Plastic window fittings: what is included in it and how to choose the right one

High-quality modern PVC windows today are equipped with complex engineering mechanisms that ensure their reliable operation.
These include finishing means, handles, rollers, anti-burglary and security mechanisms, limiters and rotation blockers of the sashes.

This list also includes child protection systems and sealing. All of them increase the operational and security characteristics of PVC windows and are included in one complex called fittings.

What is window fittings called?

Window fittings are a device that combines various mechanisms designed for the full functioning of the window. Handles and hinges, locks and seals are those elements whose importance is difficult to overestimate, although we do not give them due importance. But even a small malfunction in the window mechanism on a frosty winter day, for example, can lead to not very pleasant consequences. Therefore, all components of PVC windows must be of ideal quality, assembly and stable strength.

Plastic window fittings diagram

Window fittings are:

Loops. Or the so-called loop group, which consists of lower and upper loops.
Mechanical locking window elements.
Rotating components.

When choosing accessories, the most important thing is to pay attention to its quality, because its service life will depend on this.

Classification of fittings according to the method of opening the window

Rotary with vertical suspensions are the most common in Russia;
Mid-suspended, in which the suspension is installed horizontally.

With this arrangement, it is possible to fix the sash in any convenient position and open it 180°.

Three groups of mid-hanging fittings should be distinguished:

having a locking central lock and an internal tilt limiter;
opening 90° due to the lever system;
controlled remotely by means of a remote drive;
tilt and turn. Allows you to use a knob to select the location of the window;
components for PVC sliding windows.

PVC windows have the largest variety of fittings. And, in order not to make a bad choice, later in the article we will look at its specifics and tell you how to determine a quality product.

Methods of ventilation of plastic windows

The flow of fresh air can occur in several ways:

along a specially equipped channel, bypassing the windows;
through the slightly open window sash
through special channels in window frames.

Each of these options has its pros and cons, and they differ in price. There is no universal solution, so in different situations you should choose the optimal solution depending on the circumstances. Let's consider the listed options in more detail.

Main types of accessories

Fittings include not only mechanisms, handles and hinges. The range is quite wide:

To leave the window in the position you need, use turn limiter.

Latch. This thing will never allow the window door to open even in the strongest wind. Latches come in completely different types: mortise, overhead, mechanical, magnetic, angular or spring-loaded roller - all of them, in principle, perform the same function and do not have pronounced advantages over each other.

Decorative type overlays. Needed to create a special, unique look for the window. They are placed on visible parts of the fittings.

Hinge covers for plastic windows

Springboards. They can also be called elements for raising the sash. Springboards reduce the load on the sash, thereby extending the life of the window and preventing the appearance of gaps between the frame and the seal.

Folding scissors. They have movable and fixed bars, which are connected by a nut and bolt. Designed to “throw back” the sash for ventilation.
Read also: Window trims: purpose, types and installation

Children's castle. Prevents children from opening the sash, which protects them from falling out of the window. A special device that is built into the window handle or installed on the frame will prevent your child from opening the window without a key.

Turn blocker. Thanks to this element, the window will not open too wide. Essentially, this is the same child lock, with only a slight functional difference.

Lock with multiple locks (multi-point lock). It consists of one or more locks and can be either bolted or boltless.

This also includes hooks, pins and latches.

Window handle. In our everyday life, the usual handle, often made of plastic, always prevails, but there are others: aluminum, wood or even brass handles, which are also actively used where placing plastic is considered bad manners.

Also, now many people prefer to install an anti-burglary handle with a built-in mechanism that blocks the opening of the window from the outside.

Rehau window handles with hidden mechanism

Seals. They save heat excellently due to the tight fit of the sash to the profile.

They are divided into several types based on materials of manufacture:

Brush. Their special feature is silicone “lint”, which creates good sound insulation and excellent temperature retention.
Rubber. Elastic and durable, they have different cross-sectional shapes and are made in a variety of different colors.
Silicone. They have excellent temperature resistance.
Thermoplastic elastomers.
Ethylenepropinelic. Like silicone, they are well resistant to temperature fluctuations and ultraviolet radiation.
Chloroprene.
PVC seals.

Window hinges.

Can be:

Standard invoices .

Screw-in hinges. Installed with threaded pins or mounted into a profile. Hinges of this hidden type have a long service life and are capable of opening the window sash by 100°.

There are also particles of the shutter mechanism that are called slats and pins. Their technology, designed for strong bonding of the parts, guarantees a very strong fit between frame and sash.

Corner switch. Provides angular movement of the locking mechanism.

Window locks:

Average. Located near the hinges, they are designed to fit the frame tightly to the profile.
Auxiliary (lock for several locks).
Basic. These are either rotary, tilt-and-turn, or shtulp locks.

Rotary lock with lock

Rollers. Used in sliding window designs. Rubber wheels remain extremely preferred, as they move silently along the “road”. But metal, nylon or plastic are also quite the best option.

Stops . Protection, which is presented in the form of linings on a temporary or permanent basis, is located on handles, on the floor or any other surface, and protects windows from damage. One of the most useful secondary things actually.

Ventilation valves. Not everyone knows about them, but absolutely everyone is able to appreciate their benefits. It’s nice when there is clean air in the room, which does not interfere with sleep, and there is no condensation on the windows. But the point is only in the excellent functionality of the valve, which makes it possible to ventilate the room and prevents the formation of window fogging.
Read also: Installing roller blinds on a plastic window - installation specifics, methods, useful tips

Mosquito net . The design is designed identically to window frames and is installed using hooks or adhesive tape. Also, nets can be sliding or roll type.

Window sills. They provide additional thermal insulation and, in addition, serve as a significant visual support for the overall appearance of the window. The most popular are wooden, stone and plastic window sills.

And if the former determine style, uniqueness and attractiveness, and vary many times in design solutions, then plastic is more practical, inexpensive and the most common due to its durability and ease of maintenance. There may also be window sills made of MDF and chipboard, but they are less reliable.

Window slopes. They also include platbands, that is, overhead strips used to decorate the profile. The slopes themselves are placed between the window profile and the wall. They are most often made from plasterboard or plastic.

Warm slopes made of sandwich panels

Low tide. An external device used to waterproof a window (rainwater drainage). Mounts on the outside under the window. It is best to make castings from copper or steel, since other materials are not so strong and durable.

Why can the microclimate worsen?

A comfortable microclimate consists of several conditions, one of which is the renewal of indoor air. People breathe, emit carbon dioxide and water vapor, which is why in a confined space, for example in a room, the concentration of these gases gradually increases.

Cooking, washing and drying clothes, and cleaning also involve water, which means they also increase the moisture content in the air. When gas burns in a gas stove, both carbon dioxide and steam are released. Excessive humidity and high concentrations of carbon dioxide are perceived as stuffiness - people feel unwell, get tired quickly, and diseases can worsen in chronic patients.

To maintain a person’s well-being, it is very important to remove air saturated with moisture and carbon dioxide and supply fresh air instead. Sanitary standards require that the flow of fresh air in residential premises be at least 30 m³/hour per person. For kitchens, especially if they are equipped with gas stoves, the air exchange rate should be greater - up to 180 m³/hour.

Typical mass-built houses are equipped with exhaust ventilation with natural air movement. In this case, air is removed from the kitchen, bathroom and toilet, that is, from the rooms with the dirtiest air. It is assumed that the main air flow occurs through windows in residential premises - through leaks, open sashes and vents. Then the air from the rooms enters the corridor and from there into the bathroom, from which it goes into the exhaust ventilation ducts.

According to the laws of physics, air pressure decreases with altitude. This is why an upward thrust appears in a vertical pipe - the air pressure at the lower end of the pipe is higher than at the upper end. The air in the natural ventilation channels moves under the influence of this draft - no fans or other mechanical devices are needed for its operation.

If the apartment has wooden windows with their leaks and cracks, such ventilation functions more or less properly - the air that goes into the hood through the cracks in the windows is replaced by air from the street. When the windows are replaced with plastic ones, the flow of air from outside stops and ventilation stops working almost completely when the windows are closed. The tightness of plastic windows turns from an advantage into a problem - the rooms become stuffy, dampness accumulates in the air, causing the windows to fog up, external walls with insufficient thermal insulation begin to become damp, and mold appears...

What types of sliding windows are there?

All sliding windows, or rather, their assembly mechanisms are divided into several types.

The most common of them remain three types:

Parallel-sliding . Everything we need for convenience and aesthetics. Fittings of this type have proven themselves well in Russia. Easy to operate, can be installed on structures of different sizes, excellent design style. All this makes parallel-sliding fittings very popular.
Folding parallel-sliding . Allows you to open both doors at once using just one handle.
Lift-and-slide . It is considered the most reliable, capable of supporting the weight of the sash up to 400 kg.

Ventilation via supply valve

A channel with a diameter of 150–200 mm is made in the outer wall next to the window, into which a dust and insect filter and a valve are installed that allows you to regulate the amount of air passing through it.

In addition to a simple valve with a filter, a recuperator or breather can be installed in the channel. The recuperator is a combined device that provides both air flow and exhaust removal. In cold weather, fresh air from the street is heated by the warm air escaping outside - this saves heat and prevents the air in the room from becoming overcooled.

Breezer is an even more complex and functional device. It not only heats the incoming air, but also thoroughly cleans it of dust, soot and plant spores. If an allergy sufferer lives in the room, the breather provides the necessary purification of the air from allergens.

Advantages of ventilation through a supply duct in an external wall:

no intervention required in the window design;
drilling the channel and installing the filter takes only a few hours;
due to the large cross-section, a lot of air can pass through the channel;
it is possible to organize full supply and exhaust ventilation in a specific room;
a large selection of devices with various functionality, providing, for example, heating and cleaning of incoming air.

Minuses:

special equipment is required to make a channel in the wall;
depending on the material of the walls and other circumstances, the cost of installation work can be significant;
a supply duct must be installed in every room of a house or apartment, which multiplies the cost of this technical solution.

Installing a supply ventilation duct in the wall is an effective but expensive solution. If you are not ready for such expenses, the air flow will have to be organized through the window, and this will require special fittings.

The best manufacturers

Pay attention to the progressive leaders in the global market for the production of window fittings:

German company Winkhaus. For more than a century and a half on the market of global manufacturers. Unsurpassed workmanship goes hand in hand with comfort and excellent functionality.
Accessories Maco. An Austrian company specializing in the production of the best tilt and turn fittings.
German company Aubi also one of the recognized world leaders. Reliability and time-tested quality.
Company Roto. High-quality and reliable German fittings, made with the conscientious pedantry characteristic of German manufacturers. The warranty period for Roto products is 10 years.

conclusions

Before making the final choice of components for windows, it is important not only to find out which fittings are best , but also to find the most suitable method of ventilation. The best option is to install tilt-and-turn mechanisms and fresh air ventilation valves. This combination will provide more ventilation options. For example, use valves at night, in winter and during long absences, and a traditional ventilation system in summer, when the house is under personal control.

Photo materials provided by Siegenia Gruppe.

Selection of accessories

In order not to make a mistake when choosing accessories for your home, you should contact only trusted manufacturers. After all, basically, the overall reliability and durability of window structures depends only on the quality of the fittings you choose.

Therefore, when choosing accessories you need to focus on such product qualities as:

Resistance to various types of loads.
Ease of use, minimal maintenance requirements.
Long term.
Adaptation of the manufacturer to customer requirements.

It should be remembered that the price of good fittings is only 15% of the total cost of the structure, but you should not save on it. It is better to buy it once and for a long time than to fix minor problems caused by the same insignificant external factors a hundred times.

Video about choosing window fittings:

Micro-ventilation

The stepwise ventilation described above in the cold season gives too much influx of cold street air - the room becomes cold. The window has to be closed and opened periodically, which is inconvenient and troublesome. To prevent the room from getting too cold, the door should be open only a few millimeters.

This micro-ventilation mode is implemented by a special mechanism: the handle rotates upward at an angle of 45° between the “open” and “recline” positions - the sash opens a few millimeters. In this case, the window appears closed both from the outside and from the inside, and since the locking pins remain engaged with the strikers, the sash cannot be opened from the street side.

Advantages of slot ventilation:

the air flow through the window is sufficient for ventilation, but does not cool the room;
street noise is almost completely suppressed;
The window remains locked and the room can be left unattended.

Minuses:

installation of special fittings is required;
air flow occurs almost along the entire perimeter of the sash, which is not always comfortable;
the sash opens and closes manually.

Possible difficulties and errors

When installing guides on sliding aluminum windows, mistakes may be made that complicate further installation and operation of the system:

Incorrect measurements and markings of guides. The parts do not match the dimensions of the frame, so they will not be able to perform their functions.
There is no cleaning of cut areas. The connection will be of poor quality - the rollers will move with rubbing.
Lack of clear fastening of the guides to the frame. Even with a minimal shift of the holes, the part becomes uneven, the parallel is not maintained, and the operation of the sliding system is disrupted.
The gap between the frame and the part is not maintained. This leads to freezing of the rails and the movement of the rollers becomes impossible.

Important ! Installing the guides requires skill. If you have no experience working with sliding systems, then it is better to entrust the installation to specialists.

Waterproofing tape

The GPL tape is also designed to cover the installation seam from the inside of the room. It is made on the basis of polyethylene foam film, which has a thin layer of aluminum foil. On the opposite side there is an adhesive layer for fixing the tape.

Waterproofing tape ensures the tightness of the seam on the inside

The adhesive layer has good adhesion to wood, concrete and brick surfaces. After gluing, the assembly seam is provided with absolute sealing, since the tape does not allow moisture or air to pass through.

The top layer of GPL tape is not affected by alkali and other chemical reagents. It does not lose its properties from exposure to direct sunlight.

Frequently asked questions

Choosing fittings is a difficult task. When solving it, different users often have the same questions that should be answered in advance:

If there are several unfamiliar manufacturers to choose from, what should you do?

You can ask what country these companies are from. German companies demonstrate excellent quality. Other European manufacturers are inferior to German companies, but their products are preferable to Chinese or Taiwanese ones.

Are child locks necessary if children are already old enough?

The child lock is only effective for babies. Older children and adolescents simply do not need this method of protection. Installing a lock only to constantly search for a key or handle is not the best solution.

Is it possible to visually determine the quality of the fittings?

You can visually identify low-quality fittings only if they are really bad. Most of the products look quite attractive and give the impression of quite solid mechanics. It is best to look at the certificates and accompanying documents, which contain all the necessary information regarding the quality and capabilities of the mechanics.

The old mechanics quickly wore out. Do I need to choose reinforced or more powerful types of fittings?

First of all, you should inspect the old mechanics and determine who the manufacturer is. If it is an unknown company, it is better to purchase high-quality accessories from a reliable manufacturer (MACO, ROTO, SCHUCO, etc.). If good mechanics were previously installed, you should perform maintenance more often and try to soften the operating mode of the windows.

Is it worth saving on accessories?

You can save money if the window is rarely used and is in good conditions. Then there is simply no need for durable and high-quality mechanics, the main thing is that it exists. However, for windows that are in constant use, saving on fittings is unacceptable.

Rules for installation in sashes

With proper installation of the sashes, the service life of a sliding aluminum window becomes maximum. Strict compliance with the conditions guarantees flawless operation of the system. Basic installation rules :

Carefully measure the frame to accurately fasten the guides using a tape measure. Cut the parts according to the obtained dimensions.
Maintain the fastening step.
Drill holes exactly according to the marks, otherwise the runners will become crooked. The movement of the valves will be disrupted.
It is imperative to ensure the outflow of water from the channel where the valves move. Otherwise, the guides will fail due to water freezing in them.
Clearly align the window structure so that there are no distortions.
Maintain alternating installation of elements if the system has several strips.

Aluminum sliding double-leaf window on two guides:

Tricuspid on two parts:

Three-leaf on three guides:

Four-leaf on two elements:

Five-leaf on two guides:

Six-leaf on two parts:

Six-leaf on three guides:

What tools are needed?

List of necessary tools and materials for installation of guides:

roulette;
a screwdriver or screwdriver for tightening screws;
hacksaw or metal scissors;
sandpaper or file;
drill and drill bit with sharp sharpening.

Important ! In addition, you may need a sharp knife or a file to mark places for drilling (punching).

Supporting Consoles

They are made in the form of profile metal plates with holes, which are used for fastening the profile on one side and the anchor on the other. The use of supporting consoles allows the installation of large-format window structures with complex configurations and heavy weight .

Supporting consoles are used when installing large-sized window units

The material used to make the supporting consoles is coated with a layer of zinc, so they are resistant to moisture. An example of a single cantilever is a flat rod bolted to a wall. Its height can be adjusted.

Step-by-step installation instructions

Installation of the guides is carried out immediately before installing the window sashes. The frame must first be installed according to all the rules - without deflections and strictly level. Then you need :

Prepare the details. First measure the frame horizontally, then cut the profile to the required length. It is recommended to take measurements with a tape measure. If the finished element corresponds to the measurement, then it is taken as a whole. For vertical rails, measure the frame vertically. During the work process, adjust the part to size.
Carefully clean the cut area with a file or sandpaper so that it is smooth.
Mark the fixation points for the guides to the frame.
Attach the prepared parts using self-tapping screws or self-tapping screws. The sequence of attachment to the sides of the frame is first to the top, then to the bottom, then to the sides.

The gap between two adjacent holes should be no more than 30 cm . The gap between the frame and the guides cannot be left more than 5 cm. Otherwise, the wall will freeze in winter.

The assembled sash must first be inserted into the upper runners, and then with rollers into the lower ones. Adjust the sashes and all fittings to ensure smooth operation of the entire system.

Polyurethane foam

Polyurethane foam-based polyurethane foam is used to fill the seam between the frame and the opening. Once in a humid environment, under the influence of oxygen, the contents of the cylinder after a certain time form a solid, durable porous material that reliably fixes the window structure in a given position.

Using polyurethane foam, the window block is fixed in the opening

Polyurethane foam differs in seasonality of use: winter, summer and all-season. When installing PVC windows, it is important to use foam that has a low expansion coefficient - this will avoid deformation of the structure or disruption of its orientation in space .

Due to the vapor permeability of this material, moisture escapes and the formation of condensation indoors is eliminated. And to protect the window structure and slopes from excess moisture, a special self-expanding tape is installed to cover the installation seam.

Replacement

In some cases, during maintenance, installation or repair work, it may be necessary to replace the strike plate.

When might it be required?

Dismantling the old element and replacing it with new fittings is required when any of the following situations occur :

In case of physical wear of the element due to constant friction and force applied when closing.
In case of damage due to impact or incorrect adjustment of the fittings.
When replacing a window or its individual elements.
In case of replacing a standard strike plate with a more advanced design.
In case of breakage of the fasteners fixing the strike plate to the impost.
When adjusting the position of the locking element for more effective use.

Replacement can also be carried out for preventive purposes, when changing a complete set of fittings. Thus, compatibility of the mushroom or cylindrical pin designs with the grooves of the strip is achieved.

How to do it right?

To replace the strip, you need to perform a few simple operations using the tool listed above:

The old structure is dismantled by unscrewing all the screws with a screwdriver or screwdriver.
The new strike plate is compared with the old one to ensure that the location of the mounting holes and dimensions match.
If all the main elements coincide, provided that the old structure is positioned correctly, the new element is simply fixed with self-tapping screws into the existing holes.
If it is necessary to mount an element with a different configuration, or with a shift, you should re-mark, drill new holes, and then install the bar in the desired position relative to the trunnion.
If the holes intersect, before drilling you should use the cold welding method - block the old places for the screws using liquid plastic.

When replacing the clamping strip, you should also take into account that when installing the element without replacing the main part of the fittings on the sash, the dimensions of the grooves for fixing the trunnions must be the same.