General remarks

The instruction hereof is a general installation instruction and it relates to installation of white and coloured PVC windows. The instruction gives only a general description of window installation principle, with an assumption of typical installation conditions. It does not include the cases of particularly atypical types of buildings and structures such as metal halls, wooden houses etc.

Before starting installation you should check the brickworks surrounding the windows for their durability in order to be sure that the window fixing materials have relevantly stable mechanical connection with the brickwork.

It is not allowable to fix and build-up the window frames with use of chemical adhesive agents, in addition it should be remembered that no loadings originating from the walls, e.g. in result of „building operation” under the pressure of wind, tectonic movements of the subsoil etc. should be transferred to the window. 

Fixtures and connections with the walls, as well as connections between individual window elements (with use of special joining profiles - fasteners) should be made in such a way to guarantee the functionality of the window in case of any changes in the length of the elements dependent on thermal conditions.

The galvanized wall anchors (ties) or screws with metal expansion sleeves, so called dowels are used for fixing the windows. When fixing the window in the threshold part (horizontal bottom frame profile) with use of screws with expansion sleeves you should pay attention to proper insulation so to prevent the water from penetrating the openings in the walls and cause corrosion of the bolts and predrilled reinforcements..

Window installation

I. Fixing the window to the wall with use of steel anchor bolts

We attach the anchor bolts to the underneath part of the window frame through their mechanical jamming in the frame profile catches.  The jamming is made by inserting the prongs of the anchor  into the  groove in the frame (the guides embossed underneath the profile), in position parallel to frame profile,  followed by strong rotating of the anchor clockwise 90 degrees to lock it in place and connect it mechanically with the frame profile. 

We recommend additionally fixing the anchors  with use of self-tapping screws 4 x 25 mm (jambs and head of the frame) and 4 x 60 mm (bottom part of the frame).  First and last anchors should be attached within approx. 150 mm for white and 250 mm for coloured windows from interior corner (angle) of the window and from the mullion axis (for windows with mullions), with the distance between following adjacent anchors not exceeding 600 mm at the maximum. We set the window frame together with the anchors fastened on its perimeter in the rough window opening, taking care of keeping proper clearance between the frame and the brickwork.

The distance between the wall and the masonry depends on the size of window frame, window colour and external insulating material and it should be as follows:

* in the bottom part of the window an additional profile is fixed, so called installation threshold, whose purpose is to secure the window during transport and facilitate the installation of thicker windowsills e.g. chamber or marble. The threshold has the height of 32 mm, therefore in case of installation of a window with the threshold, its height should be taken into consideration in determination of the window opening size..

After correct and even establishment of the framework we compensate all unevenness with use of wooden shims. It is allowable to leave the impregnated shims under the horizontal frame profile in case of installation of big white window structures on condition that the width of supporting shims makes ¾ of the frame profile width, at the maximum.

We fasten the window frame in blocked rigid position in the opening using wooden or plastic shims, checking at the same time the level and the plumb with a level.

If the window is properly set in the installation position, we can start fastening the anchor bolts in the brickwork. The anchor bolts should be bent towards the wall in such a way to be able to screw them into the wall mechanically with use of properly selected screw-nail anchors. We select the type of the bolts depending on type of the wall and in compliance with the instructions and recommendations of producer of the bolts.  The screw-nail anchors fixing the anchor bolt to the brickwork should be screwed into the wall through the opening in the anchor bolt located nearest the frame profile. The way of window frames installation with use of anchor bolts is presented by the drawing.

II. Fixing the window to the brickwork with use of special screw-nail anchors, so called dowels

The windows can be fastened to the wall also with use of special screw-nail anchors with metal expansion sleeve  of diameter 10-12 mm, which make it possible to fix the window frame directly in the brickwork through drilling out the frame profiles and the brickwork in one position. Preparation and setting of the windows requires the same steps and in case of window fastened with use of the anchor bolts.

It is recommended to use extended drill bits for drilling the openings to avoid damage of the frame with driller’s head.

A letter C-shaped reinforcement is placed in the window frame and from the inner part of the  window the head of the dowel would be based only on the rear wall of PVC profile, which in case of stronger tightening of the dowel could cause permanent deformation or cracking of the frame profile. In order to avoid this we should increase the opening in this place to enable the dowel fully penetrating the window frame, with its head based on the wall of steel reinforcement. The opening occurred in this way should be blanked with use of plastic blank covers  ∅ 13 mm  available in factory store or any other blank cover available in trade.

As correct and secure installation of the window is of key importance, you should always follow the instructions provided by the  producers of screw-nail anchors – dowels (appropriate diameter and length of the opening). It is allowable to leave the head of the dowel on the frame profile and put the flat blank covers, so called furniture blank cover fixed on the cross head of the screw, provided however, that it should not cause any bending (concave meniscus) of the profile under the head.

Note: We recommend installing the entry door (single- and double-wing) very carefully and only with use of the dowels because of considerable weight of their wings, often opening and high loading of the frame caused by it, which shall guarantee their correct and proper operation.

III. Seal and insulation between the window (frame profile i.e. window frame) and the wall

The insulation between the window and the wall has to be durable, resistant to water and air penetration. Wind and acoustic insulation is ensured only in the situation, in which the sealant placed all around the window perimeter is not interrupted in any place.

When using the insulating materials you should follow the producer’s instructions.

In case of window openings with reveal you should keep a distance of 10-15 mm between front surface of frame profile and the reveal (brickwork). The clearance so created should be filled with elastic materials and waterproof distance material – sealing tape.

You should carefully fill in the slot between the window and the wall with insulation material, from the outwards. The best material for this purpose is flexible caulking foam. The foam should be applied in compliance with producer’s instructions (ambient temperature, way of use). Applying too much of the foam in the slots between the window frame and the wall may cause deformation of the frame profile.

It is prohibited to use material containing bituminous components and other components reacting with PVC.

After drying, the excess of the foam should be removed with sharp knife up to the height equal to frame edge.

Then the finishing plastering works, followed by masking the joints between the window and the wall should be made, i.e.  plastering up from the exterior and interior, as shown in the picture.  You should remember, however, that the layer of the plaster from the interior should not be thicker than 5 mm in view of operation of the hinges installed on the frame. In addition, you should remember that the layer of plaster applied from the exterior of the window (in case of installation of the window without windowsill) should not cover the drain holes in the bottom profile of the frame. After drying of the plaster, you should make an additional finishing seal with use of neutral silicone in the place in which the plaster contacts the window frame from inwards of the premises, due to which we shall receive flexible insulation of the points in which the plaster contacts the brickwork, which shall prevent from cracking the plaster on the window perimeter.

The scheme of routine procedures when installing the PVC windows

1. Initial control:
a) check the window for quality and dimensions,
b) assign delivered windows to individual window openings,
c) verify the window dimension, compared to the dimensions of rough openings in the wall,
d) verify type of fitting and the direction and way of window sash opening.

2. Preparing the installation:
a) unpack installation elements, remove shipping handles that may be installed on framework side
b) fix the handles in the sash
c) remove for the installation time the movable elements of windows (sashes) through moving out the bolt in the upper hinge (after prior removal of hinge covers) or in bottom hinges in tilt sashes. The bottom hinge in turn and tilt-and-turn sashes does not need removal (it is enough to lift the sash).

3. Setting the joinery
a) check the window for exterior dimensions and the dimensions of window openings. The width of opening in the wall should be higher by approx. 4 cm from window width, and the height by approx. 5 cm (2-3 cm in case of balcony window, counting from the level of finished floor);
b) clean the rough window opening, in which the frame shall be set in the wall;
c) take off the sash from the frame
d) place the frame in the wall on wooden load-bearing cams in such a way to keep due installation clearances between the wall and the frame;
e) fasten the frame initially in the wall with use of the shims. You should remember, however, about the necessity of shimming the frame at its corners, because shimming the frame in half of its height may cause deflection of its elements;
f) check for the plumb and the level, and then check for the diagonals with use of measuring tape. The admissible discrepancies in the diagonals should not exceed 2 mm per length of 1 m and 3 mm in case of length over 1 m;
g) fix the frame permanently in the wall with use of dowels or anchor bolts. In case of fastening the frame on the anchor bolts, they should be fixed to the frame before setting it in the rough window opening. The openings for the dowels are drilled after setting the frame in the wall (unless you decide to use so called adjufixes, i.e. the openings predrilled in the process of window production), and then the dowels are screwed;
h) set the window sashes and check if they operate correctly;
i) secure the window surface with  painter’s paper tape and start filling the space between the frame and the wall with fitting foam.

4. Filling the installation slot
a) remove  all the auxiliary elements used during the installation of the window from the space between the frame and the rough opening wall i.e. wooden shims, leaving there the levelling and plumbing wedges, 
b) fill in  the free space between the window frame and the wall with recommended sealant (polyurethane foam), remembering that the foam expands during drying,
c) after caulking, set the sash and close the window. Before closing the window you should check if the sash operates properly and adheres evenly to the window frame,
d) after drying of the foam, remove its excess, as described above,
e) after this, seal the point in which the window contacts the brickwork, using the silicone for this purpose as presented on construction cross-section drawings. In case of installation of a window with a reveal you should remember about using first additional sealing tape all around the window perimeter, as shown on the installation drawing,
f) then, you can start making finishing plastering  works.

5. Plastering works
a) Remove the excess of caulking foam and secure the fittings against contamination with mortar;
b) start the plastering works;
c) seal with silicone all the places in which the window contacts the brickwork all around the window perimeter, working from the interior and the exterior;
d) take off the tape securing the surface of the windows (on customer’s demand)
e) adjust the multi-point locking fittings (mainly on bottom hinge);
 
In case of interest in our installation services or in receiving our offer we ask you to contact the nearest  Sales Showroom of Fabryka Okien KONAL or its Dealer. The list together with address is available under the Tab CONTACT or on our sale points map.

We inform you that the visit of our Technical and Sales Consultant to take the measurements, make the valuation and offer to you some advice about the best solutions available for you house, apartment or investment – is free of charge.