Installation of Plastic Windows

PVC Window Installation. Installation According to GOST

GOST for PVC window installation, unfortunately, in most cases is only advisory in nature, however some rules should be followed during window installation. First of all, this concerns preliminary measurements. We determine the type of window opening - with a quarter or without. Below is a visual example of a schematic view of an opening with a quarter (A), without a quarter (B).

Scheme 1 — Window opening with and without a quarter

Measuring Windows Without a Quarter

PVC windows without a quarter are installed by mounting them into a cleaned window opening. For ordering the window:

These gaps will later be filled with mounting foam: i.e. 1.5 cm on each vertical side of the window, and 1.5 cm for the top horizontal and 3.5 cm for the bottom (for mounting the sill).

Measure the length and width of the sill and external flashing, and add at least 5 cm to the obtained numbers - the sill should be embedded into the wall from both sides of the window.

Measuring Windows With a Quarter

Measure the window opening horizontally at the narrowest point. Add 3 cm (1.5 cm on each side of the window) to the resulting number - this is the required width of the window. Vertically, measure from the bottom of the window opening to the top quarter - this is the required height of the window.

The sill and flashing are measured similarly to the case without a quarter.

In the end, you should have:

• height of the window;
• width of the window;
• length of the sill;
• width of the sill;
• length of the flashing;
• width of the flashing.

Scheme 2 — Window Measurements

Installation Technology

The installation technology for new windows in old buildings is similar. The only adjustment is that the measurements of the new window are made based on the external dimensions of the removed window frame.

When ordering a window, also check if the following items are included in the delivery:

• sill;
• plugs;
• installation profile (mounting profile);
• anchor plates for window mounting;
• installation instructions for PVC windows (some manufacturers include them in the package).

When ordering a window, you should also know the answers to these questions:

By the way, if you want to get quality products at reasonable prices, it is better to choose mainly German and surprisingly domestic manufacturers of window systems: REHAU, Veka, KBE, Schuko, Aluplast, Kemmerling, Brugmann or Trocal.

The installation process includes two methods: PVC window installation with unpacking and PVC window installation without unpacking.

Scheme 3 — Metal-plastic Window Construction

The first method involves pre-disassembly of the window: removing the glazing bars, removing glass units from the frame, mounting the frame to the wall with dowels, and then installing the glass units and glazing bars.

The second method of removing glass units does not require disassembly: the frame is mounted using fasteners fixed on the external surface of the wall, rather than through-dowels.

The unpacking method can sometimes lead to condensation on the windows, and with insufficient experience, it is possible to damage the glazing bars and glass units, and the installation process will take much more time. Of course, proper installation will not lead to any negative consequences. However, be extremely careful!

The unpacking method is rightly considered more reliable, especially if the frame was mounted using long anchors. If it is about mounting a window on a floor higher than the 15th, or installing large windows (2x2 m), the correct choice is to mount the frame through the wall, disassembling the window.

Necessary Tools

For window installation, you will need:

• power drill;
• level;
• foam gun (for mounting foam and sealant bottles);
• mounting foam (1-3 cans per standard window);
• PVC waterproofing tape for external hydro-isolation;
• primer;
• percussion drill;
• set of hex keys;
• jigsaw;
• utility knife;
• pencil;
• paintbrush;
• measuring tape.

Installing Windows. Installation Steps

During the installation process, you should follow the previously planned plan: the window installation scheme (you drew it yourself or it was provided in the manufacturer's instructions) will help you avoid mistakes and strictly follow the plan. If you are unsure whether your calculations or understanding of the window installation process is correct, a technical specification for window installation can help - a universal guide to norms and rules of installation, which will ensure that your actions are correct.

Remove the old window and prepare the surface for mounting the new window system.

Prepare tools for work.

To improve adhesion of hydro-isolation tape to the opening surface, treat it with primer. Apply primer with a paintbrush.

After removing the plastic packaging of the windows, apply the internal vapor barrier tape to the frame along half the perimeter.

Figure 1 — Attaching Vapor Barrier Tape to the Window Frame Along Half the Perimeter

Cover the frame with external vapor barrier tape - fix the PVC waterproofing tape on the outer surface of the frame. When attaching, avoid gaps between tape joints. PVC waterproofing tape is vapor-permeable and will prevent mounting foam from leaking through the gaps on the outside, protecting not only the appearance of the structure but also the mounting foam from the effects of the environment - precipitation, UV radiation, and wind that can damage the foam.

Install the frame in the opening, align and secure it according to installation guidelines:

• mark the mounting points on the prepared frame for future attachment;
• secure the frame from all four sides with a spacing of 70 cm, with no more than 15 cm from the corner of the window frame to the first fastener;
• mount fastening elements to the window frame (the screw should be installed in the metal inside the frame, so proper installation technology requires the use of screws for metal with a diameter of 4-5 mm, and for larger windows, the screw diameter should be 12 mm);
• use anchor plates as fasteners;
• cut recesses in the window opening at mounting points for fasteners (fasteners should be embedded 2-4 cm for easier work with the sills after finishing the window installation);
• align the window to level (for minor adjustments in horizontal alignment of the window, wooden shims can be placed under the frame at specific points);
• use shims to fix the frame in the opening - first, place two lower shims, which can be used to align the bottom and top edges of the frame horizontally (to prevent the window from rattling, it is appropriate to fix the upper anchor), then mount vertical shims on the window;
• attach the window to the window opening.

On the outer side of the window opening, mount a diffusion tape under the flashing.

After adjusting the hardware (it is not recommended to buy hardware from a manufacturer different from the window system manufacturer, but if necessary, pay attention to offers from Winkhaus, Siegenia, G-U, Aubi, Schuko (Germany), Maco (Austria)), you can foam the window (apply mounting foam around the entire perimeter of the window frame, considering that this mounting material expands three times its volume). After 15-20 minutes of processing all gaps, remove the protective film previously applied around the window frame perimeter to completely cover the mounting gaps (see the picture).

Figure 2 — Processing Mounting Joints

Mount the flashing. It is preferable to install it under the window - this way you can avoid water seeping through the seam between the flashing and the window frame.

Installing PVC Windows by Yourself in Winter

Many people wonder: Is it possible to install PVC windows in winter?

Of course, it is! And the installation technology remains unchanged. The only thing to pay attention to is the temperature indicators for materials used in installation. In particular, the indicators for mounting foam usage.

Special winter versions have been developed, allowing work even at -10°C!

When choosing mounting foam for winter work, refer to products from trade brands such as Macroflex Profi (Finland), Illbruck (USA) and Moment (Russia).

Installing PVC Sills

Installing PVC sills completes the work of installing new window blocks.

The length and width of most sills are standard. In any case, you need to take a sill with extra length and width. Excess can be easily cut with a angle grinder.

Installation steps:

Insert the sill under the window and align it to level, using wooden shims or any other sturdy material.

The sill should extend into the wall by at least 1.5 cm.

Before final installation, ensure the sill does not settle by pressing down in several places.

The tilt of the sill relative to the window should not exceed 3°.

Fill the space under the sill with construction foam.

The surface of the sill should be evenly compressed for at least 12 hours to ensure that the expanding mounting foam does not affect the installation angle of the sill.

After a day, remove foam remnants with a utility knife, and treat the joint between the window and the sill with sealant.

Scheme 4 — Sill Installation

Only the installation of window sills on PVC windows remains - and everything is ready!

According to GOST! PVC Window Installation: VIDEO

PVC Window Installation: VIDEO

$ PVC Window Installation: Price Question

The cost of the work will depend on how much your window costs: companies offering full service packages often include installation costs in the window price - starting from 10%. Thus, by doing the work yourself, you can save between $40 and $60 (per window).

• Kiev - from 100-130 UAH per m²;
• Moscow - from 1,000 – 1,200 rubles per m².

Cost of PVC windows with installation:

The cost of PVC windows with installation is generally between $80-90 (fixed window 1m x 1.5m) and up to $2,200 (extending a 3.4m x 1.5m sliding two-chamber window system). As you can see, the price range is impressive. Installation costs are not always included in the total amount. Therefore, when signing an order for window manufacturing and the corresponding contract, ensure that it is included in the final price, and what else you may have to spend money on.

Estimate - a very important document: when you receive it in your hands, ask for the full price list of works and materials - checking is never a waste of time.

The cost of installation, paid separately, varies: rates range from $30 to $70.

If the client cannot pay the full amount at once, some companies offer their master teams to provide goods and services in installments.

By the way, window business is a profitable venture: for example, winning a tender for glazing high-rise buildings or a newly built residential complex is like hitting the jackpot at a casino. Company profits can be measured in hundreds of thousands of dollars.