Replacing windows itself is a responsible procedure, when for quality work it is important to follow all installation rules, therefore, carrying out work during frost requires a special approach.
In the article we will consider the question: do windows need to be replaced in winter, is it worth installing new ones at this time and how to do it correctly.
Is it possible to replace windows in winter?
Repairs can take an indefinite period of time and glass units often have to be replaced during frosts.
Most often, owners of apartments and country cottages refuse Euro-windows in winter for a number of reasons:
- there is a possibility that when replacing old frames with new ones, damage to the heating system and cooling of the room;
- products made of polyvinyl chloride become brittle at low temperatures, mechanical stress leads to the appearance of cracks;
- construction foam is used to fill the opening; at low air humidity, characteristic of frosty weather, the material freezes quickly, and poor-quality sealing of joints is possible.
Double-glazed windows can be installed throughout the year; the quality primarily depends on the professionalism of the installers. Qualified builders choose materials that can withstand temperature changes, as well as long-term frosts of up to 50°.
Repairs with low air conditions should be trusted to an experienced team that will quickly and efficiently install new double-glazed windows.
Use of winter installation materials
Installing windows in winter, reviews of which directly depend on the quality of the work, can be either successful or unsuccessful. To implement the task, it is necessary not only to prepare premises, window units and components, but also to strictly adhere to technology. The installation must be carried out in strict accordance with the standards from the specially developed GOST (these rules can be found in the review on OknaTrade). Much of the final result depends on the correct use of winter installation materials:
Winter foam
Although manufacturers of most formulations indicate an operating range of -15 to -25 °C, the optimal temperature for its use is up to -10 °C.
Before use, the cylinders should be shaken well - the larger the container, the longer this procedure will take. In addition, it must be taken into account that during hardening the foam absorbs a large amount of moisture. In order for the installation seam to set successfully, it is necessary to maintain indoor humidity at 60-95%. To do this, it is recommended to periodically spray water from a spray bottle.
PSUL
The expanding tape can be used in frosts down to -40 °C. Since the lower temperature limit for polyurethane foam is significantly higher, you can safely use this insulating material when installing windows. However, it is necessary to take into account a nuance - before applying PSUL, the surface must be treated with a primer, which may be unsuitable for use in winter. That is, when choosing this composition, you should pay attention to the operating temperature range.
Is it possible to replace windows in an apartment in winter?
Many people prefer to install plastic windows in an apartment or country house before the renovation begins. They are afraid of damage to furniture, interior, dust, so they change the double-glazed windows first. Can be carried out at any stage, after decorating the walls, installing cornices, and heating systems.
Professionals perform their duties not only promptly, but also efficiently, all construction waste is removed, furniture and textiles are protected with film.
Installation steps:
- preparation - measurements are taken, materials are delivered and prepared;
- dismantling the old double-glazed window or wooden frame;
- preparation of the opening, removal of construction waste;
- installation of a new profile;
- sealing seams using polyurethane foam;
- checking the quality of work, eliminating defects.
Many people are interested in whether it is possible to replace plastic windows in winter and whether it will damage the heating system? The process takes no more than an hour, is carried out quickly, the room does not have time to cool down, and the temperature drops by no more than 5°. If it's frosty outside, workers use modern, practical methods to complete the order. A polyethylene screen is fixed around the perimeter of the opening, retaining heat in the room.
Modern products are made from high-quality metal-plastic, resistant to any weather conditions, including extremely low air temperatures. Double-glazed windows will last for many years, maintaining a comfortable atmosphere in the house; the manufacturer provides a long-term warranty on the products.
Pros and cons of such a replacement
pros:
Installing windows in the cold season allows you to save a lot of money, since all companies during the winter cold period reduce prices for installation work.- Window structures installed in winter can be immediately checked for leaks. At this time, it is easier to detect the blowing of window frames around the perimeter of the window opening, as well as in the junction areas of the opening sashes.
- In winter, it is easier to detect the fact that energy-efficient double-glazed windows have been replaced with ordinary, low-quality fittings and reinforcement.
- Ordered windows are produced faster than in the warm season.
Minuses:
- In winter, it takes more time to prepare a room for window replacement than in summer;
- the living space has time to cool down greatly;
- any mistake by the installers can lead to depressurization of joints and even damage to windows;
- Installation of window structures in winter is possible at temperatures not lower than minus 15°C.
How to properly install plastic windows in an apartment
Installation in a panel house has its own characteristics that must be taken into account during installation. Qualified specialists carry out the replacement, which includes dismantling in a few hours; the opening remains open for 20 to 50 minutes. During this time, the air in the room cools down as with intensive ventilation; the walls and pipes do not freeze.
It is recommended to install PVC products in calm weather or use protective screens. It is also necessary to close the doors to the corridor to reduce the cooling of the entire apartment.
How to check the quality of installation
When checking a finished window, focus on several criteria. With a quality installed window:
- condensation does not appear on the glass unit, the glass unit does not freeze;
- does not seep through the opening - when a burning match approaches it, the flame does not waver;
- the sash swings open and switches to ventilation mode without much effort;
- the window system “does not play” when you press on the frame or open the sash;
- there are no gaps between the opening and the window block;
- the joints are carefully sealed.
The window company whose specialists glaze openings in winter is obliged to check how well the installation was done. Her responsibilities also include ensuring that double-glazed windows are serviced under warranty. A high-quality frame should not sag or wobble over several seasons of operation. Its fasteners should not fail or jam. If there are problems with the fasteners, misalignment of the sashes, or any installation deficiencies found, contact the window installation company. Usually, installation “defects” are fixed by contractors free of charge under warranty.
At what temperature can plastic windows be installed?
Experts are divided in opinion; some claim that double-glazed windows can be installed down to -25°. Experienced builders recommend installation at sub-zero temperatures not exceeding -18 degrees. Repairs are also possible in an unheated room; special foam is used, designed to polymerize in frost.
If the sealant flows and does not expand, it means that the type of construction fixative has been selected incorrectly. Do not fill seams when the surface is icy. Before replacing, the foam is left for 8-10 hours in a heated room. During the entire process of filling the joints, the cylinder must be warm enough.
When purchasing polyurethane foam, you need to take into account seasonality characteristics:
- summer - from +5° to +35°;
- winter - from -18° to +35°;
- universal - from -10° to +35°.
Ideal values are +15°, +18°. Replacement cannot be carried out in severe frost or extreme heat.
The simplest technology for winter installation of plastic windows
- To install plastic windows in frosty conditions, use winter polyurethane foam with a frost-resistant composition.
- Foam the joints under the influence of a “heat” gun that directs a flow of warm air from the street. Fill internal gaps after external ones.
- Carry out the work in stages. In each opening, remove the old profiles separately, then immediately fix the new ones.
- Secure the mounting tape in a warm place.
- Heat the moisture and vapor barrier tape with a heat gun.
How to eliminate possible risks
Experienced builders carry out repairs in all weather conditions. Quality can be maintained thanks to subtleties:
- To prevent the PVC profile from becoming brittle at low temperatures, you can leave the product in a warm room for several hours, only then proceed with installation. Heat-protective screens will solve the problem and are effective for use in new buildings and unheated country houses. Heat guns are also used, the openings are covered with film, and the room is heated to above-zero temperatures.
- To prevent polyurethane foam from freezing, builders use warm water into which the balloon is lowered. Or they choose a special sealant for the job, designed for polymerization in frost.
- It is possible to avoid the appearance of condensation when installing in accordance with GOST. The use of additional materials will quickly pay for itself, significantly reducing heat energy consumption.
The main difference between GOST standards and standard standards is the maximum preservation of the assembly seam from temperature changes, wind, and moisture, ensuring optimal ventilation. The advantage of correct replacement is a reduction in heating costs and a comfortable atmosphere in the house.
Features according to GOST:
- According to the requirements, a compressed sealing tape made of polyurethane foam is pre-inserted. Used to seal joints and uneven surfaces of brick, panel or other wall material. It has high elasticity properties and maintains its integrity over time. PSUL tape is the first layer of the insulation system and acts as a protective barrier.
- To preserve the heat-shielding properties of the polyurethane foam, as well as to prevent condensation forming on the glass and frame, an internal tape with a unique insulating ability is used. Allows you to completely seal the internal seam in the panel/joint system.
- In a private house or panel apartment, in accordance with GOST requirements, waterproofing tape is used under the ebbs. Made of bitumen, covered with synthetic rubber, high-strength polymers, aluminum or copper sheet. Allows you to protect the installation seam from moisture from the outside, to preserve the thermal and acoustic properties of PVC windows.
Installation of windows in winter - is it possible?
Winter installation of windows was previously impossible, primarily due to the lack of foam with which to work in cold weather.
Since the installation cannot be carried out without this component, all work was carried out only from spring to autumn. The use of foam that hardens at above-zero temperatures in cold weather was guaranteed to lead to a rapid violation of the tightness of the assembly seams.
To solve the problem, a composition was specially developed that sets in frost. This type of foam was called “winter” because it made installation possible at this time of year. The use of frost-resistant sealing material eliminated the dependence on temperature on the streets. Some manufacturers claim that high-quality winter foam with an improved composition hardens even at -20-25 °C. However, for most brands the lower threshold is -15 °C.
To avoid problems after installation, it must be carried out not only using winter materials, but also in compliance with a number of requirements.
Myth four: the window will not withstand frost
Finally, there are people who are afraid that the profile itself will not withstand frost during transportation. Despite the fact that the window will protect the house from the cold around the clock, such concerns still exist.
In fact, the plastic from which the window profile is made is a very durable and frost-resistant material. Even a profile that is not of the highest quality can withstand temperatures down to minus 40 degrees, but most modern profiles can withstand more severe frosts - up to minus 60 degrees.
For the most distrustful, window companies offer a guarantee. For example, the Kaleva company guarantees that the profile will maintain its integrity for at least 30 years.
Important points
High-quality installation of wooden windows indoors in winter requires the mandatory installation of slopes. They protect the voids that appear between the surface of the opening and the window from moisture and low temperatures.
Foam protects the room well from frost, but it is damaged by moisture and ultraviolet radiation. Without reliable sealant protection, after a month its layer loses its heat-insulating qualities, and in the spring it begins to collapse.
Upon completion of installation, the opening is finished. The slopes need to be insulated; this will not lead to large costs. But it will significantly increase the insulating characteristics of the installed structure.
Installation requirements
Due to its design features, the PVC profile becomes brittle at temperatures below 18˚C. When drilling holes, cracks may appear. Therefore, when carrying out work in a living room, it should be −15˚С outside, and on a balcony or loggia - minus 10˚С.
Before installation, the window structure is kept at room temperature for at least a day. If you install the frames right away, from the cold, then when the plastic warms up, it simply deforms in the opening.
In severe frost, the sealing contours freeze. There is a possibility that the shutters will not be adjusted correctly. Therefore, when it gets warmer, cracks and sagging will appear, and the fittings will not work well.
The quality of installation is affected by the temperature of the surfaces. Special polyurethane foam is preheated. Sealing strips must be secured to the frames before dismantling the old window. All slopes are heated with a construction hairdryer. Foaming occurs in two stages: first from the outside, and then from the inside. This is the only way to fill all the voids.
When several windows are replaced at once, in winter they do it in stages, one after another. This way the flow of cold air will be minimal. It is best to make the replacement when there is no wind. Another trick is to close all doors to avoid creating drafts.
It happens that windows need to be installed in a house under construction so that interior decoration can be done in winter. Then, according to GOST 24866-2014, the room temperature should be at least 5˚C. This is due to the production technology of double-glazed windows. They are made in a warm room, the chambers are filled with air or gas. At low temperatures it shrinks, the glass can become deformed and burst. To avoid this, the window openings in the house are first closed, and the room is heated with heat guns. Only after this can installation work begin.
After installing a window in an already inhabited room, cleaning will be minimal. Remove any remaining debris; you may need to glue wallpaper somewhere. But with an apartment in a new building everything is more complicated. It is best to carry out all the dirty and “wet” work first. Increased humidity levels lead to the formation of condensation on the glass. Water flows onto the windowsill. This damages the surface, and fungus or mold may appear. Dust and construction debris get into the fittings and interfere with normal operation. It may happen that by the end of the finishing work the window will simply become unusable. The doors will open and close with difficulty, and the thermal insulation properties will be lost. If the surface of the window sill is not smooth, then dirt gets into the pores, and it will be very difficult to clean it later. In this case, the window opening is covered with a wooden beam structure covered with plastic film. And install window structures at the final stage of repair work.
Myth one: the interior will deteriorate
Perhaps the most common fear is that the interior of the room where the window is being replaced will deteriorate. People are afraid of freezing, dry wallpaper, and even dirt.
Firstly, window installation is a step-by-step process. The installers will install only one window at a time, so you don’t have to worry about drafts in the apartment.
Secondly, the window opening will not remain open for long. Of course, it all depends on the complexity. Experienced installers can install a small window in half an hour. On average, the process takes about two hours, during which time not a single room will have time to freeze irreversibly.
As for cleanliness, I have already written several times that specialists from responsible window companies (including Kaleva) spread protective film on the floor and remove construction debris. Therefore, there is no need to worry.
