Hello readers! Haven't blogged in a while. The season of installing and adjusting windows before winter has begun. Everyone wants to warm up.

So, many customers are interested in how we fix plastic windows. I will say right away that there is no single fastening.

It all depends on the location of the window. Therefore, we can use anchors or plates. In general, I got tired of answering the same questions and I decided to put them in one article, a link to which will be given to all my new clients.

I hope you find this information useful too. Read, meet.

The choice of fasteners for windows primarily depends on the material of the wall into which you will mount your window:

• Brick;
• Tree;
• Aerated concrete, foam concrete, cinder block;
• Concrete.

Secondly, on the type of construction and specifications mounting:

• Loggias;
• Entrance doors;
• Window;
• Stained glass.

How to fix plastic windows. Types of fasteners

1. Anchor or frame dowel. It happens with a diameter of 8 mm, but practice shows that optimum diameter frame dowel - 10 mm. In my opinion, the most reliable and convenient fasteners for windows.

It has different lengths: 72 mm, 92 mm, 112 mm, 132 mm, 152 mm, 182 mm, 202 mm. Used like this:

IN window frame a hole is drilled with a metal drill with a diameter of 10 mm. Then, a hole in the concrete is drilled with a hammer drill, right through the frame.

I consider it optional. Because, as for the dowel cap, there is even a special decorative cap. And the fastening strength in both cases is almost the same.

For every kind window profile, especially popular, produce a certain type of anchor plates. But since, according to the technology, the plates need to be screwed to the window frame, any plates for windows can be used (only for the sake of economy, of course).

By the way, about screwing the plates into the frame. There are so-called crab plates. That is, they cut or snap into the profile.

So, if there is a quarter in the opening, many installers do not screw such plates. The window will not fall out, and this is the most important thing. After all, a quarter holds a window.

It must be said that there are cases (at present less often) when window installers, grossly violating the installation technology, do not use fasteners at all. Just fix the window with wedges and pour mounting foam.

I hope that such cases will pass you by.

3. Wood screws. Used to fasten windows to wood. The cheapest fasteners, and this is probably the only plus.

4. Concrete screw. Used in my opinion only in Europe. I went to the professional store "Krepezh" in St. Petersburg, where you can buy a lot of things, talked with the sellers. They don't have those screws.

How to fix plastic windows in a brick?

Brick is good material for the construction of buildings. But fixing plastic windows into bricks is sometimes problematic. What is the actual difficulty?

If you use a frame dowel, then it is better to drill holes in the frame for this dowel not in advance, but in place.

This is necessary in order to get the anchor directly into the middle of the brick, and not into the mortar between the bricks. So, of course, no one does (I, by the way, too). It's a waste of time after all.

Frame dowel, it is advisable to choose the longest possible length (minimum brick entry 6 - 10 cm). If the brick is hollow, then use the 202nd anchor.

You can use anchor plates in brick if you are sure that the brick is not hollow. But even a solid brick is of poor quality. And it will be very difficult for a non-professional to fix a plate into it.

How to fix plastic windows in a tree?

An ideal option for fixing windows for wood is anchor plates. And no one can convince me of this. frame houses or timber, only plates.

From my bitter experience I will tell you how I fixed the windows with screws into the upper part of the box in a house made of timber. And there was casing, and a gap of about 4 cm. A year later, the beam began to sit down, and these screws, together with the beam, went straight into the double-glazed windows.

As a result, several double-glazed windows were replaced under warranty. Got into money. After this incident, if I use screws, then only in exceptional cases, and only in the side parts of the window frame.

By the way, even during construction frame houses, professionals do not recommend the use of hardened screws. Wood is a living material and when moving, the screws break, and the nail, for example, bends. The same principle applies to the anchor plate.

Anchor plates for wooden houses good for the following reasons:

• Fast installation;
• Compensates for thermal expansion;
• Do not affect window structures during shrinkage.

How to fix plastic windows in aerated concrete?

The aerated concrete wall is loose. Can be mounted on a frame dowel with a maximum length of 202 mm. This is the easiest and fastest way.

But it is more correct to fix plastic windows on anchor plates through a special dowel for aerated concrete. It's a little longer and more difficult. In addition, you need to buy or have a hex bit in your arsenal.

How to fix plastic windows in concrete?

If we mean good quality concrete, from which, for example, jumpers are made over window openings, then drilling such concrete with a diameter of 10 mm under a frame dowel is difficult, but possible.

In this case, it is better to use anchor plates. But panel and block houses are just more efficient to mount on a frame dowel. It's more reliable and faster.

At the beginning of the article, I said that the choice of fasteners for windows also depends on the type of construction. So I want to talk about such a type as the glazing of loggias and balconies.

As a rule, window fasteners hit the very edge of the upper concrete slab or the edge of the brick bottom and side walls. Therefore, attaching loggias to the edge of the wall on a frame dowel can be quite dangerous.

Anchor plates, this is a great way out of the situation.

And finally, I would like to say about the big plus of anchors, which is at the same time a minus for anchor plates.

When the window frame is attached to the anchor, at the time of drilling, you set only one vertical plane to the level. And adjust the second vertical plane after inserting the anchor.

During fastening with anchor plates, you will have to set two vertical planes and only after that make holes with a puncher. This requires a certain skill and skill.

9125 0 0

How to fix a window: an overview of fasteners and a photo report on the installation

Hello. In this article, I will talk about how to fix plastic windows in a residential building with your own hands using an available tool. I hope that this topic will be of interest to you, as installation skills can save money.

Despite the fact that for many manufacturers the price of windows includes the cost of installation, there are many companies where they will sell you a double-glazed window cheaper due to self-assembly. Saving money is obvious!

Basic information about window installation

Installation of glazing in the opening differs depending on the type of profile used and depending on the type of walls. For example, installation in a stone, concrete or brick wall is carried out directly without any structures that compensate for the mechanical loads on the window.

At the same time, installation wooden house is carried out with a mandatory casing box device, which compensates for loads due to shrinkage processes.

For installation plastic double-glazed windows there are two main requirements:

• Strength and reliability of the installed glazing;
• Correct location in terms of level relative to the vertical and horizontal plane;
• Properly executed sealing of gaps along the perimeter of the opening to ensure optimal energy efficiency of the glazing.

Fasteners for installation of double-glazed windows in PVC profile

Commonly used fasteners for plastic windows: a - frame dowel with a metal seal; b - frame dowel with plastic seal; c - universal plastic dowel; g - screw (self-tapping screw); e - anchor plate

Before proceeding to the description of the installation, I propose to find out what fasteners for PVC windows can be purchased at hardware stores. There are many fasteners and such a variety is not accidental, since each variety is intended for one or another type of wall.

Window fasteners, according to the type of walls, are divided into the following categories:

• for concrete walls;
• for the installation of brick walls;
• for installation in aerated concrete walls;
• for fastening to wood.

By the way, with the use of the listed fasteners, a protective grille can be installed.

Fasteners for installation in concrete openings

Plastic double-glazed windows are installed in concrete openings by means of anchors or, as they are also called, frame dowels.

For reliable fixation of a heavy window in a concrete opening, it is customary to use anchors with a diameter of 8 or 10 mm and a length of 72 to 202 mm. The length and diameter of the hardware are selected taking into account the density of the wall - the more porous the concrete, the longer and thicker the anchor.

No matter how long and thick the anchors are, the strength of the finished result will depend on how carefully the hole is drilled. If the walls of the hole are broken as a result of unprofessional drilling, even the most reliable fasteners will not provide the necessary mounting strength.

Installation with anchors is carried out in two ways:

1. A hole is drilled in the profile and the anchor enters the concrete directly through the profile;
2. An anchor plate is attached to the profile and through the plate the window structure is fastened to the opening.

The first method is relevant if the technological gap between the profile and the gap is small. If the distance between the profile and the opening is more than 1 cm, an anchor plate can be used, since the fasteners can be covered when finishing if plastic slopes are used.

Anchor plates are metal strips of a simple or complex configuration. Plain plates are ordinary perforated strips. Along with such devices, there are “crabs” - plates that cut into the profile, which simplifies the finishing of slopes.

Fasteners for installation in brick walls

Fixing plastic windows brick opening performed in much the same way as in . But there is one problem: if for installation in concrete, holes for the anchor in the profile can be drilled in advance, then in the case of brick walls holes are drilled in place, as you need to get into the center of the brick, and not into the seam of the masonry.

For installation in brick, the same frame dowel is used as for concrete walls, but with a length of at least 10 cm. A length of 10 cm is the minimum entry into the brick at which you can be sure that the fastening will not loosen or weaken when operation.

If you are sure that the brick is not hollow, and today this is rarely used, you can use dowels 6-8 cm long.

Fasteners for installation in wooden openings

The best option for installing windows in a wooden opening without a casing is self-tapping screws in combination with anchor plates. This type of fastening is equally good for log, lumber and frame buildings.

If a casing box is installed in the opening, installation can be done with screws directly through the profile. To install glazing in a wooden opening, I recommend using self-tapping screws with a length of at least 10 cm and a diameter of 8 mm. We screw in the screws in increments of 30 cm.

Fasteners for installation in aerated concrete openings

Aerated concrete blocks are characterized by low density, and therefore we choose special dowels for installation and perform installation with a small pitch between the screws.

The installation of glazing in aerated concrete walls requires detailed consideration, as more and more houses are being built using such blocks. That is why, in order to get acquainted with the installation technology, I offer a small photo report on the work done installation work Oh.

Installation of a plastic window in the walls of aerated concrete blocks

To perform installation work you will need:

• Perforated anchor plates (160×40 mm and 2 mm thick);
• Plastic dowels (50×10 mm) for mounting in aerated concrete;
• Universal metal self-tapping screws (60×6 mm);
• Electric drill and drills in accordance with the diameter of the dowel;
• Screwdriver with a set of bits;
• water level;
• Roulette and pencil.

Installation instructions are as follows:

• If the perforation in the anchor plates does not match the diameter of the dowels, we drill holes, if the diameter initially matches, skip this step and proceed to the next one;

• Along the perimeter of the profile, we fasten the anchor plates to the self-tapping screws so that the holes drilled for the dowels are located outside;

In order for the frame to be securely fixed in the opening, we mount the anchor plates on 2 self-tapping screws, which will prevent them from turning. In addition, the installation step should not exceed 30-40 cm.

• We install the frame in the opening on plastic inserts and position it according to the level in the horizontal and vertical plane;

• After the structure is aligned in the opening, we drill holes in aerated concrete blocks in accordance with the perforation in the anchor plates;

For drilling aerated concrete blocks, it is not necessary to use a drill with a winning surfacing. Since aerated concrete is soft, it is quite possible to use the same drill that was previously used to drill out anchor plates. By the way, when drilling, we try not to pull the drill from side to side, since breaking a hole in aerated concrete is easier than ever, and as a result, the dowel will not stick to the wall.

• We screw dowels into the drilled holes;

• We screw self-tapping screws into the screwed dowels;

At the end of the installation work, we do not remove the liners from under the window, as they will provide additional stability to the structure.

• From the spray gun, we abundantly moisten the technological gap between the opening and the profile;
• We fill the technological gap around the entire perimeter with mounting foam, so that the excess applied foam comes out from the outside and the gap is completely filled;
• After the foam dries, the excess is trimmed mounting knife on both sides of the profile.

By the way, how to attach a thermometer on the window and at the same time not make holes in the profile in vain?

It turns out that there is nothing complicated, just buy a special thermometer with Velcro on the glass. Thermometers with ears and mounting holes should not be mounted on plastic, but on wooden frames. But, if there is a thermometer with holes for screws, fix this device on the profile with short self-tapping screws - this will not harm the profile.

In conclusion, I note that if you don’t know how to fix the handle on the profile, you can also use small self-tapping screws that will go through the PVC and will be held in the metal.

Conclusion

Now you know how to install window block PVC in the opening of walls of different composition. I hope that the suggested instructions were useful to you. If you have any questions, as usual, ask them in the comments to the text. Also, don't forget to watch the video in this article.

September 24, 2016

If you want to express gratitude, add a clarification or objection, ask the author something - add a comment or say thanks!

Hello. Today we will talk about fasteners for windows. Personally, I prefer a frame dowel with a diameter of 10 mm. Why? Let's learn more about how to fix plastic windows.

The choice of fasteners for windows primarily depends on the material of the wall into which you will mount your window:

• Brick
• Tree
• Aerated concrete, foam concrete, cinder block
• Concrete

Secondly, on the type of construction and installation specifications:

• Loggias
• Entrance doors
• stained glass

How to fix plastic windows. Types of fasteners.

1. Anchor or frame dowel. It happens with a diameter of 8 mm, but practice shows that the optimal diameter of the frame dowel is 10 mm. In my opinion, the most reliable and convenient fasteners for windows.

It has different lengths: 72 mm, 92 mm, 112 mm, 132 mm, 152 mm, 182 mm, 202 mm. Used like this:

• A hole is drilled in the window frame with a metal drill with a diameter of 10 mm.
• Then, a hole in the concrete is drilled with a hammer drill, right through the frame.
• Next, a frame dowel is inserted and hammered into concrete until it rests against the frame. Then the screw is tightened. There is an opinion that the dowel should be recessed inside the profile. I consider it optional. Because, as for the dowel cap, there is even a special decorative cap. And the fastening strength in both cases is almost the same.

2. Anchor plate. For each type of window profile, especially the popular one, a certain type of anchor plates is produced. But since, according to the technology, the plates need to be screwed to the window frame, any plates for windows can be used (only for the sake of economy, of course).

By the way, about screwing the plates into the frame. There are so-called crab plates. That is, they cut or snap into the profile. So, if there is a quarter in the opening, many installers do not screw such plates. The window will not fall out, and this is the most important thing. After all, a quarter holds a window.

It must be said that there are cases (at present less often) when window installers, grossly violating the installation technology, do not use fasteners at all. Just fix the window with wedges and fill it with mounting foam.

I hope that such cases will pass you by.

3. Wood screws. Used to fasten windows to wood. The cheapest fasteners, and this is probably the only plus.

4. Concrete screw. Used in my opinion only in Europe. I went to a professional store "" in St. Petersburg, where you can buy a lot of things, talked with the sellers. They don't have those screws.

How to fix plastic windows in a brick?

Brick is a good building material. But fixing plastic windows into bricks is sometimes problematic. What is the actual difficulty?

If you use a frame dowel, then it is better to drill holes in the frame for this dowel not in advance, but in place. This is necessary in order to get the anchor directly into the middle of the brick, and not into the mortar between the bricks. So, of course, no one does (I, by the way, too). It's a waste of time after all.

Frame dowel, it is advisable to choose the longest possible length (minimum brick entry 6 - 10 cm). If the brick is hollow, then use the 202nd anchor.

Apply anchor plates into a brick, you can, if you are sure that the brick is not hollow. But even a solid brick is of poor quality. And it will be very difficult for a non-professional to fix a plate into it.

How to fix plastic windows in a tree?

An ideal option for fixing windows for wood is anchor plates. And no one can convince me of this. Frame houses or timber, only plates.

From my bitter experience I will tell you how I fixed the windows with screws into the upper part of the box in a house made of timber. And there was casing, and a gap of about 4 cm. A year later, the beam began to sit down, and these screws, together with the beam, went straight into the double-glazed windows.

As a result, several double-glazed windows were replaced under warranty. Got into money. After this incident, if I use screws, then only in exceptional cases, and only in the side parts of the window frame.

By the way, even when building frame houses, professionals do not recommend using hardened screws. Wood is a living material and when moving, the screws break, and the nail, for example, bends. The same principle applies to the anchor plate.

Anchor plates for wooden houses are good for the following reasons:

• Quick installation
• Compensates for thermal expansion
• Do not affect window structures during shrinkage

How to fix plastic windows in aerated concrete?

The aerated concrete wall is loose. Can be mounted on a frame dowel with a maximum length of 202 mm. This is the easiest and fastest way.

But it's more correct fix plastic windows on anchor plates through a special dowel for aerated concrete. It's a little longer and more difficult. In addition, you need to buy or have a hex bit in your arsenal.

How to fix plastic windows in concrete?

If we have in mind good quality concrete, from which, for example, jumpers are made over window openings, then drilling such concrete with a diameter of 10 mm under a frame dowel is difficult, but possible.

In this case, it is better to use anchor plates. But panel and block houses are just more efficient to mount on a frame dowel. It's more reliable and faster.

At the beginning of the article, I said that the choice of fasteners for windows also depends on the type of construction. So I want to talk about such a type as the glazing of loggias and balconies.

As a rule, window fasteners hit the very edge of the upper concrete slab or the edge of the brick bottom and side walls. Therefore, attaching loggias to the edge of the wall on a frame dowel can be quite dangerous.

Anchor plates, this is a great way out of the situation.

And finally, I would like to say about the big plus of anchors, which is at the same time a minus for anchor plates.

When the window frame is attached to the anchor, at the time of drilling, you set only one vertical plane to the level. And adjust the second vertical plane after inserting the anchor.

During fastening with anchor plates, you will have to set two vertical planes at once and only after that make holes with a puncher. This requires a certain skill and skill.

Greetings, dear readers. I have a next door neighbor. We've been friends for a long time. He recently bought a plot with a dilapidated house, decided to update it a bit, including changing the old ones. wooden windows on PVC. After measurements, it turned out that you can buy exactly in size in Leroy and not waste time on window companies. So he bought these ready-made windows, but does not know how to install them. Came to me for advice on which fastener to choose. Well, if you refuse him, we went together, chose, bought.

In fact, there are a lot of different fasteners for double-glazed windows on the market now. For an unprepared person, this can be confusing. On websites and in magazines, this or that fastener is praised. But the durability of the double-glazed window, its reliable installation depends on the choice of the correct fasteners.

Therefore, I decided to write an article about the types of fasteners and how they differ from each other.

Anchor dowel or anchor

The fastener is professional and reliable. The design of the anchor dowel consists of a threaded screw, a metal shell (sleeve) and an inner sleeve.

When screwing the screw, the sleeve expands the sleeve and the fastener is securely fixed. But such fasteners have one main drawback. It is so securely fixed that sometimes it is impossible to remove it back.

When you install a plastic window, you do not think about it. But if in the process the window gets crooked and you need to reinstall it, then the problem will reveal itself. Yes, and from my own experience I know that when drilling, sometimes you can get into the armature and then you have to drill a new hole. And this will lead to the fact that the entire structure can be turned to a terrible state.

If you install a window in a house with multilayer walls, for example, in the P-44 panel series, then there will be difficulties with fasteners. The fact is that the anchor in such walls simply fails and the strut cannot be fixed.

Installation anchor length plastic window varies within 100-200 mm, thickness 8-10 mm. The length of the anchor must be chosen based on the distance from the frame to the slope. The anchor bolt is attached to the inside of the double-glazed window. If the profile thickness is 4 cm, plus the anchor must enter the wall by 4 cm, then 8 cm is already occupied. If the distance from the frame to the slope of the steam is cm, then you will need an anchor 110 mm long, if 5-7 cm, then the 150th or 160th anchor.

Screws for concrete

Ordinary screws are also suitable for fixing a window. Their advantages over anchors are simple dismantling, if necessary.

The size range of a concrete screw (or nigel) is the same as that of an anchor bolt. From 100 to 200 mm in length and 8-10 mm in diameter. You need to choose the length of the screw in the same way as for the anchor.

Anchor plates

I already wrote about fixing a double-glazed window on anchor plates in. This is one of the most popular types of fastening in window companies.

Anchor plates are:

• rotary;
• fixed.

How to use this fastener for PVC windows, read the article to which I gave the link above. Everything is detailed in it.

It is worth noting the advantages of anchor plates:

• No need to drill through the frame, as is done with an anchor or screw;
• The presence of reinforcement in the wall will not affect the fasteners in any way. The plate can be rotated.
• Mounting on plates helps out in “difficult” houses. For example, the same P-44 series.

The standard plate size is 100-200 mm. Since the plate is attached to the outer edge of the frame, a length of 130 mm is enough for any home.

I note that each manufacturer of PVC profiles has products with different widths, so the plates need the appropriate size. It is not a problem to find products in large construction hypermarkets. But my advice to you is better to order fasteners along with the window.

How to fix plastic windows in a brick?

Brick is a good building material. But fixing PVC windows into bricks is sometimes problematic. What is the actual difficulty?

If you use a frame dowel, then it is better to drill holes in the frame for this dowel not in advance, but in place. This is necessary in order to get the anchor directly into the middle of the brick, and not into the mortar between the bricks. So, of course, no one does (I, by the way, too). It's a waste of time after all.

It is advisable to choose the frame dowel as long as possible (the minimum entry into the brick is 6 - 10 cm). If the brick is hollow, then use the 202nd anchor.

You can use anchor plates in brick if you are sure that the brick is not hollow. But even a solid brick is of poor quality. And it will be very difficult for a non-professional to fix a plate into it.

Fixing plastic windows in a wooden house

The ideal option for mounting windows for wood is anchor plates. And no one can convince me of this. Frame houses or timber - only plates.

From my bitter experience I will tell you how I fixed the windows with screws into the upper part of the box in a house made of timber. And there was casing, and a gap of about 4 cm. A year later, the beam began to sit down, and these screws, together with the beam, went straight into the double-glazed windows.

As a result, several double-glazed windows were replaced under warranty. Got into money. After this incident, if I use screws, then only in exceptional cases and only in the side parts of the window frame.

By the way, even when building frame houses, professionals do not recommend using hardened screws. Wood is a living material and when moving, the screws break, and the nail, for example, bends. The same principle applies to the anchor plate.

Anchor plates for wooden houses are good for the following reasons:

• Fast window installation;
• Compensates for thermal expansion;
• Do not affect window structures during shrinkage.

How to fix plastic windows in aerated concrete?

The aerated concrete wall is loose. Can be mounted on a frame dowel with a maximum length of 202 mm. This is the easiest and fastest way.

But it is more correct to fix plastic windows on anchor plates through a special dowel for aerated concrete. It's a little longer and more difficult. In addition, you need to buy or have a hex bit in your arsenal.

How to fix plastic windows in concrete?

If we have in mind good quality concrete, from which, for example, jumpers are made over window openings, then drilling such concrete with a diameter of 10 mm under a frame dowel is difficult, but possible.

In this case, it is better to use anchor plates. But panel and block houses are just more efficient to mount on a frame dowel. It's more reliable and faster.

At the beginning of the article, I said that the choice of fasteners for windows also depends on the type of construction. So I want to talk about such a type as the glazing of loggias and balconies.

As a rule, window fasteners hit the very edge of the upper concrete slab or the edge of the brick bottom and side walls. Therefore, attaching loggias to the edge of the wall on a frame dowel can be quite dangerous.

Anchor plates, this is a great way out of the situation.

And finally, I would like to say about the big plus of anchors, which is at the same time a minus for anchor plates.

When the window frame is attached to the anchor, at the time of drilling, you set only one vertical plane to the level. And adjust the second vertical plane after inserting the anchor.

During fastening with anchor plates, you will have to set two vertical planes at once and only after that make holes with a puncher. This requires a certain skill and skill.

September 20, 2016
Specialization: master in the construction of plasterboard structures, finishing works and styling floor coverings. Installation of door and window blocks, facade finishing, installation of electrics, plumbing and heating - I can give detailed advice on all types of work.

Product types

The concept of window screws covers several product groups, and each of them has its own differences and is used for different purposes. You must figure out what work needs to be done, and only after that you can select best option hardware.

Type 1 - hardware screws

This is the most widely used type of product, which has a number of important advantages:

Property	Function
Electroplating
Wide thread pitch	Allows you to simplify the screwing of fasteners into plastic and speed up the workflow. The sharp tip allows you to precisely tighten the screws, they do not slip on the surface like the versions with a drill
Electroplating	A layer of zinc is applied to the surface, the color of which can be either silver or golden. It provides reliable protection metal from adverse weather conditions and can withstand temperatures up to 150 degrees. The surface must be completely covered, no flaws are allowed.
Special head shape	The 7 mm head has a special configuration, thanks to which the self-tapping screws are completely recessed into the surface, even if you screw them in at an angle. This greatly simplifies the workflow and improves the final result.
Versatility of use	Fasteners can be used not only for fixing various fittings to the PVC profile. Due to the wide thread, this type of product is very widely used when working with wood, sheet materials and many other soft substrates.
Wide range of sizes	While thickness is standard 4.1mm, length may vary. This allows you to choose the best option for the most different types works, the following lengths are standard: 19, 22, 25, 30, 35, 38 and 45 mm.

This type of fastener is intended for screwing exclusively into plastic, and if long elements are used, they must pass through at least two walls of the PVC profile, this is the only way to guarantee maximum fastening reliability.

Many manufacturers make special ribs on the underside of the head, thanks to which the fasteners do not rotate and are fixed especially securely, they are clearly visible, and if you come across such an option, feel free to purchase it.

Another modern and improved solution is self-tapping screws with two-start threads, coils of different heights provide a very reliable connection and simplify screwing in fasteners.

The hardware self-tapping screw most often has a PH2 slot - the most common and convenient, but sometimes there is fasteners for the PZ2 nozzle, so check when buying which bit you need to work with.

I am often asked the question whether it is possible to screw self-tapping screws into plastic windows, whether this reduces strength and reliability. In fact, if you use high-quality hardware, then there will be no problems, in addition, the fasteners are screwed into the material without pre-drilling, which is very convenient.

Type 2 - self-tapping hardware repair screws

This group of products is similar to the previous one, but has a number of differences:

• The main purpose of this option is to fasten fittings and other elements in cases where the thread is broken when screwing in ordinary self-tapping screws. This type has an increased diameter, it is 4.8 mm, so the fasteners hold perfectly in the holes from the hardware hardware;
• In addition, the increased diameter makes this option much stronger, which allows it to be used not only on windows, but also when working with wood. The sharp tip and wide thread pitch allow this option to be used not only on PVC windows;

• The ribs on the bottom of the head allow you to securely fix the fasteners and prevent them from turning. The coating can be either silver or gold, there is not much difference;
• The head has a diameter of 7 mm, the semi-circular top provides high-quality recessing, even if the fasteners did not go at right angles. The work is carried out using the nozzle PH2.

The range of standard sizes is quite large, but for PVC windows the most popular options are 25 and 38 mm long.

It is very easy to work with this fastener with your own hands: it is simply screwed into the hole from a conventional hardware self-tapping screw, no additional operations are required. If you are screwing it into the plastic without a hole, no additional drilling is required. But if you work with a screwdriver, and not with a screwdriver, then it’s better to go through a 3.5 mm drill first, it’s very difficult to screw in a self-tapping screw with your hands without preparation.

Type 3 - countersunk head self-tapping screws with drill tip

This type of product differs from the two above in a number of ways:

• At the end there is a small drill, which allows you to screw the fasteners even into the reinforcing metallic profile PVC windows. And if you need to fasten the structure or fix fittings and other elements at the location of the reinforcing profile, then this type of product will come in handy;

• These window profile screws have locking notches on the head and are well fixed, even if you work with a tool with a coarse torque adjustment. They also have a semicircular cap, so that even with uneven screwing, the fasteners are completely recessed into the surface;
• The presence of a drill tip and a fine thread pitch makes this option unsuitable for wood and other similar materials. Moreover, if there is no reinforcing metal element at the screwing point in the PVC profile, then it is better to use sharp self-tapping screws - the drill makes a large hole and the fasteners may not fix well;

• The fastener head has a slot for PH2, and the length varies from 13 to 38 mm with a thickness of 3.9 mm, this is quite enough for any work with PVC windows.

As for working with this type of fastener, everything is quite simple, you need to select the elements of the required length, after which they are screwed in with a screwdriver, it is very difficult to do this work with your hands, because you have to go through metal, the thickness of which can be more than 2 mm.

In general, it is worth noting that this option is almost not in demand in the private sector; fittings, ebbs and other elements can be attached without problems with sharp self-tapping screws.

Type 4 - self-tapping screws with semicircular heads

Self-tapping screws, as this product option is also called, have found their application in various fields of construction, and in PVC windows they are used quite often. They have their own characteristics:

• Due to its wide range of sizes, it is used for fastening a wide variety of elements, while the thickness can vary from 4.2 to 6.3 mm. As for the length, it also varies - from 13 to 70 mm;

• A round hat with a flat base allows you to press flat elements very well. At the same time, it does not sink into the material, therefore it can only be used where it does not matter and the convex hat will not create any interference;
• This option is most often used when attaching the mechanical connectors of the impost, that is, it is used when assembling window structures. But you can use it in any situation: short options are well suited for fastening roller blinds, and long ones allow you to fix roller shutter systems or other large elements;
• The surface of the hardware is covered with a layer of zinc, it should be uniform without streaks and yellowing. Especially carefully you need to inspect the coating if you use self-tapping screws outside the building;
• For work, a standard PH2 bit is used; thanks to the massive head, the fasteners almost never break.

If you need to screw fasteners through reinforcing metal elements, then you must pre-drill holes of a smaller diameter. If you carry out such work often, then the best solution may be to use fasteners with a drill tip, which can also be found in specialized outlets.

Type 5 - self-tapping screws with a press washer

This type of product is used so widely that it can be found in almost all facilities. But it is also ideal for PVC windows, therefore, considering all the options, it is impossible not to talk about this product group, especially since it has a number of undoubted advantages:

• Versatility - such self-tapping screws can be used for a variety of purposes, even if you buy more than you need, they will not be lost and will definitely come in handy when doing any work;
• A washer is pressed under the cap, due to which the diameter of the pressing part increases to 11 mm, and this allows the fastener to ideally press various sheet materials. Such fasteners are ideal for ebbs, drips and other tin elements;

• You can buy both sharp self-tapping screws and a version with a drill tip, which allows you to fasten metal materials up to 2 mm thick without pre-drilling. Of course, sharp-pointed products are more versatile, so they are much more in demand;
• The thickness of all products is standard and is 4.2 mm, and as for the length, its range is very wide and ranges from 13 to 75 mm. The hat is made for the most common PH2 nozzle;
• An additional advantage can be considered that the caps of the products have both zinc and color coating. That is, you can choose a certain color and fix a color tint or other element so that the fastening points are almost invisible. Of course, the price of such options is somewhat higher, but the difference is small;

Working with such elements is quite simple and convenient, of course, you need to choose the required length for certain purposes of use.

Type 6 - self-tapping screws for window frames

This type of product has many other names: dowel, screw on, turbo screw. Products are very different from all of the above, which is not surprising, because they are designed for a special kind of work. Let's take a look at their main features:

• The products were originally designed for fastening window and door frames to brick and concrete walls, but, as practice has shown, they can be used to perfectly fix structures in wood. In addition, these screws allow you to quickly and reliably connect PVC designs between themselves;

• This option is ideal for windows without slopes, because there is nothing to attach the plates to. Also, such elements are great as an alternative to window anchors, under which you need to drill a hole of 10 mm. Self-tapping screws for concrete are ideal for weak bases, where, when tightening the anchor, it is likely that it will destroy the material, because when the fastener we are considering is screwed in, the deforming effect on the structure is minimal;
• This type of fastener is screwed using a star-shaped nozzle, which is marked TORX T30, sometimes there are options for a PH3 cross nozzle;

• The thickness of the screws is 7.5 mm, the length varies from 52 to 202 mm, the dimensions follow the same standards as the anchors, so it will not be difficult to choose a substitute.

As for the use of these options, then there are some features that must be disassembled. The work instructions look like this:

• To begin with, it is worth preparing the places for installing windows, removing the remains of old structures, cleaning the surface and freeing up space for work;
• Next, the marking of the drilling sites is carried out, this is a very important process, because if you mix something up, you will have to redo all the work. I would advise you to put the frame in the required position and put marks through the holes in it in all the right places, so the probability of miscalculations is excluded;
• For work, a concrete drill with a diameter of 6 mm is used, the depth of the holes should be determined based on the thickness of the frame and the distance from the structure to the base. In this case, the self-tapping screw must enter the material by at least 50, and preferably by 70 mm, and the hole must be deeper than necessary, at least 10 mm, so that the debris that forms during screwing does not interfere with work and goes to the end;

Holes must be made in drilling mode, not perforation. The fact is that in the perforator mode, the diameter is larger than necessary, which is undesirable in our case, and the probability that a weak base will crack in this case is ten times higher.

• The frame should be level, put wedges or blocks under it. It is important that it is positioned as it should be, and that you do not have to constantly check its position. It is best to involve an assistant to hold the structure while you fix it;
• Lastly, our screw is carefully twisted into the hole, it is twisted, and not clogged. Due to the fact that the hole is smaller than the diameter of the fastener, the self-tapping screw cuts threads on its walls and a very strong and reliable connection is obtained that can withstand fairly large loads. You need to screw it all the way into the frame, after which a decorative cap of the required color is put on the hat so that the fasteners are not visible.

Conclusion

The range of fasteners in our time is simply huge, the options described above will be enough for you to perform almost any work with PVC windows. The main thing is to choose the optimal type of screws and use them correctly.

The video in this article will help you understand some of the nuances even better, and if you have any questions, then write them in the comments under this review, we will figure out all the incomprehensible moments and find correct solution for any situation.

September 20, 2016

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