Windows made of aluminum, installation of aluminum windows, useful advice

Often you can hear the opinion that aluminum windows are not suitable for installation in living quarters, as poorly retained heat. Earlier it really was so. But recently, thanks to introduction of innovative technologies in production, aluminum windows are able to pleasantly surprise the potential buyer not only with their attractive appearance, but also with excellent thermal insulation characteristics.

Aluminum windows: strengths and weaknesses

The merits of aluminum windows can, above all, include:

• Simplified production process. Aluminum is a strong material, and the window structures made of it do not need to be reinforced with consoles and beams.

• Aluminum windows are smoothed out more elegantly than wood or PVC analogues due to the fact that the window aluminum profile is much thinner. This means that more light will enter the room.

• Using aluminum windows, it is possible to create large glazed surfaces, while keeping the heat inside the building and the attractive appearance of the building.

• Wide variety of finishes allows you to choose a profile for any architecture of the facade.

• The undoubted advantages of aluminum windows can also be attributed to the possibility of individually preparing a product for an individual object or adaptation in the process of work.

• There are no maintenance problems with aluminum windows. Window structures do not need any preventive maintenance at all. They need only be washed from time to time.

Among the shortcomings can be noted:

• The level of thermal insulation of aluminum windows is somewhat lower. Cheaper, standard aluminum profiles are colder than PVC or wood analogues.

• Windows made of aluminum are more difficult to obtain. Not every company offers this product, and if it does, then in a very limited assortment.

• High price. Aluminum windows are today the most expensive designs in their market segment.

In the process of construction work, aluminum and plastic window systems are often combined. Different materials can be painted in one color, which makes it possible to harmonize the facade, in which windows of different materials will visually be indistinguishable from each other. Aluminum window constructions are widely used in the glazing of balconies, loggias, conservatories, terraces, etc.

Types of aluminum profiles

The installation of aluminum windows is not much different from the installation of PVC and wood windows. However, there are several features concerning the assembly of the frame and the adjustment of an already installed window. They must be taken into account when working with aluminum structures.

If the technology of installing the aluminum window is strictly observed, the design will work flawlessly for decades.

Below we will consider in detail the technology of installing several basic types of aluminum structures: sliding and swivel-folding.

The demand for aluminum window constructions is gradually increasing. This is due to the expansion of their production and the many advantages of aluminum windows.

In the process of manufacturing window frames from aluminum, manufacturers use a set of window profiles, which includes:

• Profile frame.

  • Profile impost.

• Profile for the flaps.

• The profile is slatted.

The use of this set of materials makes it possible to produce designs of different configurations and different ways of opening windows.

Folding windows - in this construction, as the name implies, the flap reclines.

At the same time, the upper part of the window is slightly opened. Windows of this type are well suited for glazing window openings in staircases, small rooms and other places where windows do not need to be opened completely.

Turning windows.

The leaflets open completely in the same plane most often inside the room.

Turn-and-drop.

The most convenient and common design. It is used mainly in the glazing of window openings in apartments and private houses.

The deaf.

The window does not open and is only for lighting. Installed on the facades of shops, offices, and also used for glazing shop windows.

Multi-leaf windows.

Excellent for glazing of loggias and conservatories. This design provides the possibility of installing wings of different types of opening.

Sliding aluminum windows.

Very convenient in small rooms, for example, on balconies, in storerooms, etc. Window sashes move in the same plane along the profiles.

Manufacturers produce aluminum profiles of two types:

The so-called "warm profile"

Inside the profile is a special insulating insert. A warm profile is used for the production of windows and doors intended for living quarters.

«Cold profile»

The structures of this material are intended for non-heated rooms, as well as for the installation of partitions inside living quarters.

Installation of aluminum windows with your own hands

Before installing a new aluminum window, you must carefully dismantle the old one and prepare the newly opened window opening properly.

In the process of work, the following materials and tools will be needed:

To remove old window frames:

• Electric jigsaw, wood hacksaw.
  • Chisel, chisel, hammer.
  • Nail or small crowbar.

To set the window:

• Saw, electric jigsaw.
  • Chisel, crowbar, hammer, nails.
  • One or two cylinders (depending on the window size) of the mounting foam.
  • Rotary hammer drill.
  • A set of drills for metal.
  • Level.
  • Wooden wedges.
  • Dowels-nails.

The old wooden frame is removed from the window opening as follows:

With the help of an electric jigsaw or saw, cuts are made in several places of window profiles - three pieces for each profile will be enough. Further in the place of the incision (to start better from the bottom of the window), the box is pushed with a crowbar and breaks it into several parts.

After the window box is dismantled, you need to remove the window sill. The easiest way to do this is with a hammer and a chisel. Once the old design has been completely dismantled, it is necessary to deal with the preparation of the window opening.
  First of all, remove all debris, fragments of concrete, bricks, glass, etc. Then the opening must be carefully inspected - if it is damaged or skewed, the opening is leveled with a strong cement mortar.

In this case, with the installation of the window, you have to wait a few days until the solution fully clings.
  Just before installing the window, the opening must be slightly moistened and primed. To prevent damage to the window opening during installation, you should try to make efforts not perpendicular to the opening, but in its plane. With this direction of action, the fasteners will subsequently be easily removed from the concrete.

Install the aluminum frame

Aluminum windows are sold partially dismantled - frame, accessories for aluminum windows installed on the frame, and separately a double-glazed window.
  So, let's look at the main points of the aluminum window installation process.
  First of all, an aluminum frame with hardware is installed.
  In the event that the window came to you in a fully assembled state, it is necessary to remove the double-glazed windows from the frame and window wings. After that, the window frame is inserted into the opening and fixed using wooden wedges.

The window frame should be carefully set horizontally and vertically, using the building level.
  Once the frame is exposed and securely fixed, holes for the fastening elements are drilled along the perimeter of the window frame. The fixing anchor plate is fixed with a dowel-nail. One screw mounts the plate to the wall, and the second - directly to the frame.

After the frame is fixed, proceed to the formation of the assembly seam, which takes place in several stages. First, along the perimeter of the frame, the seam is treated with a mounting foam.

As soon as the foam solidifies (after one and a half to two hours), the wooden wedges used to fix the frame are carefully removed, after which the remaining voids are filled with foam. Surplus foam after it completely hardens neatly cut with a sharp knife.
  Important point: the most optimal distance from the frame to the walls of the window opening is 5 mm. If the distance is greater, additional plates are used to fix and align the frame.

Aluminum window sill installation

Let's consider step by step the process of installing the window sill and low tide:

First of all, a vapor-permeable tape is attached to the external assembly seam, which passes air well and does not allow moisture to pass through. Outside the lower part of the frame with the help of self-tapping screws is attached. If there are gaps between the frame and the ebb, they are blown out with mounting foam. The excess foam is cut off with a knife.

The window sill gently under the frame (it must fall precisely into the groove specially designed for this), after which it is exposed to the level. Before installing the window sill, a mounting foam is applied to its rear part.

At the junction of the frame and window sill, a strip of silicone or sealant is applied. It is allowed to install a window sill with a slight slope from the window - this will additionally protect the window from moisture on its surface.

Installation of a double-glazed window of an aluminum window. Adjusting the fittings

After completing all the above-mentioned work, it remains only to install the double-glazed window, hang the window shutters and adjust all the necessary fittings.
  If there is no experience in installing windows, it is better to install the double-glazed window together. Different manufacturers use different inserts for double-glazed windows. The number and shape of the liners directly depends on the window profile ("warm", "cold"), and also on how the window sashes open.

Double-glazed windows are installed as follows:

First, on the perimeter of the window frame, insert the liners, following the instructions in the instructions. After that, inside the frame, carefully insert the double-glazed window and attach it with glazing beads. Shtapiki must be gently pounded with a rubber mallet.

It should be noted that the installation of the glass unit - the robot is rather thin, requiring care and accuracy.

Before hanging the doors on the window frame, it is necessary to check the availability of all necessary hardware components. Next, the window handle is set to the horizontal position (open). The leaflet is first worn on the lower loop, after which the corner-loop of the leaf is carefully inserted into the upper loop.

They are fixed with a pin and begin to push upward until the latch acts. To the pin easily enter the loop and do not wedge, the leaf is pressed firmly against the frame. When the doors are hung, adjust the fittings. This is done with the help of fastening screws - they are loosened or tightened.

Assembly and installation of sliding aluminum windows

Aluminum sliding window includes: rollers, guides and double-glazed windows.

The process of installing an aluminum sliding structure is as follows:

First, the window frame is installed. The technology is exactly the same as when installing a conventional window, described above.

Next, the guide rails are installed:

• The exact length of the upper and lower horizontal sides of the window frame is measured.
  • Markings are applied to the guides, cutting off the necessary lengths.
  • Spaces are treated with a small file.
  • Drill the holes 30 cm apart from each other in the upper and lower parts of the window frame.
  • Finished guides are fastened to the frame with screws.
  • Insert the double-glazed windows into the sash of the window frame.
  • Rollers are attached to the bottom of the window leaf about 5 cm from the edge of the leaf.
  • On the vertical and horizontal sides of the sash is fastened the sealant - shlegel.
  • The flap is installed: first into the top rail, then to the bottom rail.
  • The movement of the leaf is adjusted with a screw, which is located in the lower part.

A few recommendations for the installation and care of aluminum windows

• To ensure that the window has served the entire term without problems, several simple rules must be observed during the installation:
• Before installing the window, be sure to check it for damage and defects. This can be scratches, cracks, deformations, etc.
• Do not use metal plates to fix and adjust the window frame. For this purpose, only plastic or wooden wedges are used.
• Mounting foam is applied strictly in the direction from top to bottom.
• In no case should you try to bend or deform the window profile, trying to "fit" it under the window opening.
• Slopes of the window opening are best finished with plasterboard or plaster.

Windows made of aluminum profile do not need care as such - it is enough to periodically clean them from dust and contaminants. If there are scratches on the window profile, you can hide them using the so-called "aluminum resin" or a special corrector based on silicone.
  It is desirable to lubricate the window hardware once a year. For this purpose, oils that do not contain acids and resins are used.

In the end, it should be noted that aluminum windows about which recently you can often find on the net (and the vast majority of them are positive), it is quite possible to install independently. But at some stages of work, for example, when installing a double-glazed window and finishing the fittings, an inexperienced person may have difficulties. Therefore, it is recommended to entrust these work to specialists who can guarantee the strength and durability of the finished structure.