Window fittings for plastic windows are designed to maintain the required temperature in the room and ensure forced air circulation. A complete set of high-quality parts ensures reliable fixation of the transom to the base over the entire contact surface, eliminating the occurrence of drafts.
Accessories for plastic windows provides the following functions and properties:
- closing-opening (both in horizontal and vertical plane);
- tight clip of the sash to the base;
- the ability to ventilate the room without opening the window by loosening the sash fixation to the base;
- preventing third parties from entering the apartment from the outside;
- prevention of spontaneous opening of a window;
- preventing children from trying to open the window without permission.
When ordering a fastener system for plastic windows on your own, you should be guided in what kind of hardware is. Usually it is produced in the form of separate parts, connected to each other in a certain way into modules for various purposes.
Types of hardware modules:
- modules designed to connect the base and the sash (hinges, awnings);
- locking modules securing the sash at the base;
- rotary mechanism module;
- handle that adjusts the position of the locking modules;
- decorative parts and additional details.
You should always start to complete with new elements by choosing the profile of the accessories for the double-glazed window for PVC windows.
Hardware classification
To classify fasteners in window systems, the following parameters are used:
- a method of opening a transom;
- type of sash;
- transom opening vector;
- sash mass;
- material of fasteners.
There are three PVC windows type of leaf opening:
- Along the vertical axis. For this method, rotary fittings are used.
- On a vertical axis with the possibility of upper folding the window inwards at a certain distance. In this case, swing-out elements are used.
- On the horizontal axis with an opening of 180 degrees. To adjust the sash, a fanlight locking mechanism is used, which, in turn, can be made with a central lock, a lever mechanism and an electric drive.
Fittings are also selected according to casement typewhich are: rectangular, triangular, round, trapezoidal, arched and individual configuration.
By opening vector fittings are divided into right and left.
An important factor for acquiring reliable hardware is the weight of the window. The main load is assumed by loops that are able to work with a load of 80 to 160 kg. By load bearing capacity, accessories are divided into the following types:
- for light valves, weighing up to 20 kg;
- for sashes of average weight up to 40 kg;
- for heavy flaps up to 65 kg;
- for superheavy shutters weighing more than 65 kg.
For the manufacture of accessories for PVC windows use the following materials:
- steel;
- aluminum;
- brass;
- plastic;
- combination of materials.
Window Hardware Details
To independently understand all the nuances and varieties of the elements of the locking system of PVC windows, you need to study the list of main details:
- The central element of the window locking system is the handle. Basically, handles are available as a standard product, allowing you to adjust the sash vertically and horizontally. There are removable handles that are recommended for use in homes where young children live, and in this case, you can use handles with a lock.In addition, there are handles with a lock, but, as practice shows, they can not always serve as reliable protection against restless babies;
- Corner strips are designed to transmit movement from the handle to the locking elements through the corners (mounted in special grooves in the profile);
- The locking strips are made in the form of a guide with locks securing the transom at the base;
- To fold the sash in the vertical direction, scissors are used, which are an element of two parts, one of which is fixed on the base, and the second is movable;
- To hold the transom on the base and ensure a smooth opening and closing of the window, use loops. They are divided into consignment notes, mortise and screw. Anti-burglar loops are also used, which cannot be dismantled when the transom is fixed in the base;
- To enhance the fixation of the sash during vertical opening, auxiliary scissors are used, which duplicate the work of the main products;
- To ensure the process of folding the transom, an auxiliary angle bar is used;
- The reciprocal level is responsible for the fixing moment of the basis and shutter;
- Using the trunnion, you can change the degree of fixation of the base and transom;
- Decorative elements are used to mask the main details.
How to choose the right
Determining on your own which hardware is best for plastic windows is not difficult. When studying suitable products, the following rules should be followed:
- At the first stage, you need to decide how the window will open, because the choice of appropriate right or left awnings depends on it. It is also important to consider what functions will be required when changing the transom position, whether anti-burglary hardware is required for a plastic window;
- The second step is to measure the perimeter of the sash in order to further choose the fittings of the appropriate size;
- When replacing accessories on plastic windows, when the owner does the work himself, it is better to give preference to well-known brands that provide reliability and a long warranty;
- Accessories for plastic windows and doors are made only of metal, because plastic parts are short-lived and quickly lose consumer properties;
- Cheap analogues are usually distinguished by insufficient surface treatment, and therefore, when studying samples, it is recommended to check the surface of the products for smoothness, the absence of burrs and dents;
- Reliable companies, in the manufacture of accessories, must provide for at least two technological holes for installing the part.
Popular manufacturers
Hundreds of companies make fittings, but most installation masters recommend purchasing products from top European companies. The ranking of the best manufacturers is headed by the German plants Roto, Siegenia, Winkhaus and the Austrian company Maco. It makes no sense to compare Chinese counterparts with original products of well-known brands - the quality of Asian manufacturers has not reached the leaders yet.
The products of these companies have individual characteristics:
- Firm Roto provides reliability of own products with a ten-year warranty. Accessories manufactured at Roto's factories are characterized by a wide variety and perfect compatibility between individual elements. The products of this plant are considered the most affordable among the leaders.
- Austrian Maco specializes in the supply of countersunk fittings, which are designed for installation inside the sashes and frames. In addition, Maco manufactures anti-burglary designs that provide from six degrees of protection against unauthorized actions of third parties. Maco products are among the most expensive, so the use of this hardware for installation on standard windows is impractical.
- Company SiegeniaIn addition to universal products intended for the assembly of windows from any material (metal, plastic, wood), I am ready to produce custom-made fittings for openings of a non-standard size and configuration. The products of this company are in demand in individual houses, country cottages and even castles, but it should be remembered that replacing old furniture in a regular window with a new one from Siegenia can be very expensive. Comparing prices with other manufacturers will not be in favor of an individual approach.
- Factory Winkhaus Patented original roller locking system for windows. The presence of Winkhaus accessories allows you to adjust the position of the transom and completely close the window smoothly, without much effort and jerking.
In addition to these manufacturers, companies from Turkey, Slovakia, Russia and Poland are present on the fastener market, but there is no reliable information about the quality of the products of these plants, due to the short life of the installed locking systems.
Installation and adjustment of fittings
Before proceeding with the independent assembly of fittings on the sash and base, you need to acquire the necessary tool. For installation you will need:
- Screwdriver.
- Special furniture key.
- Pliers.
Changing individual elements or the entire system is not difficult, the main condition is to follow the sequence of actions, adhering to the assembly diagram.
Accessories for PVC windows are installed in the following order:
- The transom is removed from the frame.
- All fasteners are dismantled (to make it easier to change accessories, it is recommended to take several photos of the assembled mechanism).
- New mechanisms are laid out in such a way that the location of the parts matches the installation pattern.
- The first are the corner strips.
- At the next stage, lock strips are installed.
- Fix both types of scissors.
- Loops are placed on the base and transom.
- The transom is installed in its place in the frame.
- Perform mounting strips.
- Fasten the handle and all additional parts.
- By changing the position of the adjusting screws, the clamping mechanism is adjusted.
- All metal parts are treated with special grease.
- Mount decorative linings.
The acquisition of products from reliable manufacturers will allow you to independently assemble the locking mechanism of the window system without problems and with high quality.