The Window Masters company provides window sealing services in Moscow and the Moscow region at competitive prices.
- We work with windows made of PVC or aluminum profiles, wood .
- We carry out the full range of sealing work: from window seams in an apartment to office facade glazing.
- The work is carried out in strict accordance with GOSTs, SNiPs and other technical standards.
Sealing window openings from the outside
It is often necessary to seal the seam on the outside of the window, since this is the area most exposed to weather factors. To seal windows, either sealing waterproofing tape or silicone sealing compound is used.
Sealing plastic windows: tapes
To insulate window seams with tapes, perform the following steps:
- Cleaning and then degreasing the surface to improve adhesion to the heat-insulating tape, over which a strip of sealing tape is glued.
- Then, during installation, a vapor barrier tape with a small protrusion away from the edge is glued to the plastic windows along the entire length of the seam.
- The frame is placed in the opening and strengthened with fasteners, the gap is filled with polyurethane foam.
- After the foam has dried and its excess has been removed, a tape attached to the end of the window is glued to the slope.
- Under low tide, a vapor barrier tape is glued and secured to the base or bottom profile.
This method of insulating windows from the outside will reliably protect against heat loss and increased heating costs. It will also eliminate problems during operation.
Insulation with sealants
To seal external seams, use silicone, acrylic sealant or polysulfide liquid mastic. Before you start sealing, you need to remove dust from the surface, degrease it, then use masking tape to cover the perimeter of the cracks that need to be sealed.
The composition is applied through a special gun, its excess is removed with a finger soaked in water or a damp sponge.
Advantages and disadvantages
Like any other product, liquid plastic has a number of advantages and disadvantages.
Main advantages:
- Absolute environmental safety.
- Absence of even minimal changes in shade for many years.
- The joining seams are filled with the material used in the manufacture of windows and slopes.
- After using liquid plastic, the seam acquires distinctive mechanical strength.
- Absence of fungus or mold on the seams of glued parts.
- Bonding occurs using the diffuse welding method.
- After the liquid plastic hardens, the window and the slope become one, forming a kind of monolithic part.
- The acceptability of the combination of elements to be bonded is ensured.
- All gaps and irregularities on the application surface are smoothed out.
- No influence of solar ultraviolet radiation.
- Possibility of using detergents without consequences.
- This type of glue absolutely resists the absorption of tobacco smoke.
Among the disadvantages are:
- The sealant is curing too quickly! Just a minute is given to apply and smooth out the liquid plastic. A fraction of a second of delay, delay in application, and the surface of the plastic is covered with a film and attempts to form a seam lead to a negative result.
- Very toxic components of the sealant composition , which has a specific pungent odor that causes a sharp headache. Also, if you inhale chemicals over a long period of time, there is a risk of cancer. That is why you should follow safety precautions, and when working with glue, use a respirator and ensure ventilation of the room.
- Inability to connect objects that have constant contact with water.
Application technology and safety measures
- Surfaces to be glued should be cleaned of dust, degreased, and dried. When cleaning surfaces, use only napkins or pieces of cloth that do not leave lint.
- We leave an even strip of glue-sealant along the entire length of the joint. Under no circumstances should we smear it into the seam.
- Then you should wait until it dries completely, which will take 10 to 15 minutes.
- If glue accidentally gets on metal surfaces, it is recommended to use appropriate cleaners.
As you can see, the technology is completely simple and absolutely anyone can do it.
When working with liquid plastic for windows, you need to know that this product contains cyanoacrylate.
This is a very dangerous chemical, which is why it is necessary to adhere to basic safety rules:
- No contact of people prone to allergic reactions with the sealant.
- Perform work exclusively with gloves , remembering that gluing occurs instantly.
- Gluing should only be done with a mask on the face.
- Long-term ventilation of rooms where work with liquid plastic was carried out is mandatory.
Slope insulation
Slopes need to be insulated when there are cracks that allow air and moisture to pass through. The material used for these purposes is one that is easy to install, durable and safe. Ordinary polystyrene foam has these properties. It is one of the simplest and most convenient hydro- and heat-insulating materials.
The process of insulating a slope with foam plastic looks like this:
- Treating the entire surface of the slope with an antiseptic primer, removing excess foam.
- Apply plaster mortar to the slope using a special spatula, leveling the surface with a trowel.
- Re-treat the surface with a primer after the plaster layer has completely dried.
- Cutting out pieces of foam plastic and sanding them.
- Spreading foam with glue and attaching it to the surface.
- Processing foam plastic with plaster.
- Applying primer to a dry surface.
Insulating slopes yourself is not difficult if you purchase good quality materials and find out in advance in what order the work should be performed. As a result of high-quality sealing, cold air will not flow through the window opening, which means the room will become more comfortable to live in.
The need to use liquid plastic
When connecting plastic window structures, in most cases slopes are installed, which are necessary for the following reasons:
- When dismantling old windows, deformation of the window opening may occur, which can be easily eliminated with the help of slopes;
- Due to the installation of the slope, the entire window structure has a coherent and complete structural form;
- They also increase the level of thermal insulation, which maintains an optimal microclimate in the room;
- Plastic slopes help protect the room from street noise and the possibility of dust;
- The lighting of the apartment changes due to the ability of the slope to reflect light.
In order for the slopes to fully fulfill all their functions, their connection to the main part of the structure must be of high quality and the appearance must be neat.
Liquid plastic covers not only the joints of the slopes of window structures, loggias and balconies, but also technological seams, and also helps to attach additional elements (protective strips, drains, flashings).
It is for this reason that the use of sealants is a necessity, of which liquid plastic is considered the best today. The scope of application of liquid plastic is very diverse.
This includes PVC, rigid PVC, and plastic, and can also be wood or aluminum. And this is not the whole list. It can be used on pipes, flashings, window slopes and gutters.
Sealing seams of double-glazed windows
After the main installation work, you need to process the seams. Sealing is the final stage of installing a double-glazed window, which is performed as follows:
- Cleaning the structure from dirt, degreasing the areas to which the sealing compound will be applied.
- Filling the seams with polyurethane foam. You need to wait until all the gaps are filled.
- Removing excess foam after it hardens, cementing the seams.
- Apply sealant to the outside of the seams and wait for it to dry completely. If additional insulation is needed, sealing tape should be applied before sealing.
Sealing windows is an important installation step that prevents heat loss and drafts, and also improves the aesthetics of the structure. It is not necessary to turn to professionals for help - you can seal the slopes yourself. Moreover, even an inexperienced builder can cope with the task, since no special skills are required.
How to repair
Sealing windows begins with choosing a suitable material. The type of raw materials depends on the technology used by the contractor. Among the popular varieties, we highlight 6 of the most relevant ones.
Ribbons
Waterproofing windows from the outside always differs in characteristics from vapor barrier types. PSUL is suitable for working from the street side. The compressed sealing tape resembles dark gray foam rubber. A layer of glue was applied to one side, which was hidden under a film to prevent it from drying out. The material expands in diameter, so it completely fills the gap space. The raw material does not allow liquid to pass to the surface of the seam, while allowing the moisture that has already entered to evaporate.
Compressed sealing tape Source 4ne.ru
How to silicone plastic windows
You can silicone a double-glazed window yourself if you know the features of this process and the procedure for performing the work. To do this you will need silicone sealant, a gun for squeezing it out, masking tape, a sponge, and a container of water.
Algorithm:
- First you need to carefully prepare the surface on which the silicone will be applied. It should be cleaned of dirt, the old protective film should be removed, and allowed to dry from moisture.
- Then stick masking tape around the perimeter of the cracks that will be sealed, making a small indent from the edge.
- Squeeze out the contents of the package using a gun, carefully filling the entire space. At the same time, you can smooth the seam with the nozzle of the syringe.
- To finally form the siliconized area, you should wet your finger with water and distribute the material so that it completely fills the area between the slope and the frame. There is no need to be afraid of contamination, as this composition can easily be wiped off your hands with a regular napkin. You can also take a wet sponge and wipe off the excess, being careful not to touch what you need. It is important to remove all excess, since after a while the protruding material begins to turn yellow and spoils the aesthetics of the structure.
To ensure a high-quality seal, it is necessary to silicone the seam in several parts, performing the entire cycle of work on each section. This need is caused by the rapid hardening of silicone. If the gap is small, you can do everything in one cycle, but it is better to divide the work into several stages.
Requirements for translucent structures of residential buildings
According to the above GOST R 56926-2016, design solutions for window and balcony blocks, assemblies adjacent to external wall openings must ensure water and air tightness of the building when exposed to precipitation and wind, as well as combinations of these loads.
Translucent structures must provide natural lighting of the premises at a standard level (in accordance with SP 52.13330 “Natural and artificial lighting”). Therefore, the total area of light openings should be at least one-eighth of the floor area of living rooms and kitchens.
Insulating windows with sealant
When winter is on the doorstep, owners begin to think about how to insulate their homes. This issue is especially relevant for those who need to insulate rooms with old wooden windows. One of the easiest ways in this case is to use a sealant. Of course, this material itself is not insulation, but it can be used to cover up cracks. This will prevent warm air from escaping and cold air from entering. The room will become noticeably warmer and drier.
A good sealant should prevent fungal infections of the surface. Such properties are found, for example, in Soudal or Titan. For convenience, it is worth buying a special gun for applying the composition. Before you start insulating, you need to clean the frame from dirt and cover the seams along the contour with masking tape. Afterwards, you can apply a sealing compound and smooth it out (this can be done with a finger or sponge soaked in water). Then you should moisten the surface with a soap solution (apply with a spray).
Eliminating heat leakage in this way is not difficult, but a more reasonable solution would be to glue the slopes with waterproofing tape, especially if the frame is wooden. This method more reliably protects the room from dampness and leakage of warm air.
Repairing small cracks
If small cracks are discovered, then the owners have to take action immediately. There are several main ways to eliminate them from the inside.
Paper, clay, chalk
To create paper putty, you need to shred paper—newspaper works best. They are soaked in water, part of clay and two parts of powdered chalk are added. All gaps are sealed with the resulting composition.
The putty will be plastic and will clog even the smallest gaps. It is more convenient to work with a knife or a small metal spatula.
For protection, window tape or special adhesive paper is glued on top, or fabric strips pre-lubricated with soap can be used.
Such insulation will be simple but reliable protection before the onset of warming, but afterwards there will be unsightly stripes that will need to be washed.
The process of insulating aged wooden windows can be carried out with cotton wool and fabric. Cotton wool is a unique alternative to paper and newspapers. Technical wool is pushed into the cracks, sealed on top with heavily soaped strips of fabric.
This method is used more often and is quite inexpensive to implement. You can replace the fabric with modern heat-insulating tapes, which, after removal, will not spoil the paint.
Sealant
Silicone sealant for wooden frames is rarely used. In severe frost it will quickly lose its properties, so with the onset of warmer weather the procedure will have to be repeated.
Working with sealant
Putty
This method has come down to us since Soviet times. It was almost the only effective method for maintaining heat. Modern putty can also guarantee protection against drafts. It is used to seal the areas where the frame meets the wall. A special window composition or ordinary plasticine is used.
Materials are applied from the outside of the window - into the joints. First, small pieces are kneaded with your fingers, forming thin sausages and recessing them into the gaps.
The main disadvantages are the destruction of the putty due to frost or melting due to extreme heat.
Polyethylene
This is one of the most accessible and easiest ways. Polyethylene has the following advantages:
- low price;
- ease of installation;
- ease of care.
But its disadvantages should be especially noted, namely:
- insufficient thermal insulation;
- a lot of dust sticks to it.
The film is attached in the following sequence:
- Measure the required length of material according to the size of the window.
- Preparing the frame.
- Fasten the film with tape or pushpins; there should be no gaps left so that warm air does not penetrate.
Foam rubber
Foam rubber is a suitable material for thermal insulation of large gaps.
Special foam rubber
Sometimes wooden window sashes become so dry that they no longer fit tightly to the frame. But using only technical wool will not help. For insulation, foam rubber is glued around the entire perimeter. Thanks to it, the joints become airtight when closed.
Special foam rubber has an adhesive layer on one side. When such materials were not commercially available, foam rubber was attached using the smallest nails. With proper use, the product can serve for 3 years, but then deformation occurs. It is better to seal the top of the strip with tape. In the spring, the tape is removed, and the foam rubber can be left in its place.
Thermal reflective film
The use of heat-reflecting film is a modern method of eliminating cold bridges. The principle of operation of the material is based on the fact that it allows light to enter the house, and infrared radiation does not escape outside, thus retaining heat in the rooms.
The membrane has two parts - two sides. One is shiny, the other is ordinary. The main thing is to make sure that the shiny side faces the street.
The film is overlapped onto the frames with tape. When placed correctly and carefully, the thermal insulation is not noticeable. The membrane is suitable for PVC windows.
Types of sealants, how to choose the right one
On the building materials market you can see a large selection of window sealants. They have different characteristics and purposes. Let's look at the main types of insulating materials for PVC windows, as well as the features of each of them.
Silicone
This is a popular sealing material that is durable and strong. Silicone sealant can be used for external or internal finishing of seams. It can also be used for restoration of old wooden frames and other works.
The advantage of this sealant is that silicone is resistant to negative weather factors: snow, rain, icing, hail. This material is not afraid of ultraviolet radiation, is quite durable, resistant to aggressive environments, and has good adhesive properties.
However, silicone sealants have their drawbacks. Due to their high toxicity, the room must be thoroughly ventilated when working with them (after drying it is safe). The composition must be applied very carefully, since after drying, excess silicone does not look beautiful. It is worth noting that silicone releases acids that cause rust, does not allow moisture to pass through (which disrupts air exchange in the room), and cannot be painted.
Acrylic
An inexpensive building material that can be used to seal a window slope or be used for other work. It has high adhesive ability, is used for interior and exterior work, is non-toxic, and can be used for painting. But at the same time, it is practically not plastic and after hardening it can become deformed if the air temperature is too low, which will lead to depressurization of the window.
Polyurethane
This is a universal composition that is often used to seal window seams. It is suitable for working with all types of surfaces - wood, plastic, metal. Polyurethane sealant is resistant to moisture and ultraviolet radiation, is highly elastic, quite durable, dries quickly, and can be used for painting.
The disadvantages of polyurethane sealant are its short shelf life (9 months), high toxicity and humidity requirements during installation (the maximum permissible value is indicated by the manufacturer).
Criterias of choice
In order to avoid problems with the operation of windows, you need to immediately select a high-quality product and apply it correctly. It is worth choosing a sealant from a well-known brand, without saving and without looking for the cheapest composition.
Here are the main criteria by which sealant should be purchased:
- Composition color. Selected according to the basic tone of the window. White is most often used. If the desired shade is not on sale, it is recommended to buy a transparent composition.
- Availability of antiseptic additives. It is better if such substances are present in the sealant, even if it is planned to be used only for external use.
- Elasticity. Low-elastic compounds should only be used in old houses that no longer shrink.
- Good adhesion. The sealant must reliably adhere to precisely those base materials on which it will be applied, as well as to PVC.
- UV resistance. If this property is absent, then the sealed seam will quickly turn yellow and take on an unaesthetic appearance.
- Thixotropy and viscosity. A good sealant is quite thick and does not run off vertical surfaces, because most often it is applied to such surfaces.
- Chemical neutrality. You need to make sure that the sealant does not contain substances that could damage the material of the glass unit or base.
When purchasing, be sure to take into account the time of year in which the cracks will be sealed or slopes secured. For autumn and winter, it is better to use polyurethane or thiokol sealants; in case of sudden temperature changes, you can buy a butyl composition. In order to save on sealing external seams, acrylic products are used, but for internal work it is worth choosing a different composition.
Brief historical background
A double-glazed window (hereinafter referred to as SP) is a building translucent structure (SPC) of two or more sheets of glass connected to each other using spacer frames and sealants. The joint venture dates back to the 60s of the 19th century.
However, many still remember the old double frames, which were insulated with cotton wool, paper and fabric strips for better thermal insulation in cold weather conditions. Double-glazed windows and SPCs assembled on their basis came en masse to the spaces of the former USSR in the 90s of the 20th century. 20 years earlier, double-sealed double-glazed windows, as we are already accustomed to seeing them, appeared and began to be widely used. Today, such a double-glazed window is used in 90% of industrial complexes.
In the 50s of the 20th century, a double-glazed window based on an elastic sealant was invented. The design is based on a hollow spacer frame, a drying agent inside it, and a thiokol-based sealant.
Thiokol is a polysulfide rubber, highly resistant to gasoline and aromatic solvents, having good aging characteristics, high mechanical strength, elasticity and low permeability to gases. Thiokol-based sealants are called polysulfide and are actively used for secondary sealing of double-glazed windows in our time.
Content
- 1 Brief historical background
- 2 Functions of double-glazed windows
- 3 Tightness
- 4 Production 4.1 1. Primary sealing
is carried out using
butyl
or special butyl-containing components - tape or cord. It should be noted that butyl has established itself as the highest quality means of primary sealing of joint ventures. Butyl is applied using special butyl extruders. Butyl-based cord or tape are also used. - 4.2 2. Secondary sealing
is carried out using the following types of sealants:
