Converting plastic windows to winter mode. How to adjust plastic windows for “winter” mode: advice from professionals How to close Euro-windows for the winter

Modern window systems, contrary to popular opinion, require constant maintenance. Of course, they do not need to be sealed for the winter or painted every season as is the case with their wooden counterparts. For full functioning, metal-plastic double-glazed windows need to be switched to a mode appropriate to the time of year. How to independently adjust plastic windows for the winter? And how important is it to do this?

• 1 Seasonal maintenance
  • 1.1 Leak test
• 2 Switching winter/summer modes
  • 2.1 Why is this needed?
  • 2.2 Adjustment mechanisms
  • 2.3 How to switch
• 3 What other adjustment methods are there?
  • 3.1 Vertical position setting
  • 3.2 Horizontal adjustment
  • 3.3 Changing the degree of sash pressure
  • 3.4 Adjusting the top corner fit
• 4 If the adjustments do not work

Seasonal Maintenance

The main feature of opening windows is that they do not have vents. For better ventilation of the room, the system provides rotary doors. During the operation of plastic double-glazed windows, you may notice that a draft appears in winter. Don't panic - this is not a manufacturing defect, but simply the seasonal mode is set incorrectly. Switching plastic windows to winter and summer modes is a mandatory maintenance procedure.

The tilt and turn mechanism of the glass unit must be adjusted depending on the season of the year

During long-term use, drafts may also appear. This occurs due to the loosening of the hinge screws of the rotary-locking mechanisms. By independently adjusting the windows for the winter, you can easily save 3-7 thousand rubles on calling specialists.

Leak test

How to prepare plastic windows for winter? With the onset of cold weather, it is necessary to carry out a preventive inspection of the state of normal locking of the sashes in winter mode. Leak tightness can be checked in several ways:

• Tactile. By running your hand along the frame, you can determine the presence of serious drafts.
• Fire with a match or lighter. Deviation of the flame from the vertical indicates the presence of blowing.
• A sheet of paper. They leave him in the closed door and try to pull him out. If the leaf comes out easily, the sash does not close tightly.

If the paper sheet is easy to pull out through the sash, then the window is not airtight

Having identified problem areas, we begin to regulate the system to optimal requirements.

Switching winter/summer modes

When installing double-glazed windows, installers set the initial neutral parameters for locking the sashes. All positions will be adjusted for optimal functionality. However, then it is necessary to adjust the settings - ideally twice a year.

Why is this necessary?

Seasonal adjustment is often forgotten, leaving the sash pressure in a neutral position. As with any violation of operating rules, consequences arise over time:

• drafts from under the sash even with correct installation adjustments;
• if the summer mode is set, then in winter this will not provide sufficient pressure on the locking mechanism, which will cause heat loss from the room;
• if you leave the winter position, then due to the constant strong pressure of the sash on the seal, the latter will quickly become unusable;
• in the absence of seasonal adjustment, the normal microclimate of the room is disrupted, including an increase in humidity levels (there is a risk of condensation and mold).

Read also: Reasons for fogging of plastic windows in winter
Improper operation may lead to the formation of condensation on the glass

To do this, you need to correctly set the winter and summer modes of plastic windows in the sash settings.

Adjustment mechanisms

Before you begin changing the mode, you need to determine the locations where the adjustment devices are located. In most cases, the system provides for the presence of special mechanisms - trunnions, which, depending on their position, determine the degree of pressing of the sash required for the season.

They are located at the ends of a metal-plastic window or door. The number of such mechanisms may vary depending on the size and manufacturer of the glass unit (from two or more).

Possible locations of eccentrics - different manufacturers have them in different places

The trunnions may differ in appearance, but they perform the same adjusting function.

Options for the appearance of eccentrics

At the edge of the eccentric there is a mark, which serves as an indicator of the desired mode. By default, it is set up - this is a neutral position, which needs to be changed in accordance with the season.

A line indicating the selected mode. How to switch

The process itself is quite simple, you only need one tool - a simple hexagon (usually 4 mm), or less often an asterisk.

You need to set plastic windows to cold season mode before the onset of frost, when the temperature is still plus 5–10°.

Open the glass unit and inspect the ends. Usually there is one eccentric on the side, the second on top.

Mark indicating adjustment mode

Most likely, the regimes will be in a neutral position, and the risks will point upward. Having selected the desired tool, change the position of the marker.

To set a plastic window for the winter, turn the notch on the regulator towards the outside of the room. With the onset of the warm season, the position of the marker should be moved by the mark inside the room. Accordingly, if there are several such regulators, then the modes are transferred by turning all available eccentrics to one position.

You need to constantly switch modes according to the season - this is what will ensure normal functionality, balance of ventilation and sufficient energy saving in your home.

What other adjustment methods are there?

If, when checking the tightness of the lock, cold air still penetrates from above or below the sash, then most likely the problem is that the sash geometry is incorrectly set.

The figure shows the main points where adjustments to the fittings may be required. The window design provides several adjustment options:

• horizontal and vertical shift;
• setting the position of the lower corner;
• degree of pressing against the frame.

Location of adjustment points

How are optimal modes set?

Setting the vertical position

This is done by adjusting the bottom loop. Remove the protective cover. There are two adjustment points here - horizontal and vertical. To raise or lower the sash, adjust the screw located on top of the hinge. To raise it, turn it clockwise, and vice versa if you need to lower the height.

Vertical position adjustmentHorizontal adjustment

To perform this operation, both loops must be configured.

Adjusting plastic windows according to the “winter-summer” principle is a fairly simple procedure. You can do it yourself without the help of specialists. Which will save your money and keep your home warm and cozy all year round. It will also extend the life of your windows.

This adjustment of plastic windows is carried out by the method of weakening or increasing the degree of pressing of the sash by changing the position of the trunnions.

Winter and summer have different degrees.

There is such a concept as “winter-summer mode” on plastic windows.

This means that the adjustments on plastic windows in winter and summer should be completely different. Let's take a closer look at these types of window adjustments.

Example of window adjustment in video

adjustment of plastic windows

Thanks to the ability to adjust plastic windows in the “winter-summer” mode, you can increase the air flow in the warm season and reduce it in the cold season.

Adjusting plastic windows “winter-summer” is quite simple.

The whole process involves the use of a cylinder with an offset center that presses the sash against the window frame - an eccentric (trunnion).

adjustment of plastic windows

It is turned using the necessary screwdriver, and in some windows - manually, slightly pulling it towards you.

The manufacturer provides the so-called “middle” position of the eccentric roller,

adjustment of plastic windows

which is also called “autumn-spring”. In this case, the pressing of the window sash is sufficient, but not excessive.

Adjusting the window before the winter season

As the temperature drops, especially during the transitional heating period, use the “maximum pressure” window adjustment to achieve minimal heat loss.

The “winter” position of the eccentric loads the seal as much as possible. For this reason, it is not recommended for recently installed new . In addition, while receiving minimal ventilation, the room loses the additional possibility of ventilation, because... in winter it is rarely used, and sometimes completely absent.

On the other hand, the “winter” position of the trunnion increases the load on the seal. And this, in turn, will not harm the not-new window when it has somewhat lost its elasticity.

Adjusting the window with “maximum pressure” is extremely undesirable, because The sealing material retains deformation and may not return to its original position. And this is fraught with its rapid wear.

Therefore, the longer this eccentric position is used, the greater the likelihood of quickly replacing the seal.

To ensure maximum pressure it is necessary:

• pull the pin towards you a little
• move it to the right with rotational movements,
• (so that the gap between the eccentric roller and the edge of the sash fittings is minimal).
• If there is a notch on the roller, then if positioned correctly, it will be directed towards the seal.

Adjusting windows for the summer season

The end of the heating season usually occurs in fairly warm weather, so the load on the seal is eased using the “summer” mode.

In this case, the impact on the seal is minimal. Therefore, this position of the eccentric is welcome for any windows.

Adjusting the trunnion according to this principle slightly increases the air circulation in the room. However, this begs the question about the need for such a transition, because Windows are ventilated very often in summer.
To ensure minimal pressure, window adjustment for the summer season should be done as follows:

• the eccentric should be pulled back slightly
• move it to the left with rotational movements,
• so that the gap between the trunnion and the edge of the sash fittings is maximized.
• If there is a notch on the roller, and in the correct position, it will be directed towards the window handle.

What does adjusting a plastic window “winter-summer” do?

Thus, the “winter-summer” adjustment can preserve and extend the service life of a plastic window. However, the degree of pressure must be increased gradually, from year to year. Only this principle will allow the seal to be maintained and drafts to be avoided. In addition, all manipulations of adjusting plastic windows are so simple that they do not require special qualifications, great force, or calling a specialist. Therefore, both men and women can adjust the window according to the “winter-summer” principle with their own hands.

PVC window systems are virtually maintenance-free and do not require painting or sealing. To maintain a normal microclimate and prevent wear of the blocks, it is worth changing the modes. How to adjust plastic windows for the winter season quickly and at no cost? Follow a simple algorithm.

Why customize window hardware?

The peculiarities of PVC double-glazed windows are the absence of windows and the setting of the ventilation mode by turning the sash. At the time of installation, the window is not adjusted - it is in neutral mode (autumn-spring).

• preventing the sash from hitting the fittings when opening or closing;
• tight connection of the canvas to the frame without drafts;
• ease of use;
• prevention of breakdowns and expensive repairs;
• block sagging.

On a note! Setting the mechanism for warm and cold mode is a prerequisite for its maintenance.

Features of using mechanisms

To properly adjust the window, you will need to study the principle of operation of the mechanisms.

Types of modes

Manufacturers produce systems with the following modes:

• standard - the sash is pressed against the frame with the eccentric in the middle position. The seal presses normally, and the design provides high-quality protection from cold in the winter season and from heat in the summer;
• winter mode on plastic windows is needed to press the block tightly to the frame. This prevents heat from leaking out during the cooler months;
• summer modes - the sash does not fit tightly. The summer option is used for micro-ventilation, normalizing air movement in the room and outside.

On a note! Seasonal adjustment of plastic windows is carried out using side pins on the sash.

How to choose settings?

To understand how to adjust plastic windows for the winter, you should remember the basic rules:

1. The operation of the sash in winter is shorter than in summer.
2. Switching to a tight fit is carried out at the end of autumn; in March it is returned to its original state.
3. 2-3 years after installation, the sash operates in summer mode.
4. The structure cannot be pressed tightly in the summer - the fittings will break due to the increased load on the welding seam.

On a note! With good thermal insulation of the window, summer modes are left for the whole year.

How to check sealing?

Setting up plastic windows for winter is done at the first cold snap. Before starting work, check the tightness:

1. In closing mode, the hand is moved along the perimeter of the block. If there are cracks, a slight draft is felt.
2. A lit match or lighter is drawn along the joint line. When the flame is deflected, there are gaps.
3. The notebook sheet is placed between the frame and the sash, the window closes. If the leaf is pulled out well, the mechanism needs to be adjusted.

Important! Check every point of contact between the glass unit and the frame.

Adjustment technologies

How to quickly adjust beautiful plastic windows, changing them to winter or summer mode, working on your own? There are several configuration options.

Read also: Installing roller blinds on plastic windows - features of work without the use of tools

Using locking elements

On the handle side there are eccentrics or trunnions. By changing the location of the locking mechanisms, you can vary the intensity of the pressure. There are 2 pins on a standard window sash - upper, lower and central. How to adjust the eccentrics depends on their shape:

• round ones are adjusted in the direction of dots or dashes. A line with a direction inwards indicates a winter program, outside - summer, upwards - neutral;
• oval - summer direction indicates the location of the dash upward, winter - horizontally, neutral mode - diagonally;
• turnkey eccentrics. If the risk is shifted into the room, the sash is transferred to the winter season, outside - to the summer, in the center - to neutral.

Advice! Use a hex wrench to rotate the pin and select the pressure.

Replacing the rubber seal

Window adjustments are made after a visual inspection and checking for drafts. If the seal is damaged, it can be replaced in parts, but it is better to purchase a solid, dense rubber band.

The part is glued, first applying glue to the places of contact. The PVC sash is closed and left until completely dry.

Using loops

Setting loops for different modes is done in various ways:

• vertically - the lower hinge screw is rotated clockwise to lift it up. To lower the part down, you need to turn the screw counter;
• vertically - use the hinge end screw from below. By turning clockwise, you can tighten the frame to the hinges. To facilitate access to the double-sided screw, open the window;
• intensity of pressing the corner from below. You will need to turn the lower hinge screw located at the bottom;
• corner from above. The sash opens in two positions to provide access to the trunnion of the upper scissors. The handle turns up, the frame tilts, and the eccentric mark is turned towards the block (small clamp);
• counter strips. When loosened, parts are lowered or raised.

Important! Not all double-glazed windows have a bottom screw.

Preparing for setup

Before you can properly adjust durable plastic windows for summer or winter, working on your own, you need to do some preparation. You will need to complete a few simple tasks.

Tools needed

For work, prepare:

• furniture hex keys (diameter 4 mm) with an L or S-shaped bend;
• 3-4 mm Phillips screwdriver with T or TX star attachment;
• round screwdriver;
• screws or screws;
• pliers;
• Sewing machine oiler with oil;
• WD-40 aerosol.

On a note! An S-shaped screwdriver is easier to use.

Preparing the window block and fittings

Adjustment of plastic windows for the winter is carried out independently after preparation:

1. The frame is cleaned of dust or debris.
2. Use a fleece cloth or dry cloth to wipe the fittings.
3. Aerosol lubricant is applied to the active mechanisms.
4. Excess composition is removed with a dry cloth.

Cleaning and lubrication should be done before tuning to prevent debris from accumulating and causing corrosion.

Advice! To distribute the lubricant evenly, the sash must be opened and closed 5-6 times.

Algorithm for switching a window to any mode

To understand how to switch plastic windows to winter mode, you will need to use several systems.

For the winter season

The work instructions are as follows:

1. Opening the sash and fixing it in this position.
2. Pull the recessed pins towards you.
3. Transfer all eccentrics in one step.
4. Use the mark on the element to adjust the intensity of the fit. The marker must be turned toward the street side for standard details.
5. Turn the oval eccentric horizontally, the standard round one - towards the street, the offset round one - with the wide side towards the room. Use a window wrench, a torx screwdriver, or pliers.
6. Check the maximum rotation - in winter the angle should be 180 degrees.

Advice! Use a sheet of paper to check the tightness of the seal.

For the warm season

Window adjustment is also carried out step by step after the preparatory work:

1. Raise the roller on the sash.
2. Use a hexagon to turn the element to the right.
3. Place the roller in place and repeat the process for all parts.
4. Loosen the sash - this allows you to implement the micro-ventilation mode - the standard position of the clamp changes.
5. Unscrew the eccentrics using a hexagon, turning them to the right by 2-3 mm.

Advice! Monitor the tightness of the fit at each stage.

basic settings

Adjusting PVC windows to winter and summer positions also involves working with parts.

Read also: Metal corrosion: causes and methods of rust removal

How to adjust the clamp quality?

If you don’t know how to properly transfer high-quality plastic windows to tight winter conditions, work step by step. You will need to adjust the trunnions:

1. For a round one, use a 4 key, which is inserted into the part. The eccentric can be shifted to the bottom or up.
2. The key is inserted into the element and turned, focusing on the red marker. If it is directed towards the room, you have changed the seasonality.
3. By turning the point towards the street, the doors are weakened.
4. For the summer period, oval pins are turned vertically, parallel to the window structure. In winter, the fittings are turned perpendicularly.

On a note! For oval trunnions, a mounting wrench is suitable.

Alignment of sashes vertically and horizontally

In order for the PVC block to stand level, you will need to set up the awnings yourself:

1. Horizontally set the end adjustments at the top and bottom. The sash is in the open position.
2. The hex key is placed with the short part in the gap.
3. By rotating the tool clockwise, they pull the sash onto the canopy, and counter-clockwise, onto the impost.
4. Vertical adjustment of windows is carried out when the sash touches the frame.
5. The long part of the hex key is inserted into the top of the canopy.
6. The bolt is rotated clockwise to raise it, counterclockwise to lower it.

Important! The maximum step is -2…+2 mm.

Eliminating drafts

To prevent blowing during the cold season, you will need to figure out how to switch the windows to winter mode. In this situation, you can change the level of downforce. The end pins are tightened with a hexagon, turning it 2-6 turns. The density will be checked with a paper sheet.

Loose fittings

If the bolts are not tightened in time, the window structure will become loose, deformed and sag. For work, use a hex wrench.

What to do if the window cannot be opened?

Before changing the settings, you need to make sure the quality of the knob is turned. Most often she “does not walk” when the window is open. You will need:

• Replace the plate near the handle. The lining is pressed and, after being completely pressed against the seal, rotated;
• return the tongue to its original position. To place the element in the direction of the frame, press on it. The protrusion should move towards the seal.

Advice! If all else fails, replace the handle.

Checking the operation of the handle

The adjustment is carried out by correctly installing it in certain positions. The downward direction means closing, to the side - opening, upward - ventilation, between the top and side positions - partial ventilation.

To replace a faulty part you will need:

1. Pull the protective pad up or down.
2. Scroll the element to a horizontal position.
3. Unscrew the perpendicular screws/screws at the top and bottom.
4. Place the new handle in the same position.
5. Reinstall the plate.

Loose bolts are tightened with a screwdriver after removing the cover.

Accessories from popular brands

Brands are supplied complete with fitting systems. How to regulate it depends on the characteristics of the mechanisms of a particular brand:

• Torx - reliable and durable components that can be adjusted with a hex key or slotted screwdriver;
• Maso - large oval eccentrics are moved using pliers or a wrench;
• Roto - locking mechanisms with round heads are only suitable for certain keys.

Advice! Before starting adjustment work, check which manufacturer of double-glazed windows you have.

Adjusting Rehau windows

Products need to be adjusted due to displacement, shrinkage or poor opening of the valves. The work is carried out step by step:

1. All trunnions are found.
2. The tool is selected based on the shape of its tip.
3. The device rotates the eccentric heads by 2-3 mm to the same position.
4. The tightness of the pressure is checked by resisting a pen, a sheet of paper, or a match flame.

Since PVC windows appeared in most houses, the life of their inhabitants has become more comfortable, and winters are much easier to endure. Plastic windows are very durable, reliable and last a long time, but they sometimes require maintenance and repair. To ensure that windows do not let you down in the cold season, conserve heat and protect the house from drafts, a number of preparatory measures should be carried out in advance. Only they can ensure the correct functioning of your window in winter. Photo and video illustrations are presented below.

Cleansing of accumulated dirt, routine care before the season change

• The first thing you need to do when preparing your windows for winter is to wash them well. Double-glazed windows, profiles, window sills, slopes, if they are finished with plastic - nothing should be left unattended. To remove dirt, use non-caustic detergents, soft sponges, and rags. It is necessary to wash not only the inside, but also the outside. After opening the window, you should also clean the drainage channels; a sharp object, such as a toothpick, will do for this. If the window is well cleaned, then in the autumn-winter period the water will not linger in the drains, but will flow freely. The window sashes will be able to move freely without encountering any obstacles along the way.
• You also cannot ignore the moving elements of window fittings. Most of the pollution accumulates in those places where the pressure rollers are located. Because of this, they cannot function smoothly. It is more convenient to remove dust and old grease here using a hard brush.
• After the window is completely cleaned, including hard-to-reach places, begin to lubricate all its mechanisms. For these purposes, imported silicone grease is preferable. It is not only thicker than domestic, but also lasts much longer. If it is too expensive, then from Russian analogues solid oil is quite suitable. Some people think that edible vegetable oils are suitable for these purposes, but this opinion is deeply mistaken. When applied, these oils dry out very quickly and turn into a kind of sandpaper that can damage mechanisms in just a year. When lubricating the rollers, you must constantly turn the handle so that the lubricant has the opportunity to spread evenly over the entire surface of the moving contacting parts.
• The next step is to check the condition of the seals. Caring for them should be approached with the greatest responsibility, because... It is the seals that most determine the “weather in the house.” If extraneous noises begin to penetrate into the room, they begin to sweat and become covered with ice, then this is a sure sign of its damage.

To extend the service life of the seal, it must be cleaned and lubricated periodically. Lubricate it with the same silicone grease or technical petroleum jelly along the entire length to prevent freezing and drying out. If, while inspecting the window before the onset of cold weather, you find that the seal has worn out, then it will have to be replaced. It is quite possible to do this yourself. To do this, purchase a sealant from the construction market, taking into account the shape of the seat, because it varies sometimes. Helping yourself with a flat-head screwdriver, carefully remove the worn material and place a new one in its place. To make your work easier, treat the seat with lubricant. Upon completion of the work on top, generously treat the entire sealant.

How to adjust windows for winter

As cold weather approaches, it becomes necessary to adjust the windows for the winter. It consists in pressing the frame more tightly to the window to eliminate drafts. This is done using a hex key.

Adjustment of the horizontal sides is done along the panels at the top and bottom. To make this possible, the window hinges have slots for a hex key.

To adjust the top panel, the window must be kept open. To lift the edge opposite the hinge, the hex key should be rotated to the right. To lower - to the left.

If your window is located low and you have free access to it from the street side, then adjustments are made without opening the sash. In this way it is possible to move the frame by 2 mm, or eliminate the bevel by the same distance.

The loop located at the bottom makes it possible to adjust the vertical sides. To gain access to the hex hole, you need to remove the safety cap. To raise the window, you need to turn the key to the right; to lower it, you need to turn it to the left. The shift is also 2 mm.

When varying the pressing force horizontally or vertically, we must not forget that the eccentrics responsible for this are located along the entire edging of the frame at equal intervals. When you turn the handle, they each go behind their own clamping area.

To increase the pressing force of the frame, it is necessary for the eccentric to turn to the right, to decrease - to the left. Each eccentric has special marks that allow you to determine the clamping force. Thus, if the mark is turned in the direction of the seal, this means strong pressure, if in the direction of the street, therefore, the pressure is weakened.

Sometimes window eccentrics are designed in such a way that it is possible to turn them with ordinary pliers.

At the locations of the loops there are also devices that regulate the clamping force. It is recognized by the degree of protrusion of the tongue. The longer it is, the tighter the frame is pressed against the window. Its length is changed with a hex wrench.

To extend the tongue, the key must be turned to the left if the hinges are on the left. Therefore, when the hinges are on the right, the key should be turned to the right. It is best to press the frame tighter in winter and looser in summer. But when doing these manipulations before the arrival of winter, it is important not to overdo it, because... If you press the frame too hard, it will cause premature wear of the seal.

When preparing windows for winter, it is also worth adjusting the hinges and pressing them tighter. Remove the special cap from the bottom hinge and turn the perpendicular bolt.

Adjusting the pressing force of the top hinge is only possible if there is a flap. Then it is installed for ventilation, making the hexagon accessible. When performing this operation, the window must be held, because it is fixed with a single hinge.

How to insulate windows in winter

If, after some time has passed after installing PVC windows, they begin to let in drafts and retain heat poorly, then you need to insulate the windows for the winter. But before that, it’s worth thinking about why the depressurization occurred. The most common causes and ways to eliminate them:

• The rubber seal on the window is worn out. Then it should be replaced with a new one.
• The junction of the frame and the slope was depressurized. To eliminate this drawback, you need to remove the slopes, insulate them, and install them back.
• After installing the windows, the walls began to shrink. In this case, it is enough just to adjust the fittings.

It is possible to insulate plastic windows in winter using film. Although this method is quite expensive, it is very effective. Most often, the film is applied from the street side, but sometimes this is also done from the room side. This option is the highest quality. The film is stretched over the entire area of ​​the frame and secured along its edges.

While doing this, you need to simultaneously control the strength and uniformity of tension. If the film is stretched more loosely in one of the areas, then a breakthrough may form in a strong wind. If this has already happened, then seal the torn area with tape so as not to change everything.

When choosing a film for window insulation, you should give preference to frost-resistant. The most suitable material for these purposes is recognized by its yellowish tone. It is best to refrain from going to the market and purchase it at a large hardware store. In order not to disturb the aesthetics of the appearance of the room, it is better to choose a film intended for greenhouses. It is, of course, somewhat more expensive than a regular one, but it can last a very long time due to its resistance to low temperatures.

Attach the film to the edges of the frame with regular tape. Sometimes they use buttons or a construction stapler, but in this case the frame will be damaged.

In addition to film, the use of PVC insulation is quite acceptable. This material is reliable and environmentally friendly, guarantees good thermal insulation. Such insulation is not afraid of low temperatures and does not deform. Their manufacturers guarantee that PVC windows will be reliably protected in winter.

The craze for plastic windows is not accompanied by a corresponding increase in knowledge among owners in servicing window mechanisms. Even such a simple question: is it necessary to adjust plastic windows for the winter, is unexpected for 95% of respondents. And only a few people know that you can adjust plastic windows with your own hands.

In reality, the process is very simple. It is important to know where, why and how to twist. Let's try to understand the instructions together using photo and video materials.

Difference between summer and winter mode

For the first few years after installing plastic windows, customers experience complete euphoria in the winter: warm, cozy, no drafts anywhere. However, over time, in severe cold weather, a barely noticeable flow of cold air begins to be felt near the closed sash. Every year it gets stronger. Immediately there is a desire, like in the good old days, to cover all the cracks with a paper strip. Some people do this out of ignorance.

But window manufacturers foresaw this situation and provided for the adjustment of windows for “winter-summer”, when the force with which the sash and frame are pressed against each other changes. In the first few years after installation, carrying out such work is not only unnecessary, but harmful. Firstly, the sealing rubber perfectly maintains tightness even in a neutral position, and secondly, strong compression of the rubber leads to the fact that its elasticity is lost at negative temperatures.

Over time, the seal wears out and begins to let cold winter air into the apartment. The professionals who install windows do not explain what needs to be done about the appearance of drafts, but offer paid annual maintenance, which most customers refuse, which, by the way, in our opinion, is correct.

It is not necessary to call professionals to adjust plastic windows for the summer (winter). Apartment owners can do the work themselves.

Adjustment Tools

Adjusting plastic windows yourself is impossible without a few simple tools:

• Furniture key No. 4 - always included with a screwdriver. If you don’t have such a tool at home, you can purchase it in stores that sell furniture fittings (costs from 70 rubles);
• Several screwdrivers with a Phillips head (you need crosses of the shape and size TX and T);
• Slotted screwdrivers 4-5 mm wide;
• Pliers or pliers;
• Star-shaped keys are not needed for all types of windows.

Instructions for regulating PVC windows

Window manufacturers, before installing them, carry out a full cycle of work to adjust the locking and clamping mechanisms. However, over time, parts wear out, changing the original settings, which requires adjustments to the operation of window mechanisms.

Preventative work may be required in the following cases:

• difficult movement of the sash when opening or closing - it touches the frame from below or from the side;
• penetration of cold air from the street in winter (drafts);
• the handle does not fix the sash in the “Closed” position - it does not turn;
• loose fittings (most often a handle);
• transition from summer to winter;
• sagging window sash (balcony door).

Sash pressure

Let's start with the simplest thing: adjusting the sash pressure for winter mode. When installing windows, installers use the standard pressing force of the sash against the sealing rubber of the frame. However, in winter, due to a not tightly closed window, cold comes in from the street. You can fix the problem by simply turning the locking pin - the window will close very tightly.

The trunnion is located at the end of the opening sash and has three types (see photo):

• a locking pin that regulates the clamping force - the first one (on the left) in the photo;
• anti-burglary locking pin with adjustable clamping force - middle in the photo;
• locking anti-burglary pin with adjustment for pressure and height - third in the photo.

Attention: carefully inspect the opening doors from the top, bottom and back. In some models, the clamping eccentric may also be there. Also, a number of companies put 2-3 pins per sash. In this case, you need to adjust all the eccentrics at once, otherwise the window will warp.

The window trunnion can occupy three positions:

1. standard, also called neutral, with medium pressure;
2. summer - the pressure is weak;
3. winter - the maximum possible pressure.

You can determine for what period of the year the window is adjusted by the location of the eccentric. If it is an oval, then the vertical position indicates weak pressure (summer mode), at an angle - standard, horizontal - strong pressure (winter version). The round pin has a notch. If she looks outside - the summer version of the clamp, into the apartment - the winter one, upward - the standard.

You can change the position of the eccentric using pliers or a furniture key. Sometimes, to turn a trunnion, you need to pull it towards you.

Pliers will be required for accessories from Maso, where the pins are oval. A wrench can also come in handy here - you can also use it to turn the eccentric. The Torx eccentrics should be moved from one position to another using a hex wrench or a flat-head screwdriver. Roto locking mechanisms must be adjusted using a furniture key.

We emphasize once again: it is necessary to increase the pressing force of the sash to the frame only if the tightness is lost. You can check this in several ways:

• light a match or lighter and bring it to the closed door. Flame deflection indicates a draft. In this case, adjustment for “winter-summer” is mandatory;

• insert a sheet of paper between the frame and the open sash and close the window. If after this the sheet can be easily pulled out, the fit must also be adjusted.

Important: winter-summer adjustment of plastic windows is not carried out on newly installed windows - in winter mode, the new sealing rubber may lose its elasticity due to strong pressure.

With the departure of frost, the clamping force should be weakened. This solves two problems at once:

• the elasticity of the seal is maintained;
• ventilation of the room is ensured through a loosely closed sash.

Preparing for the summer season is easy for any family member:

• select a tool for the trunnion;
• open the window and determine the location of the eccentrics;
• turn all the trunnions counterclockwise (oval - to a vertical position, round - to the "outside" position).

As often happens, when the condition is too advanced, the patient has several diseases at once. Same thing at the window. It may turn out that after adjusting the trunnions, drafts still circulate near the sashes (the result of long-term operation without preventive maintenance).

Then further adjustment of the window mechanisms, or more precisely, the upper and lower hinges, will be required. To complete this, you need to know how to adjust plastic windows yourself for the winter if there is a need to adjust the position of the upper and lower hinges.

Top loop

When a window closes poorly, catches on the frame, or fits unevenly to the seals (skewed), there is always an influx of air from the street. In this case, the hinges are subject to adjustment. Here it is possible to change the position of the sashes in two planes: up and down, left and right, as a result of which they can be perfectly aligned with the frame. By tightening the bolt on the scissors at the tilt-and-turn window, you can tighten the upper corner of the sash to the frame.

For different manufacturers, for example, Rehau and Veka, the appearance of the hinge may be different, as well as the tools used to adjust them. But the principles are the same, as can be clearly seen in Fig. below.

Adjusting the top hinge allows you to move the sash in a horizontal plane - left or right. Such manipulation is necessary if the window sash has sagged and it begins to cling to the impost. The adjusting screw is located in the loop. To access it, the window must be opened at least 90 o (a smaller angle is also allowed, but working in such a situation is extremely inconvenient).

Rotate the adjusting screw carefully so as not to damage the locking mechanism when closing the window. Experts advise closing the shutter after each half-turn of the screw and checking how the bolt bar hooks fit into the strike plate. At the same time, you can see how the sagging corner fits to the frame.

By rotating the key counterclockwise, the lower opposite edge of the sash rises. In this case, it is necessary to monitor the trunnions (hooks) - they can rest against the striker. In order to maintain balance: raise the angle and ensure normal entry of the hooks into the striker, sometimes you have to rearrange the striker (in the language of specialists, the striker).

Accordingly, turning the adjusting screw counterclockwise lowers the lower opposite corner.

Attention: many works erroneously indicate that when the top hinge adjusting screw is rotated clockwise, the sash moves away from the frame. We especially note that it is not the clamping force that is regulated, but the position of the sash in relation to the frame. In this case, the upper corner of the sash in the hinge area does not move away from the frame, but, on the contrary, is attracted to it.

Often, adjusting the top hinge does not produce results - the corner in the hinge area does not adhere tightly to the frame. In this case, it is necessary to adjust the tilt and turn mechanism, and specifically, tighten the bolt on the scissors. To access it, the sash must be opened simultaneously in two planes.

To do this, first open the window in the usual way - turning it. Then, pressing the blocker to the sash, move the handle to the “ventilation” position. After this, the window is loosely covered and tilted back. The sash hangs on the bottom hinge.

On one of the plates there is a bolt with a hex head. By turning it clockwise, the pressing force of the sash profile to the frame increases. Accordingly, by rotating the bolt in the opposite direction, the fit of the corner to the frame is weakened.

Bottom loop

The bottom hinge has two adjustment screws. One of them is responsible for moving the sash horizontally (left-right), like the top hinge - located at the bottom. By tightening this screw, you can raise or lower the upper opposite corner of the sash.

The second type of adjustment (vertical) can be found on top of the hinge - to do this, you need to open the sash to the tilt position and remove the decorative trims. By tightening the screw, the sash can be raised (clockwise) or lowered (in the opposite direction). For example, horizontal adjustment did not allow us to eliminate the touching of the lower corner of the sash from the side of the handle to the frame profile from below. Raising the entire sash solves the problem.

Pen

The handle of a plastic window has only one function - using the hooks on the locking bar, pull the sash to the frame or, vice versa, release the clamps to open the window. Therefore, it does not have any adjustments either for the degree of pressure or for changing the position of the sash in the frame. However, this does not mean that the window handle does not have problems. She can:

• break;
• to become loose;
• jam;
• turn tight.

All of these problems can be easily corrected yourself.

The handle is broken. To replace the handle, simply pull the decorative strip covering the trim towards you and turn it 90 o (see photo). Use a Phillips screwdriver to unscrew the screws and remove the broken handle. The new handle is placed in the same position as the old one. Fastening is done in the reverse order.

She became loose. It’s even simpler here: move the cover and tighten the screws.

Jammed. The most unpleasant situation when the handle does not turn is jamming. This happens due to careless opening of the sash: the position of the handle was changed too sharply, as a result of which the locking mechanism did not work.

A lock is installed on each window to protect the locking mechanism from accidental turning of the handle in the open position - leading to inevitable damage to the fittings. Blockers are installed at the end of the sash, immediately under the handle (there are modifications of the fittings where the blocker is located at the bottom of the sash). They are different for different hardware manufacturers, which is clearly visible in the photo.

You can disable the locking when the sash is open. On Maco fittings, you need to press the locking tongue and move it to the “parallel to the sash” position, then change the position of the handle. For other types of locking mechanisms, it is enough to press the locking latch against the sash and turn the handle.

It's hard to turn. The handle turns tightly if there is no lubrication in the bolt mechanism. The problem is eliminated after performing preventive maintenance of the fittings, during which all metal parts are cleaned of dirt and lubricated (lubrication of PVC windows is discussed in detail in the work: “”).

Attention: if the handle turns tightly in the final part of the “closed” position, you need to adjust the trunnions - the sash is pressed tightly against the frame. Loosening the pressure will weaken the movement of the handle (it will also save the seals from premature wear).

What to do if the window does not close

Often it is not possible to close the window tightly (sometimes it does not close at all, i.e. it is pressed against the frame, but is not fixed with a handle in the closed position) after all the adjustments. Here the reason is the deformation of the sash profile inward or the frame outward (opposite deformation options are possible, but they do not create problems), as a result of which the hooks of the bolt bar (trunnion) simply do not reach the counter bar. There are two ways to fix the problem:

1. align the sash profile;
2. compensate for the bending of the frame profile with a lining under the strike plate.

Deforming towards the glass unit, the sash profile pulls the shutter bar behind it. There is a gap between it and the counter plate that needs to be eliminated. This work is performed step by step in the following sequence:

1. The side bead is removed from the sash (one is enough, on the hinge side). How to remove them correctly and put them in place, see the article: “”;
2. The amount of deformation is determined: a level or any long, even object is applied to the side of the sash and the amount of the gap is measured;
3. A gasket is selected between the sash and the glass unit - its thickness should compensate for the size of the gap;
4. Using a smooth and thin plastic or wooden (not metal) object, the sash profile is carefully pressed from the glass unit just below the installation site of the gasket;
5. A gasket is placed in the resulting gap;
6. The bead returns to its place.

Aligning the frame profile is much more difficult. Therefore, here experts take a different route: they install linings under the strike plate, as a result of which it moves towards the sash. Use plastic 3 mm thick (this is enough). Under the bar you need to cut 2 linings: narrow and wide. To install them, the strikers are removed from the frame and then installed with a gasket. This process can be seen in the video.

Is there a difference with adjusting PVC balcony doors?

The principle of operation of the fittings for a metal-plastic door leading to the balcony is the same as for a PVC window. Therefore, the adjustments are almost identical:

• Horizontal door movement to the right or left is carried out by tightening the adjusting screw located in each loop under the decorative trim. If the door leaf clings to the doorway along its entire length from the handle side, you need to tighten the screw 1-2 turns clockwise in each hinge (top, middle, bottom). If the door at the corner farthest from the hinges catches the threshold, the screws are adjusted at the top and in the middle;
• Vertical adjustment changes the position of the door in relation to the opening in height. To do this, tighten the vertical adjusting screw in the lower loop. Turning the furniture key counterclockwise moves the door down, clockwise moves it up. Unlike the window, you need a “furniture key” with a diameter of 5 mm. After lifting the door two full turns, it is necessary to lift all the strikers on the sides of the door frame (you need a “furniture key” with a diameter of 2.5 mm). After this, you will have to lift the main and additional locking bars;
• Front adjustment is responsible for the force of pressing the door against the door frame. For these purposes, the trunnions are rotated, as in a plastic window. However, there are also differences. In some types of fittings, the clamping force is changed by a strike plate - for this, an adjustable screw with a hexagon head is placed under it (option “A” in the photo “Types of strike plates”).

In order for windows to serve for a long time without losing their characteristics, before the start of the new season they must be:

1. Thoroughly remove dust and dirt and then wash. First, use a toothpick to remove dirt from the drainage channel, and a hard-bristled brush from the fittings. Then the slopes, profiles, double-glazed windows and window sills are washed. The glass unit and profiles are washed from both sides: from the street and indoors. Detergents without abrasive materials and aggressive chemicals (alkali, weak acid solution, etc.) can be dissolved in water. Glass requires special removers. Wipe plastic with a soft sponge, and glass with paper or a rubber scraper;
2. After drying, lubricate the shut-off valves and window seals. The work “” shows where, with what and how PVC windows are lubricated;
3. Adjust the trunnions for the coming season.

The fittings for plastic windows from different manufacturers are almost identical, and therefore the preparation for the start of the season is the same. If any difficulties arise in preventive maintenance or adjustment, you can always look at the manufacturer’s instructions, which describe how to properly handle and adjust their products.

Conclusion

Manufacturers of plastic windows and doors are well aware of the problems that arise during the operation of their products. To solve them, various adjustments are provided in the window fittings.

1. The degree of pressing of the sash to the frame is regulated by trunnions. At the same time, proper care of the fittings at the beginning of each new summer or winter season extends the service life of both the window as a whole and the seals.
2. The horizontal adjustment of the sash, when it sag, is carried out by tightening special screws in the upper and lower hinges.
3. You can raise the sash without changing the position of the corners in relation to the frame using the adjusting screw located inside the lower hinge.
4. Deformation of the sash profile is eliminated by placing a spacer between it and the glass unit. The bending of the frame towards the wall can be compensated by using a spacer under the striker plate.