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

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

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

I hope this information is useful to you. Read on, get acquainted.

The choice of fasteners for windows, first of all, depends on the material of the wall into which you will fasten your window:

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

Secondly, on the type of construction and technical conditions installation:

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

How to fix plastic windows. Types of fasteners

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

It has various 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 drill for metal with a diameter of 10 mm. Then, with a hammer drill, a hole is drilled in the concrete, right through the frame.

I consider it optional. Therefore, as for the dowel head, there is even a special decorative plug. And the fastening strength in both cases is practically 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, you can use any plates for windows (only in order to save money, of course).

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

So, in the case of a quarter in the opening, many installers do not fasten such plates. The window will not fall out, and this is the most important thing. After all, a quarter holds the 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 polyurethane foam.

I hope that such cases will pass by you.

3. Wood screws. Used for fixing windows into wood. The cheapest fastener, and this is probably the only plus.

4. Screw for concrete. Used in my opinion only in Europe. I went to a professional store "Krepezh" in St. Petersburg, where you can buy a lot, talked to the sellers. They do not have these screws.

How to fix plastic windows in bricks?

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

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.

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

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

How to fix plastic windows into wood?

Anchoring plates are ideal for fastening windows to wood. 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 windows with screws to the top of a box in a house made of timber. And there was a siege, and a gap of about 4 cm. A year later, the timber began to sit down, and these screws, together with the timber, went straight into the double-glazed windows.

As a result, several glass units were replaced under warranty. Got 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 using hardened screws. Wood is a living material, and when moving, screws break, and a nail, for example, bends. The principle is the same with the anchor plate.

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

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

How to fix plastic windows in aerated concrete?

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

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

How to fix plastic windows in concrete?

If you 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, it is just more efficient to mount on a frame dowel. It is safer 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 say about such a type as glazing of loggias and balconies.

Typically, window fasteners fall into the very edge of the upper concrete slab or the edge of the brick bottom and side walls. Therefore, it can be quite dangerous to attach loggias to the edge of the wall on a frame dowel.

Anchor plates are 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 in level. And adjust the second vertical plane after you have inserted 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 fastening hardware and a photo report on the installation performed

Hello. In this article I will talk about how to fix plastic windows in a residential building with your own hands using an affordable tool... I hope you find this topic interesting, as editing skills can save you money.

Despite the fact that the price of windows for many manufacturers includes the cost of installation, there are many companies where they will sell you a glass unit cheaper due to self-assembly... The savings are clear!

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 to compensate for the mechanical loads on the window.

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

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

• The strength and reliability of the installed glazing;
• Correct leveling relative to the vertical and horizontal plane;
• Correctly performed gap sealing around the perimeter of the opening to ensure optimum energy efficiency of the glazing.

Fasteners for the installation of insulating glass in a PVC profile

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

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

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

• 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 grill can be installed.

Fasteners for installation in concrete openings

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

To reliably fix 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 or thick the anchors are, the strength of the finished product will depend on how accurately the hole is drilled. If the walls of the hole are broken as a result of unprofessional drilling, even the most reliable fastening hardware will not provide the required installation 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 the window structure is fixed to the opening through the plate.

The first method is relevant in the event that 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 finishingif plastic slopes are used.

Anchor plates are metal strips of simple or complex configuration. Plain plates are regular perforated strips. Along with such devices, there are "crabs" - plates that cut into the profile due to which the finishing of slopes is simplified.

Fasteners for installation in brick walls

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

For installation in a 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 a brick in which you can be sure that the fastener does not loosen or loosen when exploitation.

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

Fasteners for installation in wooden openings

The best option for mounting 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, squared and frame buildings.

If a casing is installed in the opening, installation can be performed 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 with a diameter of 8 mm. We screw in the self-tapping screws in steps of 30 cm.

Fasteners for installation in aerated concrete openings

Aerated concrete blocks are characterized by low density, and therefore we select 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, since an increasing number of 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 worksoh.

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

To complete the installation work you will need:

• Perforated anchor plates (160 × 40 mm and 2 mm thick);
• Plastic dowels (50 × 10 mm) for fixing in aerated concrete;
• Metal universal screws (60 × 6 mm);
• Electric drill and drills in accordance with the dowel diameter;
• 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 correspond to the diameter of the dowels, we drill the holes, if the diameter initially matches, we skip this stage and go on to the next;

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

In order for the frame in the opening to be securely fixed, 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 horizontally and vertically;

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

To drill aerated concrete blocks, it is not necessary to use a drill with victorious surfacing. Since the aerated concrete is soft, it is quite possible to use the drill that was previously used for reaming the anchor plates. By the way, when drilling, we try not to jerk 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 the dowels into the drilled holes;

• We screw the screws into the screwed-in dowels;

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

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

By the way, how to attach a thermometer to the window and not punch the profile in vain?

It turns out that there is nothing difficult, just buy a special thermometer with Velcro on the glass. Thermometers with lugs and mounting holes must be mounted on wooden rather than plastic frames. But, if you have a thermometer with holes for screws, fix this device on the profile with short self-tapping screws - there will be no harm to the profile from this.

In conclusion, I note that if you do not know how to fix the handle to the profile, you can also use small self-tapping screws that will pass through the PVC and will be held in the metal one.

Output

Now you know how to install window block PVC in the opening of walls of different composition. Hope the suggested instructions were helpful. 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 clarification or objection, ask the author something - add a comment or say thank you!

Hello. Today we will talk about window fasteners. Personally, I prefer a 10 mm frame dowel. Why? Let's take a closer look at how to fix plastic windows.

The choice of fasteners for windows, first of all, depends on the material of the wall into which you will fasten your window:

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

Secondly, on the type of construction and technical installation conditions:

• 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 fastener for windows.

It has various 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 is drilled in the concrete with a hammer drill, right through the frame.
• Next, a frame dowel is inserted and hammered into the concrete until it rests against the frame. Then the screw is tightened. It is believed that the dowel should be recessed inside the profile. I consider it optional. Therefore, as for the dowel head, there is even a special decorative plug. And the fastening strength in both cases is practically the same.

2. Anchor plate. For each type of window profile, especially popular, a certain type of anchor plates are produced. But since, according to the technology, the plates need to be screwed to the window frame, you can use any plates for windows (only in order to save money, of course).

By the way, about screwing the plates into the frame. There are so-called crab plates. That is, they cut into or snap into the profile. So, in the case of a quarter in the opening, many installers do not fasten such plates. The window will not fall out, and this is the most important thing. After all, a quarter holds the 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. Simply fix the window with wedges and fill it with polyurethane foam.

I hope that such cases will pass by you.

3. Wood screws. Used for fixing windows into wood. The cheapest fastener, and this is probably the only plus.

4. Screw for concrete... Used in my opinion only in Europe. I went to a professional store "" in St. Petersburg, where you can buy a lot, talked with the sellers. They do not have these screws.

How to fix plastic windows in bricks?

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

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.

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

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

How to fix plastic windows into wood?

Anchoring plates are ideal for fastening windows to wood. 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 windows with screws to the top of a box in a house made of timber. And there was a siege, and a gap of about 4 cm. A year later, the timber began to sit down, and these screws, together with the timber, went straight into the double-glazed windows.

As a result, several glass units were replaced under warranty. Got 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 in the construction of frame houses, professionals do not recommend using hardened screws. Wood is a living material, and when moving, screws break, and a nail, for example, bends. The principle is the same with the anchor plate.

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

• Fast assembly
• Compensates for thermal expansion
• Does not affect window structures during shrinkage

How to fix plastic windows in aerated concrete?

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

But more correct fix plastic windows on anchor plates through a special aerated concrete dowel. It's a little longer and more complicated. 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, lintels are made over window openings, then it is difficult to drill such concrete with a diameter of 10 mm under a frame dowel, but it is possible.

In this case, it is better to use anchor plates. But panel and block houses, it is just more efficient to mount on a frame dowel. It is safer 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 say about such a type as glazing of loggias and balconies.

Typically, window fasteners fall into the very edge of the upper concrete slab or the edge of the brick bottom and side walls. Therefore, it can be quite dangerous to attach loggias to the edge of the wall on a frame dowel.

Anchor plates are 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 in level. And adjust the second vertical plane after you have inserted the anchor.

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

Greetings, dear readers. I have a neighbor at the entrance. We have been friends for a long time. He recently bought a plot with a dilapidated house, decided to update it a little, including changing 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 he doesn't know how to install them. Came to me for advice on which fasteners to choose. Well, when you refuse him, let's go together, choose, buy.

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, they praise one or another fastener. But the durability of the insulating glass unit and its reliable installation depend 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 fasteners are professional and reliable. The structure of the anchor dowel consists of a threaded screw, a metal shell (sleeve) and an inner sleeve.

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

When you install a plastic window, you don't 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 reinforcement and then you will 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 fastening. The fact is that the anchor in such walls simply falls through and the spacer cannot be fixed.

Anchor length for installation plastic window varies between 100-200 mm, thickness 8-10 mm. You need to choose the length of the anchor based on the distance from the frame to the slope. The anchor bolt is attached to the inside of the glass unit. If the profile thickness is 4 cm, plus the anchor should enter the wall by 4 cm, then 8 cm is already occupied. If the distance from the frame to the slope is a couple cm, then an anchor with a length of 110 mm will be needed, if 5-7 cm, then a 150 or 160th anchor.

Concrete screws

Regular screws are also suitable for fastening windows. Their advantages over anchors are simple dismantling, if necessary.

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

Anchor plates

I already wrote about fastening a glass unit to anchor plates in. This is one of the most popular types of fastening in window companies.

Anchor plates are:

• swivel;
• non-reversible.

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:

• You do not 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.
• Plating helps out in "complex" houses. For example, the same P-44 series.

Standard plate size 100-200 mm. Since the plate is attached to the outer edge of the frame, the 130 mm length is enough “for the eyes” for any home.

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

How to fix plastic windows in bricks?

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

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.

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

Fastening plastic windows in a wooden house

Anchoring plates are the ideal way to mount windows for wood. 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 windows with screws to the top of a box in a house made of timber. And there was a siege, and a gap of about 4 cm. A year later, the timber began to sit down, and these screws, together with the timber, went straight into the double-glazed windows.

As a result, several glass units were replaced under warranty. Got 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 in the construction of frame houses, professionals do not recommend using hardened screws. Wood is a living material, and when moving, screws break, and a nail, for example, bends. The principle is the same with the anchor plate.

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

• Quick window installation;
• Compensates for thermal expansion;
• Does not affect window structures during shrinkage.

How to fix plastic windows in aerated concrete?

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

But it is more correct to attach plastic windows to anchor plates through a special dowel for aerated concrete. It's a little longer and more complicated. 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, lintels are made over window openings, then it is difficult to drill such concrete with a diameter of 10 mm under a frame dowel, but it is possible.

In this case, it is better to use anchor plates. But panel and block houses, it is just more efficient to mount on a frame dowel. It is safer 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 say about such a type as glazing of loggias and balconies.

Typically, window fasteners fall into the very edge of the upper concrete slab or the edge of the brick bottom and side walls. Therefore, it can be quite dangerous to attach loggias to the edge of the wall on a frame dowel.

Anchor plates are 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 in level. And adjust the second vertical plane after you have inserted the anchor.

During fastening with anchor plates, you will have to set two vertical planes at once and only then 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, decoration of facades, installation of electrical, plumbing and heating - I can give detailed advice on all types of work.

Types of products

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 pick up the best option hardware.

Type 1 - hardware screws

It is the most widely used product and has a number of important advantages:

Property	Function
Electroplating
Wide pitch	Allows you to simplify screwing fasteners into plastic and speed up the workflow. The sharp tip allows you to accurately tighten the self-tapping screws, they do not slip on the surface as options 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 screws are completely recessed into the surface, even if you screwed them obliquely. This greatly simplifies the workflow and improves the end result.
Versatility of use	Fasteners can be used not only for fixing various accessories to the PVC profile. Due to its 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 the thickness is standard at 4.1mm, the length may vary. This allows you to choose best option for a wide variety of jobs, the following lengths are standard: 19, 22, 25, 30, 35, 38 and 45 mm.

This type of fastener is designed to be screwed exclusively into plastic, and if elements of long length are used, they must pass through at least two walls of the PVC profile, this is the only way to ensure maximum reliability of the fastening.

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 improved solution - self-tapping screws with a double thread, threads of different heights provide a very reliable connection and simplify screwing in fasteners.

The hardware screw most often has a slot PH2 - the most common and convenient, but sometimes there are fasteners for the PZ2 nozzle, so check with the purchase which bat you need to work with.

I am often asked whether it is possible to screw self-tapping screws into plastic windows, whether this does not reduce 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 preliminary drilling, which is very convenient.

Type 2 - self-tapping screws for hardware repair

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 fell off when screwing in ordinary self-tapping screws. This type has an increased diameter, it is 4.8 mm, so the fasteners perfectly hold in the holes from the fittings;
• 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 pitch of the thread make it possible to use this option not only on PVC windows;

• Ribs on the bottom of the head allow the fastener to be securely held in place and prevent it from turning. The coating can be either silver or gold, there is not much difference;
• The head has a diameter of 7 mm, the semicircular top part provides high-quality recession, even if the fasteners did not go at right angles. The work is carried out using the PH2 nozzle.

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

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

Type 3 - self-tapping screws with countersunk head and drill bit

This type of product differs from the two above for a number of factors:

• There is a small drill at the end, which allows you to screw fasteners even into 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 self-tapping window profile screws have a locking notch on the head and will hold well even if you are working with a coarse torque tool. 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 bit and a fine pitch makes this option unsuitable for wood and other similar materials. Moreover, if at the place of screwing into pVC profile there is no reinforcing metal element, it is better to use sharp self-tapping screws - the drill makes a large hole and the fasteners can be fixed poorly;

• The head of the fastener 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 carry out this work with your hands, because you need to go through the 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; you can attach fittings, ebbs and other elements 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 been used in a wide variety of areas 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 head with a flat base allows for very good pressing of flat elements. 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 cap will not create any interference;
• This option is most often used when fixing mechanical connectors for impost, that is, it is used when assembling window structures. But you can use it in any situation: short versions are well suited for mounting 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 first 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, this can also be found in specialized retail outlets.

Type 5 - self-tapping screws with a press washer

This type of product is so widely used that it can be found in almost all facilities. But for PVC windows, it is also ideal, therefore, considering all the options, one cannot but tell about this group of products, 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 of them than you need, they will not disappear and will certainly come in handy when performing any work;
• A washer is pressed under the head, due to which the diameter of the pressing part increases to 11 mm, and this allows the fasteners to ideally press various sheet materials... Such fasteners are ideal for ebb, drip and other tin elements;

• You can buy both sharp self-tapping screws and a version with a drill bit, which allows you to attach metal materials up to 2 mm thick without pre-drilling. Of course, products with a sharp point 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 a zinc and a colored coating. That is, you can choose a certain color and fix a colored shim or other element so that the fastening points are almost invisible. Of course, the price of such options is slightly higher, but the difference is small;

Working with such elements is quite simple and convenient, naturally, 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, turbo screw. The 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 figure out their main features:

• The products were originally intended 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 as well. In addition, such screws allow you to quickly and reliably connect PVC structures to each other;

• This option is ideal for windows without slopes, because there is nothing to attach plates there... Also, such elements are great as an alternative to window anchors, for 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, there is a high probability that it will destroy the material, because when screwing in the fastener we are considering, the deforming effect on the structure is minimal;
• This type of fastener is twisted using a star-shaped nozzle, which is marked with 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 are according to the same standards as those of the anchors, so it will not be difficult to choose a substitute.

As for the use of these options, then there are some peculiarities that must be analyzed. The instructions for carrying out the work look like this:

• To begin with, it is worth preparing the places for installing windows, removing the remnants of old structures, cleaning the surface and freeing up space for work;
• Next, the drilling sites are marked, this is a very responsible process, since 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 apply marks in all the right places through the holes in it, 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 should go into the material by at least 50, or better by 70 mm, and the hole should be at least 10 mm deeper than necessary, so that the debris that forms when screwing in does not interfere with the work and go to the end;

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

• The frame should be set on a level, wedges or blocks should be placed under it. It is important that it is positioned correctly and that you do not have to constantly check its position. It is best to involve an assistant to hold the structure while you secure it;
• Last of all, our screw is carefully screwed 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 a thread on its walls and a very strong and reliable connection is obtained that can withstand quite large loads. You need to screw it all the way into the frame, after which a decorative plug of the required color is put on the head so that the fasteners are not visible.

Output

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

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

September 20, 2016

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