Thanks to this product, windows get a complete and aesthetic appearance, and in addition, their strength indicators increase and their service life increases.
The glazing bead prevents drafts from entering the home, while noise and sound from the street are also blocked.
However, their protective characteristics decrease during operation, so the owner of a window structure must know how to properly remove and replace the glazing bead for a plastic window with a new one.
What does the term mean?
A bead is a special element in a window structure that provides several types of protection and is used to securely fix a double-glazed window in a PVC frame .
It is made in the form of a narrow and long PVC strip with a rubber gasket and can have different shapes, depending on the design of the window profile. They are often produced directly with a seal, thereby creating a monolithic product.
Why is it needed and is it possible to do without it?
Beading is an essential element of a PVC window. Its functions are not limited to just securing the glass unit to the frame. They also play a protective role in the window unit in terms of tightness, energy efficiency, protection from dust and yard noise. In addition, it gives the window a complete aesthetic appearance and prolongs the service life of the window as a whole .
The shape of the slats can be narrow for 3-chamber double-glazed windows, and wide for single-chamber stained-glass windows, rounded, square or oval.
There are decorative plugs for the groove; they are not required for installation, but only at the request of the buyer. They are ordered in order to give the window the most aesthetic appearance, and for the future, facilitating the process of window care.
To securely fix the rail to the metal-plastic frame, special grooves are used, drilled in the opening sash, and for fixed windows it is attached directly to the frame.
Beading - a window design element
The bead always runs along the edge of the glass unit as a kind of edging. Due to the different shapes of the glazing bead, you can change the appearance of the window.
- The rectangular and beveled shape is suitable for laconic windows with minimal decor in the high-tech or Norwegian style.
- The rounded shape will give the appearance of the window softness and ergonomics. This glazing bead is suitable for Provence style windows.
- Curly glazing bead adds a touch of sophistication; it is good to use on windows in modern or rustic styles
Photo: glazing bead - the final touch that can completely transform a boring standard window
Requirements
The PVC glazing bead must be shaped to fit the groove of the profile, where it is firmly fixed due to the teeth and elasticity of the PVC, with a welded seal.
In order to guarantee the protective qualities of the block, it must have a number of important characteristics:
- Durability is no less than that of the main frame - 50 years.
- Plasticity, so that it is easy to remove it from the grooves for dismantling and replacement; thanks to this characteristic, it is less susceptible to deformation, and during impacts, it is more resistant to fracture.
- Moisture resistance - the ability to not allow moisture to pass through.
- The ease of installation is ensured by the flexibility of the material and the design of the groove, which allows you to insert and remove the bead without auxiliary fastening material.
- Decorative – the smooth and even surface of the product with different colors provides a special appearance to the window.
- Multifunctionality for various modifications of window and balcony systems. Heat resistance so as not to create cold bridges in the frame.
- The operating temperature range is from -60 °C to +60 °C, at T = 100 °C the material begins the decomposition process.
- Environmental safety, must be harmless to the health of others.
- Fire safety - must be self-extinguishing and not spread fire.
- High biological stability, does not contribute to the formation of mold and the spread of bacteria.
- Resistant to ultraviolet radiation and household chemicals.
Peculiarities
You can highlight the main purpose of glazing beads for windows. It is considered to hold the glass in the frame. Not so long ago, various types of putties were used for similar purposes, providing a moisture-proof or sealing function. But due to the improvement of windows, such techniques have exhausted themselves.
An important feature of the products is the insulation of the window by sealing the joints. The pricing policy available on the market today invites consumers to choose products in a fairly wide range based on individual product requirements.
When purchasing, you should focus on the main property of the glazing bead - it should be fixed as much as possible in the frame, tightly pressing the glass.
The element is dismantled during structural repairs, for example, replacing an old double-glazed window with a new one, various external works, or when a part wears out over time.
Products have a specific service life, after which they cease to perform their functions. In this case, the glazing bead is removed and replaced.
The production of PVC products takes place using a similar technology as a window profile, only using different equipment.
The manufacturing process can be divided into two technological stages:
- work on the production of the basic solid part of the product;
- fusing the rubber base onto the rail.
To give the product visual appeal, the grooves are decorated with special plugs. They are a sealing cord made in light colors.
Usually it is attached along the entire perimeter of the window frame. This material protects the structure from small debris and dust particles. In addition to window structures, the groove plug is used on plastic balcony doors.
What varieties are there?
The outer edge of the product can have a different configuration, which is mainly determined by the design project of the window unit: square, circle, rectangle or complex shape. In addition, they differ in different widths, allowing you to install double-glazed windows of any size into the window frame without the need to modify the design and replace the sash.
To size
The size of the bead affects the overall energy efficiency of the window unit; the thinner it is, the lower its thermal resistance, and the lower the price. Therefore, thin slats can only be installed in multi-chamber double-glazed windows, which have increased heat-protective characteristics. On the contrary, the widest products are installed in single-chamber double-glazed windows.
Average price of window slats by width:
- wide - 30.5 mm, length 3 m, price 669 rub. for 1 product;
- medium - 13.5 mm, length 3 m, glass thickness 24 mm, price 560 rub. for 1 piece;
- narrow - 6.5 mm, length 3 m price 520 rub. for 1 piece
By shape
The most popular types of glazing bead sections are rectangular, rounded and curly. Manufacturers, most often, install a rectangular rail by default; if the buyer wants a different cross-section of the product, he must indicate this in the order for the window unit.
The main advantages and disadvantages of glazing beads of various shapes:
- Rounded ones are often used for structures installed in private residential buildings; they have a perfect aesthetic appearance, are easy to use, and due to the round surface they are less subject to impact deformations.
- Rectangular ones are used by default for public and residential multi-storey buildings. The sharp edge acts as a stiffening rib and provides the highest strength to the slats; they also have increased protective properties, but are inferior in aesthetic appearance to round structures.
- Curly ones are used to create an original window shape; as a rule, they are installed in the private residential sector. The products are expensive, difficult to maintain and quite impractical because they have low shock protection.
Average prices for different glazing bead configurations:
- semicircular for 24 double-glazed windows, 3 lm, 13.5 mm, 341 rub.;
- beveled for 32 double-glazed windows, 3 lm, 13.5 mm, 286 RUR;
- rectangular for 32 double-glazed windows, 3 lm, 6.5 mm, 220 rub.
By material
As a rule, glazing beads are made from PVC; first, the hard part of the product is produced, and then a soft sealing rubber is attached to it.
Lately, fiberglass slats have become more popular. This is a building material with excellent ductility, has a structure made of quartz filler and fiberglass binder.
The finished fiberglass lath is fused along the edge with a thin layer of rubber, which acts as a seal. They have excellent heat-shielding characteristics, high strength and weather resistance.
Average cost of PVC beads depending on the material:
- fiberglass with a shaped section for 24 double-glazed windows, 3 lm, 13.5 mm, 590 rub.;
- PVC with a semicircular section, for 24 double-glazed windows, 3 lm, 13.5 mm, 341 rub.
Glazing bead - what is it, purpose, materials of manufacture
A glazing bead is a long narrow strip designed for fastening a glass panel (double glazing, sandwich panels) from the inside of a room in various types of profile structures (window sashes, doors, balcony frames, panoramic glazing frames). For plastic windows, glazing beads are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) profiles of various cross-sectional shapes, equipped with a sealing rubber gasket.
In a window sash, a plastic glazing bead performs the following number of functions:
- Firmly and reliably holds the glass unit in the frame, preventing it from falling out when there is a physical impact on the sash.
- The bead seal seals the joints of the double-glazed window in the profile opening, preventing heat leakage from the room.
- Prevents street dust, dirt, and precipitation from entering through the window.
- Gives the sash design an aesthetically finished look and increases its decorative effect when using products of various colors and profile sections.
- Allows you to easily carry out repeated dismantling and installation of double-glazed windows without destroying the frame structure, in a short time and with unchanged indicators of tightness and reliability of its placement.
Due to the design features of the profile, only PVC glazing beads are used in plastic windows - due to the elasticity of the material, they are bent and snapped into the grooves; it is clear that any other materials that do not have elasticity and flexibility (wood, aluminum) will not be suitable for such a design.
Relatively recently, another type of plastic windows with a profile made of glass-composite polymers, the main components of which are fiberglass and binding polyester resins, has appeared on the window market. Fiberglass composite is a high-strength and flexible material, therefore beadings from a similar compound are installed into the window profile to secure the glass unit.
Glass composite profile
What to look for when choosing?
Despite the fact that at first glance they are simple in design, mistakes made during selection lead to great consequences.
The choice of glazing beads is carried out when placing an order for a window block; in this case, it is important to consider the shape and width of the product depending on the number of double-glazed windows, window design and external loads. For standard windows, 13 mm rectangular slats are selected .
Next, it is important to choose the material, and the product must work no less than the main frame; fiberglass has a service life of 50 years.
When choosing slats that will be installed to replace those already installed in the frames, you need to choose the installed modification, otherwise the window is not immune from large heat losses and fogging due to inconsistencies between the fastenings of the new and old models
What are wooden glazing beads?
| In addition to plastic ones, there are also wooden glazing beads for windows. They are installed, respectively, on wooden frames. Visually, they do not differ from plastic ones, especially if the windows are not old, Soviet, but new, their shape is often rounded. They also perform the same functions - they hold the glass in the frame. However, wooden planks are less durable, they are not as moisture resistant, and are often attached to the frame with nails. |
What tools and accessories are required for installation?
In order to install a rail on a sash or frame of a PVC window, you do not need to purchase complex and scarce tools, it will be enough:
Prepare protective equipment for hands and eyes to protect them in case of accidental glass breakage or in the presence of sharp edges of the glass unit.- A small rubber hammer for hammering the slats during installation.
- Measuring tool to accurately determine the length of PVC lath.
- Pencil to number the slats before installation.
It is strictly forbidden to mark glazing beads with a felt-tip pen, as it leaves indelible marks on the surface of the slats.
Problems with the window due to poor-quality glazing bead?
- If the glazing bead initially does not fit tightly to the glass unit, leaving a gap, then the window will be blown out.
- Excessive pressure is fraught with increased load on the double-glazed window, which will inevitably lead to destruction of the double-glazed window.
- The seal on a low-quality bead will quickly dry out, lose its elasticity and the window will begin to “blow out”
- A non-original glazing bead is made from different raw materials, a different recipe. This means that it differs in color and quality from the main profile or will change it after a short time.
- A glazing bead made from a different raw material has a different thermal expansion and reacts to temperature changes differently than the frame and sash. It may expand more when heated or shrink in size when cold. Both options are equally bad for the window - a long glazing bead can lead to a break in the corner of the frame. A short one forms cracks, and this is not only unsightly, but will also lead to air leaks.
Glazing beads are placed on windows and doors from the side of the room, otherwise the window will not be airtight and burglar-proof.
Photo: the gaps between the glazing beads are another way for ventilation and one of the reasons for window freezing
How to install the product yourself?
If the glazing bead is selected correctly to the frame design, the window owner will not have any difficulties with installation.
Technology for installing glazing beads on a PVC window:
- Measure the dimensions of all four slats and mark them with a pencil.
- Check that the slats and installation sites are clean.
- Treat the rail over the entire contact area with silicone grease so that it slides and easily fits into the special groove.
- Hold the glass unit with your right hand so that it does not suddenly fall out.
- Install the top rail, first insert the left end into the groove, and then the right end into the corresponding corner.
- Using a wooden hammer, tap the rail along its entire length so that it sits firmly in its recess.
Adviсe
When choosing window beads, you need to pay close attention to the quality of the products. Because the tightness that they will provide, especially when the windows go outside, is of enormous importance for the entire window.
For parts that are not in contact with the external environment, appearance is more important. Therefore, for installing glazing beads outside, you should give preference to the classic versions of products; for installing products inside, there are products with various decorative elements.
The rail must be made of the same raw materials as the window. The exception is wooden structures made using double-glazed glass technology, where the installation of PVC products is allowed.
It is worth paying attention to the fact that fasteners are not conspicuous, since the decorative function is as important for the product as the protective one.
Possible difficulties and errors, their consequences
Despite the fact that the technology for installing glazing beads is extremely simple, some performers manage to make significant mistakes in this process, after which the protective characteristics of the window unit will be violated, there will be drafts in the apartment, and the double-glazed window will be covered with drops due to the formation of a “dew point” .
The most common mistakes made when installing PVC beads:
The temperature regime for installation is incorrectly chosen; at low temperatures they “tanner” and become brittle.- Mandatory numbering of products is not carried out, as a result of which gaps are formed if the slats are mixed up.
- Prepared slats cannot be placed vertically; they may become deformed.
- The contact surface of the bead is not lubricated with silicone, which makes it impossible to fit it tightly into the workplace.
When do you need to replace the glazing bead?
Due to their durability, you will have to replace glazing beads on a plastic window for the first time, subject to the rules of use, no earlier than the expiration of its service life. Usually this is several decades. However, replacement may be necessary earlier if the part has become deformed due to impacts or exposure to strong negative factors - fire, burglary attempts, etc.
The product has to be replaced after the window has been improperly assembled. In order for the entire structure to be airtight, the glazing beads must strictly correspond to the dimensions, but sometimes they are a little shorter. As a result, cracks form in the corners, which quickly become clogged and untidy. Subsequently, drafts appear there and the tightness is lost.
Replacement is required if the glazing bead seal has dried out and lost its elasticity. In this case, the glass unit does not fit firmly to the frame and may dangle. The tightness is lost, drafts and noise appear, and dust flies into the house.
Another reason for replacement is the installation of a thicker or thinner glass unit, the width of which is different from the one that was installed previously.
To remove glazing beads for washing glass, replacing double-glazed windows or the slats themselves, it is not necessary to call a professional. Sometimes they even refuse to leave, since almost all housewives are capable of coping with the work. The main thing is caution and attentiveness, and if the window is large, another pair of hands.
How to remove it for replacement?
They are removed if replacement is necessary due to deterioration and loss of protective characteristics or when replacing a double-glazed window. Before removing the slats, first remove the outer sealant.
During the process of removing the slats, it is very important to constantly maintain the glass unit, and operations must be carried out extremely carefully so as not to drop the bag and avoid injury.
In order to perform the operation of removing the PVC strip, you will need to prepare personal protective equipment for hands and eyes and the following tools:
- a narrow spatula, chisel or knife to bend the glazing bead from the profile,
- rubber mallet,
- tape measure and pencil in order to number them during the dismantling process.
Technology for dismantling PVC slats:
- First, the longest slats are dismantled, usually vertical ones;
- carefully insert the tool between the rail and the profile; if necessary, gently tap the rail with a hammer;
- after the rail moves away by 1 mm, it is important to turn the chisel so that the blade is directed towards the area of dismantling, pressing or hitting in this way the rail moves further and further away from the window;
- when it moves away to a distance sufficient to take it with your hand, remove it from the groove.
The video will show you how to remove the glazing bead from a plastic window and put it back:
Installation and dismantling
While performing their main protective function, glazing beads fail as a result of exposure to external factors and over time. In this case, it is necessary to remove the part and replace it with a working similar element.
It is worth highlighting the main points indicating that it is necessary to carry out work to dismantle the glazing bead.
- First of all, the element will begin to allow air, dust and moisture to pass through. On the inside of the frame, without removing any parts, the accumulation of liquid and various debris will become noticeable. Such phenomena will indicate a malfunction of the glazing bead.
- During strong gusts of wind, certain sounds can be heard from the glass, which will indicate that the tightness of the structure and the fastening of the bead to the frame is broken.
- The appearance of the item will also indicate that the product is no longer suitable for use.
It is possible to carry out the work of replacing the element yourself, the main thing is not to damage the glass, performing all the work very carefully.
To replace a PVC product you will need the following tools:
- non-metallic hammer and spatula;
- plastic spatula.
The work technology includes the following stages:
- It is necessary to insert a spatula between the frame and the bead, gradually moving it away from the structure; you can additionally use a spatula;
- As soon as the product moves away from the frame , you can carefully remove it;
- Having cleaned the place where the element was located using a damp cloth and dried the surface, you can begin installing a new product;
- To install a new part, you need to attach it as tightly as possible to the frame and, fixing it with one hand, nail the bead to the structure with a hammer.
You can check the quality of the work done by tapping your palm on the surface of the window from the back side. A securely and correctly fixed part will fit tightly to the base.
To replace a wooden glazing bead, you will need the following tools: sandpaper of varying degrees of abrasiveness, chisel, nails, spatula, hammer.
Work technology:
- Using a chisel you need to remove the part from the frame and pull out the glass;
- clean the glass gutter with sandpaper;
- insert the glass and apply a layer of sealant;
- Next, you need to attach a new element and forcefully press it to the base;
- after which the product is nailed to the structure.
Please note that all painting work on the window must be completed before installing the glazing beads.
To dismantle an old faulty aluminum bead, you can use two methods.
- The outer seal is pulled out from one bead, after which you need to hit its corner with your palm. This procedure disrupts the adhesion of the product to the surface.
- The seal located inside makes it somewhat difficult to dismantle the part. In this option, the rail is additionally secured with clips, which should be removed first, and then proceed to removing the glazing bead.
Average prices
The cost of PVC glazing beads depends on:
- size,
- configurations
- type of materials and length of the slats.
The most expensive and durable are wide, fiberglass figured products.
Average prices for glazing beads for PVC windows:
wide, rectangular, fiberglass, 30.5 mm, 3 m, 669 RUR;- medium, rectangular, fiberglass - 13.5 mm, 3 m, double-glazed window 24 mm, 560 rub.;
- narrow, rectangular, fiberglass, 6.5 mm, 3 m, 510 RUR;
- semicircular, PVC, for 24 double-glazed windows, 3 lm, 13.5 mm, 341 RUR;
- beveled PVC, for 32 double-glazed windows, 3 lm, 13.5 mm, 286 RUR;
- rectangular PVC for 32 double-glazed windows, 3 lm, 6.5 mm, 220 rub.;
- fiberglass figured, for 24 double-glazed windows, 6.5 lm, 13.5 mm, 590 rub.;
- PVC semicircular for 24 double-glazed windows, 3 lm, 13.5 mm, 341 rub.
Types of glazing beads for windows
All types of glazing beads for plastic windows have a similar design; they are attached according to the same principle. The main differences are:
- sizes;
- form;
- material.
The sizes of beads depend on the characteristics of double-glazed windows for plastic windows. The width is maximum for those parts that hold a single glass. Beads intended for single-chamber double-glazed windows are considered typical. For two-chamber and three-chamber packages they are thinner; for four-chamber packages, reinforced versions are installed.
| Rectangular | Rounded | Figured |
Rectangular ones are the most common. They are installed in residential apartments, public buildings, and private houses. It is believed that their strength is the highest compared to other varieties. However, their acute corner is damaged more often than others, so it is often beveled.
Rounded glazing beads are often found in Rehau windows. This type is also very common; it is installed mainly in the glazing of residential apartments and houses. The rounded shape is more aesthetically pleasing, easier to care for, and less susceptible to deformation due to accidental impacts.
Curly glazing beads are the most aesthetic. They often serve as interior decoration, which is why they are chosen by owners of apartments designed in an unusual style, or owners of private houses. Due to their complexity, they require more careful handling and attention when caring, and they are easy to damage. But the attractive appearance makes up for all the inconveniences.
For ordinary plastic windows, the glazing beads are made of the same material - PVC. However, products made from fiberglass are now being distributed, which is close in strength to steel, but retains the flexibility of plastic. They usually come with fiberglass profiles.
Prices for the service
For window owners who cannot, for some reason, remove and replace glazing beads on their own, there is the opportunity to order this service from a specialized organization.
It would be better if it was the company that installed the window. You can also find a company in your area online.
Average prices for removing and installing window slats by region are practically the same. To a greater extent they depend on:
- window brand,
- its size,
- slats material and their configuration.
The cost of removing the installation of the slats is calculated per linear meter; for standard windows and PVC slats, this work will cost 180 rubles. m.p., and for KBE, REHAU and Proplex windows when changing a 24 mm thick package to 32 mm - 390 rubles. m.p.
Glazing beads for REHAU windows
REHAU windows are a brand familiar to millions of customers, for whom this phrase means high quality and durability of windows.
The REHAU palette includes various shapes of glazing beads - rectangular, rounded, curly.
Features of original REHAU glazing beads:
- The bead is made from the same mixture as the main profile. It will never differ in color from the frame and sash.
- The proprietary REHAU seal is installed on the glazing bead at a certain angle. It is practically invisible on the window.
- The glazing bead has a patented smooth REHAU surface, it is easy to clean and does not absorb dust and dirt
- The glazing bead does not protrude beyond the surface of the frame; this is enough to prevent dust from accumulating at the joint, and the window remains clean for a long time.
Photo: the original REHAU glazing bead has a marking applied automatically every 100 cm. Ask to see it during window installation*
Manufacturers and reviews
You can purchase glazing beads for windows from the same manufacturers where the window structures were purchased. For PVC products, you should give preference to products manufactured by the window manufacturer. This option will help to avoid mistakes when purchasing slats, since product sizes may differ from each manufacturer.
According to consumer reviews, products from manufacturers such as Rehau and Kbe are very popular due to their high quality.
