When will a plastic window replacement be justified?

Replacing old wooden windows with metal—plastic ones is an ordinary situation that does not surprise anyone. The reasons for such a replacement are obvious: the need for maximum thermal insulation, sound insulation and tightness, as well as requirements for the appearance of windows. It is possible to solve these problems in a complex by installing modern metal-plastic products.

But sometimes there is a need to replace previously installed PVC profile windows with new plastic windows. When it is necessary to do this, and when it is possible to do without replacement — we will understand below.

What to consider when making a decision?

For a standard metal—plastic window, the warranty period ranges from 10 to 15 years - depending on the manufacturer and on the configuration. But it is not worth making a decision about replacing structures based on the warranty period, because this is an average value. It is quite possible that a well-made and properly installed window will last more than 30 years without replacement with minimal maintenance. The reverse option is also possible — replacement will be required before the expiration of the warranty period.

There are 2 reasons for replacing a plastic window with a new design:

• The characteristics of the window do not correspond to the required values (this applies primarily to energy saving).
• The window is out of order and cannot perform its functions.

In order for the decision to be made on the basis of accurate data, it is worth:

• Contact a window maintenance specialist for diagnostics. A simple inspection of the window makes it possible to determine if there are fatal malfunctions and whether they can be eliminated without loss of functionality.
• Examine the configuration of the window. After analyzing which profile, double-glazed windows and fittings were used, you can understand whether the characteristics of the window meet your needs.

The help of a specialist will be useful — but sometimes you can do without it. Below we will analyze the most common situations and provide recommendations for such cases.

Replacement of individual plastic window components

The costs of a complete replacement of a plastic window can be very large (in addition to the cost of the construction itself, the costs will relate to delivery, dismantling of the old window, installation and restoration of the finish). That is why it is worth analyzing the possibility of partial replacement — if the situation allows it.

When is it possible to change not the whole window, but only part of it?

• If the double-glazed window is broken. Depressurization, even as a result of a small crack, is 100% the reason for replacing the double—glazed window. At the same time, the window itself does not need to be changed — the old double-glazed window is removed, a new one is installed in its place.
• If you need a double-glazed window with better characteristics and additional functions. About 10 years ago, manufacturers of metal-plastic windows massively installed double-glazed windows in residential premises without energy saving. Today, standards are observed more strictly, and the energy efficiency requirements of property owners have increased. Therefore, the replacement will be quite justified.

Pay attention! In the described situations, you can install a thicker double—glazed window (for example, a two-chamber instead of a single-chamber one) - of course, if the design of the profile itself allows. The cost of replacing the beads will be small, and will quickly pay off due to better thermal insulation performance.

• Hardware breakdown. You can replace both individual elements (hinges, scissors, angular transmission) and the hardware binding of the sash as a whole. This task is quite time—consuming - but an experienced PVC window repairman will cope with it.

Special attention should be paid to such an operation as re-installation. As a rule, it is practiced if the window was installed using a simplified technology (only on foam), and not according to the DSTU standard. Dismantling of the structure and its re-installation with the choice of the optimal mounting location and the use of vapor-permeable / vapor-insulating tapes makes it possible to solve most of the problems with thermal insulation and condensation formation.

Complete replacement of PVC construction

It is not always possible to limit yourself to replacing window components. Sometimes the dismantling of an old window with the subsequent installation of a new design is still necessary. Here are some typical situations:

• The profile is damaged. If the sash can be replaced, then damage to the frame (crack, severe deformation) is an unambiguous indication for replacing the structure. The reasons for the damage may be different, from poor—quality installation to hacking attempts - but the window will have to be changed.
• You need to change the configuration of the window. Previously, there was a deaf one — you need an opening one. Previously, there was a construction with an impost — now we need a single opening of the shtulpov window. Often the only way out is to replace the entire structure. But not always — it is here that the advice of an experienced repair specialist will not hurt.
• It is necessary to change the appearance of the window, replacing the white construction with a laminated one. High—quality lamination of an already installed window is practically impossible - any attempts to decorate the window with self-adhesive film lead to a deplorable result. Therefore, if the design is very important, you need to plan a replacement.

And two more common situations in which replacing the window would be a reasonable solution:

• Renovation in a new building. Construction companies can ignore the requirements of the DSTU and put the cheapest metal-plastic windows on objects. If a new building has a structure based on a three- or four—chamber profile with a single-chamber double-glazed window without energy saving, it needs to be changed immediately. Replacement will still have to be carried out — but in a few years it will need to be dismantled for this.
• Renovation in a room with old windows. If the window was installed about 15 years ago, then with a 90% probability it does not even meet the standards of the DSTU. While the window market of Ukraine was only developing — windows were installed in residential premises without regard to thermal engineering standards. Today, it is not worth continuing to operate these windows — heat losses will be significant, so replacement will be the optimal solution.

As you can see, it will not be possible to unequivocally answer the question of whether it is necessary to change the old plastic window with a new one. Each situation is analyzed separately — and when making a decision, the owner of the premises must take into account a whole range of factors. But sometimes it is really worth dismantling and installing a modern metal—plastic window - even if there is not an old joiner, but a PVC profile structure.

You can order a high-quality professional installation of metal-plastic windows by following the link