Adjusting plastic windows winter-summer with your own hands: pressing for winter mode

Why is the procedure needed?

It is regularly necessary to carry out work within the framework of seasonal adjustments: adjusting plastic windows for the winter allows you to change the pressing force in order to reduce heat losses to zero. Other actions are carried out for the purpose of prevention, to extend the service life of the frame, sash and fittings, and to reduce the load on them.

A number of manipulations are carried out if certain problems arise:

The sash is closed, but a draft is regularly felt near the opening . Usually we are talking about weak pressure to the frame. If the structure was installed more than 7-10 years ago, the rubber or silicone seal may have worn out. When elasticity is lost, a gap forms between the frame and the sash.
Handle loosening . This element of fittings is subject to multiple mechanical stresses; even expensive devices are not protected from weakening. You need to set up the knob immediately so that you don’t have to change the whole thing later.
Sagging of the sash . This is the most common problem with models with a rotary mechanism, which are often kept in the open position. The sash puts a lot of pressure on the hinges, over time a backlash appears, and it becomes more difficult to close the window.
Displacement of the glass unit horizontally or vertically . The reason may be natural wear or misalignment of the frame.
Handle jamming . As a rule, we are talking about the lubricant drying out or dirt getting inside. Cleaning is required once every 12 months, but can be done more often.

Adjust windows: when and why

Periodic adjustment of PVC windows helps maintain a comfortable microclimate. The design provides for manual control of the pressing mechanism. The air supply from the outside depends on the tightness of the sash.

Window adjustment is carried out in two cases:

When the seasons change . By increasing or decreasing the pressure on the sealing rubber, you can control the incoming air flow. In summer it is advisable to increase the clearance, in winter - to reduce it.
If the old frames are warped . Sagging of the sash affects the tightness of the fit and reduces performance. Adjusting the hinges will ensure stable operation of the window equipment.

I do not recommend keeping windows on winter mode all the time. In hot weather, the sealing rubber suffers from increased pressure and wears out faster. Summer mode with frosty and windy weather contributes to heat loss and the appearance of drafts. But if you adjust the windows for winter and summer, this will extend the life of the double-glazed windows

Setting up the handle: how to do it right

If it is necessary to adjust this element, you will need to lift the top pad by picking it up with a sharp object and turn the handle 90 degrees. There are a couple of bolts under the decorative part; they need to be unscrewed, after which you can remove the fittings. If the product needs to be completely replaced, replace the old element with a new one.

If adjustments are necessary, tighten the fastening elements and check the correct operation of the device.

How to adjust a plastic window for the winter so it doesn’t blow: eliminating problems with drafts

If the problem is caused by wear or damage to the sealing rubber, it should be replaced. The old cuff is removed along the entire perimeter of the euro window. The planting site is treated to remove dirt, grease and dust, and any remaining glue is removed.

Then a new seal is installed, pushing it downwards. The operation is carried out extremely carefully; sudden movements can damage the rubber or silicone, causing the element to not sit tightly and gaps to appear. It is forbidden to pull the product, this carries a risk of rupture.

Another reason is expressed in loose clamping to the frame. To change the fit, you need to use an eccentric. This part is located on the end of the sash and extends beyond the metal corner strip. Its location can be adjusted using the handle: the sharper the turn, the further the element moves beyond the bar, providing more powerful pressure. When drafts appear, you need to rearrange the position of the bar, which is secured with a pair of bolts. The fasteners are loosened and moved away from you: this increases the degree of fit.

In some cases, it is necessary to adjust the eccentric itself with points. To do this, you can use a flat or Phillips screwdriver, a hex key, pliers: it all depends on the type of fittings. When rotated clockwise, the clamping force increases, and when rotated in the opposite direction, it weakens. A similar procedure is often carried out when adjusting window structures for the season.

It should be noted that sometimes drafts appear due to frame misalignment resulting from shrinkage of the house or improper installation of the frame. It will not be possible to fix this problem by setting it up at home; you will need the help of a qualified technician.

Features of adjusting windows and doors from different manufacturers

Many factories produce plastic windows and doors, characterizing their products as easy to use and durable. Promotional offers often contain information about various unique technologies that distinguish products. All this may be a marketing ploy, since the designs of finished plastic windows and doors from different manufacturers are practically the same.

REHAU products are characterized by high quality, but they also require adjustment during operation. The features of this process for REHAU brand products are expressed as follows:

the internal mechanism of doors and windows can be adjusted in several planes, that is, down and up, right and left, as well as with pressure adjustment;
if the structure is equipped with fittings from the Siegenia Aubi brand, then to adjust it you need to tighten the screws;
if there are MAKO brand fittings, then you need to remove the sash and then carry out adjustment work;
REHAU blitz products use Roto fittings, which require hex keys to operate.

One of the well-known manufacturers is Veka, which produces modern doors and windows. When setting up such products, take into account the following features:

to switch the structure to winter mode, you need to turn the closing tenon by 90° using a hexagon, located under the top turn;
if the sash is closed, but the handle does not turn and it is impossible to close the window, then you should slightly move the sash towards the counter zone of the blocker, using the adjusting screw located under the lower hinge;
If the handle breaks, you need to turn the decorative trim 90°, unscrew the screws and remove the old element.

KBE brand products are of high quality, but require timely adjustment. To do this, you need to pay attention to the following design features:

the tightness of the fit of the canvas to the frame is adjusted by three eccentrics located on the end part of the sash;
to eliminate sagging, adjust the screws on the upper canopy, that is, loosen the lower one and turn the upper element to the right or left;
The broken handle is removed by removing the lining and unscrewing the bolts.

Products from different companies differ only slightly in the shape of the control parts and their location. The operating principle of the mechanisms is the same, and therefore it is not difficult to adjust the operation of the system with your own hands.

Horizontal and vertical adjustment: instructions for dummies

The design of most plastic windows is tilt-and-turn: the sash can be opened or set to ventilation mode. Such models require regular horizontal or vertical adjustment.

You will need to do the following:

In the case of horizontal debugging, you need to insert the hexagon into the upper hinge and rotate clockwise until the sash is in the required place. Typically, this work is performed when the frame is skewed or the hinges are loosened.
Vertical adjustment requires adjustment of the lower hinge: to raise the sash, the hexagon is rotated to the right, and to lower it, to the left. The method allows you to cope with distortion up to 2-2.5 mm. Larger deformations require specialist intervention.

Adjustment vertically or horizontally may also be necessary if the sealing element has already partially worn out, but is still suitable for use for 2-3 years. The clamp allows you to ensure the tightness of the structure without changing the elastic band too often.

Self-adjustment of plastic doors and windows

To carry out self-adjustment, you will need tools such as hex keys, flathead and Phillips screwdrivers, as well as pliers and mechanical lubricant. The process can be completed in a short period of time by following the instructions and using quality tools.

How to set summer-winter mode

Setting the summer-winter mode of windows and doors is similar and is necessary when the season changes. In summer, after adjustment, the sash turns out to be less pressed against the frame than when setting the winter mode. In hot weather, this ensures that air enters the room through micro-holes. If you constantly use the winter mode, which is characterized by very tight pressing of the sash to the frame, the seal will quickly wear out, and the room will be stuffy during the heat. Thus, the difference between these two modes lies in the compression density and the degree of tightness of the structure.

To control the mode you need to perform the following actions:

At the side end of the door or window sash, in the handle area, there is a system of eccentrics, which are an adjustment tool.
A hex key whose diameter corresponds to the parameters of the element is inserted into the eccentric hole.
Next, slightly turn the eccentric a few millimeters to weaken (summer) or strengthen (winter) the pressure of the sash to the frame. It is important to do this carefully and without sudden movements.
To easily correct the pressure in the autumn or spring, you need to rotate the element very slightly, which should take the standard position.

Video: features of adjusting window mode

Setting the sash pressure

In case of drafts or loose pressure in the hinge area, the mechanism is adjusted, for which you will need a 4 mm hex key. First you need to determine the area from where the strongest blowing occurs. This is necessary to configure the lower or upper loop.

The work package involves the following actions:

To adjust the sash in a vertical position, use the lower hinge. A cap is opened on the hinges, which provides access to the mechanism and the hex hole.
The canvas can be adjusted in horizontal or vertical positions. If the hexagon is rotated clockwise, the window is pulled closer to the frame, otherwise it only works to loosen the fixation between the panel and the sash, that is, to lower its lower area. Adjustment on the top hinge is only carried out with the sash fully open. In this case, it is impossible to move the window by more than two millimeters.
When setting the clamp for the first time, it is important to only slightly turn the hinge mechanism with a hexagon. After several years of operation, the elements of the system wear out as a result of opening/closing and the rotation can be increased.

Video: adjusting hinges to adjust the pressure on the plastic sash

How to adjust the handle of a plastic window or door

The handles of modern metal-plastic doors and windows are subjected to intensive and not always correct use. To avoid damage, this element should be rotated only when the sash is pressed tightly. If the handle malfunctions, the following measures will help solve the problem:

To replace the old element with a new one, turn the decorative cover 90° and remove it after unscrewing the screws. The mechanism is removed and a new one is installed, returning the screws and cover to their place;
If the handle is in the closed position, but the window cannot be closed, then the mechanism is blocked. The design includes a special lock designed to prevent the handle from being turned in the open position. To unlock, press the lock located at the end of the sash, then close the leaf and turn the handle;
Difficult turning of the handle is often due to insufficient lubrication of the mechanism. To fix the problem, you need to remove the decorative panel, unscrew the screws and slightly pull out the mechanism, onto which aerosol or machine lubricant is then applied, and the excess is removed with a napkin.

Video: installing and replacing the handle

Adjusting plastic balcony doors

Despite the fact that the window and door sash designs are similar, the mechanism settings have slight differences. Position correction can be carried out vertically, in which the height of the canvas relative to the opening changes. Horizontal adjustment allows you to correct the gap between the sash and the hinges, and with the help of front adjustment you can set the optimal pressure of the leaf to the frame.

The implementation of these options for adjusting the mechanism involves the following actions:

For horizontal adjustment, you need to remove the decorative trim from the hinges, install a 3 mm hex key in the adjusting screw and turn it clockwise 1 or 2 times. This is done for each of the loops;
the vertical screw allows you to slightly move the blade up (you need to turn the element clockwise) and down (counterclockwise). This option is optimal if the lower leaf of the balcony door rubs against the threshold when moving, and also if, during normal closing, defects have arisen on the upper or lower rubber seals. To work, you will need a 5 mm hex key. A similar 2.5 mm hexagon, as well as a flat-head screwdriver, are necessary to correct the placement of the lower and upper opening slats. A Phillips screwdriver is used to adjust the main linings;
if frontal correction of the door leaf is required, then for this you need to follow the technology of pressing the door against the frame, since these measures provide an equal effect.

Video: adjusting the bottom hinge of a door or window

How to switch plastic windows to winter mode?

In summer, the doors can be adjusted so that the degree of pressure is less; in the winter season, on the contrary, it is increased. Before you adjust plastic windows yourself for the winter, you need to check the condition of the fittings and seals: they must be in full working order.

To make the adjustment, you need to change the fit by tightening the sash pins; for this, a hex wrench is most often used. Windows from some manufacturers, for example, Maco (Mako), can be adjusted to the winter position using ordinary pliers. To properly adjust the mechanism, it is necessary to pay attention to all types of trunnions. They need to be tightened clockwise, usually 1-2 full turns are enough.

Experts recommend that at the end of the winter period, loosen the degree of pressure, since when performed, the mechanical pressure on the seal will be higher and it will wear out faster. If it is necessary to reduce the position of the eccentric, change it by turning it counterclockwise and set it to summer mode. Usually this procedure takes no more than 10-15 minutes.

Switching winter/summer modes

When installing double-glazed windows, installers set the initial neutral parameters for locking the sashes. All positions will be adjusted for optimal functionality. However, then it is necessary to adjust the settings - ideally twice a year.

Why is this necessary?

Seasonal adjustment is often forgotten, leaving the sash pressure in a neutral position. As with any violation of operating rules, consequences arise over time:

drafts from under the sash even with correct installation adjustments;
if the summer mode is set, then in winter this will not provide sufficient pressure on the locking mechanism, which will cause heat loss from the room;
if you leave the winter position, then due to the constant strong pressure of the sash on the seal, the latter will quickly become unusable;
in the absence of seasonal adjustment, the normal microclimate of the room is disrupted, including an increase in humidity levels (there is a risk of condensation and mold).

Incorrect operating mode can lead to the formation of condensation on the glass.
To do this, you need to correctly set the winter and summer modes of plastic windows in the sash settings.

Adjustment mechanisms

Before you begin changing the mode, you need to determine the locations where the adjustment devices are located. In most cases, the system provides for the presence of special mechanisms - trunnions, which, depending on their position, determine the degree of pressing of the sash required for the season.

They are located at the ends of a metal-plastic window or door. The number of such mechanisms may vary depending on the size and manufacturer of the glass unit (from two or more).

Possible locations of eccentrics - different manufacturers have them in different places

The trunnions may differ in appearance, but they perform the same adjusting function.

Options for the appearance of eccentrics

At the edge of the eccentric there is a mark, which serves as an indicator of the desired mode. By default, it is set up - this is a neutral position, which needs to be changed in accordance with the season.

Risk indicating the selected mode

How to switch

The process itself is quite simple, you only need one tool - a simple hexagon (usually 4 mm), or less often an asterisk.

You need to set plastic windows to cold season mode before the onset of frost, when the temperature is still plus 5–10°.

Open the glass unit and inspect the ends. Usually there is one eccentric on the side, the second on top.

Mark indicating adjustment mode

Most likely, the regimes will be in a neutral position, and the risks will point upward. Having selected the desired tool, change the position of the marker.

To set a plastic window for the winter, turn the notch on the regulator towards the outside of the room. With the onset of the warm season, the position of the marker should be moved by the mark inside the room. Accordingly, if there are several such regulators, then the modes are transferred by turning all available eccentrics to one position.

You need to constantly switch modes according to the season - this is what will ensure normal functionality, balance of ventilation and sufficient energy saving in your home.

How to adjust plastic windows yourself for the winter: step by step photos

Step 1 : Open the window sash and find the eccentric (trunnion), the fittings come with round and oval trunnions.

plastic windows winter summer photo mode

Step 2 : Take a tool: for a round pin – hexagon number 4, for an oval pin – pliers.

Step 3 : Move the trunnion to winter, summer or neutral position

adjusting plastic windows yourself for the winter, instructions and photos

Other actions

Adjustment processes are carried out regularly; they are part of preventive maintenance to increase the service life of metal-plastic windows.

As part of scheduled maintenance, you also need to perform some other actions:

Lubricating moving parts. Such elements are subject to the greatest mechanical stress; in order to reduce the load, it is necessary to regularly change the lubricant. Before this, the parts must be cleaned of dust and particles trapped inside, otherwise they will stick to the lubricated surfaces and the parts will jam. As a rule, the procedure is carried out for locks, handles, and hinges.

Checking accessories for serviceability. It is important to make sure that all handles open and close without jamming, that the hinges do not creak, and that the lock does not jam. Minor repairs take minimal time and also protect against the risk of more serious problems.
It is necessary to check the frame and sash for deformation. Minor distortions can be corrected by adjusting the height or width; if this is not done, you may encounter more serious defects that cannot be eliminated on your own.
Cleaning the end parts from debris, dust, and moisture. Neglecting this action will result in the sash not closing too tightly, which is especially dangerous in winter. As a result of drafts, heat loss can almost double.

Another common problem is the inability to close the window. This happens most often when the sash is severely sagging or the fittings are worn out. Adjusting the hinges in this case will not correct the situation; more complex repairs will be required. It is necessary to make gaskets from plastic, cutting them out with a stationery or regular knife; The thickness of the parts should not exceed 4 mm.

The products are placed under the slats of the response mechanism, having previously pulled out the bolts and removed the parts themselves. This method is suitable if the deformation is not too severe. Another solution is to deliberately bend the frame with your own hands so that it matches the shape of the opening.

Algorithm of actions:

pull out the bead in the part of the frame that needs to be reconfigured;
squeeze out the double-glazed window: for this, use a thin plastic or metal object, a measuring ruler will do;
a prepared plastic gasket is inserted into the resulting gap;
the glazing bead is returned to its place, the ruler is removed.

The disadvantage of this method is the increased risk of damage to the glass unit. In addition, if there is a strong distortion, it will not help: the entire window will need to be replaced.