When installing a plastic window, as a rule, the window opening loses its attractiveness. In this case, potholes, cracks, and remnants of polyurethane foam appear. What to do?
There is a simple way out - to make high-quality external slopes. To do this, it is enough to choose the right installation material and perform the work using existing technologies.
Let us dwell in more detail on issues related to the finishing of external slopes.
Purpose of external slopes
The coating inside the window opening, which protects the window profile from environmental influences, is called a slope. Conventionally, according to location, it is customary to distinguish external and internal slopes. Although they are parts of the window opening, each has its own function.
The main functions of external slopes include:
- giving the glass unit an attractive appearance. A high-quality window structure should not be adjacent to a broken wall;
- increasing the level of thermal and sound insulation. Without high-quality slopes, it is impossible to create the necessary tightness of double-glazed windows, which means that the room will not be protected from the street;
- protection of the window frame from environmental influences. A well-equipped slope protects the mounting elements of the structure from corrosion; in addition, the possibility of freezing and fogging of the glass unit is reduced. In any case, a protected window frame lasts longer, which means it does not need to be repaired or replaced frequently.
When installing plastic windows, installers rarely finish the outer slopes at the same time. This work is significantly more expensive than installation and is performed separately.
The sun destroys the foam
Advice!
It is better not to put off finishing the external slopes for too long. Firstly, unprotected polyurethane foam has no strength, and secondly, it will have a bad effect on the condition of the window frame.
How to make slopes without a starting U-shaped profile
Installation of slopes without a starting profile is used when the window fits tightly into the opening and there is no space left for the U-shaped profile to be installed.
List of tools for work:
- Yardstick,
- Construction level 90 cm,
- A knife with a sharp blade (can be a stationery knife),
- Hammer,
- Hammer,
- Hacksaw for metal.
Installation of slopes begins with preparing the window opening - you need to cut off the excess frozen foam with a knife, which interferes with the placement of the sandwich panels close to the frame and knock down the protruding plaster.
A centimeter deep groove is cut into the foam to the thickness of the sandwich panel.
A wooden strip with a cross section of 10 x 40 mm is fixed to the front side of the slope. It is attached to the right, left and top using a hammer drill, self-tapping screws and plastic dowels. The rail sets the correct angle of rotation of the sandwich panel in relation to the plane of the window and is leveled using a level. The angle of rotation of the panels should be the same for all windows; for this it is best to make a stencil.
The length and width of the panels are measured using a tape measure. Cut the panels with a hacksaw, grinder or jigsaw. It is easier to determine the width of the panel “in place” by placing the panel where it will later be fixed; the depth of the groove on the foam should also be taken into account. The front edge of the panel is measured to the level of the wall, marked with a pencil or marker and cut with a hacksaw. It is convenient to adjust the plastic using a knife with a sharp blade.
They begin to adjust the panels from above, this makes it much easier to determine the size.
If a window sill was also installed along with the window, then you need to measure the vertical sandwich panels more carefully to avoid bending them.
