How to remove glazing beads from a plastic window yourself

Every person should know how to remove glazing beads from a plastic window on their own. This element plays a special role in protecting the room and window frame from cold air flows. A small long rail acts as a protective ball against dust, cold air flows and unnecessary sound from the street. And, of course, without it today it is difficult to imagine the aesthetic compliance of a window with generally accepted standards. A long strip for fixing the glass makes the window more harmonious and aesthetically complete.

Today, almost every apartment has plastic windows. They captivate people with their convenience, reliability and affordability. During installation, few even pay attention to the number of components. But when replacing glass becomes relevant, you have to understand and understand what a glazing bead is and how it is mounted and dismantled.

Removing glazing beads

What it is?

A bead is a long strip used to strengthen glass. It can be narrow or wide, and must be complemented with a thick elastic band.

Shapes:

rounded;
in the shape of a square or any other shape.

The element is distinguished by its dimensions. A certain size of the structure will be relevant for different window frames. Narrow - installed on a double-glazed window with 3 chambers, as wide as possible - on a stained glass window with one chamber.

Plastic window bead

Production is characterized by the following stages:

production of solid frames;
stretching a soft elastic band onto a slatted base.

What is a glazing bead?

The material is made from polyvinyl chloride, but today many companies delight customers with new products made from pultruded fiberglass. This is an innovative material with maximum plasticity, filled with fiberglass and a binder.

Types of plastic beads

All profile systems from leading domestic and foreign manufacturers use the same technology for fastening the glazing bead in the window frame according to the following scheme: on the outside of the profile there is an edge protruding along the entire perimeter, which is inserted into the groove near the glass unit and securely fixed in it after snapping into place with the application of little physical force. The second protrusion on the bead body is equipped with a rubber seal and, due to the flexibility of the polymer material, rests against the glass with some force.

The main differences in designs from different manufacturers are the profile section, which has the following shapes:

Rounded is the typical shape of the surface of a large number of glazing beads in household window frames; the products have an aesthetic appearance, are easy to maintain, and thanks to the rounded surface they are less susceptible to deformation during impacts.
Rectangular (beveled) - window beads of this shape are used by default; they are used in the vast majority of window sashes installed in public buildings, residential apartments, and private houses. They have the highest strength of all types, but due to the protruding sharp edge of the rectangle, there is a high probability of their being more severely and noticeably damaged by impacts than rounded ones.
Figured. The main purpose of curly glazing beads is to give window sashes a more aesthetic appearance; usually such varieties are chosen by the owners of individual houses or apartment owners to decorate the interior of rooms. The products are more difficult to maintain, higher in price and impractical from the point of view of a greater likelihood of surface damage, but the beautiful aesthetic appearance makes up for all the shortcomings.

The plastic window glazing bead of standard dimensional parameters has a width designed for installation of a single-chamber double-glazed window into the window sash; often, room owners, wanting to save on heating, decide to install double-chamber glass packages in the window frames. They are thicker than usual, but due to the fact that all sizes are unified, for this case it is possible to use narrower types of glazing beads in the window sash.

If a double-glazed window is removed from a plastic window and a glass sheet is installed, wider products are used to hold and seal it, therefore, according to these dimensional indicators, all plastic glazing beads are divided into two categories: wide and narrow.

Varieties of glazing bead sections

Installation and dismantling, when and where to start?

Most often, dismantling is carried out to replace the slats with new ones, due to the formation of defects or chips. Like any thing, glazing beads have a service life. After its expiration, the tightness is lost and the rail requires replacement. It must be removed when replacing glass structures and performing any repair work on the outside of the house.

Installation and dismantling

When to shoot

Usually the bead is removed in the following cases:

When replacing a glass unit as a result of external or internal damage.
In case of glazing defects caused by loss of sealing of the package in the form of internal fogging.
When replacing the package with another type - with more or less cameras, use an energy-saving modification.
If the glazing beads are damaged from inside the room, their physical characteristics are reduced (hardening of the sealant) or their appearance deteriorates during operation (yellowishness).

Tool for dismantling double glazed windows

How to remove a long rail for strengthening?

Initially, the material is removed when replacing the glass structure. Some experts believe that the process lasts a maximum of five minutes. But this approach will only lead to deformation of the slats and the sealing of the window as a whole.

To prevent such an outcome, it is rational to choose one of the presented proven dismantling methods.

The first method is to call a professional, pay for his service and not understand the dismantling methods.

The second method is more affordable - carry out all the work yourself. According to information on numerous forums, it is better to carry out dismantling from May to September, because in November, air temperatures drop to sub-zero levels, which affects the plasticity of the material. The likelihood of damage increases.

To dismantle a long strip to strengthen the glass and not deform it, you need to purchase construction tools. These are: a sharp stationery knife, a tool with a steel flat blade pointed at the end and a hammer.

Removing the rack

Useful recommendation. Before dismantling, you need to mark the removal side of the rail. This will simplify the further installation procedure

Table No. 1 - How to remove glazing beads from a plastic window: step-by-step instructions.

Step	Description
	The stationery knife is installed in the gap where the rail and frame are joined.
	Using a minimum of effort, strike the knife handle . Before striking, it is important to make sure that the tool is not installed at a right angle, but with a minimum slope from the glass unit.
	Once there is enough free space, you can grab the rail with your fingers. At this stage, the tool is put aside and the glazing bead is carefully pulled out. The main thing is to do everything without sudden movements .
	After dismantling the first rail, the second one will be shorter. A tool with a flat steel blade pointed at the end is inserted at the edge closer to the side of the previously removed strip. The same dismantling procedure is performed.
	If the rail is then installed back, you need to do everything extremely carefully so as not to damage the frame and the element itself. The edges of the rail are inserted into the required angle so that the antennae of the rail are in the groove of the profile frame. The glazing bead carefully snaps into place. If necessary, tap the glazing bead a little with a hammer . It is extremely important to initially dismantle the slats, located along vertical lines and then along horizontal lines. The top long rail is the last to be removed. To install in a designated location, you need to work in a different sequence: first the top, then the bottom, then the vertical.

Summing up the first results, we can say that it is possible to dismantle the rack yourself; you don’t even need professional, expensive tools for this. Dismantling is carried out from the vertical area, then the bottom and finally from the top. It is also worth remembering that before dismantling you need to mark the removal side to prevent the formation of voids.

Prices for plastic windows from popular manufacturers

Plastic windows

How to remove the bar yourself?

The procedure for removing slats from any window is similar in principle. Let's consider the general algorithm of actions:

We insert the spatula into the gap between the glazing bead and the window frame. You need to start from the bottom edge or corner of the side bar. Slowly turn the tool handle until the gap increases. In some cases, you can use a hammer to drive the chisel deeper.
We make a similar movement, rising from top to bottom, until the plug completely moves away from the frame.
Carefully remove the glazing bead and number it with a pencil. For accuracy, duplicate the mark in the diagram on paper.
We repeat the operation from the other edge. We release both sides on the sides of the glass unit.
Now remove the bottom bar. It is important to remove the penultimate bead so that the double-glazed window does not “go” on you. Mark the bottom bar.
Carefully remove the top element, holding the glass.
We pry up the glass unit with a knife and remove it from the window frame.

This scheme is suitable for dismantling planks made of wood, aluminum or PVC. But there are small nuances in each case. Let's look at them.

On the tree

Most often, wooden dies can be found on old frames, in houses built in the USSR.
Such planks are fastened with small nails. They need to be removed very carefully. You need to pry the bar in the place where the nail sits , slowly lifting it along with the fasteners. Otherwise you may break the piece of wood.

On a plastic window structure

In plastic windows, the glass is held in place by a sealant. Therefore, even after removing all the glazing beads, you don’t have to worry about it falling out. To completely dismantle the glass, you will first need to remove the remaining sealant, and then carefully pull out the glass unit.

Interesting! For easier and more convenient dismantling, you can buy a special suction cup with a handle.

On an aluminum profile

The aluminum bead is the easiest to remove. It has a slightly different design than a wooden or plastic element. But such a bar is dismantled according to the main algorithm of actions. When removing the aluminum bead, be sure to hold the glass as you remove the top piece.

Replacement of double-glazed windows and removal of glazing beads

At any stage of repair of stained glass, doorways made of polyvinyl chloride and aluminum, it is often necessary to face the replacement of glass structures. You also have to straighten the sash that is sagging. This problem is solved by installing a series of gaskets.

To carry out such repairs, it is important to dismantle the glazing beads. You will learn how to remove an element in a polyvinyl chloride window on your own and without deforming the window frame from the material described below.

Removal tool

To complete the work, it is important to purchase the following components:

a carpentry tool with a steel flat blade pointed at the end (its width directly depends on the dimensions of the window or doorway) or a stationery knife;
plastic percussion instrument.

Initially, glazing beads of maximum length are dismantled; as a rule, in classic windows they are located vertically. In the central area of the window, the selected tool is carefully inserted between the long glass reinforcement strip and the profile. If necessary, you can tap its handle with a hammer.

Useful recommendation! If a long rail is being dismantled to strengthen the glass in order to adjust the sash, dismantling begins from the handle area.

When the long glass reinforcement strip moves a millimeter away from the window profile, it is important to tilt the tool so that its blade points towards the dismantling area. When the tool hits, the rail moves further and further from the window sash.

When the rail is at a sufficient distance from the sash so that it can be grabbed in your hands, the tool is put aside and the rail is removed by pulling. After dismantling the first rail, you need to remove a couple of small beads. For classic window frames, the upper elements are removed first, then the lower elements.

Removing the lower elements

A stationery knife is inserted from the very edge on the side of the part that was dismantled earlier. Working carefully with a tool and a hammer, the rail moves away from the sash. Now it is possible to dismantle the last fasteners that remain.

Attention! It is important to hold the glass structure at any stage of dismantling to prevent it from falling out, deformation and, as a result, injury. Everything must be done very carefully and slowly.

After replacing the filler or carrying out regulatory work, all elements are returned to their place. Fastening is carried out in the reverse manner. The edges of the rail are inserted into the required corner and the antennae fall into the void in the profile. After installation, the bead is driven in with an impact tool.

The blows must be applied parallel to the glass unit. It is important to pay attention to the impact force, because excess will cause deformation, chips and cracks.

Note! If the slats were removed to make adjustments to the sash, it is often better to leave them in the area of the fastenings. They will not interfere with the installation of linings. After installing the last bead, its edges are inserted into the corners of the product. The lath is tapped with a percussion tool; the edges of the beads must be connected to those already installed. After installing the corners, the bead is pressed against the glass structure and additionally driven in from the edge to the central area until completely installed.

If the windows are made of aluminum, to dismantle the slats, it is important to slowly remove the rubber seal for the glass. Then, with minimal pressure on the rail in the direction of the glass, the glazing bead should unhook from the frame.

Glazing of wooden windows

Restoration and glazing of wooden windows is carried out using wooden slats - glazing beads. It is necessary to replace the glass with the correct processing of the frames.

Typically, glass with a thickness of 2-6 mm is used for wooden windows.

Preparation of tools and materials

Before installing new glass, you need to properly prepare the frame. 2-3mm sheet window glass and wood window beads should be available.

You will also need a glass cutter, pliers or pliers, a knife and a spatula. The glass is secured using 1-1.5 mm steel wire, nails, screws, pins, etc.

Marking a sheet of glass

To accurately determine the required length and width of the glass, you need to measure the distance between the folds in the window frame. For measurements, use a rigid ruler - metal, wood, etc. A tape measure is not suitable in this case; it does not make measurements as accurate as necessary due to the distortions and irregularities on the frame. Only after the measurement is the sheet glass marked.

Glass can be ordered from a specialized company that cuts glass and mirrors to specified sizes, thereby making the job much easier.

The glass must be made several millimeters smaller than the obtained dimensions, taking into account subsequent swelling or warping of the frame. Otherwise, the glass may burst during these processes.

Technology for installing wooden windows in the video:

Preparing the window frame

Check the bindings, remove the slightest fragments of old glass during restoration. Be sure to wear work gloves when doing this.

Use pliers or pliers to remove the old nails and remove the remnants of the old putty that has dried to the folds.

A chisel is used to remove the putty. After this, to completely remove dirt and putty, wipe the folds with a damp cloth.

After drying, you need to carry out additional preparation with the folds. If they are curved, they are straightened with a knife or chisel, after which they need to be treated with drying oil and painted.

If there are gaps in the corner joints, they are treated with putty. I recommend using putty for exterior work. If you first remove the frame from its hinges, this task will be much easier to cope with. After this, the outside of the window frame is finished.

Step-by-step recommendations

To dismantle the glazing bead from a plastic window, you need to arm yourself with a strong stationery knife with a sharp end. It’s better to purchase a new one in advance so that you don’t have to sharpen it further later.

The tool is inserted and pressed into the center of a more massive glazing bead! Its dismantling is carried out last. There must be another person in the house who can hold the double-glazed window.

Video - How to nail glazing beads correctly

There is a long strip in the center that is as flexible as possible and can be easily removed from the groove of the profile plastic. And then, from the center, the glazing bead protrudes along its entire length. The next slats are already removed by pressing the tool towards its edges.

The rail placed at the top, if the specialist does not have an assistant, for the integrity of the entire structure, is slightly lifted, but not protruded. If it is impossible to open the window, some flat plastic seals protrude, placed along the border of the glass structure.

Next, the structure is held with the left hand, and the rail is protruded with the right.

Window bead

If the density of the glass structure is not as strong as in the PVC profile, it is permissible to lightly pick it up from above with a knife and push it forward, intercept it with your right and left hands.

In any case, you should not neglect safety precautions, underestimate or overestimate the strength of the master! The weight of a double-glazed window is often underestimated; if its area is more than a square meter, it will be difficult for a person to handle it himself.

Removing blockages

Sometimes the fittings of a plastic window do not work correctly. The first time this happens, it appears that the window is broken, although this is usually not the case. This situation cannot even be called a repair. We just need to get everything back to working order.

The handle does not turn

Sometimes, in some position, the handle of a plastic window “gets stuck” and does not want to turn. Usually the reason is the activation of the blocker. This is a plate that is located near the handle on the side of the frame. The shape of the plate varies among different hardware manufacturers.

Reinstalling the glazing bead

Before installing the insulated double-glazed glass ball, it is necessary to treat the seals, rubber bands on the sash and the borders of the slats. Silicone or lubricant is used for this. It is important to facilitate installation and extend the life of the structure.

Initially, a plastic seal is installed along the edge of the glass unit. This prevents the glass from being deformed by the profile connections.

Then the glass unit is installed directly. It is important to ensure that chips or accordion do not form on the canvas.

Do you want to know how to properly putty walls before painting? Detailed step-by-step instructions.

To install the top ball of the glazing bead, it is necessary to hold the glass structure with your right hand so that it does not suddenly deform; your left hand tightly presses the structural element of the plastic window profiles. It is important to do this with one edge in the right corner, the other edge in the left corner. At the same time, the entire glazing bead is pressed so that it is completely driven into the narrow recess.

If the rail fits in tightly enough and it is not possible to press it in with your hands, the glass unit along the entire border is treated with silicone grease. In this case, the rubber sealing strips will slide perfectly and can be easily driven into the groove.

Attaching a new bead is not difficult.

How to put it back

After placing the new double-glazed window, the removed strips are installed in place using a tool for removing glazing beads that does not damage the plastic windows. Installation of the planks is carried out in the following order:

They are cleaned of dirt, washed and after drying, cover the rubber seal with a thin layer of special silicone grease.
After placing the glass unit in the opening, holding it with your hand, place the upper horizontal bead first, then the lower one. To do this, insert the bar into the groove and press it with your fingers until a characteristic click appears, signaling the completion of the procedure. When installing, try to accurately maintain the center of placement, maintaining equal distances of the extreme edges from the corners.
Do the same with the side beads, not forgetting to check their location by numbering; if great physical effort is necessary, use a rubber hammer.
After installing all the beads, their placement is checked again for the absence of cracks in the corners, indicating a shift of one of them relative to the central axis. If a gap is found, remove the incorrectly placed bar and return it to its place in the correct position.

Aluminum bead - structural device and installation method

Before installation

The choice of glazing beads must be approached responsibly so that they fit tightly to the window frame and seal it. The material from which the glazing bead is made must be identical to the material for the sash and window. The glazing bead fastener also plays an important function. It must fit closely to the structure to prevent drafts.

Window bead fastener

Structural element of wooden window profiles

If the owner of the apartment decides to replace or install a new double-glazed window, then he cannot do without purchasing slats made of wood. This element is dry, planed, and secures the glass unit or sash in the window frame or door opening.

Wooden slats are supplied to the market in different sizes, with 8-10 mm being the most popular. Advanced lumber was used in the production of slats. The product is exposed to environmental influences, so during production it is important to follow some rules and requirements.

Despite its minimal dimensions, the slats determine the effectiveness of the window frame. If the rail is not attached tightly, this can seriously deform the window and negatively affect heat retention, because cold air will penetrate into the area between the glass unit and the rail.

Such a minimal and affordable part plays an important role. A lath is often associated with a decorative frame that secures a glass structure to the frame. Usually it is supplemented with a groove. It is necessary to install an additional sealing ball, not a contour one.

Window with installed glazing bead

To produce such filler, innovative and improved window rubber is used. In other words, a glazing bead is a strip of wood. It varies in shape and is used to fasten the glass unit.

To replace wooden slats, you need to use a flexible abrasive material, a utility knife, a spatula, a hammer and nails.

Advantages of window beads

The glazing bead for PVC windows has no competitors from other materials (fasteners of a similar composition are installed in glass-composite windows), so it is difficult to compare it with anything and it is better to focus on the following features of use:

Durability . Like all PVC products, plastic glazing bead has the same service life, which, according to many manufacturers, is 40 - 50 years.
Plastic. Due to its flexibility, plastic is less susceptible to deformation during physical impact and is more resistant to fracture, in contrast to rigid products made of wood or aluminum. It is the plasticity of the polymer that allows it to be quickly installed and removed from the grooves with little effort.
Moisture resistance. The ability to repel moisture is an undeniable advantage of polymer over wooden windows; this makes the product easier to maintain and increases its functionality - the design can be used in rooms with high humidity and outdoors.
Ease of installation . The ease of installation and dismantling of PVC beads is ensured by the flexibility of the material; the part is inserted and removed from the grooves without additional fasteners.
Decorative. The outer smooth and even surface of the glazing bead has an aesthetic appearance and various shapes; the products can be painted in any color that matches the window block and the interior of the room.
Multifunctionality. The manufacturer does not need to make a separate glazing bead for PVC windows; exactly the same products are installed in plastic balcony and interior doors, sliding and hinged frames, panoramic windows, glass partitions with sheet glass or double-glazed windows.
Heat resistance. The temperature range for using PVC is from -60 °C to +60 °C; at positive temperatures from 100 to 140 °C it decomposes intensively.
Environmentally friendly. The material is harmless to health and is slightly toxic when decomposed by a long period of use and the negative impact of environmental factors (ultraviolet radiation, high temperatures).
Fire resistance. PVC is a self-extinguishing polymer; when heated above 150 °C, the material decomposes, releasing carbon monoxide and hydrogen chloride, which are substances hazardous to human health.
Biological stability . PVC is biostable, prevents the formation of mold and the spread of bacterial colonies, and does not harbor insects.
Low cost. The price of PVC is lower than its aluminum counterparts and not more expensive than wood, so windows confidently lead the market in terms of sales volumes.
Resistance to ultraviolet radiation and household chemicals . High-quality material is not afraid of prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays on the surface, and is resistant to most household chemicals and solvents that contain acids, alkalis, alcohols, and mineral oils.

The disadvantages of polyvinyl chloride products include a low temperature resistance limit (up to +60 ° C) during long-term operation, and susceptibility to the chemical effects of ethers, ketones, and various types of chlorinated hydrocarbons.

Properties of PVC

Plastic windows: revealing secrets //FORUMHOUSE

Step-by-step instructions for replacing wooden slats

Step 1. Using a utility knife, separate the slats from the frame. Parts can be removed with a special spatula. The use of a spatula and knife is allowed.

Separating the slats from the frame

Step 2. Lightly remove the glass. The glass trough is cleaned. To do this, use a spatula or a plate of sandpaper. Initially with large grains, and then with small ones. The glass gutter must be clean.

Removing the window from the frame

Step 3. The glass is reinserted. A ball of glass putty is applied. A tread ball of sealant will not be superfluous.

Step 4. The new glazing bead is put back and gently pressed down. The part is inserted close to the frame. The lath is nailed to hardware.

We nail the bead to the window

Step 5. The operation is repeated for all other parts. The connecting corners are cleaned with paper containing abrasive particles. The rail should fit closely to the frame.

Note! If a specialist begins to completely install a new window or wants to refresh the paint on it, then all painting work is carried out before installing the glazing beads. After the paint has completely dried, installation can begin.

Painting

Prices for wooden windows with double glazing

Wooden windows with double glazing

Aluminum windows

To install the aluminum bead, you must first remove the sealing layers. Today you rarely see such designs. But if a specialist has a need to remove the glazing bead from an aluminum frame, then only two methods are available for implementing this issue.

First. If the seal is placed outside. It is pulled out from one rail, and then you need to hit it in the corner with a hammer. In this case, it will disengage, and the specialist will only have to repeat the operation from all sides. It is important to hit with a hammer extremely carefully so as not to deform the frame or any parts.

Video - Dismantling and installation of glazing beads for metal-plastic windows

Second. If the sealing ball is located inside , this is not the best option. This is because the rail is additionally held in place by clips. They are not easy to remove or dismantle. The specialist needs to find the drawings of the window frame and remove them along with the rail. After the clips are removed, the bead is driven in by hand or with a hammer.

It must be taken into account that design features are the main disadvantage of aluminum sashes. Therefore, removing slats from them is not so easy.

Choosing the right slats

The main thing when choosing a slatt is the tight fit of the structure, carefully attaching the glass unit. Therefore, this issue should be approached in detail, especially at the stage of sizing.

The rail fits tightly to the glass unit

Wood slats

It is rational to purchase wooden slats for frames made of the same material.

The characteristics of the element are reliability and extreme aesthetics. Of course, the master often chooses a classic wooden plank that suits the dimensions, but will it complement the style of the window opening?

So at the purchasing stage it is important to pay attention not only to the technical components.

Important for a specialist:

tight fit to the sash. This is his main task, so a specialist should immediately pay attention to this. It is important to accurately measure the windows and calculate the limit of fit;
fasteners should not be visible. Otherwise, the apartment windows will become inorganic;
the decorative element played with the style of the window frame. Therefore, the main thing is that the parts are made of the same material.

Based on these three criteria, a specialist will be able to purchase a good, and most importantly, ideal option for a window frame. External slats should be as strong, reliable and tight as possible. This is more important than for internal slats, so in this case the master can simply choose any of the options.

When should it be removed from the glass unit?

Let's look at the most common cases when you need to replace this window element:

When directly replacing the internal glazing . For example, when increasing the number of double-glazed windows.
In case of glass defect . If scratches or chips appear on it. Or a complete replacement of the glazing.
When the bead stops holding heat . Fistulas and fissures appear. Most often this happens due to the drying out of the sealant.
The element turns yellow . The window frame looks sloppy.

Sometimes the plaque simply moves away from the window, or children pick it off. In this case, you will have to completely remove the element, clean it, and put it back.