operation.

  1. Then let the plaster dry completely. Then, in order to reduce the consumption of glue and improve the degree of its adhesion to the surface, I primed the slopes again. Like last time, I used a composition with special antiseptic additives.
  2. Cleaned up the foam. The fact is that this heat-insulating material has a smooth surface, therefore, in order for it to better hold in the window opening, it must be slightly scratched with sandpaper.
    This must be done on both sides. There will be glue on one, and I will also plaster the other (more on this in the following paragraphs of the instructions).
  3. I cut the foam into the necessary parts along the previously removed surfaces. I advise you to leave small allowances. Subsequently, they can be easily cut with a blade or hacksaw. And if you miss in the smaller direction, you will have to throw out the whole part.

  1. Glued parts to plastered and primed surfaces. To do this, I spread glue on each part and press it tightly to the right place. After the glue is completely dry, you can finally trim the pieces of foam so that they perfectly fit the slope in size.

  1. Then I attached special corners to the corners of the foam plastic, thanks to which, after finishing work, the corners of the slopes will look perfect without additional efforts to level them. Such corners are sold in hardware stores and are inexpensive. Therefore, I see no reason to refuse to use them.

  1. After that, I plastered and puttied the slopes on the inside of the window opening.
  2. Then I primed the surfaces and painted them with paint. I chose white color, which is ideal for decorating window openings and combined with the color of plastic frames.
  3. Those parts of the slopes that go to the main wall, I decorated with wide plastic corners. But it is better to finish them with the same material with which they are decorated. It’s just that at the granny’s they were pasted over with old wallpaper, and I considered this option to be optimal.

By the way, there are many options for decorative finishing of slopes insulated with foam. You can not plaster them, but cover them with sheets of drywall, and then putty.

Can be finished with decorative plaster. Can be decorated with plastic panels. It all depends on your imagination.

There is another finishing option if you decide to use drywall. In this case, you need to immediately cut out the parts from drywall and foam, then glue them together, thereby obtaining decorative insulating panels, and then fix this whole “pie” on the wall.

But in any case, drywall will also have to be puttied, primed and painted.

Method 2 - External thermal insulation

You already know that I am used to doing my job well, therefore, having taken up the insulation of window slopes in the grandmother's house in the village, I decided not to limit myself to working inside the house and insulate the window opening from the outside.

Moreover, the house of a rural resident is not a skyscraper in the city, so I didn’t need to fence forests or call a lift. And as a result, the old woman, I think, will remember me more than once with a kind word when she finds out how much less coal she will need in the future to heat her home.

I tell you what I did for the outer window insulation:

  1. Cut off the remains of construction foam. By the way, it has already begun to partially crumble, since none of the installers installing windows explained to the villager that the sealant must be protected from exposure to sunlight, wind, water and other destructive factors.

  1. Then I treated the surfaces with an antibacterial primer to avoid the appearance of mold and other unpleasant microorganisms.
  2. Outside, the surfaces of the window opening of the grandmother were even (it is clear that the grandfather, who built the house, approached this matter with all possible responsibility). So there was no need for plastering.
    If your surfaces around the window will have large irregularities and defects, plaster them using the technology that I have already described.

For external insulation, I use extruded polystyrene foam. This is a heat-insulating material that differs from polystyrene in greater mechanical strength. In addition, it is not destroyed as a result of intense exposure to atmospheric moisture.

  1. As with internal insulation, I cut out sheets of expanded polystyrene, fitting them under the slopes of the window opening. Then smeared with glue and applied to the desired surfaces.

To keep the insulation stronger, I additionally fixed the material with dowels with wide plastic caps. Expanded polystyrene, unlike polystyrene, does not crumble during finishing, so the described process will not cause great difficulties even for an unprepared home master.

  1. I attached a specially purchased corner to the corners. It simplifies the work on further decorative and preserves the integrity of the decorative edging of the window opening.
  2. Then he smeared the installed heat insulator with a special adhesive, after which he laid the reinforcing fiberglass mesh. It will provide the necessary strength. Without it, the plaster mortar will quickly crack and fall off, as it will be exposed to snow, wind, sun and so on all the time.

  1. Plastered the outer slopes of the window. For this, he used building powder, from which he made a solution. There is no need for special wisdom, everything is done according to the standard procedure.

  1. I puttyed the surfaces, making them smooth, and then painted with a white water-based emulsion.

As a result, everyone was happy, and I spent my country vacation with the maximum benefit for society.

By the way, sometimes a situation arises when, despite the insulation, condensation forms on the glass. In this case, I recommend equipping a ventilation hole in the window block or under the window opening. It will help to regulate the level of humidity in the room.

Conclusion

So now you understand how the right thing to do insulated window frame helps to keep warm in the house and build relationships with grandmothers in the village. If you are interested in additional information on the issue raised, you can read video in this article.

I will also be glad to hear from you stories about how you insulate windows and what material you use for this. Perhaps the technology you described will help someone to do slope insulation faster, cheaper and more efficient.