How to install windows in Khrushchev: 3 important steps

One of the weak points of Khrushchev buildings is the old wooden windows. As a result of many years of exposure to temperature and moisture, wooden windows become leaky and begin to let in street dust and cold air. Added to all the other inconveniences is covering the windows with special tape before the onset of cold weather. You can avoid all these inconveniences by installing plastic windows in Khrushchev.

Plastic (PVC) windows, in addition to thermal insulation, will reduce street noise and provide comfortable ventilation even in winter.

Reasons for the popularity of plastic windows in Khrushchev

Features of glazing of Khrushchev buildings

The main distinguishing feature of all Khrushchev buildings is the material from which the walls are made. Based on this criterion, houses are divided into brick and panel. Brick houses have thicker walls, and, consequently, wider slopes and window sills; panel houses, on the contrary, have very thin walls.

The lightweight design of the building affects such technical characteristics as the ability to prevent noise from entering the room from the street and retain heat. That is why it is cold in such apartments in winter and hot in summer. The installation of PVC windows in Khrushchev can change this situation for the better.

How to insert plastic windows with your own hands in Khrushchev

Stage 1 – preparation

After dismantling the old window frame and window sill, it is necessary to knock down the protruding remains of sand-cement plaster from the slopes of the window opening, since the slopes will still have to be re-done. It is also worth paying attention to the lower base on which the window sill will be located. If, due to the old age of the building itself or due to the use of brute force during dismantling work, the lower base has obvious differences, then it is advisable, in this case, to fill the lower base in the window opening with a layer of cement mortar or concrete, and thus get rid of the differences and strengthen the entire structure .

Also, at this stage it is necessary to stock up on wooden spacer wedges. Wedges can be made from the same already dismantled old frame. It is necessary to cut 4-5 bars with a length of 15-20 cm with a hacksaw, after which these bars are split with a hatchet and trimmed to acquire a wedge-shaped shape. A minimum of 8 wedges are required to install 1 plastic window. Two wedges on each side of the rectangular frame.

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Stage 2 – installing the frame on wedges and leveling it

On the lower base of the rough concrete window sill, 2 wooden wedges are laid at a distance of 100-120 cm from each other. Next, the metal-plastic frame is installed in the window opening directly on the placed wedges. Place a bubble level on the lower horizontal flange of the frame and, by knocking or loosening the wedges, ensure that the lower flange of the frame is in a perfectly flat horizontal position. Having found this position, the frame is wedged using slightly driven two upper wedges.

Having aligned the lower and upper bases, the spirit level is applied to the inside of the vertical shelf of the frame. Now you need to ensure that the window is not “blocked” into the apartment or the side of the street. The principle of leveling is similar to that described above, that is, by lightly tapping the frame itself with your palm, it is placed in a perfectly vertical position and after that, 2 wooden wedges are hammered on each side between the vertical shelves of the frame and the main wall.

Stage 3 – fixing the window frame

There are 2 ways to fix a metal-plastic frame to the wall: using through anchors and using perforated plates, which are again attached to the wall with anchors.

Fastening with through anchors

From the inside, towards the wall, approximately 2-3 holes are drilled in each of the vertical or horizontal shelves of the frame using a metal drill with a diameter of 10 mm. After drilling all the intended through holes in the frame, the metal drill is replaced with a Pobedit drill, and drilling is carried out into the thickness of the wall to a depth of no more than 70-80 mm. Naturally, at this moment the frame should be level and well wedged. Having finished making the holes, one expansion metal anchor 112 mm long is placed in each of them. The anchor expansion itself is done by rotating the bolt head with a Phillips screwdriver.

Fastening with perforated plates

With this fastening, through holes in the frame flanges are not drilled, but on the contrary, a perforated metal plate, 1-1.5 mm thick, is mounted to the outer surface of the end of the frame profile using 3-4 self-tapping screws. 2-3 pieces of these plates are mounted on each side of the frame, and the length of each wing of the plate must be at least 10 cm. The free protruding wings of the plates are bent and fixed to the base of the wall using anchors, and subsequently, the installation of the plates is strengthened by manufacturing slopes. Naturally, all perforated plates must be mounted before installing the frame on the wedges and leveling it.

Read also: Typical series of Khrushchev buildings. Photos of layouts

Regardless of the chosen method, after fixing the anchors or wings of the perforated plates, the entire gap between the base of the frame and the wall is filled with polyurethane foam with medium expansion properties. Both methods described above are practiced in the same way and do not have any pronounced disadvantages. The only point is that if through fastening with anchors through the frame was used, then at the last stage of work it is recommended to generously apply thick white silicone to the outer caps of the anchors, masking the caps themselves and performing the function of a sealant.

Window sizes in Khrushchev

The sizes of windows in panel and brick Khrushchev buildings have slight differences in both their height and width. Window sizes may also vary across series of houses.

Decorative solutions for plastic window structures

Plastic windows can be given an attractive appearance using decorative solutions. Using lamination, you can change the color of the window profile. Wood lamination of plastic windows is especially popular. Tinting your windows will help you avoid prying eyes. The use of stained glass and layouts will turn your windows into a real work of art.

* You can find out more about each type of decoration by clicking on the images below:

Necessary materials and tools for DIY window replacement

The entire process of replacing an old window with a new one is divided into two stages:

• Dismantling works
• Installation of a new window

To dismantle an old wooden window, the following tools are needed:

• Chamfer or nail puller;
• Wood hacksaw;
• Hammer.

To install a new plastic window you will need:

• Bubble level;
• Hammer;
• Drill for metal 10 mm and pobedit drill for stone 10 mm;
• Hammer and small hatchet;
• A set of screwdrivers or a screwdriver with removable bits.

Materials:

• Actually, a finished window consisting of a frame and sashes;
• Plastic window sill;
• Anchor dowels 112 mm long and 10 mm in diameter;
• Polyurethane foam;
• Perforated metal plates;
• Wooden wedges;
• Mixture for slopes, resistant to damp environments.

Prices for plastic windows in Khrushchev

The price of windows in Khrushchev varies widely and is mainly determined by the choice of profile, double-glazed window and installation work. High-quality installation will allow your windows to serve you for decades.

You can find out the cost of windows by using a window calculator, looking at the prices of windows in various series of houses, and also familiarizing yourself with the typical designs below.

* Prices include discounts for volumes of 3 or more products.

Other popular products:

*To learn more about each type of product, click on the image.

Types of balcony glazing in Khrushchev:

Aluminum systems are the most popular type of glazing for balconies of buildings erected between 1959 and 1985. Thanks to the lightness and reliability of aluminum products, an aluminum balcony is an ideal glazing solution. Aluminum balcony glazing is cold.

Systems made from PVC profiles are characterized by high heat and sound insulation characteristics, resistance to negative environmental influences and a long service life. They have only one drawback - an impressive mass. It is for this reason that in some cases their use is impractical.

The Slidors window system is an alternative to sliding aluminum frames. The profile is made of PVC, its width allows the installation of single-chamber double-glazed windows, which helps maintain positive temperatures on the balcony.

Wooden systems are environmentally friendly, have good heat and sound insulation characteristics. But due to constant contact with the environment, over time they can become deformed and lose their properties. Today, old wooden frames have been replaced by modern wooden structures with double-glazed windows.

Frameless glazing is not a warm look, but due to the absence of frames, a beautiful and expansive panoramic view is maintained.

The choice of translucent structures depends on the goals pursued. Below is a diagram that will help you choose a window system for glazing a balcony.

Hint on how to choose glazing for a balcony or loggia