Plastic windows are highly durable, but the glass can still be damaged due to its fragility and will need to be replaced. This can happen not only from direct mechanical impact, but also as a result of installation errors, as well as technological defects in production.
Street exposure to windows often also sets the owner of apartments in a high-rise building with the task of how to remove a double-glazed window from a plastic window that is stained with dust or other dirt from the outside.
Double-glazed windows that are misted during operation must be changed, as their tightness is broken or the workmanship is not the best, which will affect the thermal insulation of the entire window. It may well be that the replacement of a double-glazed window is due to an improvement in its qualities, for example, a double-glazed window with an additional air chamber will be installed.
Themselves with a mustache: an essential tool
Various companies offer dismantling, replacement or cleaning services at prices that are almost out of the blue. However, the problem of how to remove a double-glazed window from a plastic window is completely solved by yourself.within the power of any home master.
Every good owner will find the necessary tool: a spatula or a chisel, a sealant remover (a strong stationery knife with interchangeable blades will do) and a mallet. A fairly sharp regular ax is also good for removing glazing beads, but you need to be careful not to damage the plastic parts and surfaces.
The procedure for the masters takes no more than half an hour, but do not neglect the preparation for work, as well as the weight of the double-glazed window itself. You may need an assistant and special thick gloves to protect your hands.
Preparation
Before starting work, you need to prepare a place for temporary storage of the removed double-glazed window and a space for work. You can use old cardboard or boards to protect the flooring and walls from the hard corners and edges of the double-glazed window. It is worth covering the furniture with a protective film or a simple cloth, it is quite possible that working with the window frame will be dusty.
Sharp corners on the spatula must be sharpened a little with sandpaper or rounded off with a grinder. Due to inexperience, you can make a lot of scratches on the plastic with a sharp object. It is also necessary to mark the glazing beads with a pencil or felt-tip pen before starting work, so as not to confuse the installation sequence during subsequent assembly.
Dismantling fastening glazing beads
Tools and protective equipment have been prepared, a partner has been found in case of a large area and significant weight of a double-glazed window, now a few important subtleties on how to properly remove a double-glazed window from a plastic window without damaging the frame andplastic fasteners.
It is best to start removing the glazing beads from the side vertical sides of the frame. This is done from the middle because they are traditionally longer and they can be bent a little in the process. The spatula is lightly driven into the gap between the glazing bead and the frame in the middle of the opening and the glazing bead blade is carefully removed from the middle down and up. After removing enough canvas from the latch, continue dismantling with your hands.
Next, remove the lower and upper glazing beads. The top one is removed last to avoid an unexpected fall of a loose double-glazed window. Horizontal glazing beads must be removed from the edge.
Having freed enough web, you can continue dismantling by hand. The glazing beads are made of plastic and rubber, but you should pay attention to the opening hard edges of the double-glazed window, which can easily cut your hand. Wear protective gloves when handling any glass.
Removing the double-glazed window from the frame
Further actions should be carried out, given that the double-glazed window is not fixed and can fall into the room even from the wind. The edges of it must be freed from the sealant, if one is laid there, with a knife.
Next, using a push from the outside or using adhesive tape, a vacuum suction cup or an ordinary plunger from the inside, carefully tilt the glass unit towards ourselves and pull it out of the frame.
The frame around the entire perimeter must be cleaned of sealant. According to the window assembly technology, sealing tapes on the frame andglazing beads should perform the sealing function without the use of additional silicone material.
Checking the frame and mounting
With the double-glazed unit removed, you need to carefully verify the integrity of the entire frame, the absence of distortions and other defects. Especially such a check is necessary if the glass itself cracked under the influence of temperature changes or wind.
Having eliminated all the flaws in the installation of the frame, you can begin to install the double-glazed window in its place. The actions are performed in the reverse order: first, a double-glazed window is installed in the frame opening, after which you can proceed to fasten the glazing beads, starting from the top one.
The glazing beads are driven into the castle with the help of a mallet with light taps. You can also use a regular hammer through a spacer made of wood, the main thing is not to damage the plastic part.
Wooden frames
In this way, you can replace double-glazed windows not only on the balcony or windows, but also in doors and other openings with double-glazed windows. There are also wooden frames for double-glazed windows made of glued profiled timber, the glazing beads of which are attached to special clips. Such frames require even more careful handling and a special tool.
Moreover, if the glass is damaged due to technical flaws in the frame, it is better to contact a professional. Wooden frames are more expensive and are used much less often than plastic ones, respectively, their maintenance should bebe specified in the contract and provided in accordance with the warranty and post-warranty conditions of the agreement.
And why the ax?
Some craftsmen have long found a way to remove a double-glazed window from a plastic window using an ordinary carpenter's ax. Indeed, the force exerted by the blade on the glazing bead and its width make it easy to separate the interlock from the frame. The blade of the ax must be sharp enough to be inserted into the gap between the glazing bead and the frame. A slight pressure is made on the butt of the ax and then, turning the handle to the side, the bead is removed from the lock until it is possible to grab it with your hands.
It is worth mentioning that it will be more convenient to remove the opening doors from the frame and carry out the entire operation on a comfortable table or on the floor, using linings. In any case, haste in such a matter as repair does not lead to anything good. A well-trained master is able to solve the problem of how to remove a double-glazed window from a plastic window. The photos in the text will help you navigate the application of the tools.
