Everything You Need to Know About Window Installation

There is a belief that windows can only be installed during warm weather — this is not true at all. Installation technologies differ in cold and hot weather, but the quality of work remains consistently high in both cases. We explain the specifics of installation together with REHAU.

When is the best time to install windows?

During winter window installation, customers can immediately assess the quality of the window and the installation work. This is because low temperatures and wind make poor work immediately noticeable: windows may start leaking, and condensation will appear on them. If there are issues, you can always demand immediate correction of installation errors from the crew.

Can installation be done in freezing weather?

Windows should not be installed when the temperature drops below 15°C. If the temperature falls below this threshold on installation day, workers must reschedule the job for another day. What if the window needs to be replaced urgently? A method involving the use of a thermal shield and replacing installation foam with a more suitable material can be used.

Will the apartment get cold while changing windows?

Before installation, old windows, sashes, and frames need to be removed. Don't worry that the room will get cold during this time: first, installing one window takes no more than an hour, and second, the area around the window will be heated with a heat gun immediately after removing the old frame.

How does winter installation differ from summer?

There are several steps:

• We heat the adhesive tape so it retains its key characteristics;
  
• We install a metal-plastic profile into the window opening. Using levels, we adjust it. Where the material is not installed evenly, we secure the profile with anchor bolts and dowels.
  
• We preheat the window opening with a heat gun. This is necessary so that installation foam can adhere to the window surface at low temperatures.

Design: Olga Shapovalova

• We insert the frame into the opening and align it. The window is secured using special fasteners. At joints, the width should be no less than 15 mm and no more than 30 mm. This is important: if these parameters are not met, leaks may occur.
  
• We moisten the joints between the frame and the opening with water. Then we use installation foam, which hardens in 2–3 hours.
  
• After the foam has hardened, we proceed with finishing work. Plastering joints, finishing the new window sills and reveals, insulating the structure, installing the interior sill and reveal, and sealing the joint between them.

Design: Vera Nikolaenko

How to check the quality of the work?

All done properly if:

• The sash moves smoothly in any direction;
  
• When closing and opening the window, the profile does not shift;
  
• No cold is felt near the sealant (this defect can only be noticed in low temperatures);
  
• There are no gaps between the frame and walls;
  
• In closed position, the sash fits tightly against the frame.
  

Also remember: if you notice any deviations from these requirements, you can always demand immediate correction of the errors.

Design: Elena Ivashkina