During construction wooden house The question often arises of which windows to install, wooden or plastic. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Plastic structures are distinguished by lower cost and longer service life. They require minimal maintenance during operation. Therefore, most often people choose this material. But what are the features of installation? plastic windows new structures in wooden walls? Are there any fundamental differences between installing windows in a new and old house? It is imperative to know the answers to these questions. So, we install plastic windows in wooden house with your own hands.
Features of window structures made of polyvinyl chloride
Plastic windows are made of a polyvinyl chloride frame with metal profile inside and double glazed windows. They come in double and triple. Air has been pumped out between the glass panes. The entire structure, assembled in finished window, is completely sealed and provides all the necessary consumer properties. The characteristics of the materials, the production technology of profiles and double-glazed windows, as well as their assembly into a single whole, have made it possible to provide plastic windows with important advantages:
- They perfectly protect from the cold, thanks to double-glazed windows with vacuum and a plastic profile design.
- They have increased soundproofing qualities for the same reasons.
- Their windows are so perfectly adjusted that they eliminate any distortions when properly adjusted and installed.
- The service life of such windows exceeds 50 years.
- They do not require any maintenance other than cleaning and lubricating the hinges.
- They have an aesthetic appearance and a wide selection of profile models and colors.
- The cost of plastic windows is significantly lower than wooden ones with similar properties and quality.
An important point is that installing plastic windows is quite possible independently, subject to certain rules. If for brick and concrete walls it does not present any difficulty, then for the installation of plastic structures in wooden houses it is necessary to take into account a number of circumstances, which will be discussed below.
Installation of plastic windows in a wooden house to replace old ones
Thanks to their excellent consumer qualities, affordable cost and the possibility of purchasing in installments and on credit, plastic windows gradually filled a huge number of window openings even in old wooden houses. Today, an incredible number of companies are engaged in the installation of plastic structures on a professional basis. Often the cost of installing one window is up to 20% of its cost. At the same time, anyone who knows how to use a tool can independently replace the old windows in their home with new ones made of PVC.
To do this you will need some tools and materials:
- Electric drill or hammer drill with a set of drills.
- Gasoline or electric saw, nail puller or crowbar. For dismantling old jambs and frames.
- Manual circular saw. For making grooves on the pigtail.
- Construction level. Necessary throughout the entire process. Without it, you shouldn’t even start replacing windows.
- Autonomous screwdriver.
- Plastic chisel. Needed to select a groove in the risers of the frame.
- Roulette.
- Mallet made of rubber or wood.
- Pliers.
- Anchor plates and bolts, self-tapping screws.
- Hexagon to fit window adjustment screws.
- Construction polyurethane foam. One window can take from 1 to 3 cylinders, depending on the size of the gaps.
- Gloves.
- Wooden spacer wedges.
- Water in the sprayer.
Installing windows requires at least two people, since it is impossible for one person to lift and level a massive window. One person must support the frame, and the second must carry out all the manipulations to align it and secure it in the slopes.
First, dismantling work is carried out. If the old window blocks can still be used somewhere, and you want to keep them intact, then you will have to tinker, disassembling everything carefully. To do this, first remove the frames, and then remove the window sill and the block itself, being careful not to damage it. Most often, in old wooden houses, only glazed frames can be used, and the blocks have already become unusable. In this case, they simply saw them in the middle and rip them out of the walls with a nail puller. The vacated opening is cleaned of debris and rot. If the log or timber under the window is rotten, and this most likely is the case, then they are also cut out and replaced with new ones. The joints are foamed with polyurethane foam.
When the openings are completely cleaned, you can begin finishing them before installing plastic windows. There are two options here: the block is inserted directly into the opening, which is incorrect, or it is first framed around the perimeter with a special frame. In the first case, you will only need to use a chainsaw to cut off the spike in the walls that held the old wooden window block. In the second case, you need to make a new pigtail. You cannot leave old jambs, even if they are in excellent condition.
It should be noted that if the house is not very old, then making a pigtail is mandatory. After all, even for 5–6 years wooden frame tends to shrink, which can deform plastic blocks. The pigtail is made as follows. In a 100x150 mm beam, select a longitudinal groove having a width equal to the width of the ridge remaining on the walls. To do this you need a circular saw, an ax and a chisel with a hammer. Longitudinal cuts are made with a saw, and then the groove is finished with an ax and chisel. Using this groove, the resulting riser is installed vertically on the crest of the wall. You need two of these risers for each window. At the bottom of each jamb, select a tenon 50x50x25 mm. It is needed to fasten the lower bar, which is also spiked on both sides.
The risers should not reach 100 mm from the top log of the opening. This will allow the top bar to be inserted freely. It is necessary that it does not reach 45 mm from the log. All the frame bars are fastened together with dowels, and the joints are insulated with jute tape.
Installing a plastic window block requires special care and precision. If you neglect the rules, the window will not only open and close poorly, but may also leak or freeze in winter. The simplest way- this is to drill the frame and screw it with self-tapping screws directly to the walls. However, this is the worst and incorrect option, which violates thermal insulation and tightness plastic block. The technology for installing plastic windows in wooden walls involves the use of a window frame.
For proper installation of PVC window blocks, special fastenings are required, space for which is available at the ends of any frame. They look like thin metal plates with perforations. The frames have technical slides along the entire profile edge. They are made in the form of a gutter with a hook. To make the window construction easier, you can remove the doors and vents by removing the pins from the hinges. Sometimes this may not be enough, for example, when installing windows at high altitudes. In this case, you can remove all the double-glazed windows so that only the frame remains. To do this, you will need a special device for pulling out plastic beads. Just do this carefully so as not to damage the double-glazed windows and not to break the tightness of the profile.
The frame is installed using a building level. Alignment is done both vertically and horizontally. The frame is first fixed with wooden spacer wedges. Before this, two identical 10 mm thick chips must be placed under the frame. This is enough so that you can foam the gap with polyurethane foam. This is required by the technology for installing plastic windows. The leveled frame is secured using fasteners to the frame in several places.
After this, the window is completely assembled and the sashes are hung. Attention! Installation of double-glazed windows must be done correctly. Inside the frame there are deformation pads made of soft plastic. They must be located on all sides of the glass unit so that it does not come into direct contact with the profile anywhere. This is necessary to ensure that the glass does not crack as a result of accidental deformation. Since the glazing beads have corner cuts at the edges, they are not so easy to insert into place. To install a glazing bead, one of its edges is inserted under the previous glazing bead perpendicular to it. Then they bend it in the middle and carefully insert it under the second one. Only after this is it pressed into place.
Properly installed glazing beads should not have any gaps with the frame. When installing them, you need to try not to damage the rubber seal, otherwise water will accumulate in the frame. After installing double-glazed windows around the perimeter, foam is carried out, not forgetting to remove chips and spacers after the foam has dried. The resulting holes are foamed. Attention! If you foam the frame without assembling it completely and without hanging the sash, then when hardening the foam will deform it so that it will be impossible to insert or close anything.
Of course self installation installing plastic windows into a wooden house has some difficulties, but if you do everything according to the instructions, following all the recommendations, then everything will work out for you, and the plastic windows installed by your own hands will please you for a long time without causing any problems.
Now the only thing left to do is install a window sill, ebb and line the slopes, both inside and outside. To install a window sill, it is trimmed so that it does not extend beyond the opening. Install it directly under the frame according to the level. To fix the window sill, it is wedged with wooden wedges between the walls. Bars are placed under the bottom so that it takes a horizontal position. After this, the entire space between the window sill and the slope is foamed. The ebb is also installed horizontally and the bent part is screwed to the frame with self-tapping screws. There are a large number of methods for finishing slopes, so we will not consider them within the scope of this article.
Installation of plastic window blocks in a new wooden house
Installing plastic windows in a new wooden house is somewhat different from replacing them in old openings. For obvious reasons, there is no need to carry out dismantling work here. Additionally, it will be necessary to form a ridge in the side walls of the openings. To do this, use a level to mark two parallel lines exactly in the middle of the wall. The distance between them will be 50 mm. Along these lines, cuts are also made with a depth of 50 mm. Then a line is cut on both sides of the wall at the same distance from the edge of the opening. The result will be a comb that will match in size with the grooves on the posts of the pigtail.
Another nuance is related to the fact that a new wooden house shrinks very strongly in the first year. In some cases it can reach 5 cm. For this reason, in the first year it is better not to install windows at all, but if there is such a need, then an adjustment for shrinkage is necessary. To do this, leave a gap about 5 cm wide at the top above the pigtail. It compensates for shrinkage and the frame will be unharmed. This gap can be filled temporarily with boards with soft insulation, so that after the main shrinkage it can be foamed. As the boards shrink, they are removed one at a time, allowing the gap to gradually narrow.
For wooden houses You should not order ordinary white windows if you are not going to cover it with siding. Natural log or timber worthy of brown windows or having a color similar to the structure of the wood. If you make a wood-like panel on them, it will turn out very beautiful combination. White windows are in dissonance with wooden structures.
We looked at ways to install plastic windows in wooden walls yourself. As you can see, the technology is quite complex, so it must be followed with great care. Remember that violation technological rules Installing plastic windows leads to their deformation or loss of positive qualities.
It is known that wooden windows in houses built from timber are rightfully considered the safest and practical solution, which favorably influences the indoor microclimate.
The fundamental thing in the presented case is that when it shrinks, the window system and walls behave uniformly. Their installation according to technology plays a decisive role here.
Features of installing windows in a wooden house
The assembly of windows in a timber building has certain features. As you know, wood shrinks. In houses made of chopped logs or during the first 5 years, shrinkage is about 10-13% of the height of the building, while shrinkage does not exceed 2%.
If there is warping of window structures, the formation of crown gaps in the walls or cracking of the glass unit, this indicates a violation of the technology during the installation process.
- In houses made of chopped wood, rounded logs, planed or profiled timber, it is advisable to install the window support after the house has settled (not earlier than 1.5 years after construction).
- Installing windows after the construction of a log house is not rational due to the lack of the ability to calculate wall shrinkage. This indicator depends on the moisture content of the timber.
- In houses made of laminated veneer lumber, installation of windows is allowed immediately after erection of walls and installation of the roof of the house.
- Installation of windows must be carried out exclusively through sliding joints– support beams and casing. Tying window blocks and frame structures to logs or beams is strictly prohibited. Tight fastening during drying leads to a violation of the integrity of window modules and the walls of the building. In fact, the window system must balance separately in relation to the wall.
- In the upper part above the window frames, it is necessary to provide a shrinkage reserve - gaps of 6-7 cm. Miscalculations of spare spaces can lead to poor closing of windows or roof gaps in walls.
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Preparing the window opening
Before installing the box, you should prepare the window opening. The opening must be rectangular shape without cracks, depressions, distortions and other defects. It is necessary to remove from all its surfaces construction waste, dirt, dust and deposits.
In order to avoid distortions in the future, it is necessary to take accurate measurements of the external, internal and lateral sides of the opening.
In the case where the skew of the opening is significant and it is not possible to correct it, it is recommended to expand the window parameters in such a way that highest level the external hole exceeded the width by 2.5-4 cm and the height by 1-2 cm.
Installation makes it possible to expand additional profile on the window. This will prevent the appearance of gaps between the box and the hole in areas of maximum distortion.
In addition to the option of expanding the size of the opening to correct the distortion, there is such an option as increasing the parameters window frame.
Casing
A special design, which is a wooden box without a bottom crossbar, the purpose of which is reliable fastening windows and maintaining the shape of the window frame, regardless of the degree of shrinkage of the house, is called casing or jamb.
There are several types of this design:
- One piece. It is made from specially processed solid material.
- Glue. The individual components are made from type-setting boards, connected by means of microgrooves and glue. All burrs and small knots are removed.
- Mixed. Part of the casing is made solid, and the other is made using glue. Upon completion of installation, the pigtail is varnished. This type Suitable for use on large window sills.
The window frame is made according to the size of each window. Moreover, if internal cladding is planned, then sampling can be done for it. When facing on both sides, sampling is not performed.
Assembly of the casing can begin after preparing the window opening.
Its production is carried out as follows:
- Grooves are machined in the base, which is adjacent to the window opening. A beam of the same size is inserted into them, acting as the side of the casing.
- First, place the beam at the bottom of the opening, which will prevent displacement of the side elements.
- A compactor is placed under the timber from linen tow.
- Sealing material is placed in the recesses and install side boards.
- The final stage is fastening the top board of the structure.
- A space is left on top of the jamb for the wood to dry out and filled with sealant. This way, during the process of shrinking the logs, the load on the window opening will not be affected.
Window installation
Window installation is carried out in the following sequence:
- A waterproofing layer is placed on the lower part of the opening. and sealing material.
- Install the window frame and fix it it with the help of linings or wedges made of wood.
- Using a building level or plumb line, adjust the horizontal and vertical lines. In this case, you need to pay attention to the actual horizontal and vertical, and not to the sides of the window opening.
- On each side of the opening, in increments of 50 cm, drill holes.
- Using self-tapping screws fix the box.
- Insulate the space between the frame and the wall sealing material.
- Next, the frame is mounted. It is installed in the grooves of the box and secured to it with screws.
- Window blocks are installed on the frame using hinges(severable and inseparable). The difference between them is the possibility of removing the hinge. Detachable ones are convenient in areas where there is no possibility of raising the window transom. Smooth mounting hinges facilitates even hanging of window transoms. They are fastened using screws.
- The sash is locked using a locking element or latch. After checking the opening and closing of the transom, you should secure the frame using nails.
- Next we move on to installing window sills. They are mounted from the inside so that the side edges extend into the walls by 4.5-5 cm on both sides.
- Immediately before installation, using a lime-gypsum mixture, align the lower part of the window opening.
- The window sill is fixed using wedges. After installation thermal insulation material it is finally fixed.
- Installation of drip linings is carried out from the outside of the opening– the entire width of the frame’s recess into the base.
- The gaps between the casing of the base and frame, as well as the top and sides of the window, are covered with platband. It is advisable to use the same type of wood from which the house is built as platbands.
- All parts of the casing are connected to each other. To do this, use spikes, nails or an adhesive solution.
- Placement marking is carried out in advance fastening elements (step is 10-12 cm).
- So that during the process of attaching the platbands they do not move, the structure can be placed on glue.
- The final stage is fixing the platbands with nails or self-tapping screws, and closing the gaps between the base and platbands with sealing material.
- For the manufacture of casing, wood with a moisture content of at least 10% is used., otherwise cracks will form inside the structure over time.
- When making a joint, it is strictly prohibited use metal fasteners.
- Construction foam should not be used as a sealing material when assembling the casing. In this case, the wood is bonded, which prevents its natural drying.
- When installing windows, it is important to make the holes for them correctly. Optimal distance from the window sill to the floor is 85-90 cm.
- Experts do not recommend installing windows without installing frames, even if the house was built many years ago and the frame is completely dry. This is due to the fact that throughout its lifespan the tree has a tendency to dry out.
- For greater efficiency and heat retention, wooden windows should be installed closer to the outside of the window opening.
- As a material for the window sill, you must choose hard rocks tree. A window sill made of laminated wood has the longest service life; a window sill made of solid wood has the shortest service life (as a rule, the product is subject to warping).
- The angles of the window opening should be 90 degrees, and the diagonals should not differ by more than 10 mm. If the hole in the base exceeds the permissible value, you will need more sealing material. If you do not ensure that the corners are even, the box may warp.
- It is important to correctly calculate the seating depth of the window in the opening so that the dew point isoline, equal to 10 degrees, passes in its inner part. Then there will be no condensation on the inside of the window.
Glad to be of service to you again, my friends!
After examining my windows in a wooden house, I came to the conclusion that it was time to replace them. I had never encountered such a process before, so I made up for the lack of practical experience with the help of other people’s knowledge: I searched through a bunch of forums and websites, and through friends I found people who had already done similar work. Then I made a number of conclusions and determined the algorithm for my actions when reinstalling windows. Next I will present everything sequentially.
First of all, I measured the windows and ordered new ones, providing the exact dimensions. While the order was being fulfilled, I began dismantling the old frames and then clearing the openings of accumulated debris. Upon receipt of the windows, I installed window sills and prepared double-glazed windows for installation. I placed the structures in permanent places and secured them. Of course, in reality the process was not so quick and easy, but there is nothing overwhelming about it - I managed it and you can too.
Technology for installing a plastic window in the opening of a wooden house
When installing plastic double glazing You can’t do without a level and a plumb line in the frame of a wooden house – if you want the window sashes to move smoothly, not open under their own weight, or jam. Then never fix a window without making sure – not by eye, but by level – that it is level.
To ensure that the work involved in inserting the window into the opening and leveling does not go down the drain, it is necessary to fix the leveled structure with mounting fasteners.
Most best option– 6 pieces for each window. They can be ordered in the same place where you submit your application for the production of double-glazed windows.
There are technical slides for these fastenings on each side of the window, so there will be no difficulties with the correct placement of the plates. Each plate has holes for self-tapping screws. Is it possible to do without plates? Yes, if you want to drill through it when attaching the frame, which will cause depressurization of the chambers in the profile. Personally, I am against such barbarism - I need windows not only for beauty, but also for reliable protection from cold and moisture. And tell the installers, if you don’t install them yourself, to install the windows according to the rules. Only in this case will the expectations from plastic double-glazed windows in a wooden house be fully justified.
I highly recommend removing the window sashes from the frame before installing it in the opening. This won’t take much time, but it will save a lot of effort: without it, it will become much lighter and it will be easier to direct it to the right place.
Algorithm for installing a double-glazed window into the opening of a wooden house:
- Having inserted the structure into the frame, insert wood chips 2 centimeters thick under the lower frame;
- using a water level, determine the quality of the installation;
- achieve the desired indicator by placing additional chips;
- Use the same pieces of wood to level the frame vertically;
- Having determined the most optimal position, secure the frame to the post with self-tapping screws, inserting them into the holes on the mounting plates.
When screwing in each self-tapping screw, do not hit the ridge of the log into which the pigtail rests. To avoid loosening the screw, screw it in slightly at an angle.
After fixing the frame, foam it along the contour only after hanging the sashes - they will prevent it from bending under the pressure of the hardening foam. If the sashes are not installed before this, then later there will be problems with the movement of the vents even in a perfectly installed frame.
After leveling the frame horizontally and vertically, a 2 cm thick gap should remain on each side of the entire structure for filling with foam. The height of the distance between the top panel of the frame and the first log is no less than 5 and no more than 15 cm - the gap will prevent the wood from pressing on the windows after the frame shrinks.
Before pouring the foam, a control check is required to ensure the correct installation of the entire structure. They focus on the “behavior” of the open sash: it should not independently go further than it was opened, or try to return back, obeying its weight, and not you.
This is a short educational program on the topic of installing plastic double-glazed windows in a wooden house. I hope that my advice will help you in your noble and exciting endeavor.
Self-installation
I wanted to install plastic windows in my country wooden house. Everything that will be described below is a verbal statement of my experience with self-installation double-glazed windows in a timber house.
Why did I decide to install the windows myself?
There are several reasons:
- for installation you will have to pay up to 50% of the cost of the window itself (with the savings from 2 installed yourself, you can buy a third);
- almost all companies that provide window installation services in wooden houses do not provide any guarantees for their work;
- there is no need to pay for a service that any owner can provide to himself in 2 hours of work.
In order for the installation result to please you for many years, you need to adhere to the step-by-step algorithm of actions recommended below.
Removing old windows
Regardless of who will install new double-glazed windows in a wooden building - you or invited workers - It is permissible to install new structures only on a rigid foundation. I was lucky: the window casings in our house were replaced a couple of years ago, so the wood was flawless. That is, I did not find any wormholes, rot, cracks, dents or chips on it. Therefore, when ordering double-glazed windows, I indicated the dimensions of the new windows, taking into account that the boxes would remain. If in your case the condition of the frames turns out to be not very good, but your housekeeping will not allow you to throw them away, then the dismantled items can be used as the basis for a mini-greenhouse.
Don't know how good and bad the boxes under your windows are? All the same, do not allow either yourself or your employees to break them out “with meat”. You will always have time to use it for firewood. The same applies to glass: there is no certainty that they will not crack during dismantling, so take it out first - they will also find a use. I was lucky again: the frames were still strong, so the structures were removed without removing the glass.
How to prepare a place
Walk around the entire perimeter of the frame with a dry brush or clean rag to sweep away anything remaining after dismantling.
Window sill installation
First on permanent place determine plastic window sill , which is “charged” with serving as the basis for the rest of the structure. Hence the “legs grow” of the requirement to install it perfectly level and horizontal. A regular building level will help determine how correctly it is installed in a vertical and horizontal position. To adjust its location taking into account the level readings, use cut strips of plastic or wood chips (the latter only if they have been treated with an antiseptic). To stabilize the window sill, make a notch on each side of the box, going 8 millimeters deep into the wood.
Secure the window sill with self-tapping screws, screwing it to the bottom of the window frame. Fasteners are placed with a two-centimeter indentation from the outer end of the window sill and with a mandatory backing under each washer. It will prevent the self-tapping screw from breaking through the fabric if you overdo it when tightening the fasteners. Don't worry that the fasteners will spoil the overall impression - they simply won't be visible.
How to prepare a double-glazed window
I recommend before you start installation work put the handle. But the film can be removed later - this way there is less chance of leaving unattractive stripes on the surface of the plastic. You only need to tear off the adhesive strip where the handle is installed. When placing the lever on the sash, hold its long part parallel to the window sill.
After installing the window, this position of the handle will correspond to the mode of opening the entire sash towards itself. When the handle is moved with the end down, the sash will be locked, upwards - only a narrow one will be able to move completely away from the frame panel upper part windows.
Having secured the handle to the panel with a pair of bolts, you need to turn it end down. On the side posts, mark the holes for fastenings that will hold the window within the frame.
Window installation
We place the assembled structure in the opening, making sure that on both vertical edges the intermediate distance from the frame to the sides of the glass unit is the same (about a centimeter). At the same time, remember that the horizontal direction is given to us by the previously strengthened correct position windowsill. If the level is inconvenient to use due to the presence of decor on outside walls, then apply a plumb line.
While the person helping you holds the frame, you must wedge a centimeter-wide spacer bar between the frame and the window frame. Their presence is necessary for the stability of the structure being fixed at the moment of connecting the glass unit to the frame with self-tapping screws. If you are lazy or forget about the bars, you can cause the window to move to the side during the fastening process. As a result, the doors will then be difficult to open and close.
After wedging in the bars and placing the glass unit strictly according to the level indicators, secure the inserted structure in the box with self-tapping screws, not forgetting to screw them in on each of the four sides.
When inserting a self-tapping screw, you need to ensure that its location is in the free space between the window and the frame itself.
Then, during periods when the house “walks” under the influence of climatic influences and seasonal changes, the windows in it will not warp.
Installing a window in a wooden house using a self-expanding tape in the video:
How to install double-glazed windows in a wooden building?
First, take care of maintaining the passage of the drain holes - install adjusting plates between them that will prevent condensation from accumulating from the window. Then insert the double-glazed window into the opening of the box so that there is free space around the entire perimeter between the two structures. It is necessary to maintain the integrity of the glass in the frame when the frame will move behind the house in the spring or winter.
If the glass unit fits tightly to the frame (minimum gap of 5 mm), file a claim with the manufacturer of the structure. A decent contractor should respond by offering an appropriate solution to the problem.
Having inserted a double-glazed window into the box and aligned the first one on four sides with respect to the last one, secure its location with plastic beads with profile spikes. These “spiky” strips are very easy to install: just push them with small taps into the openings. When the bead's spines reach the grooves, you will hear a characteristic click.
Having achieved motionless and correct placement glass unit in the box, fill the voids between these two structures with polyurethane foam, treating the cracks from the inside and outside.
Remove any frozen excess by trimming with a knife.
Having made sure that the work was carried out correctly: the grooves are closed, the sashes move only under the pressure of your hands, you can begin installing additional fittings, trims and drainage systems.
Secure Installation Rules
All difficulties with installing windows in wooden houses have one root: instability wooden structures throughout the entire operational period. Without taking this factor into account during the installation of plastic structures, be it windows or doors, it is quite possible to find yourself in a situation where the new “joinery” fails without even working for a year.
How do wooden houses differ from others? Wood loses a lot of moisture in the first years after the construction of a log house. A year, as some say, is not enough for the final drying process. In the best case, the walls of the house will take their final size in the sixth year after their construction. But in some regions the process of “walking” of houses never ends.
On average, the height of the wall can decrease by 4-5 cm. And what will happen to the double-glazed windows that were installed in the box in such a way that there was only 2-2.5 cm between the sides of these structures? Do owners of wooden houses really need to forget about dreams of plastic windows? Of course not. You just need to follow a number of technical recommendations.
First: do not neglect the casing. It is also called a pigtail. Thanks to it, any windows become independent from exposure, within reasonable limits, load-bearing walls buildings. Whether they shrink or become slightly bent, this will not affect the integrity and functionality of the window.
General technical specifications casing:
- will protect the logs from moving away from the vertical in the area of the window opening;
- does not resist vertical shrinkage of the wall;
- takes on all the loads;
- contributes to the strength of the wall in the window opening area.
What is casing? The most common option is to make square vertical grooves with a side of 5 cm in the ends of the logs and then seal them with bars of the same size. But such treatment of the walls around the opening is only suitable for preparing a place for wooden windows. To prepare an opening for plastic double-glazed windows, you need to make a ridge at the ends of the logs, and then install a window carriage with a groove on it. The presence of a tongue and groove will ensure that the logs slide without harming the window frame.
What is a window carriage? This vertical bars with parameters 15x10 cm, with recesses on the edges. The depth of the cuts is 5x5 cm, they are made for inserting jumpers topped at the ends with spikes in the form of 15x5 cm planks.
The assembled casing is 7-8 centimeters below the window opening. This gap is left due to possible wall shrinkage. When the pigtail is assembled in the opening, it is then covered with rolled tow, and carriages are stuffed on top. After such a procedure, neither creaks from shrinkage nor drafts from under the window are scary.
Then you need to make the lower jumper and also stuff the carriages onto the comb with tow. Insert the upper jumper into the hole from above, and then lower it into the groove. Then strengthen the structure with self-tapping screws, making sure that they do not touch the ridge - this is important for maintaining the resulting structure’s relative freedom. After All cracks found between the window frame and the walls must be filled with tow.
You can also insert metal-plastic double-glazed windows into this design without fear that they will jam when the house shrinks. When installing, do not forget that noise, heat, and vapor barriers also need to be taken care of.
The gap between the log house and the casing must be filled with thin strips with wound tow fibers.
When the house begins to shrink noticeably, knock out the planks to replace them with new ones. To make this process easier, I strongly recommend attaching the top casing only to the casing. If you need it, carefully remove it, change the filling, and secure it in place.
When I conducted seminars, I often encountered bewilderment about the need for a window installer to understand the technology of constructing wooden buildings. What's strange about this? Without this, the installer will not be able to install the window in such a way that it will serve for years without complaints. In other cases it is impossible to do without casing.
If you are hired to install plastic double-glazed windows in a wooden house, find out the presence of casing. If it is not there, and instead of a frame there will be a frame from an old window, tell the owner that he has two options. Either he agrees to modernize the window opening for casing and the windows are smaller than planned, or the person will receive windows in old frames without casing, but without your guarantee for a quality result. Since even old wooden houses always “walk” and to resist this, it is better to always take this factor into account when installing windows. And don’t forget to indicate in the contract that you disclaim all responsibility for later life windows
We install plastic double-glazed windows in a private house
Remember: all wooden buildings shrink. And this fact must always be taken into account when installing plastic double-glazed windows in a log house.
The strongest shrinkage processes of wood occur in the first two years after the construction of the log house is completed. Each meter of masonry shrinks by 1.5 cm. And this is a very large value to ignore when equipping a wooden house with plastic windows.
Why do they make a casing?
The durability of the plastic window and the level of comfort during use depend on how professionally the casing is carried out. It provides the window with a safe position during periods when the house is in once again slightly deformed due to fluctuations under the influence of changes in humidity or temperature.
What is casing? This is a box made of thick boards. It is inserted into the window opening, secured using a certain technology, and only then dealt with PVC installation glass unit The box itself is held inside the opening using side grooves.
In the process one cannot hope for technical qualities polyurethane foam, other fastening methods.
A gap must be left between the structure and the upper lintel of the window opening, the value of which should be greater than the expected shrinkage of the wooden wall.
How to make a pigtail:
- tab wooden beams into specially made grooves (screws will then be screwed into the beams);
- cutting out tenons on the edges of logs in window opening and the formation of grooves in the sides of the box (experts call this the “into the deck” technique);
- tenons are made in the sides of the structure, and the ends of the window opening logs are equipped with grooves.
Nuances of preparing a window opening
Do not be intimidated by the work of installing plastic double-glazed windows in a wooden building. Subject to correct algorithm you can insert it yourself modern window in a log house of any age.
First of all, determine the distance to the window from the floor. The most convenient option is if the window sill is slightly higher than the horizontal plane of your desk. If there is none nearby, then use a distance of 80-90 cm.
Determine the lower and upper boundaries of the window opening using a water level. The top line should be 13 +1.5 cm above the top border of the glass unit, the difference on the sides should be 12-14 +1.5 cm. Leave an allowance of one and a half centimeters to seal the cracks with construction foam.
Having decided on the size of the opening, take measurements for the future window. Observe extreme accuracy both when installing the casing and when taking parameters for the design of the double-glazed window itself. Qualitative measurement is one of the most important nuances that affects the quality of all subsequent work on installing a double-glazed window into the window opening.
After bringing the opening to the desired condition, start tenoning the ends of the logs facing the window. The rough window is trimmed with jute on the sides and bottom. Make the casing only from well-dried wood, sawn into bars. Make connections with self-tapping screws, and cover the points of convergence along the joints with sealant. Fill the gaps in the window with tow.
For information about casing and trim when installing PVC windows in a wooden house, watch the video:
Installation nuances
Ready metal-plastic construction placed after being ideally pulled out in the foreground or deepened into the wall. The main product is secured with self-tapping screws, screwing them into specially prepared grooves.
It is permissible to install a metal-plastic window of any configuration in an ordinary wooden house, but not made of timber, if you know how to properly frame it, take measurements and select the appropriate fittings.
When selecting tools and other materials, do not take self-tapping screws longer than 12 cm. Such “stings” will definitely go beyond the frame and dig into the main building, which is unacceptable given the mobility of a wooden house.
To waterproof the external seam, you can use acrylic sealant without additional components in the composition, sealing tape, self-expanding after being placed in place, or conventional vapor-permeable. Such protection will extend the service life of the polyurethane foam and prevent the formation of drafts.
Place along the inner seam vapor barrier tape, securing it with special glue. And only then the seam is treated with polyurethane foam.
Thanks to your operational characteristics Double-glazed windows made of PVC material have gained particular popularity among the population. They are installed in buildings and structures made of concrete, brick, and wood. Installing plastic windows in a wooden house requires following certain rules.
Important installation details
When starting the installation, you need to prepare the equipment you will need: a building level and a plumb line, and also know how to insert a plastic window. It is necessary to install a PVC window strictly observing the placement in a level plane. This will ensure correct work all elements, the doors will not open or close spontaneously.
The technology for installing a PVC window involves its correct placement in a level plane
When purchasing plastic structures, you need to buy additional special fasteners for installation. The frame is fixed in the frame of a wooden structure using self-tapping screws and special fasteners. By following the technological process and correctly installing plastic windows in a wooden house, you are guaranteed to receive window units that will last long time.
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If you dismantle the sashes, the structure will become much lighter and it will be easier to move it, but mounting metal-plastic windows It is still not recommended to go alone in a wooden house. To remove the doors, you need to remove the pins from the hinges.
How to install PVC double-glazed windows
Do-it-yourself installation of plastic windows in a wooden house is carried out in stages:
- preparatory activities before installation;
- installation of PVC windows;
- control and verification of location in space;
- blowing with foam.
To understand how to install plastic windows both in a wooden house and in a timber or log house, let’s look at each stage in more detail.
Carrying out preparatory work
First of all, you need to take exact dimensions by measuring the opening and order the window structure from a trusted manufacturer. To do this, most often they invite a representative of a company that produces plastic frames. You can take measurements yourself. After this, they determine the color of the structure and the completeness of the fittings necessary for the functioning of the window.
When the manufacturer delivers the product to the site, the following steps must be completed:
- if the decision is made to replace installed windows in the old opening, first of all, it is necessary to dismantle the structure;
- after which they clean dust, dirt and remove debris that got into the opening from dismantling;
- It is worth aligning the opening if its geometry is broken.
Having completed the preparation, they insert a plastic window into a wooden house with their own hands.
Fastening the window structure into the prepared opening
We install the window sill first; it will be the basis for the double-glazed windows, so it needs to be placed strictly level (horizontally). For fastening strength, notches are made on the sides of the box approximately 8 mm deep. Adjustment is carried out using plastic plates or boards. Fastening occurs with self-tapping screws to the bottom of the box. When screwing in, you should place washers under the screw head; this will prevent damage to the surface.
![](https://i1.wp.com/domzastroika.ru/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/plastikovye_okna_v_derevyannom_dome-8.jpg)
The next step will be correct installation pens. The film that protects the structures should not be removed; it protects them from damage when the windows are installed. When attaching, the handle must be placed horizontally. When all the fittings have been assembled, the installation of metal-plastic windows begins.
First you need to set PVC frame by level. A frame is placed on two-centimeter bars and leveled horizontally, using a water level. After this, they move on to vertical alignment.
Having obtained ideal parameters at the water level, fix the frame with self-tapping screws to the frame, using mounting brackets, which were specially bought in the store. It is important not to get the self-tapping screw into the ridge of the log where the post is installed.
Secure the frame with self-tapping screws
After attaching the window element, we get 2-centimeter gaps around it for the mounting foam.
Before Use polyurethane foam, you need to hang the sashes so that after foaming the frame profile does not bend and damage the window. It is important to remember that foam can only be used when the sash is closed..
Control and foaming of the structure
After hanging the sashes, you need to check how the double-glazed window opens and closes. If a window that is half open does not close or move further, then the frame is considered to be installed correctly and the alignment is correct. After closing the sash, foam it with installation foam and leave it for complete fixation for a day.
Why is casing made for plastic windows in a timber house?
To get quality windows PVC in a wooden house, you must strictly observe the installation features, that is, install it to a special frame (base). The need for such a design is due to the characteristics of wooden buildings. Unlike a building made of stone (concrete or brick), a wooden panel house unstable over a long period.
![](https://i1.wp.com/domzastroika.ru/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/plastikovye_okna_v_derevyannom_dome-4.jpg)
The building will be completed within the first five years after its construction. In this case, the walls dry out up to 6 cm. This important nuance must be taken into account when installing a plastic window in frame house. It is clear that you cannot simply insert a plastic window into a wooden house; you need to create a structure for the opening, which is called a casing, or they also say a window frame. Its direct purpose is to prevent the frame from being affected by wall shrinkage, so the socket:
- strengthens the opening;
- bears the load;
- prevents the effects of shrinkage.
The pigtail looks like a box made from thick boards. The structure is attached to the side rack on a groove, no fasteners are used. There is a gap left above the jamb to compensate for shrinkage for a wooden house. There are several options for installing it:
- A groove is cut in the log into which the block is placed. Self-tapping screws are screwed into the last element of the embedded beam;
- a groove is cut out in the racks on the sides of the structure, a tenon is cut out from the end of the log in the opening;
- A groove is made at the end of the logs, and a tenon is placed on the side posts of the box.
![](https://i1.wp.com/domzastroika.ru/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/plastikovye_okna_v_derevyannom_dome-10.jpg)
To make it work quality construction, you need to follow the technology for installing plastic windows in a wooden house. To begin with, cover the ridges of the logs with insulation and secure it with staples or small nails. This stage is necessary to insulate the house and eliminate creaks. Then the lower crossbar of the casing is mounted, and carriages (side posts of the frame) are stuffed onto the ridges, and the upper jumper is placed in the upper groove of the posts. After collecting the box, carefully connect it with self-tapping screws, it is important that they do not get into the logs.
The gaps that are visible in the opening after installing the casing must be filled with tow or insulation. Then it happens standard installation plastic windows in a frame house or log house.
![](https://i0.wp.com/domzastroika.ru/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/plastikovye_okna_v_derevyannom_dome-5.jpg)
The compensation gap is filled with flat boards pre-wrapped with tow. As the walls shrink, they are gradually knocked out. To do this, remove the top casing and, having knocked out the board, put it back.
The final stage when glazing a wooden structure
Finishing after PVC installations Windows in a log house are made in the same way as wooden ones, that is, after installing the frame structure and insulation, wooden trim is installed. When ordering PVC windows in a wooden structure, you should take a closer look at the option with a wood texture, this will allow them to look harmonious against the background of the felled structure.
Many manufacturers of PVC structures offer not only classic white version frame colors You can order any shade that the customer desires. Colored plastic frames will cost a little more, but will be more suitable option for a home made of natural materials.
When ordering, it is important to take the correct measurements of the opening and not make a mistake in the width of the window sill. Self-installation of a PVC window in a wooden house if you know all the nuances is not such a difficult process. You can do it yourself, without resorting to the help of expensive installers.