How to switch windows to winter mode: step-by-step instructions with photos

Winter mode of plastic windows

When buying window fittings, we do not think at all about the intricacies of the operation of these structures and the features of their functioning at different times of the year.

Often, when installing windows in the summer, buyers are faced with the problem of blowing out plastic windows in the cold, completely unaware that these structures have a summer and winter mode of use.

The winter mode of plastic windows is designed to ensure that the sashes fit closely to the window frame. The mode of plastic windows affects the preservation of heat in the room in cold weather.

Often, ventilating a plastic window from the winter mode can be confused with adjusting the fittings for the winter period, but these are two completely different window capabilities.

When it comes to the tightness of the sash, this is the mode that protects your apartment from excessive blowing of plastic windows.

When it is necessary to ventilate a room, flow valves are used. A special technician can switch windows to winter mode. With some skill, you can do this yourself.

The summer mode of plastic windows is different in that the sash does not fit so tightly. Thus, it becomes possible to constantly freely supply air into the apartment due to micro-ventilation.

There is a classic position - the mode of the middle connection of the sash to the frame, when the eccentrics or trunnions are located in the middle position. A window with a double-glazed window in this mode performs its functions equally well in all seasons and ensures adequate sealing.

By changing window modes, you can not only avoid drafts in the apartment, but also extend the life of the structure. In winter, the material becomes more compressed, and in hot weather it returns to its original position or expands. Adjusting the window fittings to the desired level reduces the wear threshold of the seal and fasteners.

One of the leaders in the production of plastic windows, which provide for winter and summer operation, is the Rehau company. The company was founded more than 70 years ago.

During its existence, the company has grown into a well-known brand with 170 branches around the world. Rehau is the main partner of Porsche, Volkswagen, BMW and Audi. The company produces parts and systems from polymers for these concerns.

Rehau's scope of work is aimed at the development and implementation of not only plastic windows, but also car body systems, ventilation equipment, seals for cars, and modular battery systems for electric car batteries.

Installing Rehau plastic windows will provide the room with everything necessary for the unhindered penetration of daylight, and will also protect against city noise and cold.

But how to switch plastic windows to winter mode yourself? Let's consider this issue in more detail.

Condensation on windows

When we switch windows to winter mode, their airtightness automatically increases. Sealing is not only about heat retention and noise protection. Condensation formed due to temperature changes between the street and indoor air does not evaporate, but sometimes accumulates on the surface of the glass very intensively.

Important. Insufficient air circulation leads to constantly “crying” windows, mold on slopes or profiles, and damage to the window sill.

Installing a ventilation valve will help avoid this phenomenon. At the same time, you will not feel drafts, since the flow of fresh air moves upward, mixes with the air masses of the room and circulates freely in an already heated form. You will get rid of stuffiness, dampness and mold, while maintaining the heat-insulating and sound-proofing properties of plastic windows.

We switch windows to winter mode correctly

Switching your windows to winter mode in the fall is an opportunity to save on heating costs. It is possible not to switch the windows to another mode if the good qualities of the seal are preserved. When spring arrives, switch your windows to summer mode.

Due to proper adjustment and reduction of the load on the seal, the windows will last longer.

You can switch the window fittings using the eccentrics (trunnions) designed for this purpose, which are located on the side of the sash.

If the eccentrics have recesses for a hex key, sprockets, screwdrivers, or oval-shaped eccentrics, then this design is capable of transitioning to some kind of window mode.

Eccentrics in their structure can be round or oval with openings for hexagons. To switch the window to cold mode, all eccentrics must be adjusted.

It’s easy to switch plastic windows to winter mode. It is important to remember that incorrect adjustment can have a negative impact on the windows. Schematically the process looks like this.

First, to switch the mode of plastic windows, you need to take a hexagon to tighten the window sash.
When you open the window slightly, a rounded pin will be visible from the end of the door. The pattern located on the trunnion is in most cases directed upward. This suggests that an intermediate window mode is set between winter and summer.
The hexagon must be inserted into the centrally located hole in the trunnion and turned at a right angle in the direction of the seal. Now the adjustment of the notch on the trunnion should face the seal.
It should be noted that the majority of windows have more than one axle, located along the area of the window sash. To avoid blowing, all trunnions must be switched to winter mode.
To evaluate the work, insert a piece of paper between the frame and the window sash. Next, see how easy or difficult it is for you to remove the paper from the window. This way you can understand the quality of the pressure and accurately switch the window to winter mode.

Important! When using the fittings, if you notice airflow when the sash is closed, you should make an adjustment - switch the structure to winter mode. But this mode can significantly wear out the rubber seal of plastic windows. Therefore, you should not over-tighten the eccentrics, since such adjustment will cause the trunnions and window frame to fail much faster.

When summer arrives, switch your windows to summer mode. Using an inappropriate mode will soon damage and age the seal.

Plastic windows can be switched from winter mode by inserting a hexagon into the eccentric and turning it clockwise. Remember, the service life of the window depends only on your correct adjustment and prudent use.

Source: pravda.ru/society/15-02-2018/1370194-windows-0/

Other ways to adjust windows

If, after simple regulation, cold air still penetrates into the room, you can use other methods:

Move vertically and horizontally by simultaneously adjusting two hinges - upper and lower.
To adjust the upper angle for winter or summer - press the lock (it is located at the end) and move it all the way. Then open the plastic window to ventilation mode and pull the top part towards you.
Adjust the lower corner using the hinge screw (but not all windows have it).
Strengthen (for winter) or weaken (for summer) the pressure by installing the burglary protection. The adjustment is carried out in the same way as for switching the “Winter” and “Summer” modes.

Standard, summer and winter modes of plastic windows

The standard mode assumes the middle position of pressing the sash. This means that the eccentric will be located in the middle.

A window structure installed in this mode is, in most cases, capable of operating effectively both in winter and summer.

This ensures an optimal level of compression of the sealing material.

In winter mode, windows are characterized by a tighter fit of the sash to the frame. Thanks to this, during the cold season, metal-plastic structures effectively retain heat, keeping it indoors.

Summer mode is characterized by less tight fixation of the sash. In this position, air flows freely circulate between the environment and the room. In other words, a micro-ventilation effect is ensured, due to which optimal microclimatic conditions are maintained in hot weather.

Note! Using the summer mode allows you to weaken the sashes as much as possible, which has a positive effect on the condition of metal-plastic windows that have survived a long winter. At the same time, it remains possible to protect the room from dirt, dust and heat.

How to understand that it’s time to change the regime

The standard mode is convenient, but not always justified. In the cold season, the rubber seal contracts, but under the influence of high temperatures, on the contrary, it expands. As a result, insufficient or excessive pressing of the sealing rubber bands leads to their intensive wear, as well as premature exhaustion of the life of the fasteners.

Note! Manufacturers do not recommend changing the position of the eccentric unless clearly necessary. On new frames, the summer or neutral position is sufficient for year-round use.

The main reasons indicating the need to change the regime:

Blowing. You can determine the presence of a draft using a burning candle or match. If the flame deviates when the shutter is tightly closed, it means there is blowing on the face. Another sign that a window is depressurizing is the presence of street dust on the windowsill. This situation is also unpleasant because most of the dust settles on the seals, and this significantly reduces their efficiency and shortens their service life.
Seal wear. Under the influence of environmental factors (changes in temperature conditions, sunlight, dust), the rubber seal eventually ceases to perform its main function. This may result in a draft or leakage.
Heat saving. A properly adjusted window can save up to 20% of heat and save energy resources.
Problems opening or closing the door. Jamming, too weak or too tight movement of window fittings indicates an incorrectly set eccentric.
Sagging of the sash. If the hinges are not worn out, then the problem can be corrected by simply switching the window to winter mode.

Timely adjustment helps to achieve good operating results, eliminate drafts in the room, increase the energy efficiency of windows and reduce the consumption of heating resources.

Why is it necessary to adjust plastic windows for summer and winter modes?

Switching from one mode to another allows you to keep the window structure in a functional state and extend its service life. Adjustment involves changing the degree of fit of the sash to the window frame.

In the winter season, the insulation material contracts, and in the summer it expands. It, like all fasteners, can be protected from wear by adjusting plastic windows, there are plenty of videos and photographs with instructions describing how this can be done on the Internet.

Sometimes during operation the sash shifts. When it is warm outside, this does not cause any inconvenience, but in winter this can cause the room temperature to drop significantly.

If this happens, you should check the condition of the frame. When installing metal-plastic windows, craftsmen check the position of the sashes in each mode, as well as the absence of gaps between the parts. However, a perfectly executed installation does not guarantee that the sashes will not come apart over time.

If window installation is carried out in early spring or winter, the structures are exposed to external influences:

The temperature outside is rising.
Under the influence of climate change, plastic begins to expand.
The temperature outside is dropping.
Under the influence of temperature changes, plastic decreases in volume, but it is not always able to take its original shape.

Similar processes occur if windows are installed in the summer. But first the material contracts as temperatures drop, and then expands. At the same time, it is impossible to avoid changes in the technical characteristics of the product, so gaps often appear in the windows.

The need to switch plastic windows to winter or summer mode may be due not only to the seasonal transition, but also to a number of other reasons:

Drafts from the window, carrying frosty air in winter and dust in summer.
Sagging of the sashes due to wear on the hinges.
Sash jamming in ventilation mode.

Please note! During operation of windows, the sealing material is subject to severe wear. Therefore, it is very important to promptly adjust plastic windows with your own hands when switching to winter/summer modes.

You can check the switch to winter mode in the following ways:

The most common method is using a piece of paper, which was discussed above. This is the most common and popular verification option.
There are no squeaks or other extraneous sounds.
The window seal is the same thickness everywhere.
All bolts are screwed in the same way.
You can freely open and close the window without any difficulty, nothing interferes with the opening of the sashes.

If a plastic window is blowing, this is due to the following reasons:

Poor glass compression. In cold weather the material will shrink, and in winter this phenomenon will be more pronounced because the glass will fly out of the beads. If replacement is necessary, it is better to contact a specialist.
Incorrect selection of accessories. If the thickness of the seal is not uniform, there will be gaps for air to enter.
Poor quality profiles can cause cracks.
The frame was installed incorrectly, so after a while the windows began to not close properly.
Air passes through the joints of the frame. These slots must be covered with liquid plastic.

Important! Experts do not recommend applying maximum pressure if the window is new. In order not to pinch the sealing rubber, set it closer to the maximum. If you press too hard, it will need to be replaced after a while.

How to check the possibility of adjusting plastic windows for the winter

The ability to switch between summer and winter modes is provided by special fittings. The availability of this function depends on the class of these parts.

There are several types of components:

Budget fittings are parts that have the lowest cost and are solely responsible for opening and closing the window structure.
Standard fittings – the kit contains standard and burglary-proof parts that allow you to prepare the window structure for summer or winter.
Specialized fittings - includes anti-burglary and specialized parts that allow you to switch plastic windows to winter or summer mode.

Most modern manufacturers produce standard and specialized fittings with the function of switching from one mode to another.

The most popular brands:

Siegenia Aubi;
Maco;
G.U.;
Roto.

During installation, the user is not always provided with detailed information about the functionality of the fittings. To find out whether the window design provides for a transition between modes, you should study the appearance and markings of the configuration, namely the axle.

An eccentric or trunnion is one of the elements of the fittings that allows you to adjust the degree of pressure of the sash to the frame of a metal-plastic window. This part is placed on the side.

If the trunnion contains special holes intended for a key, then the design has an adjustment function. This can be easily seen even in photos of plastic windows, of which there are many on the Internet.

As a rule, the marking is marked with the image of a hexagon, screwdriver or asterisk. In some cases, the control part has an oval shape, which also indicates that the window can be operated in different modes.

What are the rules when switching windows to winter and summer mode?

It is not recommended to switch modes immediately after installing plastic windows. For some time, even without switching between summer and winter modes, they will work normally.
The transition between modes is necessary in autumn and spring. Considering that summer lasts much longer than winter.
It is not advisable to set the winter mode in the summer, because it will be pointless: firstly, it will be very stuffy and hot, and secondly, due to the compaction of the valves, the materials will have to be replaced soon.

Important! Considering that such a good opportunity is provided to users of plastic windows, it needs to be properly assessed and used. Firstly, with the help of regulation we can get rid of heat loss in winter and live in more comfortable conditions. After you change the mode in winter, the windows will no longer blow through. Secondly, due to frequent adjustments, the seal wears out and deteriorates due to frequent transfers. Therefore, depending on the user's personal preferences, the user decides whether to switch the window to winter or summer mode.

How to determine which mode of plastic windows is set: winter or summer

Before adjusting plastic windows for the winter, you should determine in what position the fittings are installed. There are several ways to help you find out how the sash is placed. In each case, the technique depends on the shape of the trunnion.

How to determine the winter mode of plastic windows before adjusting the fittings:

Take a sheet of paper.
It is placed between the sash and the window frame so that one of the ends remains on the side of the room.
The window closes.
Then you should pull the sheet towards you.
If the paper passes easily, it means that the structure is set for operation in summer mode. Otherwise it will break.

Helpful advice! Manufacturers of metal-plastic structures advise using windows in summer mode all year round. If there is no reason to switch to the winter position of the sash, this procedure is not necessary.

In addition, there is a way to visually determine whether winter mode is installed on plastic windows; photo examples with markings can be easily found on the Internet. According to this method, it is necessary to find a marking in the form of a dash, asterisk or dot on the round pin.

Next, you need to determine the direction of this mark. If the marking points towards the room, it means that the windows are set to summer operation. If the mark faces the street, then the design is set to winter mode.

Trunnions are not only round, but also oval. The operating mode in this case is determined by the nature of the eccentric placement.

If it is turned vertically, then the windows are set for summer weather. In a horizontal position, the trunnion presses the sash as tightly as possible to the frame, which indicates winter mode.

Having determined the position of the sash, you can move on to solving the question of how to switch the windows to winter mode; video instructions describing this procedure are presented in large quantities on the Internet.

Source: remoo.ru/okna-i-dveri/kak-perevesti-okna-v-zimnij-rezhim

Don't forget to set the windows to summer mode

YouTube channel Fantom
When it gets warmer, be sure to return the accessories to normal mode. If this is not done, then after a while the elastic will lose its elasticity due to strong pressure and then no adjustments will be able to remove the drafts. You will have to completely change the seals.

For details of the entire process, watch the video:

How to switch the fittings of BEKA plastic windows to winter mode?

Operating practice shows that it is better not to adjust Veko windows to winter mode at all for the first two years of operation.

This sharply reduces their resource - the density of the mating and the elastic bands will have to be replaced faster. And the installers advise the same.

At the beginning of operation, the compaction is quite good, and switching to winter mode is not required.

Well, to seal windows for the winter that have already served for many years, you will need to arm yourself with a hexagonal screwdriver attachment and, opening the frame, find the trunnion adjusting handwheel.

There is a mark on the handwheel, usually it is either a slightly drilled recess or a “bump”. By inserting the key and turning it counterclockwise (in relation to the picture), we will turn the mark towards the street, this will mean “winter mode” If you move the mark towards the room , this will be “summer mode”

I would like to note right away that despite the ongoing debate, it is still necessary to switch the windows to winter mode.

Especially for residents of regions with harsh winters, if only because of the usual law of physics, which states that at negative temperatures the body contracts, at positive temperatures it expands, I’m now talking about seals on windows.

Moving the window to the “winter” position increases the pressure of the sash against the window frame, and the pressure is needed for why, see above.

Open the sash and find the eccentrics (trunnion) on it, or a hex bolt (less often an asterisk), if that’s clearer.

We insert the hexagon into the eccentric head.
Clockwise is the “winter” position, counterclockwise is the “summer” position.
There is also a middle position in these windows.
There is a risk (line) on the trunnion if it is in the “outdoor” position, this is winter mode, in the “indoor” position, summer mode.

If you are still worried, then you can conduct an experiment: insert a sheet of thick paper between the sash and the frame, close the window, if the sheet breaks when pulled out, then we did everything correctly, if it is pulled out, then your window is still in summer mode.

Source: remotvet.ru/questions/13591-kak-perevesti-furnituru-plastikovyh-okon-veka-na-zimnij-rezhim.html

Is it possible to determine which mode is currently set?

For the first method, you need to take a standard A4 piece of paper, place it between the sash and the frame, and close the window. Next, try to get the sheet out of the closed window. Let's consider the cases: either it breaks and cannot be pulled out at all, or it can be pulled out without much effort. In the first case, we conclude that it is in winter mode, in the second, the opposite is true.
To determine using the second method, a trunnion will help us. On it is a hat with an icon that can be in the form of stars, dots and strokes. Then you need to target the icon itself. If it is directed towards the room, then this means winter mode, in the opposite direction - summer mode.

How to transfer (prepare) plastic windows to winter mode?

Even high-quality windows with excellent waterproofing and thermal protection can sweat and freeze in the winter. And this does not mean a manufacturing defect or installation errors; perhaps you simply did not prepare your windows for the cold.

We will tell you how to switch plastic windows to winter mode, additionally insulate the frame and protect the room from drafts. To do this, it is necessary to separately consider the insulation of each “weak” part of the window, which can let cold air into the room.

Accessories

First of all, I would like to say something about the fittings. Most modern plastic windows have fittings with two or three seasonal modes: “summer and winter” or “summer, winter and autumn”.

Some are not even aware of this feature of their windows and, with the advent of cold weather, they condemn “negligent” manufacturers for defects or outright negligence, but all they had to do was turn a couple of “bolts” and switch their fittings to winter mode.

The window pivot has seasonal modes. The trunnion is a small mechanism for holding the sash in the closed position, which can be located around the entire perimeter of the sash. The characteristic click when the sash slams shut is the sound of the trunnion moving.

The trunnion can be made in the form of a small ring, resembling a nut in shape, or in the form of an oval lever.

Other forms also occur, but much less frequently. The nut-shaped axle has a small hole, the location of which indicates seasonal conditions.

Before preparing plastic windows for winter, make sure there is such a mark on your trunnion and check its location.

If the hole is closer to the frame and seal, then the fittings are set to winter mode. In this mode, the sash fits as tightly as possible to the profile, thereby preventing any penetration of cold air into the room.

With such a fit, the seal around the perimeter of the light opening and the sash quickly wears out and becomes unusable, so it is not recommended to leave the trunnion in winter mode all year round.

The easiest way to adjust the oval-shaped trunnion is that you do not need any additional tools. To adjust the trunnion in the form of a nut, you need to equip yourself with a hexagon of a suitable diameter.

Insert the hexagon into the hole and turn it so that the small circle on the trunnion is in the desired position (in our case, closer to the window seal). This simple technique is necessary not only to prepare plastic windows for winter, but also to prepare them for summer.

Don't forget about handles with loops too. They need to be lubricated before the onset of cold weather. It is best to do this in mid-autumn. You can lubricate the fittings with vegetable or machine oil.

You can also purchase special products for treating door and window hinges, which are sold in a convenient tube - a syringe. Take a small amount of oil into a syringe and pour it into the joints between the fittings.

Sealant

The seal is a rubber gasket between the frame and the sash. The sealant around the edges of a glass unit can also be called a sealant. Before the onset of winter, the seal on the sash and profile must be checked for elasticity. To do this, it is enough to feel it around the entire perimeter, especially in the corners.

The seal should be soft, bend easily under pressure and instantly return to its original shape; no defects should be visible around its perimeter. If your seal is too hard and loses its shape, no folk remedies for “revitalizing” it will help you.

Unfortunately, the seal will have to be replaced. You can read more about how to do this in the article “Replacing the seal on plastic windows.” Previously, you learned that the tight fit of the sash to the profile greatly affects the properties of the seal, so before switching plastic windows to winter mode, you need to prepare the seal.

Purchase silicone rubber lubricant from your local hardware or hardware store. Absolutely any will do; it can be sold in the form of an aerosol, tube or syringe. Since we don’t need a large volume of the product, it is best to buy lubricant in a syringe or small tube.

Wash and dry the seal thoroughly. To do this, you cannot use any solvents, alcohol or products with abrasives (hard particles); dishwashing gel is ideal. If you have a multi-petal seal (most often such seals are found in REHAU and KBE windows), first apply a small strip of product between the petals.

In this case, there is no need to additionally use a brush or sponge; the lubricant itself will be evenly distributed over the entire area.

After this, apply silicone to the seal itself and carefully spread it with a small brush or fingers. It is also necessary to prepare the sealant around the edges of the glass unit for winter.

Usually this part of the window is protected with a glazing bead (a small plastic frame between the profile and the glass unit), but it happens that the manufacturer did not take this detail into account or the glazing bead simply broke.

In this case, the glass seal needs to be lubricated, just like a regular one. To avoid staining the glass, use paper or tape.

How do you know if plastic windows have the ability to adjust modes?

Interesting fact: not all window users are aware of the existence of such a function as switching and adjusting modes, because often during installation a person does not receive the necessary information. But it’s easy to determine whether such an opportunity exists for your windows. To do this, you need to look at the window, find the trunnion or eccentric. This is a hardware part that allows you to adjust the level of pressure.

The hardware piece, which resembles a bolt, has a so-called “head”. It exists in two types: round and oval. If the shape is oval, then it immediately indicates the possibility of adjustments. If the shape is round, then the hexagon sign also indicates the possibility of transfers.

A lot depends on what kind of fittings you have. By comparing the types of parts, we determine whether plastic windows have this function or not. Mainly divided into three categories :

Budget accessories . These parts are sold at the lowest prices; they are responsible only for making the window open and close.
Standard fittings . The kit includes special anti-burglary parts that help prepare plastic windows for a specific season.
Professional fittings. This is the best choice that contains all possible parts to switch between modes.

Some tips

To conclude the topic of switching windows to winter mode, it is impossible not to mention several points that increase their functionality:

for ensuring tightness (tight closure) in any modern window, not only in plastic, but also in wood and aluminum. After several years of operation of the PVC structure, the sealant installed in it gradually loses its original properties: elasticity is lost and pores appear. In addition to this, dust and sand settle on it. As a result, it begins to blow from the window at the place where the seal is deformed. The solution to this problem lies in the need for periodic maintenance of the sealing gum. A couple of times a year in warm weather, you should wipe the surface of the seal with a sponge, after applying dishwashing detergent to it. It is also advisable to treat the rubber band with silicone-based lubricant. Severely worn and cracked seals must be replaced with new ones before the winter season.
You cannot use “winter mode” constantly , as it leads to rapid wear of seals and fittings. As soon as spring comes outside the window, you should reconfigure the window fittings to summer mode.