How to adjust aluminum sliding windows on a balcony?

How to adjust aluminum windows

Drafts and lack of heat - a prerequisite for these phenomena may be incorrect adjustment of aluminum windows on the balcony. Gradually, the structure will begin to lose its representative appearance and spoil the design of the entire interior. Therefore, immediately after installation or during the next operation, it becomes necessary to adjust various components of the system. This can be done entirely without the help of others, since no matter what modern aluminum fittings are equipped with special units that ensure the accuracy of the option.

Do-it-yourself adjustment of aluminum windows

With the onset of cold weather, all the shortcomings of our windows become noticeable.

Drafts moving through apartments, lack of heat - the cause of all this may be incorrect adjustment. This not only threatens you with drafts, but also the appearance may be lost, which, of course, will not improve the interior and design of the entire apartment. Adjustment of aluminum windows can be partially done independently.

Adjusting it yourself takes very little time.

You need to pay attention to windows not only in connection with the first frosts. The fittings are quite simple and straightforward. Therefore, you should not immediately run to the phone and call a specialist to repair and configure such elements. You can figure out some problems yourself.

Professional installation and configuration of the system

Glazing is an opportunity to make a balcony warm, give it a beautiful appearance and create a pleasant microclimate in the house. However, to obtain such results, it is very important to correctly install window structures. During operation, you need to monitor the condition of the system and if the slightest malfunction occurs, fix it immediately. Many typical malfunctions and methods for solving them are described in the instructions. If you do not know how to adjust aluminum sliding windows on the balcony yourself and would like to be completely sure of a successful result, use the services of specialists.

In what cases may adjustment be necessary?

The need to adjust the location of the structure arises in situations where the daily use of aluminum sliding windows causes inconvenience. Depending on the specific situation, the corresponding elements are adjusted.

Balcony frame moves hard

If the window frame on the balcony moves only with a certain force, it requires adjustment. The problem can be solved by lowering the rollers, which will change the position of the sash and simplify its movement.

Latch does not close

A common problem is a faulty latch on the frame. The cause of the defect may be the following:

the strike plate and the bolt tongue are located at different heights;
The tongue of the mechanism is set deep in the sash, which is why there is no grip with the bar.

In any of these situations, adjustment of the window structure is required. To complete the procedure, you will need to use hex keys.

The most common problems

Classic problems with sliding structures in loggias include:

Window sagging. This problem “attracts” drafts to your balcony, and also has a detrimental effect on the external attractiveness of the structure. You have to move the decorative panel and tighten the bolts.
Damage to frame hinges. Often manifests itself due to lack of lubrication. For high-quality functioning of all mechanisms without exception, we recommend adding lubricant at least twice a year.
Broken handle. The screws under the plate are unscrewed, the broken element is removed and replaced with a new one, after which it should be firmly fixed with the same screws.
The window latch does not work. Either the strike plate and the tongue are located at different levels, or the tongue cannot engage with the bar because it is strongly recessed into the window.

Dismantling the old frame, preparing the opening

Before installing the window, you need to remove the old frame and prepare the window opening.

Wooden frames are sawn in several places. For this, it is most convenient to use an electric jigsaw, but an ordinary carpenter's saw will also work. The frame elements are removed using a small crowbar. Using a chisel and hammer, remove the window sill slab.

The opening must be cleared of concrete fragments and old fasteners. If it is severely damaged or distorted, leveling with cement mortar will be required. You can proceed to the next stage only after the leveling mixture has completely hardened.

Before installation, carefully check the completeness of the product and carefully read the attached instructions. In most cases, the delivery package separately includes frames, double-glazed windows and fittings.

Professional installation and configuration of the system

Other types of balcony glazing

For comparison, let’s take a look at other types of balcony frames available on the market of building materials and structures.

PVC frames

“Warm” glazing is made using a frame made of polyvinyl chloride and multi-layer double-glazed windows. The design of the glass unit and the use of rubber seals ensures:

high noise insulation;
reliable protection from the cold (hence the name);
no draft.

Among the disadvantages of plastic glazing (which aluminum glazing of balconies does not have) are:

impossibility of use on cantilever balconies;
difficulty of repair;
high cost compared to its aluminum counterpart;
high electrostatics of polyvinyl chloride, which actively attracts dust microparticles;
accumulation of condensate due to the tightness of the frame and, as a result, the need for frequent ventilation;
heavy weight (due to which the PVC frame can only be installed on a reinforced parapet).

Intermediate type of glazing

This system consists of reinforced PVC profiles connected by corner elements, and works on the principle of a sliding wardrobe. Glass with a thickness of 4 to 8 mm is installed in the sliding system profiles containing the fittings inside. Combining the advantages of the two previous options, the intermediate option is devoid of the disadvantages of “cold” glazing.” However, the disadvantage of this design is its heavy weight.

Wooden frame

A classic method of glazing a balcony, used for a long time. The wooden frame is treated with a fire-resistant and anti-mold composition, which improves its performance characteristics. Thanks to rubber gaskets, the frame fits tightly to the walls of the loggia without gaps. The rotating mechanism allows you to easily ventilate the room. The advantages of a wooden frame include:

environmentally friendly wood, which does not release chemically harmful substances into the space;
long service life (up to 50 years) with proper care, which consists of annual painting and varnishing and timely repairs;
exquisite eco-design.

Wooden frames have their advantages, but they are more expensive than aluminum ones

But, along with the advantages, glazing also has significant disadvantages:

wood swells when exposed to moisture, increasing in size; as a result, the doors close poorly;
high price compared to installing an aluminum frame;
the frame may change its linear dimensions over time (shrink or warp);
Installing such a frame requires certain professional skills; it is difficult for a beginner to cope with it.

Frameless glazing

To glaze a balcony without frames, tempered impact-resistant glass with a thickness of 7 to 9 mm is used, which moves on special plastic hinges. In order to wash the glass, they are moved into an “accordion”. The advantages of this type of glazing are as follows:

burglary resistance;
wind and noise insulation;
simplicity and ease of use (the doors open and close with a slight movement of the hand);
Beautiful design;
no obstacles in the form of a frame in the path of sunlight.

Significant disadvantages of frameless glazing make this design less than ideal. Let's list them:

absolute transparency - this, at first glance, dignity turns into excessive publicity and the inability to hide from prying eyes;
leakage of the structure, which acts as a decorative barrier: such a frame does not provide thermal and sound insulation, moisture can penetrate through it;
the inability to attach a mosquito net makes the balcony vulnerable to insects;
deformation of metal guides due to temperature surges.

PVC sliding doors

Sliding doors are a system of plastic frames with a parallel sliding mechanism. Installation on balconies, loggias, terraces, winter gardens, greenhouses. Installation in accordance with GOST will ensure tightness and protection against burglary. They open softly, the trajectory of movement allows you to save space inside a cramped room. Beautiful aesthetic appearance in open and closed versions.

There are 2 types of extensions:

Tilt-and-slide.

Similar in functionality to the hinged one. Movement along two guides, which are fixed to the carrier from the inside. Opening is done by turning the lock handle and pulling it towards you. The rollers become runners in the process. Next, the sash moves and is fixed by a clamping mechanism. They are made from Rehau profiles and high-quality fittings are used. Ventilation is provided.

Lift-and-slide.

It functions like sliding wardrobe doors. When you open it, you loosen the clamp, and it easily moves along the entire length of the span. When closing, activate the clamping mechanism at the bottom, closing the hermetically sealed lock-type seals. Two guides for moving the doors in any direction. Additionally, a third one is installed for the mosquito net.

Types of sliding windows

All sliding windows have a similar design. But they can be made of different materials. There are only two types of such windows: aluminum profiles and plastic. Let's look at the design features, advantages and disadvantages of each of these types.

Aluminum sliding windows

Sliding windows made of aluminum profiles have the following design: guides are installed on the frame, along which the window sashes move. The sashes are equipped with special polymer-coated rollers that ensure smooth movement of the sashes. They are closed using a latch mechanism, and fittings in the form of handles are also installed on the doors. The entire system is sealed with brush seals.

For this type of window, two types of profiles are used: regular and reinforced. The second is used in cases where the glazing is planned to be placed beyond the balcony railings, or on high floors of buildings.

The advantages of aluminum sliding windows are:

Low price;
The ability to extend the glazing beyond the perimeter of the balcony using a bracket system, which allows you to expand the free space of very small balconies;
Aluminum is a durable material that is not susceptible to corrosion, which means that structures made from it have a long service life;
Such windows are light in weight, so there is no need to strengthen the balcony floor structure for their installation;

But this type of glazing also has its disadvantages, which in many cases turn out to be significant:

Since aluminum is a metal, it freezes quickly in the winter, and in this case it will be almost impossible to open the doors;
Not only the guides freeze, but also the window lock;
Although single glass reduces the weight of the structure, it does not provide high-quality noise and heat insulation for the balcony room;
One can also note the low waterproofing of the structure, as well as the likelihood of drafts in windy weather;
Such windows do not allow the use of “non-native” bay windows and ordinary mosquito nets;
It is not possible to insert a double-glazed window into an aluminum frame.

The installation of aluminum sliding windows is classified as a cold type of glazing. This means that the balcony can only be used in the warm season, when the structure does not freeze or blow through. This option is suitable for those who do not plan to attach a balcony to the living room or arrange a permanent recreation area on it. For storing unnecessary things or, for example, seams, this is an ideal option in terms of price and quality ratio.

Plastic sliding windows

This type of window is a three-chamber PVC frame that is reinforced with galvanized steel for strength. The design also has guides along which the window sashes move using rollers. Sealing is ensured by a double brush seal. In addition, the guides have rounded sides, which ensures silent opening and closing of the sashes, and filigpis, to ensure a tighter connection of the sashes with the frame. Such windows also have protection against penetrations - a special lock.

Advantages of sliding PVC windows:

Withstand any loads associated with adverse weather conditions (wind, hurricane, rain) even on high floors of the building;
Protects against drafts and moisture penetration into the room;
They do not freeze in the cold season, so you can open the windows even in winter frosts;
They have good sound and heat insulation properties;
Any PVC profiles, mosquito nets are suitable for them;
It is possible to install double or triple glazed windows, as well as radius structures.

And now about their shortcomings:

The price of such windows is slightly higher than their aluminum counterparts;
They have significantly greater mass. To install sliding plastic windows on a balcony, it is necessary to check the condition of the ceilings, their load-bearing capacity and, if necessary, strengthen the structure;
Such windows are not placed outside the perimeter of the balcony.

PVC windows with sliding sashes are used for warm glazing of balcony rooms. This type of glazing is just right for those people who use a balcony all year round or plan to equip it as an additional living space or a small apartment garden or vegetable garden. In the case where the balcony is fully or partially connected to the living room or kitchen, the installation of plastic sliding windows should be supplemented by the installation of high-quality double-glazed windows and complete thermal insulation of all surfaces of the balcony (and in some cases, by the installation of additional heating systems). Then the heat will not escape from the apartment through this room, and being in it will be as comfortable as possible.

Cases when it’s time to contact specialists to adjust the fittings

The window does not close tightly; you have to apply force when closing it;
When opening or closing windows, you hear extraneous noise: creaking, clicking, etc.;
Hinge malfunction;
Condensation appeared on the windows;
The geometry of the window is broken, the distortion is visible, the sashes are sagging, etc.

If you notice any irregularities in the window design, do not hesitate to call specialists, they will make adjustments and, if necessary, replace fittings.

Company employees will determine on site which element needs repair. After this, a comprehensive adjustment of the window fittings and lubrication of the rotating mechanisms with a special aerosol is carried out.

Adjusting window fittings in summer - winter mode

In principle, the only thing that can be done without turning to specialists is to adjust the sash pressure for winter or summer. The only tool you need for this is a hexagon. The first step is to determine the places where the vestibule will be strengthened or weakened.

After this, you need to find the trunnion closest to this place. It has a pressure indicator (dot or notch). To switch the window to winter mode, turn the trunnion with a hex key, the notch should be towards the room; for summer mode, the notch on the trunnion is turned towards the street.

In conclusion, we remind you once again that manufacturers of windows and window fittings recommend that you do not carry out the adjustment yourself, but contact specialized companies. And remember, if your windows are under warranty, service is carried out by the company from which the windows were purchased.

Video: How to adjust the sash pressure density

Window fittings G-UWindow fittings from the German company Gretsch-Unitas (GU) can be installed in almost any window.
Window fittings - hinges As a rule, fittings for wooden windows are non-metallic or metal.
Fittings for Roto windows The service life of the windows depends on the fittings that come with wooden windows.
Winkhaus fittings Winkhaus window fittings began their life more than 100 years ago. In the distant

Sliding windows

Installation, adjustment and repair of plastic and aluminum windows is done in almost the same way. That is, the principle of assembling and installing the structure remains the same, only the material for the frame changes.

Window installation

We can say that installing a sliding window on a balcony or loggia with your own hands is quite simple, but you must follow certain rules. In this case, we will mount the structure on the loggia, but as the description progresses, I will make notes on the difference with installation on the balcony.

We make holes in the fence through the board

We fix the board with dowels and screws to the fence

Regardless of whether we install aluminum or PVC, warm or cold profiles, we need a base , and in this case we will use a 30-40 mm board for this, which will need to be screwed to the fence with dowels. You see that this is not difficult to do - drill holes through the board and drive dowels into them, which are secured with thick and long screws.

On the balcony in such cases, a subframe is made from metal profiles, and the fastening is carried out not in the board, but in metal - everything is the same, only the base material changes.

Description of typical breakdowns

First of all, you need to understand that fittings play an important role in the trouble-free operation of both casement and sliding windows. To correctly replace a broken one or select a part, read the instructions. Find the correspondence between the defect in your case and the one described. Visually find the problem area. Make sure that it is what affects the work. Take advantage of the tips from our article, which was compiled by professional experts. The tool you will always need is a hex wrench. You can buy it with confidence, it will not rust on the farm.

Sliding window repair

Sliding window systems appeared on the market relatively recently, but have already gained popularity among buyers.

First of all, this is due to the fact that when installing such a window, space is saved, which is very important in our time. But in order to maintain sliding systems in working order and in order to extend their service life, it is necessary to regularly adjust the windows, which requires a special approach and skill on the part of the master.

Since sliding systems use expensive fittings, they require special treatment. Adjustment is required if some changes are noticeable, such as:

The window system became difficult to open;
Blowing appeared;
Color changes began to appear on the slopes and on the window structure itself;
The windows began to fog up.

Recommendations for installing hinges

Installation and adjustment of door hinges is carried out when a new door block is installed or old worn-out fittings are replaced with new parts.
When performing any installation and repair work, it is recommended to comply with the established requirements for the installation of door structures. All actions must be carried out consistently according to the instructions so that no problems arise with the doors during operation.

When installing overhead hinges, it is necessary to accurately measure the drilling points of the holes for fastening the products so that the canvas does not become skewed after installation. For some overhead models, manufacturers provide additional fasteners.

How to wash sliding windows on a balcony outside, how to remove sliding windows

Recently, among residents of apartment buildings there has been an increasingly common tendency to equip their balcony space to their advantage. You can come up with many options for using a balcony, ranging from banal storage of unnecessary things to original recreation areas and mini-greenhouses. In addition, balconies are increasingly being attached to rooms and kitchens, thereby expanding the living space. But few people can afford a radical redevelopment, and they just don’t want to clutter up the extra few square meters. Then all possible ways to arrange this space as practical and functional as possible come to the rescue. One such way is to install sliding windows on the balcony.

Operating principle and advantages of sliding windows

Such systems are sometimes called sliding windows. Their opening is carried out by moving the shutters on rollers along guides. Several guides can be placed on one profile at once, which makes it possible to install up to 5 sashes.

When choosing such a window, close attention should be paid to the roller mechanism: the most durable are equipped with a shell made of polymer materials.

The sliding window system has a number of advantages:

Due to the use of aluminum from which the frames are made, the structure weighs little.
The strength of the material allows the window sashes to be narrow, so they let in more light.
Double-glazed windows and hollow profiles improve the thermal and sound insulation of windows.
Aluminum's resistance to the external environment makes the window durable.
The roller system does not require any free space in the room for the window to fully function. At the same time, it becomes possible to combine blind and opening window openings.
A special coating makes the appearance of the window aesthetic and attractive.
The simple design is convenient to use and easy to repair.
When using shut-off valves, such as latches, latches or even locks, such windows will ensure the safety of your home.

Product design

Sliding windows are a system of guides with sashes built into them. Thanks to the rollers, the shutters move in the desired direction in the runners. They mainly produce sets consisting of two or three guide profiles with sashes, the number of which can vary from one to five.

The convenience of installing sliding aluminum windows lies in saving space, because the balcony does not have a large area. When opening, the shutters do not take up space; they move along the window.

For sliding window designs with two guides, an aluminum profile with a thickness of 64 mm is used. When manufacturing the system, they begin by making an aluminum frame into which the sashes are inserted. Glass is used with a thickness of at least 4 cm. The entire structure is sealed with a brush system, which provides a high level of noise and heat insulation.

Rollers are responsible for moving the sashes, which are considered the weak point of the entire structure due to the heavy load. To prevent their damage, the surface of these elements is covered with a polymer shell. It makes the rollers practical and wear-resistant, so the system has a long service life. The package also includes fittings consisting of handles and locks. Some system models have additional parts that improve their performance properties.

Peculiarities

The main advantages of sliding windows are ease of operation, lightness of the system and saving of usable space in the room.

The adjustment is quite accessible to a non-specialist. The main reasons for their failure may be:

incorrect or careless operation;
if the building is new, then its shrinkage is quite possible;
incorrect or poor-quality installation;
marriage.

If the sliding doors begin to close poorly and gaps appear in the opening, then you should start adjusting them. You will need a special hex wrench, as well as instructions, so you know where to make the adjustments. Now you need to carefully examine the sliding windows, paying attention to the lower and upper sashes. Using a hexagon, we adjust the screw, turning it in one direction only. After that we look at the result. Only by trial will a non-specialist be able to determine in which direction the screw should be turned. By closing and opening the window again, you will understand whether you were turning in the right direction and whether additional scrolling is needed. A positive result will be a tight fit of the sashes, absence of noise and drafts.

Installation for windows The design of window openings, which is done quite carefully, can make the appearance of the building very worthy and.

Most finishing materials can be installed independently, with the exception of particularly complex structures where the help of a partner may be needed.