How to adjust plastic windows for “winter” mode: advice from professionals

Why is adjustment needed?

When installing plastic windows, the technician can set any mode. Experts focus on the season, but it is still recommended to find out information regarding the clamping force, because this affects the degree of wear of the structure.

Window adjustment is a responsible process

Table 1. Adjustment modes for plastic windows.

Position of the mechanism for different types of modes

Of all the possible ones, only the “summer” mode is considered gentle - this means that it does not contribute to tire wear. Therefore, if residents do not experience discomfort, then it can be used all year round - this way it will be possible to extend the service life of the seal.

However, there are reasons why it is recommended to constantly change the seal pressure:

• draft - residents are unlikely to like the appearance of cold air from the window in winter and dust in the summer;
• problems when opening and closing the sash - if the mode is incorrectly set, the sash sometimes jams;
• sagging of the window sash - occurs as a result of wear of the hinges, this problem can be solved by switching to the strong pressure mode;
• loss of warm air - windows are adjusted to save money on heating;
• mold on the window frame and slopes - this problem is associated with excessive dampness due to poor sealing.

Incorrect adjustment may result in mold formation.

There are some rules for using modes:

1. Using a plastic window with strong pressure is only allowed for a short period of time. Most often, the seal is tightened at the end of November, and loosened by March.
2. “Winter” mode is strictly prohibited from being used in summer. Otherwise, this will lead to rapid wear of the rubber and the metal-plastic structure itself, because when heated, all parts expand, which is why the welded joints suffer.

   
   When using the “winter” mode in summer, the structure quickly deforms

3. For the first 12-24 months after installing the windows, it is recommended to constantly use the “summer” mode, because the new seal perfectly protects the room from drafts and other inconveniences.

How to check the tightness of windows?

How to adjust windows

Adjusting windows depending on the season is actually a very simple procedure, and you can do it yourself without spending money on calling a specialist. To do this, on the end of the window you need to find the so-called trunnions - small adjusting elements. They have small marks on them - these can be dashes or dots. When the window is set to medium mode, the mark is located in the middle of the trunnion at the top. If it is turned towards the street, then the window is in summer mode. In winter mode, the mark faces the direction of the room.

Trunnions are also different. For example, oval. In this case, there are often no marks, and when setting, you need to focus on the position of the oval. If it stands vertically, then the window is in summer mode, and horizontally - in winter mode. If the oval is oriented diagonally, then the window is in a neutral position.

Types of trunnions on windows

What do you need to adjust the windows? A little patience and:

• pliers;
• hexagon 4 mm;
• Phillips and flat head screwdrivers.

Moreover, you don’t need all these tools at once. You will need one thing, depending on the type of fittings and window manufacturer. The most commonly used is a hex wrench.

On average, instructions for adjusting windows look about the same. Therefore, we will give as examples instructions for adjusting a window with round eccentrics with an offset center. You can navigate it in any case.

Step 1. First of all, you need to wash the window from dust and dirt and be sure to lubricate all the fittings. Silicone compounds can be used as a lubricant. You should also check all rubber seals for integrity.

Step 2. Next you need to find all the eccentric pins and see what position they are in. This trunnion is in the middle position.

Step 3. Next, you can take the hex key and rotate the trunnions to the desired position. In our case, this is a clockwise turn until the part that is wide relative to the center “looks” towards the room.

Step 4. In this way you need to rotate all the pins around the perimeter of the window.

After this, all that remains is to check whether the window is adjusted correctly. Just open and close it. In theory it should close tightly. But still use a piece of paper as described in the leak test above and make sure that everything is adjusted correctly and the windows begin to close tightly.

Video - Do-it-yourself adjustment of PVC windows

As we can see, it is quite possible to handle window adjustment yourself without calling a specialist. There is nothing complicated about this procedure. The main thing is to figure out what eccentrics your windows have and find where they are all located. And switching windows to winter mode is an excellent option to save on heating in the house, because heat simply cannot leave the room through the cracks in the windows. This means that you will need to heat the house less.

Adjusting plastic windows for winter mode

Switching windows from one mode to another is simple, but you will have to pay attention to each stage. Some people are completely afraid to perform this procedure, so they use the services of a company that installs windows. If there is a lot of pressure, the rubber quickly becomes unusable, and you can unknowingly ruin an expensive double-glazed window. But if you approach the process thoughtfully, there will be no problems.

Adjusting trunnions on metal-plastic windows: step-by-step instructions

Step one: first you need to find where the trunnions are located. Usually their number depends on the dimensions of the structure. However, most often there are three of them on one side (where the handle is located) and one on the other side.

In case of mode change, each trunnion must be adjusted

Step two: Next, you need to pay attention to cleaning the window and fittings so that dirt does not get into the trunnions.

The window must be clean

Step three: now you need to wipe the lubricant elements with a cloth, and then apply it to the surface

Machine oil can be used for lubrication

Step four: now you should examine the condition of the trunnions, find marks on them and turn them to the desired position.

For such purposes, use a hexagon or pliers.

Step five: upon completion of installation, you need to check the tightness again using a paper sheet, as we described above.

Even with increased impact, the paper sheet must remain between the frame and the sash

Note! Some companies make windows with recessed trunnions, so you will need to pull them out with the same pliers before making adjustments. Otherwise, this procedure resembles changing a clock.

If necessary, you can loosen the eccentrics in the same way, which means switching the windows to summer or standard mode. It is enough to do this procedure several times, and you will definitely not confuse the modes.

Prices for plastic windows

Plastic windows

Video – Adjusting windows by mode

How to prepare windows for winter?

To avoid drafts during the cold season, it is necessary to check the operation of all systems and adjust the shutters. Switching to winter operating mode involves sealing the valves, but the procedure is carried out only 1-2 years after installation. If you immediately set the window to a strong operating mode, the rubber will quickly become unusable, so when the next winter arrives, it will no longer be possible to seal the sashes.

If even after replacing the seal it blows from the window as usual, the window may have sagged. This happens when the house shrinks; you have to choose a different window adjustment mode with preliminary alignment of the entire window panel. It is better to entrust the work to specialists.

Leak test

To identify problem areas, it is recommended to do the following:

• run your hand along the frame to feel the penetration of cold air;
• turn on the lighter and see where exactly it is blowing from - the flame in this place will deviate from the vertical;
• close the sash with a sheet of paper - if the sheet is pulled out, the sash does not fit with the required tightness.

Let's look at how to adjust plastic windows for the winter:

1. Open the sash and inspect its end. There are one or more cylindrical heads - trunnions.
2. There are stripes on the trunnions. If they look towards the room, the window is set to winter operating mode, that is, sealed to the required level. If the stripes face “outside”, the window is switched to summer mode.
3. To change the position of the marks on the trunnion, you need to turn them with a hex key, a screwdriver or your hands.
4. When turned to the left, the seal increases, and when turned to the right, it weakens. You need to turn it by millimeters, and the correct position will be shown by the marks (stripes) on the head of the trunnion.

Sometimes the problem arises of how to adjust plastic windows for the winter if there are roller eccentrics without stripes. To turn the elements, you need to press the trunnions a little to make them turn. The “winter” and “summer” positions of eccentrics without stripes or with one strip are determined by the distance from the edge of the element to the sealing rubber or metal lining - the maximum distance indicates the “summer” position, the minimum - “winter”. Turning is done with your fingers or pliers.

Window anti-freeze agent

To eliminate frozen condensation on the balcony or windows in the house, special anti-icing compounds are useful. Such products are used both to prevent the formation of ice and to defrost window glass.

There are two compositions on sale that have proven themselves:

1. Defroster. This is an aerosol that needs to be used to treat glass for 1-2 seconds, applying the mixture at a distance of 10-15 cm from the glass. When windows freeze, the product is sprayed for 2-3 seconds. After a few minutes, the ice will begin to melt, the glass should be wiped dry and then treated again with Anti-Ice to prevent freezing.
2. LILO. A safe remedy for freezing glass on balconies and loggias. It copes with a thick layer of ice; it is a concentrate that needs to be diluted with water 10 times the volume, that is, take 10 parts of water for 1 part LILO. Treat the glass with the composition using a cotton swab or a clean cloth. If the ice is very thick, the layer of frost is treated with the composition in the same proportion, after a while the ice will come off, the glass can be dried, and then treated again with LILO anti-freeze.

Alternative ways to adjust windows

There are cases when, after switching to the “winter” mode, drafts are still observed. Most often this happens when some parts of the sash are distorted. A similar problem occurs over time when the glass unit wears out.

Adjusting the window sash according to planes

To set the correct position for the sash, you need to find the locations of the adjustment screws.

Tools you will need are a hex wrench and a flat-head screwdriver. Just first you need to remove the caps that are located on top of the hinges - it is better to do this at a time when the sash is slightly open.

The hinge caps look like this:

Table 3. Alternative methods for adjusting plastic windows.

You should not make many turns at once, because you need to constantly monitor the position of the sash so as not to overtighten or loosen. Experts do not recommend using such adjustment methods for users who have no experience in this area - without calculating the force, you can easily damage the window design. Upon completion of this process, it is necessary to ensure that the sash does not cling to the plastic frame.

How to determine whether a window can be switched to seasonal mode

Often, when purchasing and installing a PVC window, the consumer is not informed whether a transfer between seasonal operating modes is available for his model. However, it is easy to understand without outside help.

You need to carefully examine the appearance of the trunnion - the fitting element, or rather, its markings.

Structurally, the axle is presented in the form of a small device that regulates the intensity of pressing the window sash against the fixed frame. It is located on the side ends of the valves.

There should be special recesses on its body intended for a key - a standard flat-head, hex or Phillips screwdriver. If so, then adjustment is possible.

About markings: the eccentric must contain symbols in the form of dashes, dots or asterisks. Another sign of the window's support for switching between seasonal modes is the oval shape of the eccentric.

The handle does not turn to the desired position: repair features

This problem occurs for the following reasons:

1. After long-term use, the structure needs to be cleaned and lubricated, so it must be disassembled into small parts, remove dirt, and then lubricate it with oil and a thin brush.
2. If the handle turns only up to a certain point and then jams, you should slightly loosen the sash clamp. In this case, the trunnions that are located nearby are rotated. There are hinges on the other side; it is also recommended to adjust the bolts in them.

Cleaning dirt and lubricating Maco window fittings

Start insulating your windows for the winter by inspecting the Maco window fittings. Remove dirt, especially from the top of the window sash. All folds must be cleaned of deposits and dirt, especially cement and plaster residues. Direct exposure of the fittings to moisture and contact with cleaning agents should be avoided. Then lubricate the window hardware with Maco. The lubrication points for the Maco window are marked with special markings. How to lubricate a Maco window? The most common ones are WD-40, machine oil, grease. Do not under any circumstances lubricate with sunflower oil or olive oil or anything else! Edible oils dry quickly into a sticky substance that will break the Maco window mechanism. After this, rotate the fittings in different modes several times to distribute the lubricant. Wipe off excess oil from Maco window.

The handle is blocked: adjustment method

Some users, when the handle is blocked, rush to replace it with a new one, but this is not always necessary. In this case, you don’t even need to unscrew it and disassemble it into parts, because the problem is related to the locking device, which prevents the sash from changing its position when open. You just need to turn the lever to the side.

Schematic representation of the locking device

There are two ways to fix this problem. So, in the first case, the lever is located at an angle to the rubber (in the form of a tongue). In the second case, it looks like a clamp that is located above the seal.

Interface system, rebate, overlap, rebate play

Each fitting is created by the manufacturer for a specific mating system, which includes the dimensions of the gap, the width of the sash overlap and the distance to the axis of the fitting groove. In our windows we use the 12/20-9 mating system, where 12 mm is the gap, 20 mm is the width of the sash overlap, 9 mm is the distance to the axis of the fitting groove.

As can be seen from the figure, in the field of production of windows, balcony and entrance doors, the term “leaf size”, unlike interior doors, is not used, since the “leaf” has different sizes. The most commonly used size of the sash is the rebate. It is from the lower rebate of the sash that, say, the height of the axis of the window handle is measured.

The clearance contains fittings, and the reliability and duration of its operation depend on the accuracy of the clearance size. Therefore, if you have problems with closing or opening the sashes, you should first of all check the gap in both the height and width of the window. To do this, the dimensions along the rebate of the sash and window frame are measured, then the size along the rebate of the sash is subtracted from the size along the frame rebate. For a 12/20-9 mating system with a clearance of 12 mm, the difference should be 24 mm in both height and width.

The window sash is locked and the seals are pressed using pins and strikers. Trunnions are installed on the sash, and strikers are installed on the window frame. When the window handle is turned to the “Open” position (the handle is installed horizontally), the trunnions move down and come out of the strikers, which allows you to open the sash. When the handle is moved to the “Closed” position (the handle is vertically down), the trunnions rise up, enter the strikers and lock the window, pressing the seals.

In the “Tilted” and “Micro-slot ventilation” positions (if the window is equipped with it), the trunnions also come out of the counter strips, but in this case the scissors are released (installed on the upper hinge) and the folding support trunnion (installed below on the side of the handle) engages. At the same time, the sash rotates on a folding support and a lower hinge, and the scissors hold its upper edge. If the clearance is too reduced, the trunnions cling to the base of the strikers; if the clearance is too large, it will be impossible to lock the window (the trunnions do not reach the strikers).

Next, we will consider several typical cases of hardware malfunction and ways to eliminate them.

More on the topic How to repair plastic window fittings

Handle breakage

If the handle is broken, then it will no longer be possible to return it to its previous appearance - all that remains is to purchase a new one. It is not difficult to dismantle the previous one, just unscrew the screws and pull it towards you. Next, all that remains is to attach the new handle.

Window fittings are available for sale in various hardware stores.

Prices for various types of handles for plastic windows

Handle for plastic window

Kinds

Maco fittings are quite diverse, among which there are examples for both PVC windows and wooden options. Each copy is manufactured on modern equipment using the most advanced technologies, thanks to which the products have positively proven themselves in the world market and do not lose their relevance for many years. All models differ from each other in level of functionality, type of equipment, external indicators and cost.

The model range includes the following types:

• Multi is designed for tilt-and-turn windows and includes a frame system. The assortment includes products both with and without a child safety system;
• Rail-systems are used in sliding structures made of different materials;

• Espags are used on windows with external opening;
• Protect is designed for plastic structures equipped with locks and locking mechanisms;
• Emotion are modern handles of various types, among which there are examples with a special button or key that perform the functions of closing and opening.

Maco window fittings with corrosion protection deserve special attention, as well as models with the ability to pass cable sensors through them, while ensuring complete tightness.

Each type has individual features and equipment that should definitely be taken into account during the selection process. After all, the right fittings can ensure the full functionality of any window structure and create the necessary level of comfort in a particular room.

That is why manufacturers advise purchasing only the option that will fully match the type of window and become a harmonious addition to it.

Difficulties in adjustment

There are some mistakes that users often make when switching to “winter” mode:

1. It is not recommended to move a completely new double-glazed window into this position, because with strong compression the rubber can be irrevocably deformed.
2. The compression of the seal should be the same on each side, so this should be checked with the same sheet of paper - this is a common cause of rubber damage.

The problem with the window is not always related to the wrong mode

Sometimes, even with correct window adjustments, the following problems arise:

• drafts;
• condensation accumulation;
• hypothermia of the room.

Such troubles are preceded by reasons:

1. Factory design defect. This happens in exceptional cases, especially when ordering windows from suspicious companies.
2. Installation errors. Window installation should only be trusted by a qualified craftsman, because you will need to maintain the correct gaps, carefully connect all the elements, and also use polyurethane foam.
3. Lack of slope finishing. After installing the windows, finishing of the slopes will be required - the mounting foam loses strength when exposed to moist air or sunlight.
4. The seal has become unusable. Even if this is a relatively new window, the rubber may lose its elasticity within a couple of seasons (if used improperly).

If a manufacturing defect is detected, you should contact the company’s specialists to receive compensation.

How to extend the service life of window fittings: manufacturer's advice

In order for the sashes to open easily and the moving parts to last the entire required period, you must follow a few simple rules:

• do not leave windows open in strong gusts of wind or in drafts;
• do not let it hang over the balcony door;
• when switching the sash to another ventilation mode, you must first press the door tightly against the frame, and then smoothly move the handle;
• Clean and lubricate the entire mechanism at least once a year;
• Carry out timely adjustment and maintenance of the entire system.

Features of restoration and replacement of seals (rubber bands)

Unfortunately, over time, all elements of a plastic window fail, and in particular the elastic polymer seals. The cause of this problem is pollution, dampness, and lack of regular lubrication.

If the elastic bands are no more than four to five years old, then you can try to revive them. To do this, you will need to dismantle the seals, then take a few rags and thoroughly soap them. Products are wrapped in these rags and left in this form for several hours. Sometimes such an experiment allows one to achieve stunning results, so it is allowed to be carried out for the purpose of “prevention”.

The need to replace sealing strips arises in the following cases:

• loss of color;
• the appearance of “bumps” on the surface;
• multiple cracks.

A seal with multiple damages cannot be repaired.

In this case, all that remains is to purchase a new seal - usually its thickness is from 3 to 6.5 millimeters. Most often, manufacturers guarantee a service life of up to 10 years, but in practice the rubber dries out much earlier.

Note! A high-quality seal should not become an obstacle to the circulation of oxygen, so you need to look at its composition - it must be breathable.

Prices for seals for plastic windows

Sealant for plastic windows

Video - Replacing the seal

Let's sum it up

Every person can cope with adjusting plastic windows according to the season, because this process is not difficult. Moreover, you will only need a minimum set of devices, which can be found in the arsenal of any master.

Otherwise, changing modes is a mandatory procedure that will avoid overcooling the room and rapid wear of the seal. It is recommended to use the window carefully - avoid twisting the handles and overloading the sashes.

To remove glazing beads from a plastic window, no special skills are required; in a special article you will learn simple methods for dismantling and installing glazing beads, and you can also read step-by-step instructions.

Preparation of double-glazed windows

When the autumn cold sets in, it’s worth thinking about the fact that it’s time to change the seasonal regime of plastic windows in your home. Before installing winter mode, you need to carefully prepare for the process:

1. Remove lubricant from the locking mechanism. This measure will help prevent any contaminants from getting inside. After all the work is completed, the mechanism will have to be lubricated again.
2. Find all eccentrics. The larger the frame, the more there are. If a standard window design is used, there should be three of them.
3. If a mosquito net is installed on the window, you need to remove it, try to remove all the dirt on it, and then put it in some safe place for long-term storage until the heat returns again, and with it the annoying insects.