What to choose plastic windows for the cottage depends on the purpose of the room. For the summer version, you can choose a single-chamber system, and for a year-round functioning room, more heat-saving double-glazed windows will be required. So what to choose and how to install windows in a private house?
Features of country windows
Private housing is always associated with non-standard sizes and parameters. For apartments, most materials are standardized, but there are problems with houses and cottages, since most of them are built according to individual projects. Therefore, when choosing plastic windows in a holiday home, you need to consider some features.
- Firstly, the finished windows that go on sale in most cases will not work here. You will definitely need a call from the measurer, who will take the order for the manufacture of plastic systems specifically for your country house.
- Secondly, country houses are mostly built for summer holidays, which means that, as a rule, there are wide panoramic glazings of the verandas. In addition, mandatory ventilation is required, and for this it is necessary to install opening sashes. Deaf systems are not suitable here.
- Thirdly, the country house is characterized by the arrangement of a residential floor in the attic (attic), where it is necessary to arrange access of light and fresh air. Often these rooms have windows that are non-standard in shape: round or triangular.
And finally, it is important in what seasons of the year the cottage is used. If only in the warm summer time, then you can save money and install single-chamber systems, and for winter holidays you will need to choose and install plastic windows with double-chamber double-glazed windows and energy-saving technologies.
The advantage of plastic windows for giving
If we discard the heat and sound insulating properties of plastic windows, then less thorough maintenance of such systems becomes the main advantage.
The dacha is still a less visited place, and there may not be enough time to paint and restore window frames. Plastic systems, although they require periodic cleaning and lubrication, are less whimsical to care for.
Also, a positive aspect will be the provision of a higher level of security, especially if you choose anti-vandal glass for a plastic window to the cottage. It is difficult to break, and the sash itself is very difficult to open from the street compared to old wooden counterparts.
A wide choice in style of design will also be important. For a certain facade, a stylization of a profile under a tree or any color scheme will be an excellent option. At the same time, we repeat that they will not need to be constantly painted and the protective layer renewed.
Choosing between wooden simple and plastic windows, given these facts, the advantage is definitely on the side of the latter option.
Types of country glazing
A country house is an individual building and each of the projects is different, but still there are several types of structures.
- Standard glazing. These are ordinary windows used to replace old ones or to install in a private house.
- Sliding systems. Most suitable for installing them on verandas and terraces, which in the summer can be opened, and in bad weather left locked.
- Dull windows. Suitable for installation in a house where ventilation is not required or, for example, in small openings on the attic floor.
- Winter garden glazing. Such windows combine several requirements: vertical or inclined glass, as well as a sliding system. When tilted, the glass must necessarily be with a large margin of safety (shockproof).
As you can see, which windows to choose for a country house will depend on the premises and personal preferences. But it is worth considering that wide panoramic double-glazed windows, and even with a sliding system, will cost more than the rest. In addition, such windows will require additional security: bars, shutters or blinds. Otherwise, they become vulnerable to intruders.
Window selection and installation
The acquisition of modern windows is not difficult. The choice of manufacturers is simply huge. However, as with the apartment, there are general requirements for the product. How to choose plastic windows for a house in the country and what to look for when buying?
When buying a plastic window in a country house, be sure to pay attention to the profile of the frame. It should be on a metal frame, and its structure is multi-chamber (not to be confused with the number of cameras in a double-glazed window).
Be sure to pay attention to the quality of accessories (handles, gaskets, hinges). These elements provide reliable and long-term operation.
A double-glazed window is usually made of quartz glass. It is best to opt for shockproof samples. A good option would be a two-chamber system, which has good heat-insulating properties.
The number of cameras in a double-glazed window can be checked by setting fire to a match or a lighter next to it. The number of reflections of the light in the glasses will indicate how many cameras the system has. In a two-chamber double-glazed window there should be three of them, then - in increasing order.
Choosing a plastic window in a country house, you need to evaluate the desired degree of thermal insulation. If the room is used only in the warm season, then this item can reduce the requirements. Also, in the utility rooms and underutilized rooms, opening sashes are not needed and blind packages can be installed.
Having chosen the best option, it is worth contacting the manufacturer. It will be necessary to remove the parameters of the openings. The installation company usually takes measurements free of charge and then provides a cost estimate for manufacturing and installation.
Mounting
Install plastic windows in a country house using the services of the manufacturer. But the installation process itself is quite simple, and with independent work 10-20% of the cost is saved. How to do it in a country house?
Old windows are dismantled. In this case, glass is best removed first. If the frames are not removable, they are sawn and cleaned in parts. If you are installing the system in an old house, you may have to leave a wooden box in order to avoid wall movements.
The openings need to be carefully examined, all fragile areas are cleaned and restored. When installing plastic windows in a prefabricated house or monolithic concrete, cement mortar is usually used. Surfaces are coated with a deep penetration primer and allowed to dry (up to 30 minutes).
Installation of a window for a country house is carried out in two ways. The first - on metal plates, and the second - using self-tapping screws.
On the plates, the installation is carried out as follows:
- The sash is removed from the window, and the frame is put into the opening on the supports to form a lower gap of at least 20 mm.
- The plates are pre-fixed at the ends of the window using press washers or self-tapping screws. The number of plates depends on the size (up to 1 meter high, two left and right are enough).
- When the frame is exposed and the level is verified, the plates are rigidly fixed to the walls of the opening. The mount must be durable. The choice of fasteners depends on the material of the walls: for brick or concrete, you can use dowels, for gas and foam concrete you need to use special "crocodiles", otherwise the fastening will be fragile.
- The window is firmly fixed, all gaps are filled with mounting foam and allowed to dry. After the sash is hung.
The time for normal foam hardening is about 24 hours, only after this period you can begin to finish the slopes.
Installation of windows directly on self-tapping screws is carried out according to a similar algorithm. But the fasteners are carried out directly through the profile. This method allows you to mount a plastic window in the country with thin walls.
Be sure to complete the installation of window slopes after the installation is completed and the foam dries up for full sealing and normal functioning of the window.
Windows that are correctly selected and installed in compliance with the technology will last a long time without any problems.