How to make ventilation for plastic windows. Options and Features

Plastic windows are the most popular option for designing openings in new houses and new buildings under construction. The technical characteristics of the products allow them to be freely used both in the construction of residential buildings and in the arrangement of administrative or industrial buildings.

PVC window structures have excellent light transmission and sound insulation properties, hermetically protecting against the penetration of insects, drafts, and cold. However, high insulation capabilities have led to insufficient air flow into buildings.

This drawback is not related to the material of manufacture. Buildings built in previous centuries did not involve the use of such new material.

Why do you need ventilation in windows?

The question arises why, in the age of modern technology and the rapid emergence of new materials, the problem of effective ventilation is still not solved. The fact is that during the construction of residential and non-residential buildings, it was assumed that a ventilation system must be included in the building’s engineering communications. In addition to the hood, which is in all kitchens and bathrooms, ventilation was carried out using doors and cracks in the windows . These measures were applied over a long period of time and were sufficient to provide air to the interior of buildings.

With the advent of new window designs, the principle of arranging a window opening has also changed. An important point is to seal gaps and cracks, preventing air exchange between the street and the room. Violation of the natural access of air leads to the formation of high humidity in the room and stuffiness. Residents of the home begin to feel serious discomfort. The situation is aggravated by the fact that additional odors from neighboring apartments are added to the air remaining clogged in the room, significantly worsening living conditions.

Vladislav Dobronravov

Leading technical specialist at Okna-Media company

Closed windows cause condensation to form in the plastic structure itself, worsening the operating conditions of the product. The optimal solution would be to open the window in micro-ventilation mode. This will get rid of excessive stuffiness and foggy windows.

It also helps to use the normal ventilation mode by choosing one of the preset position options. Much will depend on how many cameras are installed in the double-glazed window. For frosty conditions and harsh climates, the installation of multi-chamber packages that prevent heat loss is justified. The price of such products is higher, but the comfort and savings while maintaining heat will be appreciated by the inhabitants of the home.

Where does condensate come from?

There are many reasons for the appearance of water vapor in the air at home (cooking, cleaning, washing, waste products of the owners themselves, animals and plants).

A family of four “evaporates” 5-7 liters of water per day at a rate of about 300 g/h. This is enough for the relative humidity in the house (with an area of ​​120 m2) to be at least 70% (at an air temperature of 20 °C).

This indicator does not provide adequate comfort and provokes condensation on the glass. And a person exhales up to 19 l/h of carbon dioxide - in a sealed room its critical concentration (0.1%) is reached quickly.

Therefore, it is necessary that humid air be replaced by fresh, drier air in sufficient quantities: at least 30 m3/h per person.

Only reliable ventilation can provide this kind of air exchange.

Ventilation installation with PVC windows

Technical capabilities allow you to easily organize ventilation even with plastic bags installed. There are various ways of arrangement. The consumer chooses the most suitable option:

• equipping the structure with a window;
• arrangement of self-ventilation means;
• the presence of a comb for fixing the position of the sash;
• equipped with a valve for ventilation.

Ventilation through the window

One of the most popular and traditional ways of organizing air exchange between the external environment and the internal premises is a window.

In this case, air enters the rooms in the upper part under the ceiling. Fresh air is then mixed with the indoor air, refreshing and renewing the atmosphere in the house. Neither drafts nor condensation are observed on plastic products in this case.

Blitz survey: Which plastic windows are best to install in a room: living room, office, children's room, bedroom, kitchen? From our article you can learn about: Which PVC windows to install in rooms. Every room needs its own window!

The only negative is the price. Compared to a simple design, installing a window causes a serious increase in price, and the weight of the finished product becomes greater. Having a more complex configuration reduces the amount of natural light entering the room, causing the room to darken. In some cases, this change is critical - if a lot of sun is required and the room faces the shaded side.

Organization of self-ventilation

Purchasing structures with self-ventilation is the best way to organize sufficient ventilation in buildings. It is used at industrial facilities, and in administrative premises, and during the construction or renovation of housing. The principle lies in the use of profiles with holes in the lower and upper parts of the frames from the outside. Self-ventilation is organized in such a way that cold air coming from outside, passing through the holes from below, is warmed up, ensuring the flow of already heated air inside.

Despite the many advantages of this method, there are some nuances that you should be aware of. Due to the lack of incoming air on the upper floors, it is not recommended to install structures with self-ventilation. In most cases, the issue can be resolved by installing a ventilation valve.

Combs for windows

The most proven and effective method of organizing controlled air exchange is to ventilate windows by setting a certain position of the sash, fixed by a comb. The comb device is contained in a built-in regulator capable of holding the sash at the desired degree of opening.

Using a comb, you select one of several positions, allowing you to ventilate rooms in measured volumes.

Ventilation valve

To provide a sufficient volume of fresh air, the PVC structure must have several capabilities. This will help maintain a normal microclimate in the internal space at a given temperature. With the ventilation function, the valve ensures constant control of air access. There are several types of valves that are mounted in different ways.

Expert commentary

Vladislav Dobronravov

Leading technical specialist at Okna-Media company

Installing such a valve requires replacing the glass unit or replacing the part that performs the ventilation function.

The disadvantages of this method also include the increased cost of the final product and the weight of the structure. The installation procedure is quick, and the effect of the valve will be appreciated within a short period of time.

After installation, you need to select the control type. Provided:

• manual ventilation control;
• automatic control system.

Manual control involves independent control of air exchange and choice of location at your discretion.

Automatic control is carried out using a mechanism that independently regulates the temperature, adding, if necessary, additional air flow until the set temperature is reached.

It is possible to use a mixed type of control , when the control mode that is needed at the moment is selected. Its advantages and disadvantages correspond to the previous options, depending on which control option is currently in effect.

Prices

A budget Breezer, designed for 32 m2 , costs 21,000 rubles . Model with a capacity of up to 140 m3/hour – 43,000 rub.

A supply wall valve will cost much less - the cost ranges from 1000 rubles. for a simple device, up to 8500 rub. for a model with a turbine and a high-quality filtration system.

The cost of a valve mounted on a window without milling is from 350 rubles. Overhead modifications that require complex installation - up to 4,500 rubles.

Winter ventilation

When performing winter ventilation, unwanted condensation may form. However, this problem can be dealt with by taking into account the cold street air, the material from which the walls are built, and the number of cameras in the installed double-glazed windows. Individual adjustment depending on specific circumstances will help avoid condensation in the room.

Expert commentary

Vladislav Dobronravov

Leading technical specialist at Okna-Media company

Important! There are special winter and summer modes for plastic windows. Their purpose is to neutralize the consequences of adverse weather events. When the sash is set to the “summer” position, the flow of fresh air into the room increases; in the “winter” position, on the contrary, it decreases in order to avoid overcooling the area.

Despite the air temperature outside in winter, full ventilation is just as necessary as in the summer season. It is necessary to ventilate the rooms completely at least twice a week. This measure will help reduce or completely eliminate problems such as condensation.

Example of valve installation without milling

Installation of supply ventilation without perforating the sash takes little time and does not require special skills.

Tools you will need:

• stationery knife;
• screwdriver or screwdriver;
• ruler.

The necessary components of the valve are supplied complete with an inlet.

Standard set includes:

• valve;
• one long and two short seals;
• plugs for fixing the device;
• self-tapping screws

First you need to determine the location of the valve and mark it with a pencil. The best option is to install the device in the center of the sash.

If the sash is too narrow, then the “inlet” must be moved a little to the side so that the valve does not block the window fittings

Make cuts at the marked points with a sharp knife and remove the seal from the groove.

To install the valve in an open groove, place mounting dowels - one in the middle and two at the edges. Remove the protective film from the adhesive tape and attach the device in the desired position.

The valve is attached to the profile with self-tapping screws, which are screwed into the installed dowels through the “inlet” holes. Instead of a standard seal, install small seals from the kit

The seal on the frame will also need to be replaced with a narrower one so that the valve can allow air flow. The changes made will not affect the performance of the sash.

At the end of the installation, it is necessary to adjust the valve by changing the position of the slider. Right position – maximum air flow, left – closing the gap

If installing an air supply unit on a plastic window does not lead to the expected results, the ventilation in the apartment requires serious modernization. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with ways to regularly provide your apartment with fresh air.

Where to buy plastic windows with a window in Moscow?

links to materials supplementing this article: Double-glazed windows sweat due to poor ventilation. How to eliminate fogging?

What is micro-ventilation of a plastic window?

How to adjust the pressure of a PVC window?

comparison table

To decide for yourself the question of which windows to buy - breathable or regular, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the table. It contains all the significant parameters, thanks to which you can independently form an objective opinion about each of the devices.

Installation features

It is not recommended to try to save money by installing a window structure yourself if you do not have experience in the window business. The involvement of professional specialists in the installation of plastic structures will allow you to avoid many problems during subsequent operation.

If installation work is carried out incorrectly, excess moisture and even rotting of the structure cannot be avoided. As a result, money paid for new plastic products will be lost and living conditions will deteriorate.

Advantages and disadvantages of breathable windows

New models were created with the goal of surpassing all previous prototypes that are available on the modern market. Thanks to this, consumers received a product that has important advantages for windows:

• allows you to ventilate rooms without affecting the main characteristics of structures;
• minimizes the likelihood of condensation;
• creates conditions for healthy sleep, productive work and comfortable rest;
• designed for profile systems with different numbers of internal chambers;
• eliminates the appearance of drafts;
• safe to use;
• reduces the likelihood of hacking.

Image source – exprof.pro

The disadvantage of this system is the need for additional ventilation on hot summer days. However, during such periods the rooms are usually air-conditioned, so windows can be kept closed in such situations.

The self-ventilation system in breathing windows does not fail because there is nothing in it to break. For its normal functioning, it is enough to ensure that the inlet and outlet valves do not become clogged.

Most popular designs

Installation of ventilation valves on plastic windows has been used for a relatively long time. During this time, a fairly large number of reviews have accumulated, some of which have a negative connotation. It should be noted that this is not mainly due to the fact that the very idea of ​​supplementing the design of a plastic window with an additional ventilation mechanism is ineffective.

Much more often, negative feedback from users who installed ventilation valves is explained by poor quality implementation of the plan. This can be either the use of low-quality products or installation errors.

Rice. 7. Installed ventilation valve.

Aereco window ventilation valves

Based on the above, it is quite logical and advisable to use tested and proven in practice fresh air ventilation systems installed on plastic windows. The products of the French company Aereco are rightfully considered one of the most popular and widely known brands.

In its products, the company uses modern development in the form of polyamide plates, which expand when the temperature rises. This activates the automatic ventilation valve. Sensors also monitor the lower temperature threshold of the room, reducing heat loss if necessary. Another important advantage of Aereco products is their relatively low cost.

Rice. 8. Installed Aereco valve.

Air-Box window ventilation system

Along with imported products from leading manufacturers of ventilation equipment, products from Russian companies are also present on the domestic market. The most famous and popular brand is the Mabitec Air-Box system for plastic windows. It is a structure of two components - external and internal.

For the Air-Box valve to operate effectively, the building in which it is installed must be equipped with a ventilation system. This is because the Air-Box product operates when pressure fluctuations occur.

Rice. 9. Installed Air-Box valve.

Criterias of choice

The choice depends on the window design, installation capabilities, design

When purchasing, the bandwidth and a number of other technical indicators are taken into account. The volume of air exchange is calculated for each room separately; this index is influenced by the number of people in the room.

Device selection factors:

• price;
• installation location, possibility of installation only at the factory or in an already assembled frame;
• method of coordinating the flow force;
• comfort of adjustment;
• appearance;
• indicators of protection from external noise, cold, moisture.

Source

Types of ventilation devices

The flow of clean air into the apartment is ensured by ventilation mechanisms of different types, presented in a wide variety on the market.

A device with an exhaust hood and an influx of heated air at the same time is in demand. It looks like a small box with two fans, a filtration system, a recuperator and a control unit. The mechanical device is hung on the wall and does not require energy.

There are mechanical and electrical devices based on their operating principle.

Hoods installed above kitchen stoves, fans, air purifiers with heat exchange in the bathroom, toilet, and other rooms can be turned on automatically along with electricity or by mechanically pressing a button.

Electrostatic ionizers imbue purified apartment air with positive health properties.

An example of an air purifier with a method of ventilating the interior space of a room through the passage of several filters.

1. The primary pre-filter is made of foam or plastic mesh that is easy to wash and dry. Detains coarse dust, particles of pet hair, fluff, and hair. The better its quality, the longer the service of subsequent filters.
2. Behind it are installed filters for smaller dust particles with bacteria and fungi, which, when breathed, enter the lungs and cause significant damage to human health, especially those with asthma and allergies. Nera filters capture the smallest dust particles and purify the air up to 99%. The more filters, the better the cleaning system.
3. The last filtration is with activated carbon, in which volatile microparticles settle and are retained, and unpleasant odors go away along with them.

Instead of activated carbon, the air can be filtered by passing through water.

Mechanical devices do an excellent job of cleaning the microclimate inside an apartment; they are economical to use, but are expensive and require additional action to clean the primary filter, replace water, etc.

A properly selected method of ventilating an apartment with plastic windows should be silent, without temperature changes, with normal humidity, the air environment should maintain a cheerful mood and health.

Related article: How to remove old paint from a wooden window

Window fittings

Metal parts will ensure the window opens in different planes

When assembling a window, metal parts are installed in a groove on the profile, which provide various opening positions and clamping of the sash in the closed position. A micro-ventilation mechanism can be included in this system. Ideally, it is installed immediately at the time of assembly at the factory.

But if the window was installed a long time ago, it is quite possible to install the mechanism on site. To do this, you should contact specialists. Any company engaged in the repair of metal-plastic structures provides this service.

The mechanism fixes the gap between the sash and the frame, sufficient for air flow (no more than 3 mm). It usually opens by turning the handle 45 degrees. There are multi-stage locking mechanisms (handle rotation by 15, 45 and 60 degrees).