Features of self-adhesive window seals, types, installation

A correctly selected window seal performs several functions at once: eliminates drafts and noise, reduces heat loss, and prevents the penetration of moisture from the street.
Even modern plastic windows eventually need to install a new seal.

Self-adhesive sealing strips are easy to install on windows yourself.

Types of window tape

On store shelves you can find several types of self-adhesive window tape made from different materials. The shape of self-adhesive tape also varies.

Based on materials

For the manufacture of window seals, rubber, silicone, thermoplastic, foam rubber, and polyethylene foam are used.

1. 
   Silicone .
   It is considered the best type of sealant because it is not destroyed by moisture, sunlight, frost, or aggressive detergents. It is flexible, elastic, and quickly returns to its original shape after compression. Does not require special care during operation, other than standard cleaning.

   Read also:  How to adjust plastic windows for “winter” mode: advice from professionals

   Disadvantages of the material: not resistant to mechanical damage, high price. The cost of silicone sealing tape ranges from 400 to 500 rubles. for 10 m.

2. Rubber . The material is inferior in flexibility to silicone, but superior to it in strength. Rubber seals are inexpensive, last a long time, and are not afraid of moisture. Disadvantage: they crack over time due to low temperatures. The price of 1 m of rubber tape is 22-35 rubles.
3. Thermoelastic polymer (TEP). Ideal for sealing plastic windows. It has a low price, is completely invisible on the window, and copes well with its insulation task. Disadvantages: does not tolerate temperature changes well, in the cold it can become brittle. Not recommended for installation in regions with cold winters. Price 15-20 rub. per meter
4. Foam rubber, polyethylene foam . The most budget-friendly type of seal. This is not a profiled tape made of white durable foam rubber or polyethylene foam with one adhesive side. Used to fill cracks in window and door openings. It is elastic and copes well with the task of insulating the room from dust and cold. Disadvantages: low mechanical strength, rarely lasts longer than a season. Does not protect against dampness. The cost of the tape is 40-50 rubles. for 10 m.

By profile

Self-adhesive insulating tape can have a straight profile or a shaped one :

• tubular;
• with one, two or three petals.

The straight profile is suitable for insulating wooden windows. For plastic blocks, select a profiled tape that matches the design of the given model.

The market presents mainly plastic profiles from three largest companies: VEKA, KBE, REHAU. The self-adhesive seals offered in stores fit these windows and are marked accordingly.

No. 2. We identify weak points

To effectively insulate plastic windows, you must first understand where the seal is broken. The only thing you can immediately remove from the list of suspects is the frame: multi-chamber plastic is a good heat insulator, it does not dry out, unlike wood.

Cold air can penetrate through the following structural elements:

• clamping elements that tend to loosen over time;
• a detached glazing bead that holds the glass unit in place;
• worn out seal;
• polyurethane foam, if it was applied in violation of technology;
• windowsill;
• slopes.

A double-glazed window rarely causes a violation of thermal insulation (the exception is its depressurization), but it can also be additionally insulated. “Extra” heat in winter will not hurt.

to identify leaky window - just run your palm along and across the entire structure, and you will feel that there is a decent amount of wind in some places. Some people recommend using a lighter for this purpose. If you light a flame and pass it around the perimeter of the window, maintaining a safe distance, it will tilt in those places where there is even a small draft. Be extremely careful with this method!

As a rule, work on insulating a plastic window can be done with your own hands. The exception is when it is necessary to insulate the slopes from the outside, and the apartment is located above the second floor. You need to be prepared that comprehensive insulation may be needed if several zones of warm air leaks are found, but first things first.

Requirements

Choosing the optimal price-quality ratio of self-adhesive insulation is not easy. Good material should :

• be strong but flexible;
• after compression, quickly return to its original shape;
• have a good adhesive coating;
• have a width, profile and color suitable for the given window openings.

A high-quality sealing profiled tape fits tightly into the groove of the window block, leaving no voids or protruding.

For wooden frames, self-adhesive foam rubber or polyethylene tapes of simple shape are suitable. For plastic structures, it is better to choose rubber or silicone models.

No. 6. Insulation of slopes

Today, often when installing plastic windows, slopes are additionally installed, smooth, beautiful, made of dense plastic. It often happens that there is a large crack between the decorative strip and the wall, which perfectly allows cold and wind into the apartment, therefore, to improve the thermal insulation of plastic windows, it is recommended to insulate the slopes from the inside or outside.

The procedure is as follows:

• dismantling unnecessary parts of polyurethane foam;
• if the surface is very uneven, you can plaster it;
• treating the slope with a primer, you can use antibacterial compounds to prevent the development of mold;
• A fragment corresponding to the slope is cut out of foam plastic. To make it stick to the surface better, you can slightly scratch it on the back side. All that remains is to apply assembly glue and press firmly to the surface of the slope; to guarantee, you can install several dowels;
• All that remains is to mount the corner, putty the surface and secure the casing.

How to properly glue to windows?

When starting to replace the seal, you need to remember that it is necessary to change both circuits, on the frame and on the sash. Otherwise, the closure of the old and new coating will not be tight.

Before installation, you must ensure that you have selected a tape with the correct profile . The tape is glued along the entire perimeter of the window, without unnecessary joints. First, glue the top part, gradually removing the protection from the adhesive surface, then, pressing the tape tightly, glue it all the way to the end.

At the junction of the tape, it is recommended to additionally glue it with special glue. You can use the window as usual within 2 hours after operation.

You can clearly see the process of gluing a window using the link to the video:

During operation of plastic and rubber seals, it is necessary to regularly wipe them from accumulating moisture. In the cold season, it is recommended to use a special silicone lubricant to soften the surface of the seal. Such care will extend the service life of the sealing tape by 2 times.

No. 5. Window sill insulation

The installation of a plastic window is often associated with significant damage, which is especially significant in the area between the wall and the window sill. Some installers fill the cracks with cement and construction debris. No comments here. It is better, of course, when the space under the window sill is filled with polyurethane foam, but this option is not ideal. Over time, the foam can shrink or even dry out, forming decent gaps through which cold air enters the house.

To insulate a plastic window, you will have to get rid of the old foam and fill in new one. Keep in mind that it tends to expand as it hardens. After complete hardening, the excess is cut off; some builders recommend additionally filling small cracks with silicone sealant. This is followed by plastering work and the application of decorative coating.

If possible, the window sill area can be additionally insulated from the outside. Polyurethane foam is also used for this, but sometimes polystyrene foam is also used. Everything is plastered on top using a mesh and finished off.

Advantages and disadvantages

Window self-adhesive seals made from modern materials have an undeniable superiority over old insulation (wool, paper, fabric, tape):

1. service life is up to 10 years;
2. the seal adheres firmly to the window block without interfering with ventilation;
3. does not spoil the appearance of the window;
4. reliably protects against drafts, noise, moisture and dust coming from the street;
5. self-adhesive tape is convenient and quick to attach;
6. dismantling the tape is simple and does not harm the window unit.

There is only one drawback to such a seal – high cost compared to outdated materials.

When to change the sill seal

You can determine without error that the seal needs to be replaced by the following indicators:

• it is visually noticeable that the cord has changed shape and flattened;
• microcracks appeared on the cord, it became very rigid;
• condensation appeared around the perimeter of the sash;
• freezing occurs in the area of ​​the vestibule;
• increased ventilation of the room;
• street noise increased when the door was closed;
• During testing, a sheet of paper is easily removed from the pressed seal.

Any of the listed factors is grounds for replacing the narthex seal.

What are the different fastening methods?

An important point is how the seal is attached. He can be:

1. Self-adhesive, have a sticky layer that is covered with a protective film. This type is easy to install. To do this, you need to properly prepare the surface. The disadvantage of this type is that the tape often comes off.
2. The adhesive seal is quite difficult to install. You need to know how to apply glue with your own hands. It is necessary to choose a high-quality composition to ensure reliable adhesion to the surface. The method is reliable.
3. The groove seal for wooden doors is used if there is a certain configuration. This method allows installation without additional elements. The advantage is his speed. Parts are easy to replace if necessary. Seals for wooden doors with a groove can be purchased at any hardware store. They are inexpensive.
4. The seal for mortise wooden doors is mounted on specially prepared self-tapping screws. After fixing, it is recommended to fill the cracks with liquid sealant.
5. Magnetic ones are not used on wooden door leaves.