Types of seals for plastic windows and their descriptions

Plastic windows provide complete tightness and sound insulation. However, over time, drafts appear and street noise begins to be heard. This means that the insulation has failed and requires replacement. There are many varieties on sale that allow you to correct the situation without much difficulty. However, for an untrained person it will be difficult to select a suitable sample. Let's look at what types of seals there are for plastic windows, and how to choose the best option.

Why are seals needed?

Polymer, silicone or rubber seals for plastic windows perform several functions:

• heat saving. Cold air enters the room through cracks in loosely fitting window structures. Housing heating costs are rising;
• dust protection. Along with the flow of outside air, a lot of dust, sand, and organic matter enters the apartment. Allergy sufferers are familiar with the flowering time of plants. A high-quality seal will solve the problem of intolerance to organic air components;
• sound insulation. External sounds are not able to penetrate through the normally functioning seal of plastic windows.

In addition, doors with normal seals stop slamming and close softly. This increases the service life of the plastic profile. Window seals for plastic frames ensure the tightness of the sashes and prevent an increase in humidity inside the room. Its service life is usually about 5 years, although longer operation is possible. It all depends on the operating conditions, material and method of installing the insulator.

When does a seal need to be replaced?

The fact that the sealant for PVC windows has exhausted its service life can be guessed by some signs:

• the room became cool, drafts appeared;
• Droplets of water have appeared on the glass or plastic profile. Ice appears on the seal itself and adjacent areas;
• the seal material is cracked;
• all sounds from the street began to be heard;
• dust appeared on the windowsill;
• when closing the doors, hard pops are heard;
• The seal has peeled off, has come out of the grooves and is sagging in places.

In addition, a sign of the need to replace the seal is the appearance of fungus or mold in the corners of the window opening.

Checking the tightness of the valves

The appearance of drafts, dust or ice is not always evidence of worn-out seals. A plastic window frame is a complex structure with many adjustment elements. A situation often arises when the polymer or rubber seal for windows is still new, but there are signs of its inoperability. This means that the sash is not adjusted correctly and does not fit tightly to the frame.

The check is carried out using a sheet of plain paper. It is applied to the box and the frame is closed. If the paper is easily pulled out of the slot, the seal is poor. If it is removed with force or even breaks, it means that the sash is in tight contact with the frame. The check must be carried out at different points around the sash perimeter in order to more accurately identify areas of poor fit and take action. If a poor fit of the sash is detected, it is necessary to adjust its position using the adjusting screws on the frame or on the frame.

Important! It is recommended to check the tightness of the seal every time you switch from the winter to the summer season, and vice versa. Changing the operating mode of the valves contributes to the appearance of areas of weak contact that require adjustment.

Selection by form

It is impossible to purchase a seal at random. All varieties are designed for installation on a specific type of profile and have their own shape. You always need to know exactly which sealant for plastic windows is needed in this case. The ideal option is to purchase material from the same company. This is guaranteed to ensure full compliance with the shape and size of the gasket.

However, it is not always possible to buy products from a certain company. Therefore, it is necessary to keep in mind that there are 3 types of shapes that can be used for certain windows:

• KBE;
• REHAU;
• VEKA.

In addition to these varieties, there are others, but they are few in number and are less commonly used for installation on windows. The remaining types always belong to one of the listed groups and can be installed on similar types of windows. This interchangeability allows you to quickly select a replacement without losing the performance of the seal.

Attention! A piece of “native” seal taken with you to the store as a sample will help you avoid mistakes when choosing.

Types of seals and their features

Seals for installation in plastic windows are made from different materials. They all have their own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. Let's take a closer look at the existing types of gaskets:

Rubber

They are made by vulcanization of artificial rubber with carbon black additives. The material is inexpensive, has high elasticity and durability. It tolerates temperature changes well and returns to its original shape during mechanical deformation. An important feature of rubber seals is their ability to withstand the effects of ultraviolet radiation, which is harmful to many materials. To increase elasticity, foam material is used, which is more effective at sealing the connections between the sash and the frame.

Silicone

Silicone sealant is considered one of the most effective and durable types. It has an optimal set of performance qualities and is available in two versions:

• profile material;
• self-adhesive tape.

Unlike alternative types, silicone sealant remains elastic at temperatures from -30° to + 120° (if necessary, it can withstand heating up to 300°). Silicone is a universal material that can work in almost any environment. However, it also has disadvantages:

• the surface of the seal quickly becomes covered with cracks, cuts and loses its strength;
• Silicone sealing tape is more expensive than other varieties.

Due to these disadvantages, most users prefer to use rubber samples.

Rubber

The most budget-friendly, but quite effective option is rubber seals for plastic windows. They are found on most window units, although they have many disadvantages. The most noticeable of them is the change in the structure of the material that occurs over time. Rubber gradually loses elasticity, becomes covered with a network of small cracks, and begins to crumble. In addition, it does not tolerate contact with ultraviolet radiation well; temperature changes contribute to the failure of the seal. The situation is somewhat saved by the use of special types of rubber, similar to those used to insulate the washers of roofing screws. However, only the most famous companies use such material. If a rubber seal for windows is made by a little-known company, then it most likely consists of ordinary rubber with all its disadvantages. The service life of such material is no more than 5 years.

Thermoplastic

Thermoplastic gaskets (TPE, Russian abbreviation - TEP. ThermoElastoPolymer) are installed in all finished windows. In fact, this is a special modification of plastic suitable for making a seal. In terms of performance characteristics, TPE is noticeably inferior to other types of material, such as rubber, rubber or silicone types of sealing.

However, a feature of the material is its ability to be welded, which makes it an optimal type for automatic assembly. For the manufacturer, this is the main property that allows the material to be used on robotic lines. And we are not talking about saving here, but about obtaining a stable and identical result. Manual assembly depends on the qualifications, condition, and mood of the worker. The machine depends only on the quality of the settings, which is why the results are always higher. The choice of TPE for automatic assembly is also forced by the ability to connect the profile lengthwise without losing the quality of the strip. Other sealants are glued together, which takes time and produces inconsistent results.

Requirements

Currently, there are many rubber materials that are excellent for the production of window seals. They all differ from each other, have their own strengths and weaknesses, service life and conditions of use.

There is no direct regulatory document that would regulate the production and use of seals for PVC windows. However, these requirements are formulated in various regulatory documents regarding the production and operation of window structures, for example:

1. 
   GOST No. 30674, published in 1999 and No. 1114, published in 1987 when determining the requirements for PVC windows;

2. GOST 30673, published in 1999, defines the requirements for the properties of components;
3. GOST No. 52749, published in 2007, and No. 30971, published in 2012, establish the conditions for sealing seams.

According to these documents, the following basic requirements for the characteristics of window seals can be identified:

1. High environmental and biological safety. The base materials used for manufacturing must be non-toxic and not subject to rotting.
2. High strength, must withstand up to 300,000 compressions without losing the original characteristics of elasticity and strength.
3. Resistance should prevent deformation processes.
4. Wide temperature range for use from -40 to +55 C.
5. A wide range of color options so that you can match any color window frame.
6. Long service life of at least 25 years, and ideally, no less than the service life of the window unit.

Seal markings

There are many types of seals available on the market. However, when labeling such materials, only three names are used:

• KBE
• VEKA
• REHAU.

In this case, what is meant is not belonging to the products of one or another manufacturer, but the conformity of the profile shape to one or another group. That is, the type of KBE seal will fit any type of plastic profile of this type. This approach to labeling simplifies the choice, otherwise the process would take too long and produce a large number of errors.

In addition, the shape of the seal is distinguished according to its purpose:

• for installation between the frame and the glass unit;
• for installation on the sash.

Most often, the second type of seal is changed, since the double-glazed window is stationary and does not create noticeable loads on the gasket.

Is it possible to change it yourself?

Replacing sealing materials in windows does not require specialized knowledge. The work is not difficult to do on your own; you just need time and the necessary tools. The process consists of four steps:

• preparatory work;
• purchasing material;
• installation of sealing rubber;
• adjusting window fittings.

Be careful when purchasing, because in addition to original products from European manufacturers, there are Chinese analogues. They are made similar in shape, but not always the right size.

Seal options by type of installation

The seal can be installed in three ways:

• onto the adhesive layer. Typically the strip of material has a flat side on which the adhesive is applied;
• onto its own sticky layer. This method is much easier and installation is much faster. The disadvantage of the technique is the failure of the adhesive strip, which occurs during long-term storage;
• installation by placing a special mounting projection into the groove of the plastic profile.

The selection of the appropriate type is made by analogy with the sample installed at the window manufacturer. Currently, the materials of the third group are most often found, which are inserted into special grooves. The use of glue or its own adhesive layer does not provide uniform results, since gluing requires specific conditions. Therefore, seals of this type are increasingly used as additional materials for wooden windows or doors.

Rubber

If the consumer prefers traditional materials, then he should think about what is the best rubber band for plastic windows to buy.

Some experts are lenient about traditional rubber seals: they are short-lived and quickly break down with constant use of the window. But the low cost allows for replacement “on demand”.

Advantages

• Low cost is the main advantage of rubber types of seals.
• High-quality sealing of the room during the initial period of operation (up to 1-2 years).
• Ease of installation - almost all types of rubber gaskets have an adhesive layer and do not require additional fixation with glue.
• Large selection of seal colors.

Flaws

• At very low temperatures, the material crumples and becomes hard – “tan.” Because of this, the rubber quickly cracks and breaks down.
• At elevated temperatures, the seal “floats”, that is, it first becomes very soft.
• With frequent changes in temperature (hot summer day - cool night) the material quickly dries out and loses its ability to seal the room.

Replacing the seal yourself

Changing the seal is not difficult; you can do the job yourself. To do this, it is recommended to remove the sash from its hinges and lay it on a smooth, flat surface. after this you need to perform the following steps:

• completely remove the old gasket;
• clean the grooves or seat from dirt. Residues of glue or sealing material;
• apply special glue to the profile groove;
• insert a new gasket into the grooves;
• The gasket is cut at the corners and the joint is glued at 90°.

Attention! Installation of several pieces in one groove is not allowed. A solid profile must be installed along the entire length, otherwise its performance will be significantly reduced.

Tools

To work you will need:

• glue (if it is intended to be placed on an adhesive mass);
• stationery knife for cutting;
• putty knife;
• key for fittings, screwdrivers;
• hammer;
• special roller for rolling.

Next, for those who are faced with replacement for the first time, a detailed description of how to change the rubber seals on plastic windows.

Checking the result

After replacing the seal, the sash is put back in place and the quality of work is checked.

The following criteria must be followed:

• the sash moves without difficulty;
• Drafts and sounds from the street disappeared. There is no blowing through the cracks (this can be easily checked by running your hand along the perimeter of the sash at a distance of several centimeters);
• The seal does not change its position and does not wrinkle when opening or closing the sash.

Tips for caring for the seal

Caring for the seal is not difficult. The whole procedure consists of cleaning the surface with a damp cloth (no aggressive compounds should be used). In addition, the seal requires periodic application of silicone grease to the surface of the visible part of the strip. This will maintain the elasticity of the material. A thin silicone film forms on it, protecting it from drying out and cracking. The procedure is recommended to be performed 2 times a year, in spring and autumn. It is believed that regularly refreshing the surface of the seal can extend its service life by about 5 years.

If necessary, you can treat the seal with regular glycerin or petroleum jelly purchased at the pharmacy. It must be remembered that these options are not suitable for EPDM gaskets; only silicone is needed.

How to choose the right accessories

Different fittings are placed on the same profile, and the service life of metal-plastic windows and how many times they can open and close largely depend on which one the buyer chooses.

It is better to give preference to those fittings that are covered with a film of polymer material. You need to buy fittings from well-known manufacturers, such as Maco, GU, Roto. Each of these brands has advantages.

Experts recommend going to the manufacturers’ websites, familiarizing yourself with the production technologies of this window component and telling the installer which brand of hardware you chose to supply. It is also important to adjust the fittings so that the window opens and closes smoothly. You also need to regularly treat it with universal lubricants (lithol or automotive WD-40).

The best manufacturers

The need for a sealant for plastic window blocks is very high. The gasket lasts a long time, but, nevertheless, is a consumable item. It is changed much more often than the frames or box themselves. Therefore, the number of seal manufacturers is very large. In such situations, there are always companies that supply high-quality, certified goods. At the same time, a lot of unknown companies are working with them, whose products either cannot be classified or are an outright fake. Therefore, when choosing a sealant, you should first consider products from reliable manufacturers. Among the most popular companies, the following brands should be noted:

KBE

A reputable and reliable company from Germany. It belongs to the flagships of the direction, producing standard types of profiles and related materials. The KBE seal is made of rubber or EPDM. It is easy to check the authenticity of the profile - it is marked along its entire length. At the same time, the interchangeability of KBE materials is low. For example, if profile 227 is changed to size 228, the sash simply will not close. This point must be taken into account and only purchase similar material. To do this, you need to take a sample of the seal installed at the factory with you to the store.

Veka

This company is popular among users due to the optimal combination of price and quality of its products. It produces EPDM seals with high performance and durability. Currently, the company's production facilities are located in different countries, including Russia.

Schlegel

One of the oldest German companies. The establishment of the company dates back to the 1880s. The company produces certified and high-quality material that has passed multi-stage quality checks at all stages of production. The final result is tested under very harsh conditions. The company treats its products very responsibly. For example, the condition of the seal is checked after 285,000 cycles of opening and closing the sash.

Russian manufacturers

The production of seals in Russia, as a rule, is carried out using imported equipment, using technologies taken from well-known manufacturers. The result is an almost complete analogue of one or another type of gasket, only cheaper and accessible to the domestic user. Among Russian manufacturers of seals the following can be noted:

• Sibrtech;
• GASKET LLC;
• "Standard Prof"
• "Artie";
• "Union Polymer Technologies", etc.

As a rule, sealants are supplied directly to plastic window manufacturing plants. But a certain amount of products also goes on sale. The quality of the seal meets all current standards, which allows you to safely use them to replace imported analogues.

"Shelf life" of plastic windows

Any person who decides to replace outdated, low-functional windows with modern metal-plastic structures will inevitably think: “How long will these windows last, and will I have to replace worn-out double-glazed windows in a few years?” It is definitely difficult to answer this question, since the “shelf life” of a plastic window depends on several factors, such as:

• The quality of all elements of the window block: profiles, fittings, seals, glass.
• Window installation quality.
• Regular proper care of all structural elements of the window.

So, the first conclusion that we can draw based on the above factors. You probably won't have to think about replacing your windows for at least 40 years! if you:

• Don’t skimp on such important things as windows in your home, and order them from a trusted company.
• Entrust the installation of the window unit to qualified specialists.
• Take note of a few simple rules for caring for PVC windows.

You should not order plastic windows from a company whose employees will convince you that “any window will have to be replaced in 5–7 years.” Most likely, they just want to sell you low-quality products and at the same time absolve themselves in advance of responsibility for what will happen to such a window after some time.

Now let’s look at the factors influencing the durability of windows in more detail.

Window quality - better, more expensive, but better

We all understand perfectly well that free cheese only comes in a mousetrap. Trying to buy high-quality products at a low price is simply naive, and this fully applies to windows. We're not trying to convince you that a high-quality window should be "gold", but if its cost is an order of magnitude lower than that of competing companies, this should raise legitimate suspicions. Promotions and discounts periodically arranged by manufacturers of window structures are a completely different matter. Only large companies with a good reputation can afford them, so if you see an advertisement on the Internet or in a newspaper about discounts on plastic windows, don’t be lazy to find out what kind of company is offering them (it’s better not to trust fly-by-night companies created just yesterday ).

Another useful tip regarding choosing a quality window. You should not buy loud statements like “only the best German/English, etc. profiles, double-glazed windows and fittings are used in our windows.” Believe me, today almost any company that installs window units will offer you windows with Rehau profiles, float glass and other bells and whistles. But not all companies can boast of their own production, where each stage of window manufacturing is strictly controlled by engineers and technologists. Therefore, by seeking advice from the specialists of the company you have chosen, instead of asking: “what profiles will be installed in my window?” (the answer will most likely be “Of course, Rehau!”), it’s better to ask if they produce windows for individual orders, and what kind of guarantee the company provides for its products.

Installation of a plastic window

Proper assembly and installation of the window guarantees its durability. There is no need to skimp on the installation of window structures. Even if you are a construction specialist, it is better not to risk installing a window unit yourself. Any defect or mistake will lead to the fact that in a few years your new window will become a “source” of drafts, ice will form on the windowsill in the cold season, and so on. Euro window installation specialists will not only install the finished structure, they will also check on site how functional it is: whether the sashes open smoothly, whether the fittings are loose, whether the window “works” in all modes.

Care of plastic windows and periodic prevention

Hot air from heating appliances can cause the foam in the window opening to crumble and the window to lose its

tightness

Regular and proper care will definitely extend the life of plastic windows. No matter how high-quality the profiles, fittings and seals are, they are still subject to wear, which, however, can be minimized by knowing a few simple rules for caring for metal-plastic windows:

1. PVC profiles cannot be cleaned using abrasive detergents or detergents containing concentrated acids and solvents - they can damage the plastic, and the window will soon lose its original aesthetic appearance.
2. To wash all window elements, you must use soft foam sponges, microfiber or suede cloths.
3. It is best to use products specially designed for this purpose to care for windows: ask the employees of the company where you bought the windows where you can purchase compositions for cleaning PVC elements and window seals.
4. The fittings of window units also require regular maintenance. At least once a year, window locks, blockers, etc. need to be lubricated and adjusted as necessary.

High indoor humidity is enemy number 1 for plastic windows

There are times when even an expensive, correctly installed metal-plastic window begins to “go bad” after a short period of time: the glass fogs up, the sashes lose their smooth movement. If this happens to your window, do not rush to blame its manufacturer. The fact is that powerful negative factors affecting PVC windows are high humidity in the room or, conversely, dry air. In accordance with GOST, the optimal humidity in residential premises is 30–45%. The higher the humidity levels in the apartment/house, the greater the likelihood that the windows will lose their functionality over time.

If a window in your home becomes unusable and you contact the product manufacturer to compensate for the damage, it will most likely require an examination to determine the air humidity in the room. If the humidity is higher than optimal values, all claims against the company will be considered invalid.

The same goes for hot air. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures on a window unit can lead to dire consequences, so you should not place heating devices in close proximity to the window. It is also necessary to ensure free air circulation in the “heating radiator - window” area (a complex system of curtains, curtains and other decorative elements can trap hot air in the area of ​​a plastic window).

What should you do if the window fails ahead of schedule?

Replacing the seals in a window unit is a common procedure that will restore the window

old functionality

If you are no longer satisfied with the quality of the window work much earlier than the period specified by the manufacturers, do not rush to order a new design. There are many elements in the window unit that can be easily and quickly replaced and return the window to its previous functionality. We are talking about seals and fittings. Do not forget that the seal is, albeit a high-quality one, but still an ordinary rubber gasket, and the more often you open/close the window, the faster it wears out. Over time, fittings can also become loose or corrode. Specialists in the installation and repair of PVC windows will easily fix this kind of problem, and it will cost you much less than installing a new double-glazed window. By the way, many window manufacturers claim that seals and some fittings can be periodically (approximately once every five years) replaced with new ones for preventive purposes, without waiting until they start to “go bad.”

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Customer Reviews

The information that manufacturers provide about their products is intended to show the products from the best side. It is not profitable to provide information about the shortcomings or weak qualities of the seal, since this will immediately affect sales volumes. Therefore, it is much more useful to consider user reviews. This is the most reliable and truthful information because it comes from uninterested people. They have neither material nor reputational benefits. Let's look at some of them.