Plastic windows have been able to win the hearts of millions of customers worldwide. However, they can be attributed to budget decisions only with a stretch. More affordable option will be wooden window frames. Special machines will cope with the production of frames faster, but if it comes to the desire to create something with your own hands, then this material is sure to come in handy. In addition, wooden windows with double-glazed windows will be the best option for a country house or cottage, where the requirements for the external gloss are much lower. So how to make a window with your own hands?
Design features
It is unlikely that even a professional can make a window that is not inferior in quality to products on sale. The reason is simple: the design of the wooden window should be as accurate as possible, including the frame and binding - a deviation of several millimeters threatens considerable problems with thermal insulation. Despite this, many are quite capable of creating a simpler design.
Wooden windows, which are produced today in factories, are almost identical to plastic ones with one exception - the material used. They differ in a rather complicated design, due to the possibility of opening the valves in two planes. If the manufacture of the frame is done on its own, then it is better to simplify the design by replacing all engineering refinements with a regular rectangle of bars.
The manufacturing process of the frame is carried out in several stages:
- profile selection, procurement of materials;
- frame manufacturing;
- installation and glazing of the window block.
Choose a profile
First of all, you should find out if you plan to use ordinary flat glass or double-glazed windows in future wooden frames. Each option has its advantages: in the first case, it is low cost and the possibility of independent cutting, in the second - less thermal conductivity.
One of the features of double-glazed windows is a special inert gas, which the manufacturer pumps between individual sheets. Over time, its concentration may decrease. Do not be scared in advance - heat loss through the window, if they increase, then minimally, noticeably this will practically not happen.
There is also a special hybrid option - the so-called Finnish Euro-window (or Scandinavian). It includes sheet glass and 2 or 3-chamber double-glazed windows. Such an approach will achieve high thermal insulation.
The most simple and at the same time reliable and popular solution among the people today is the option with a pair of glasses, between which there is an air layer with a width of 2 cm or more. Another option is to make wooden windows with your own hands with single glazing and a double frame.
Material selection
Most often, pine is used to make a wooden frame.. It is a practical, easy to process and inexpensive material. Oak can also be used as an alternative, but for the first experiments it will be too costly.
Whatever material was chosen, the timber should be thoroughly dried, there should be no flaws on its surface: knots, cracks or other damage - it is impossible to make windows from low-quality material.
Frame manufacturing
The main nuance of manufacturing wooden frames is the preservation of shape and geometry during assembly - pre-prepared drawings will help. The beam for work is selected based on the planned thickness of the glass. The minimum section size is 60x40 mm. To create grooves, an electric plane or a milling cutter is used. Experts recommend that beginners, before starting work, practice small pieces - make a vertical or horizontal cut.
Before starting work, all measurements should be carefully performed. If there is such an opportunity, it is better to delegate this work to professionals - a deviation in a millimeter can lead to undesirable consequences, making a wooden window in this case will not work. The ends are filed at an angle of 45 degrees.
Assembling the elements of a wooden double-glazed window with your own hands is done on carpentry glue. To give extra strength at the corners, holes are made into which the wooden rods are inserted, also coated with glue. For additional reinforcement on the connecting elements, the groove in which the key is installed is knocked out with a milling cutter. As a result, the design should become motionless so that the self-made binding is almost monolithic.
Alternatively, you can use the thorn-groove connection. However, working with it can be much more time-consuming, since it requires very great accuracy. Therefore, most often in the manufacture of wooden windows, the above option is used. After that, the manufacture of the window proceeds to the final stage.
Frame mounting
Do-it-yourself wood frame installation is done in a pre-prepared hole in the wall. The opening should first be prepared: level it, remove all dirt and construction debris. Holes for dowels are prepared in the walls in increments of up to 80 cm. The box is fastened with self-tapping screws, subsequently, the slots are sealed with mounting foam or other heat-insulating materials.
In the process, it is very important to observe the geometry of windows made of wood: angles of 90 degrees, deviation in evenness not more than 1 mm per 1 m, diagonal difference up to 10 mm.
Glazing
This is followed by the placement of double-glazed windows in wooden frames. The main nuance is the exact choice of sizes, because the device of the wooden window does not tolerate deviations. Deviation in a millimeter will create the so-called cold bridges, which lead to extremely negative consequences. Also, safety precautions should not be neglected - gloves and glasses should be worn to protect hands and eyes.
For cutting, according to tradition, a diamond glass cutter is used, polishing is done with sandpaper with fine grain. The technique itself is simple - we measure the desired size, apply a ruler along a straight line and draw a glass cutter along it. After trimming, check whether the glass is suitable and, if so, it remains only to install it in the frame, not forgetting about the sealant. Glass is fastened in the frame with a glazing bead - when making wooden windows with a double-glazed window, you should take care of it in advance.
Windowsill
One of the stages of installing wooden windows with double-glazed windows is to work with the windowsill. The material for him can be anything.
Window sill installation is carried out in the following sequence:
- From the purchased window sill should cut the desired shape.
- The window sill should be partially brought under the frame, in the lower part the fixation is carried out using wedges made of wood.
- The empty space below is filled with foam. Subsequently, the protruding surplus is removed with a knife.
Painting
To paint wooden windows with your own hands is not particularly difficult. However, you must remember the following nuances:
- If this was not done before assembly, the binding ready for painting should be treated with an antiseptic. Particular attention should be paid to the ends, since it is through them that the pest most often penetrates the tree.
- Before painting, the surface must be primed. This is done for two purposes at once: firstly, the primer will help reduce paint consumption, and secondly, it will play the role of an antiseptic, increasing the window's lifespan.
- It is recommended to paint with a brush, a procedure is carried out in several layers.
- For the outside, it is recommended to use a special paint for outdoor work, but from the indoor side you can use any.
On this, the manufacture of a wooden frame for windows can be considered complete.
Summary
As you can see, making a wooden window with your own hands is quite realistic. Of course, in quality it will be inferior to factory models, but the price difference is very significant. In order to cope with everything on your own, you will need to not only thoroughly study the technology, but also stock up with suitable material and tools. If everything is done correctly, the result will surely please you and loved ones with both beauty and warmth, which wooden double-glazed windows and binding will help to keep in the house.