Accessories material
The high-quality and long-term functioning of windows largely depends on the fittings; they bear the main load of the working mechanisms. Accordingly, to guarantee the comfort and safety of the home, the fittings must be made of reliable high-carbon steel, ensuring long-term operation of the mechanism. Plastic elements in this case serve only a decorative role.
Please note: the material of the fittings may differ for different window sash materials. Therefore, fittings are divided by area of application into:
- PVC window fittings
- fittings for wooden windows
- fittings for aluminum windows
Fixed windows - windows that cannot be opened
Speaking about window fittings, we cannot help but say that the glazing may not open, or otherwise be blank. Fixed windows are window structures that do not have opening elements (sashes).
A blind opening is the cheapest, since there are no costs for fittings and sash. The advantage of such windows is a more panoramic view, since the sash does not block additional space. The disadvantage of fixed windows is that they are dangerous and difficult to clean. To do this, you will have to stand on the windowsill and stretch, putting your life in danger. If the window is completely solid, then it can only be washed from the street. Another disadvantage of a blind window is that the room cannot be fully ventilated. This is especially true in regions with hot climates.
Window manufacturers often offer customers savings on windows by increasing the proportion of blind elements in the window. The savings are really significant, from 1000 to 1500 rubles, but over time, housewives realize that this was their fatal mistake, and such a window has to be replaced.
Basic elements of window fittings
Constipation
– elements necessary to open and close a window. They are driven by window handles. Constipation is classified as moderate, additional and basic. Middle locks ensure that the frame adheres to the profile. Additional locks are most often multi-point locks. There are three main types of constipation:
- tilt and turn
- rotary
- shulpovye
Fastening loops
are connecting tools that help open and close a window. There are several types:
- overhead or standard
- screw-in
- hidden
- anti-burglary
- hinges for balcony doors.
Handles
are lever tools that open and close windows. The following types of handles can be distinguished:
- standard window handles
- handles with lock
- reversible handles
- petal handle
Trunnions
are elements of the locking mechanism necessary for a tight fit of window sashes to the frame and coupling of other elements.
Latches
are window elements that hold the window in an ajar position, preventing the sash from accidentally swinging open in the event of a strong wind or draft.
Installed on rotary, tilt-and-turn and sliding windows, as well as on balcony doors. Strips
are window parts that help firmly press the window sash to the frame.
The slats come in reciprocal and tilt-and-turn types. Corner switches
are elements of a locking mechanism that allow you to close a window through a corner.
Tilt-and-turn scissors
are window hardware parts necessary to secure tilt-and-turn windows in the open position.
If scissors are installed on the windows, then you can change the position of the handle only when the sash is closed. Decorative overlays
are elements on the visible part of window fittings that emphasize the individual design of the window.
Slit micro-ventilation
is a micro-ventilation mechanism that facilitates the release of stagnant air from the room.
In this case, the valve is designed in such a way that complete sound insulation is ensured, drafts and condensation are not formed. Rollers
are window fittings used for sliding windows. They are wheels with fastenings, thanks to which the doors can move. Wheels come in metal, plastic, nylon and rubber.
Window fittings - types of opening
Today, window fittings have the following opening options:
Swivel and tilt/turn fittings
Pivot and tilt/turn fittings are standard opening options for modern windows. In the rotary opening version, the sash rotates 180° on conventional hinges. This type of opening is used to fully open the window for cleaning or to look outside. The cost of a set of rotary fittings for a window is about 1000 rubles.
The disadvantage of rotary fittings is that such a window is inconvenient and unsafe to ventilate.
Photo: rotary and tilt/turn openings A tilt and turn sash is a little more expensive than a rotary sash, about 500 rubles, but it has additional advantages. In this configuration, the sash can open in two modes - in a rotary, tilting, and also in a slot mode when multi-stage or slot ventilation is included in the package. One of the disadvantages of tilt/turn fittings is that there are more opportunities for jamming and breakage compared to rotary ones. But if you choose a reliable brand of fittings, the functional guarantee will be 10 years or 20,000 openings/closings of the sash.
Many useful options can be added to standard tilt and turn/tilt fittings.
Children's fittings (tilt/turn opening)
TiltFirst opening principle (first tilting then opening). In this option, when the handle is moved to the usual horizontal position, the sash first tilts back, and then opens when the handle is moved to the vertical position up. To guarantee the protection of children, it is recommended to use it with a special “Child Safety” handle with a key from Roto. The advantage of such fittings, in addition to child safety, is the longer service life of the fittings. The sash is most often used in the folding position, and to open the fittings only go halfway. The price of a set of accessories has increased by about 200 rubles, a handle with a key is another 600 rubles.
In an already installed window, changing the standard opening to a tilt/turn one is not difficult; you need to replace a couple of elements.
Photo: TiltFirst – reliable child safety protection Anti-theft fittings
Anti-burglary fittings will protect the sash from being pressed and squeezed out. It uses additional protective elements - mushroom-shaped pins and reinforced strikers. It is impossible to press the sash with such a connection, which eliminates the need to install unsightly grilles to protect the house. Burglar resistance is an additional option and its installation must be discussed when ordering windows.
Not only closed windows, but also windows in ventilation mode can have an anti-burglary function. For example, the Roto TiltSafe hardware kit provides up to class 2 burglary resistance for windows in the ventilation position.
Photo: Roto TiltSafe - burglary-proof security in ventilation mode The cost of a burglar-proof fittings kit will add from 1,000 to 3,000 rubles to the tilt/turn opening. To achieve complete protection of the window from burglary, you should add safety laminated glass triplex and/or tempered glass, a wider profile, and a glued-in double-glazed window to the window package.
Accessories for people with disabilities
Placing the handle in the center of the sash is not always convenient. It is impossible for people in a wheelchair to reach such a handle to open the window. This process turns into daily torture. The problem can be easily solved by installing a special Roto Comfort handle with an extended lever at the bottom of the sash. Also, such fittings can be used in highly located windows or windows in inconvenient places. It is not recommended to install such fittings in sashes with a height of more than 1.5 meters; they may be difficult to open.
Photo: a convenient handle on the bottom of the sash In an already installed window, you can change the location of the handle, but it is not easy: you will have to contact specialists, mill a new hole, seal the old one, and rearrange the fittings.
Frame fittings
Frame structures (windows and doors) are a method of opening when, after opening the sashes, a completely free opening remains. In Russia, such opening is most often found in floor-to-ceiling panoramic doors (maximum width up to 2.5 meters), in windows where you want a panoramic view when the sashes are swung open. There are always two sashes in a casement window: one of them is “working”, it has a handle and a full set of fittings installed on it, the second sashe is “non-working” and can only open in a rotary position. The non-working sash can only be opened after the main sash has been opened. The non-working sash is opened using bolts or a pin mechanism with a hidden handle. The cost of a hinged opening is on average 10-15% more expensive than a tilt-and-turn one.
Tilt-and-slide fittings
Tilt-and-slide fittings save space around the door and window. There is no need to leave free space to open the sash. The main use of fittings is windows on balconies and loggias, doors for verandas and terraces. For ventilation, the sash is moved around the entire perimeter or tilted, and then its lower part is moved, and to open from the ventilation position it is moved to the side along the guides. The main set of fittings is identical to the usual turn/tilt one, but is supplemented with guides along which the sash moves on carriages. The cost of a set of tilt-and-slide fittings starts from RUB 25,000.
Photo: tilt-and-slide fittings save space near the door Lift-and-slide fittings
Lift-and-slide fittings are used only in doors. The principle of the door operation is that when you turn the handle, the door lifts and easily moves to the side. For the manufacture of lift and slide doors, special profile systems are used.
Photo: Lift-and-slide fittings are used only in doors. The great advantage of this fittings is the ability to make large panoramic doors up to 6.5 meters wide and up to 2.7 meters high.
A relative disadvantage is that the opening cannot be fully opened; half of the opening will be blocked by the sash.
The cost of panoramic lift-and-slide doors starts from 100 thousand rubles.
All of the listed types of fittings are designed for windows and balcony doors with high heat and sound insulation. Entrance doors use other types of fittings - hinged or sliding, but this is a topic for other articles.
How to choose fittings for your window sash:
- Specify what window sash material is used: wood, PVC or aluminum
- Measure the width and height of the sash along the rebate in mm (the sash rebate is the part of the sash that faces the street, this part is narrower than the part that is located on the side of the room)
- Measure the height from the bottom point of the sash to the center of the handle, in mm, along the rebate.
- Determine the opening of the sash (left - hinges on the left, handle on the right; right - hinges on the right, handle on the left)
- It is advisable to know the profile of the window, if it is not possible to find out, then bring one of the strikers to our point of sale (retainers are small metal plates installed around the perimeter of the window frame), our specialists will most likely select the strikers to match your profile.
- Write down all the information and pass it on to the specialists.
Recommendations
The choice of fittings for windows should be approached responsibly, since the quality and durability of the window structure depends on them. Window fittings must be made of high-quality material, ensuring its reliability and durability, resistance to mechanical damage and temperature changes. It is also worth paying attention to ease of use, aesthetics and comfort. High-quality fittings are characterized by wear resistance and non-corrosion. To care for metal parts, use special products and never use vegetable oil!
