Is it possible to install plastic windows in winter: at what temperature, pros and cons

Are windows replaced in winter?

Repairs can take an indefinite period of time and glass units often have to be replaced during frosts.

Most often, owners of apartments and country cottages refuse Euro-windows in winter for a number of reasons:

there is a possibility that when replacing old frames with new ones, damage to the heating system and cooling of the room;
products made of polyvinyl chloride become brittle at low temperatures, mechanical stress leads to the appearance of cracks;
construction foam is used to fill the opening; at low air humidity, characteristic of frosty weather, the material freezes quickly, and poor-quality sealing of joints is possible.

Double-glazed windows can be installed throughout the year; the quality primarily depends on the professionalism of the installers. Qualified builders choose materials that can withstand temperature changes, as well as long-term frosts of up to 50°.

Repairs with low air conditions should be trusted to an experienced team that will quickly and efficiently install new double-glazed windows.

Installation materials

It is of great importance what materials are used when installing the window structure. If temperatures are low, you will need to order special products:

Winter foam. It is necessary that the sealant retains its properties in frosts down to −15 degrees. This is immediately indicated on the packaging. It is also worth paying attention to the degree of humidity. It should be in the range of 60-95%. If the room is very cold or the air is dry, the foam will not be able to set and sealing problems will occur.
PSUL. This material can be used at temperatures down to −40 degrees. In this case, the tape itself must be preheated. Surface preparation is of great importance, regardless of the time of year. It must be smooth, cleaned and primed.

Is it possible to replace windows in an apartment in winter?

Many people prefer to install plastic windows in an apartment or country house before the renovation begins. They are afraid of damage to furniture, interior, dust, so they change the double-glazed windows first. Can be carried out at any stage, after decorating the walls, installing cornices, and heating systems.

Professionals perform their duties not only promptly, but also efficiently, all construction waste is removed, furniture and textiles are protected with film.

Installation steps:

preparation - measurements are taken, materials are delivered and prepared;
dismantling the old double-glazed window or wooden frame;
preparation of the opening, removal of construction waste;
installation of a new profile;
sealing seams using polyurethane foam;
checking the quality of work, eliminating defects.

Many people are interested in whether it is possible to replace plastic windows in winter and whether it will damage the heating system? The process takes no more than an hour, is carried out quickly, the room does not have time to cool down, and the temperature drops by no more than 5°. If it's frosty outside, workers use modern, practical methods to complete the order. A polyethylene screen is fixed around the perimeter of the opening, retaining heat in the room.

Modern products are made from high-quality metal-plastic, resistant to any weather conditions, including extremely low air temperatures. Double-glazed windows will last for many years, maintaining a comfortable atmosphere in the house; the manufacturer provides a long-term warranty on the products.

Disadvantages of winter window installation

One of the main disadvantages is the high dependence on the weather. It is necessary that the temperature outside is above −15 degrees. If the frosts are severe, then the installers’ departure will need to be rescheduled to another date.

It will also take much longer to prepare for installation. Much attention should be paid to the level of training of installers and their experience. In winter, it is very easy to make mistakes, as a result of which the windows lose their tightness, the double-glazed window becomes deformed or cracked, and cracks appear in the PVC.

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How to properly install plastic windows in an apartment

Installation in a panel house has its own characteristics that must be taken into account during installation. Qualified specialists carry out the replacement, which includes dismantling in a few hours; the opening remains open for 20 to 50 minutes. During this time, the air in the room cools down as with intensive ventilation; the walls and pipes do not freeze.

It is recommended to install PVC products in calm weather or use protective screens. It is also necessary to close the doors to the corridor to reduce the cooling of the entire apartment.

Installation requirements

Due to its design features, the PVC profile becomes brittle at temperatures below 18˚C. When drilling holes, cracks may appear. Therefore, when carrying out work in a living room, it should be −15˚С outside, and on a balcony or loggia - minus 10˚С.

Before installation, the window structure is kept at room temperature for at least a day. If you install the frames right away, from the cold, then when the plastic warms up, it simply deforms in the opening.

In severe frost, the sealing contours freeze. There is a possibility that the shutters will not be adjusted correctly. Therefore, when it gets warmer, cracks and sagging will appear, and the fittings will not work well.

The quality of installation is affected by the temperature of the surfaces. Special polyurethane foam is preheated. Sealing strips must be secured to the frames before dismantling the old window. All slopes are heated with a construction hairdryer. Foaming occurs in two stages: first from the outside, and then from the inside. This is the only way to fill all the voids.

When several windows are replaced at once, in winter they do it in stages, one after another. This way the flow of cold air will be minimal. It is best to make the replacement when there is no wind. Another trick is to close all doors to avoid creating drafts.

It happens that windows need to be installed in a house under construction so that interior decoration can be done in winter. Then, according to GOST 24866-2014, the room temperature should be at least 5˚C. This is due to the production technology of double-glazed windows. They are made in a warm room, the chambers are filled with air or gas. At low temperatures it shrinks, the glass can become deformed and burst. To avoid this, the window openings in the house are first closed, and the room is heated with heat guns. Only after this can installation work begin.

After installing a window in an already inhabited room, cleaning will be minimal. Remove any remaining debris; you may need to glue wallpaper somewhere. But with an apartment in a new building everything is more complicated. It is best to carry out all the dirty and “wet” work first. Increased humidity levels lead to the formation of condensation on the glass. Water flows onto the windowsill. This damages the surface, and fungus or mold may appear. Dust and construction debris get into the fittings and interfere with normal operation. It may happen that by the end of the finishing work the window will simply become unusable. The doors will open and close with difficulty, and the thermal insulation properties will be lost. If the surface of the window sill is not smooth, then dirt gets into the pores, and it will be very difficult to clean it later. In this case, the window opening is covered with a wooden beam structure covered with plastic film. And install window structures at the final stage of repair work.

At what temperature can plastic windows be installed?

Experts are divided in opinion; some claim that double-glazed windows can be installed down to -25°. Experienced builders recommend installation at sub-zero temperatures not exceeding -18 degrees. Repairs are also possible in an unheated room; special foam is used, designed to polymerize in frost.

If the sealant flows and does not expand, it means that the type of construction fixative has been selected incorrectly. Do not fill seams when the surface is icy. Before replacing, the foam is left for 8-10 hours in a heated room. During the entire process of filling the joints, the cylinder must be warm enough.

When purchasing polyurethane foam, you need to take into account seasonality characteristics:

summer - from +5° to +35°;
winter - from -18° to +35°;
universal - from -10° to +35°.

Ideal values are +15°, +18°. Replacement cannot be carried out in severe frost or extreme heat.

Suitable temperature: how many degrees is it acceptable to set?

Manufacturers of PVC windows calculate window structures in such a way that they function normally at high/low average Russian air temperatures and relative humidity. For Moscow, these characteristics are +26.3/-15C and 95%, respectively.

This is due to two reasons - the use of consumables: foam, sealants and self-expanding tape, which are designed for their temperature range and the behavior of structural materials and window elements in different temperature conditions.

During the winter season

The minimum winter temperature for installing PVC windows is -15C outside the room and +5C inside. At lower temperatures, the glass unit may crack, and the PVC elements will become brittle; if handled carelessly, they may collapse.

Consumables for installing PVC windows in winter:

“Makroflex” winter foam up to -15 C, excellent adhesion, low secondary expansion, price - 970 rub./piece.
“Soudal” winter foam up to -15C, without toxic additives, odorless, fine-porous and dense structure, cost - 292 rubles / piece.
“Penosil” winter foam down to -15C, practically odorless, low secondary expansion, high foam yield, price - 665 rubles/piece.
“Titan” winter foam up to -15C, non-toxic, without shrinkage and with good adhesion, price - 375 rubles / piece.
Silicone sealants with a working temperature of -50C:
Ceresit CS 25-150 rub.
Robiband RF tape PSUL, 6 m - 144 rub.

Spring/autumn

This is the best option for installation. The materials used for installation are called non-seasonal , the permissible temperature of the outside air is -5 to + 20 C, and the inside temperature is above + 5 C.

Consumables for installing PVC windows in the spring-autumn period: “Moment-installation” off-season foam, temperature range -5 to +20C, good adhesion, dense, homogeneous, tolerates finishing well, price 250 rubles / piece.
Acrylic sealants with operating temperatures from -5 to 20C:
Dow Corning 7091, USA - 1500 rub.
Polyurethane mixtures:
Dow Corning, USA - 1800 rub.
Robiband RF tape PSUL, 5.6 m - 290 rub.

In summer

Summer temperatures have a maximum limit of +35C. this is due to the fact that due to thermal expansion, the windows will behave unpredictably, for example, the sashes will not be able to close or the fittings will not function.

In this temperature regime, it is impossible to perform the correct post-installation adjustment of such a window. Therefore, if it happens that it is necessary to install a PVC window during high summer temperatures, you need to choose morning or evening hours for installation, when the mercury column on the thermometer is below 35C.

Consumables for installing PVC windows in summer:

Stroypena:
TYTAN Professional, price - 360 rubles;
Penosil Max /Premium/PRO, 750 ml price - 500 rub.;
Makroflex ShakeTec, 750 ml. price - 1500 rub.
Polyurethane sealant, used at temperatures above +35C:
“Izhora” 12.5 kg, price - 2188 rubles;
Olin 600 ml, price - 200 rubles;
Retel 310 ml, price - 110 rub.
Robiband RF tape PSUL, 6 m - 144 rub.

How to eliminate possible risks

Experienced builders carry out repairs in all weather conditions. Quality can be maintained thanks to subtleties:

To prevent the PVC profile from becoming brittle at low temperatures, you can leave the product in a warm room for several hours, only then proceed with installation. Heat-protective screens will solve the problem and are effective for use in new buildings and unheated country houses. Heat guns are also used, the openings are covered with film, and the room is heated to above-zero temperatures.
To prevent polyurethane foam from freezing, builders use warm water into which the balloon is lowered. Or they choose a special sealant for the job, designed for polymerization in frost.
It is possible to avoid the appearance of condensation when installing in accordance with GOST. The use of additional materials will quickly pay for itself, significantly reducing heat energy consumption.

The main difference between GOST standards and standard standards is the maximum preservation of the assembly seam from temperature changes, wind, and moisture, ensuring optimal ventilation. The advantage of correct replacement is a reduction in heating costs and a comfortable atmosphere in the house.

Features according to GOST:

According to the requirements, a compressed sealing tape made of polyurethane foam is pre-inserted. Used to seal joints and uneven surfaces of brick, panel or other wall material. It has high elasticity properties and maintains its integrity over time. PSUL tape is the first layer of the insulation system and acts as a protective barrier.
To preserve the heat-shielding properties of the polyurethane foam, as well as to prevent condensation forming on the glass and frame, an internal tape with a unique insulating ability is used. Allows you to completely seal the internal seam in the panel/joint system.

In a private house or panel apartment, in accordance with GOST requirements, waterproofing tape is used under the ebbs. Made of bitumen, covered with synthetic rubber, high-strength polymers, aluminum or copper sheet. Allows you to protect the installation seam from moisture from the outside, to preserve the thermal and acoustic properties of PVC windows.

Advantages of winter glazing installation

Affordable price. Typically, demand for installer services decreases in winter, so you can get an additional discount.
Production speed. There are fewer queues for installation at window companies than in spring and summer. In winter, a window can be made and installed in 5-7 days. In summer, the deadline can extend for several weeks.
Quick leak check. You will immediately know if there are any problems with the sealant. It will be more difficult to check this in the summer.

In addition to problems with tightness, you can also identify other defects at an early stage: problems with reinforcement, poor fittings.

Cosmetic finishing of installed windows

It takes two to four hours to completely install a window. After the foam has hardened and stopped expanding, you can begin finishing the exterior joints. The joints are additionally sealed and plastered. Only after this the fittings are installed and adjusted.

Using a sealing tape, the polyurethane foam is protected from the sun and moisture; if necessary, additional treatment is carried out with silicone sealant or plaster. Of course, during the finishing process it is necessary to constantly monitor whether the window sashes open normally and move easily in all working positions.

When the work is completed and you are satisfied with the appearance of the windows, you need to carefully check them and then sign the acceptance certificate. This is a very important moment, since in the future you will no longer be able to make complaints if they suddenly arise. By the way, few people know how to properly check a newly installed window, and what to pay attention to first. Let's take a closer look at this process.

How to determine if plastic windows are leaking?

The test for the tightness of the sash is very simple - you need to pinch a sheet of paper with the sash and drag it. If the fit of the sash is good, the sheet will tear and it will not be possible to pull it out. Each sash must be checked on four sides in this way.

An even simpler way to determine blowing is by external signs. If you open the sash wide and find a layer of dust on the inside of the frame (rebate), it means the window is not airtight enough. In this case, you should urgently call a specialist to carry out repair work.

So, winter installation of plastic windows is quite acceptable, and even beneficial for the customer. quality control of work is required regardless of the season. The customer does not need to take any special measures to protect the apartment from frost.

Let's dispel myths about glazing in winter

Glazing a balcony in winter, as well as installing PVC windows, is controversial. It is not surprising that various myths have appeared, many of which have nothing to do with reality. I'll tell you how it really is.

Myth No. 1. When installed in winter, the quality of windows may deteriorate.

The season does not matter, everything depends on the qualifications, experience and integrity of the performers. It is in winter that you can immediately check whether everything has been done conscientiously: cracks and heat losses will be immediately visible.

In addition to poor-quality windows, people are concerned about freezing of the apartment and the appearance of drafts. In reality, installing windows involves going through several stages:

Removing the old frame.
Surface preparation.
Installation of a new profile and double-glazed window.
The final work is the installation of window sills and slopes.

The opening will be open for some time - during the working day, when windows and doors in the living space are closed, the temperature can quickly return to the required parameters. You can even look at the situation in a positive way - the home will be ventilated and the air will be renewed.

Myth No. 2. The profile or glass unit can be damaged during transportation or installation

I agree that this is possible, but it is not related to the winter cold. The appearance of chips, scratches or other defects is possible in the summer. The client is protected from such force majeure: any damage during transportation is covered under warranty. Therefore, if you are worried about the window profile and double-glazed windows, it is in vain.

Important! Delivery of profiles in winter should be made in advance, 1-2 days before the intended installation. It is necessary that during this time the structures, including double-glazed windows, are at room temperature. After this, her window installation will be completely safe.

Myth No. 3. Polyurethane foam is not suitable for work in cold weather

Another misconception is that polyurethane foam cannot be used in winter, because the characteristics of the material lead to a loss of properties in the cold. This is not true: special winter versions of this sealant are available on the construction products market. There are also thermal bags for polyurethane foam that maintain the normal temperature of the material for work. As a rule, installers have either one or the other. So the use of polyurethane foam has long been the best option; the main thing is to make sure that the team you are working with has such equipment.

Popular myths about winter glazing have nothing to do with reality. If you have any doubts, please contact me - I will be happy to help dispel them!

Where to start preparing for window replacement?

The first step, of course, is to measure the window openings. In any case, a company specialist will come to take measurements again, but approximate data will help you get a better price. With a specialist who comes to measure the windows, you can also discuss options for the structural design and design of the window that best suits you.

When all organizational issues have been resolved, a company has been selected, a contract has been concluded and a date has been set for installation, some preparation should be made in order to optimize this process as much as possible. Many of these things are often forgotten. Here is a list of what you should do first to avoid fuss while working:

Prepare a place to work, remove all unnecessary things;
Protect the floor finish by laying down thick paper or a cover;
Close interior doors (from cold and dust).

Warm installation of windows using a protective screen

To protect against the cold, a protective screen is installed on the street side, which becomes an obstacle to the escape of warm air from the room. The screen is fixed with detachable clamps without drilling. The pneumatic frame located along the contour is filled with air and pressed tightly against the wall of the house. Only after this procedure is the old frame dismantled and replaced with a new one. After installation, the screen is removed.

The design will retain heat and prevent moisture from entering and condensation forming. Warm installation, even in winter, allows you to avoid a decrease in the temperature in the apartment; this method is used in cases where standard installation is impossible.

Glazing in winter is an excellent solution that saves you money and gives a decent result if you abandon prejudices and order glazing at this time of year.