Blowing from a plastic window - identify the causes and eliminate the consequences

Preparation

Window insulation, no matter how trivial it may sound, begins with washing them. Clean glass has a low level of transparency to infrared radiation. If it is dirty, this parameter increases. Therefore, in order to keep the room warm, it is necessary to thoroughly wash the windows before the onset of cold weather.

Insulation will be more effective if the frames and glass are thoroughly washed

For washing, it is recommended to use products that contain ammonia. It has two important properties:

• Removes grease stains.
• Does not leave streaks.

The glass and window sill, as well as the frame, should be washed, since it is on it that the putty will be applied and the seals will be glued. If you do this on dirt, the insulation will quickly fall off and you will have to do everything again.

External insulation technology involves the following procedure:

1. First you need to take care of the slopes. Remains of putty, foam, paint and other materials must be removed from them. Then fill the window cracks with foam. Trim off the excess, install a mesh on the slope and apply plaster. Finally prime and paint. Work can only be carried out at positive temperatures.
2. If the frames are wooden, it is necessary to eliminate the gaps between the window sashes, as well as on all wooden elements. To do this, they need to be painted or varnished.

After the insulation work has been carried out from the outside, you can begin work from the inside of the room. The workflow may differ depending on what material the window is made of (wood or plastic).

Alternative Ways to Improve Energy Saving

The thermal insulation characteristics of window structures can be increased by increasing the number of glasses, the distance between them, and filling the space with inert gas.

Modern technology for the production of multifunctional glasses involves the application of a coating of silver and titanium. It protects against both heat leakage and heat penetration, while maintaining light transmittance characteristics. An alternative is heated windows, which are used on balconies and loggias.

Thermal film can be used as a temporary way to increase the thermal insulation properties of a window. It can be installed on old PVC windows before installing a new structure.

The glass and frame must be cleaned of dirt, and tape with two adhesive sides must be glued around the glazing beads, onto which the film is fixed. The material is heated until the surface is smoothed. Thermal film creates a space that reduces thermal conductivity and retains heat.

How to seal windows with wooden frames

Insulation of wooden window blocks from the inside can be temporary or permanent. It all depends on what material to use in the process. In the first case, the insulation can be removed with the arrival of spring, and in the second it will remain for a longer period of time.

Wooden frames are insulated either for a long time or only for the winter

You can seal windows using the following materials:

• cotton wool or foam rubber,
• paper,
• special seals,
• polyurethane foam,
• silicone or acrylic based sealant,
• paraffin,
• alabaster.

You can also use tow, polyethylene foam, putty, etc. at home. In the latter case, the workflow has one drawback - labor intensity. When it gets warmer, you will have to put in a lot of effort to remove the putty. Therefore, it is recommended to use it to eliminate only large gaps.

Cotton wool and fabric strips

How can you insulate windows for the winter with your own hands using cotton wool and fabric strips? It is not for nothing that this method is considered the easiest and cheapest. You need to push the cotton wool into all the existing cracks. If the holes are small, you will need a screwdriver or knife.

Soft material is pushed into all the cracks

The gaps filled with cotton wool are sealed with fabric strips. Pasting takes place in several stages.

1. Cut a piece of fabric, such as an old sheet, into small strips.
2. Wet the strips in water. Squeeze thoroughly.
3. Before gluing, thoroughly rub the fabric with soap (usually using laundry soap). Soap has excellent insulating properties, making it breathable.

If you insulate old wooden windows for the winter using cotton wool and fabric, you may encounter one problem: a temperature difference can cause the fabric to quickly peel off, and the work will have to be done again.

This method also has advantages. If we glue the cotton wool with a cloth, at the end of winter there will be no difficulty in removing them.

Sealant

You can insulate wooden windows for the winter with silicone sealant. This is a more reliable, but at the same time troublesome and expensive method.

Using a convenient tube, you can quickly and effectively eliminate cracks

To insulate an apartment or house, you will need to purchase the composition itself and a construction gun. The sealant must be transparent. Here's how to seal windows with it:

1. First, the window must be washed and degreased.
2. The next stage is removing the glazing beads.
3. Apply the product into the space between the frame and the glass. Let dry.
4. Put the glazing beads in place.

The advantages of this method include speed, and the disadvantages are the rather high price of sealants.

Paraffin

Using paraffin, the window can be sealed so that it does not blow through the frame and so that the glass does not freeze. This insulation allows you to completely close all the pores in the wood.

Before sealing the window for the winter in this way, the paraffin must be melted and then evenly applied to the frame.

Paraffin effectively closes all cracks and is easily removed in the spring

The main advantage of this simple method is the ability to eliminate heat loss through wooden elements. Disadvantages include labor intensity, as well as the fact that heat will still escape through the glass.

Sealant

A rubber seal will also help you insulate old windows yourself. This is a great way to eliminate gaps in wood frames. It has a number of advantages:

1. Long service life.
2. The window can be opened and closed as before sealing.
3. The appearance does not deteriorate.

This type of window sealing for the winter also has some disadvantages:

1. The material is more expensive than, for example, fabric strips or cotton wool.
2. The seal may be of poor quality.
3. Over time, the material may peel off.

The structure of the seal is an empty tube or flexible tape. Thanks to this, it perfectly retains its shape without interfering with the functioning of the window.

Various seals for window frames

We glue the material on the inside of the window. It is quite easy to stick it on, since there is a special sticky strip on one side. The seal will last approximately 2 years.

Heat-saving film

Windows can be insulated using a special shrink film that has energy-saving properties. It cannot seal cracks in windows, but it can reduce heat loss in wood or plastic products.

This material has many advantages:

• Lasts all winter.
• Prevents heat from escaping in the form of infrared radiation.
• Promotes the appearance of an additional air layer.

Shrink film is very effective when sealing frames and glass.

Covering windows with film is not that difficult. The workflow consists of several steps:

1. The frame must be thoroughly cleaned and wiped with degreasers.
2. Place double-sided tape around the perimeter of the glass.
3. Cut the film so that each piece fits the desired size.
4. Apply the material to the glass so that it covers the entire glass completely. Its edges should be in close contact with the tape.
5. Heat the film with a hairdryer. Thanks to the high temperature, wrinkles will be smoothed out and the surface will become perfectly smooth.

The appearance of a window sealed in this way is not very attractive. But the apartment/house will be warm and dry.

Foam rubber and tape

For gluing, strips of foam rubber or foam tape, which has an adhesive base, are often used. This material provides thermal insulation, but has poor sound insulation.

Ordinary foam rubber is placed in the cracks that have formed between the frame and the window opening. It can also be laid along the window sashes. If necessary, such insulation can be quickly removed.

Insulation using foam tape for covering windows is carried out in several stages:

• remove the frame from the box;
• lay the tape in the slot in several layers;
• Press the material tightly against the window and put the frame back.

The only drawback of this type of insulation is the tape stains that may remain after removing the tape.

Foam rubber is also a good insulator, and the unaesthetic appearance can be corrected by sealing it on top with masking tape

An alternative to foam rubber is masking tape. Its use has several advantages:

• the ability to quickly remove drafts,
• financial costs are kept to a minimum.

Adhesive tape for covering windows also has disadvantages: a low level of efficiency and frequent peeling off in strong drafts. Therefore, covering windows with tape will be cheap, but ineffective.

Other improvised means

In addition to the above methods for sealing windows, there are others. For insulation you can use:

• newspapers,
• rags,
• bubble wrap.

Using paper and soap, you can quickly and inexpensively protect your room from cold air. You just need to moisten the soap and lubricate the paper strips with it. Then stick them on the window.

Old newspapers, regular soap, and bubble wrap will help seal the cracks thoroughly.

Working with bubble wrap will be a little more labor intensive. There may be problems acquiring it. You can buy such material from companies that sell packaging materials, in furniture stores or from carrier companies.

To seal with bubble wrap, you need:

1. Cut the film into pieces that correspond to the size of the glass.
2. Wet the glass with water.
3. Cover with film so that the bubbles face out.
4. Carefully level the material.

The undoubted advantage of this method is the absence of stains after removing the insulation.

Insulation using Swedish technology

It is possible to insulate windows efficiently and quickly using innovative Swedish technologies. They involve the use of a special type of sealant - Eurostrip. It doesn't need to be glued. It fits into the grooves previously prepared for it. The seal is secured with special holders, which ensure reliability of the structure and extend its service life.

Before sealing a wooden window for the winter in this way, you need to weigh all its advantages and disadvantages. The first include:

• the material has high thermal insulation properties;
• service life reaches 20 years.

The disadvantages include cost and high costs in terms of effort and time. In addition, sometimes you have to turn to specialists. This way you can seal the windows only with the help of a special tool.

The workflow consists of several stages:

1. Remove the window block.
2. Make a groove where the sash is adjacent to the frame.
3. Using a special roller, lay the seal.
4. Put the frame in place.

It is noteworthy that this way you can insulate not only windows, but also the balcony door.

How to reduce the likelihood of blowing in the future

The main condition for the tightness of window structures is the use of high-quality materials, proper assembly and installation. Also, during operation, you should follow the recommendations - correctly open and close the doors, carry out professional adjustments and preventive maintenance.

The type of profile and glass unit must meet the weather and climatic conditions of the region. Even if there are significant problems during operation, you should call a technician who will replace the seal, adjust the fittings and perform other work.

How to insulate plastic windows for the winter

To quickly insulate plastic windows for the winter with your own hands, you must first determine the places from which it blows. Only after this can you choose materials and insulation method.

How to determine where it is blowing from a plastic window

You can find places in a plastic structure where the air is blowing from in the following ways:

1. By hand. If you run your palm over the surface of the window, you can immediately detect cracks.
2. Using a lighter. Fire has a high level of sensitivity to drafts, so even a slight blowing will show.
3. Paper. Open the doors, insert a sheet between them and the frame, and close them back. Lightly pull the corner. If the paper pulls out easily, there is a problem with the seal.

Gaps in PVC windows appear for many reasons:

1. Poorly executed installation.
2. Shrinkage of the house, as a result of which the frame becomes skewed. This phenomenon is typical for new buildings or wooden buildings.
3. Saving. Very often the price is reduced at the expense of quality.
4. Seal wear.
5. Ignoring the rules for operating windows.

Do plastic windows need to be insulated?

Regardless of the reason, the cracks will have to be eliminated in any case. How can you seal or insulate plastic windows to stop it from blowing? There are several options:

1. First of all, you need to take care of the slopes, both internal and external. First you need to clean them from dirt, foam residues, etc. Then prime them, seal the cracks with fresh foam, cotton wool or polystyrene foam. Cover the slopes with plasterboard, putty and paint.
2. Some details should also be adjusted. Here we mean loops, which are to some extent responsible for the tightness of the seal. To do this you will need a hex screwdriver.
3. In some cases, it may be necessary to completely replace the seal. This is a very labor-intensive process that requires dismantling the glazing bead, lining and the glass unit itself. After installing the new seal, all elements are mounted back.

How to insulate plastic windows to prevent sweating? You can use heat-saving film, which is glued directly to the glass, install a glass heating system, hang warm curtains or fabric (woolen) blinds.

Why is it blowing from the windows?

Blowing in modern windows can occur for three reasons:

1. Due to a manufacturing defect.
2. Due to the use of low quality materials.
3. Due to improper installation.

Delving deeper into each of the reasons allows you to more accurately identify the problems causing the negative phenomenon. Most often, window owners have to deal with the following:

• The window is installed unevenly, and the misalignment allows cold air to penetrate inside;
• The fittings of the product are not adjusted, and therefore the sash does not fit tightly to the frame;
• The design is equipped with low-quality locks that are not able to tightly press the parts of the window to each other;
• There is a defect in the sash or frame profile. Poor quality plastic often cracks due to cold temperatures or overheating in the sun;
• Contamination, damage or partial destruction of the seal - without maintenance and regular replacement, the seal begins to let in cold air. Cheap material breaks down very quickly;
• Improper installation and finishing of slopes. Thermal insulation not performed according to standards is one of the common causes of drafts;
• If it blows from under the window sill of a plastic window, it means that the element was installed incorrectly, and there are gaps between it and the monolithic base.

Let's take a closer look at the main blowing points and the factors that caused their appearance.

Preventing heat loss through other places

To ensure a comfortable temperature in the apartment, it is necessary to insulate not only the windows, but also the window sills and slopes, as well as the seams of the balcony.

As with gluing wooden windows, paper, fabric strips, paper tape, foam rubber, etc. are used to insulate balcony blocks. You can stick a special film on the glass of the balcony door.

It will be more difficult with slopes and window sills, especially with regard to plastic products. Gaps often remain during the installation process. Installers put cement or even garbage in them. In some cases, polyurethane foam is poured there. This is very inconvenient, because over time it can shrink and let cold into the room.

Windowsill

The method of insulating a window sill is quite simple. You need to remove the old foam and fill in the new one. Cracks formed in it can be eliminated using silicone sealant. Next, plaster and paint or any other decorative coating are applied.

You can prevent heat loss from under the windowsill by carefully insulating the gaps

Slopes

Slopes of plastic structures can be insulated using the same technology as in the case of wooden ones. For maximum efficiency, you can glue foam plastic to the wall using special glue and then apply plaster, putty and paint.

Sealing up windows is not difficult, so you can do it yourself. When it comes to insulating slopes and window sills, sometimes you need to turn to the services of craftsmen.

Price for repairing plastic windows and other types of work

The cost of repairing plastic windows is from 300 rubles.

Make your own calculation of the cost of repair and maintenance of plastic windows and doors

A technician’s visit and diagnostics 500 rubles.

Out-of-town visit of the master: +30 rubles / kilometer from the Ring Road

When accepting an order, the dispatcher will tell you the approximate cost of the work. The full scope of work and its exact cost are determined by the foreman on site.

Our contacts (mobile office)

904-30-42

Common Mistakes

The work of sealing wooden or plastic windows is usually not difficult. But many make mistakes, because of which everything has to be redone again.

1. Using a regular medical plaster. Once spring comes, it will be difficult to remove.
2. Using masking tape. This method is quite popular, but the tape comes off quickly.
3. Foam tape is not suitable for covering old wooden frames.
4. Pasting energy-saving film onto dirty glass.
5. Ignoring external insulation of slopes.

Any method of insulating windows, depending on the material from which the frame is made, has its own characteristics and nuances. Therefore, sometimes it is better to turn to craftsmen who, using a special tool, will complete the work quickly and, most importantly, with high quality.

Insulating a room for the winter is not that difficult. To do this, you can use available means, for example, strips of fabric or paper, foam rubber, cotton wool, etc. If there are large gaps, you may need to purchase spray foam or sealant. In particularly serious cases, when you need to insulate a window sill or slopes, you can use the services of specialists.