Plastic slopes

An important point when installing a plastic window is the design of the window opening. Materials for slopes are chosen the same as for the window itself, or make design in a different way. However, plastic slopes, which well hide all the flaws of the window opening and mounting foam, are an excellent option. If they are installed correctly and correctly, the window, and the whole room, immediately takes on a completed look.

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Why are slopes necessary?

There are several reasons why it is highly advisable to install slopes, regardless of the configuration, size and material of the window. The main ones are:

• We can assume that the window is installed correctly, if all the sealing rules are observed, the cold bridges are eliminated.
• In addition, slopes made in accordance with all the rules look beautiful.
• They partially bear the heat-insulating load - while the mounting seams do not fog up.

Important! If negligence is allowed during installation, dampness destroys building materials, the window opening looks unattractive.

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Is there an alternative to plastic?

Finishing the side surfaces of the window opening with plaster does not provide complete tightness. Sound insulation also leaves much to be desired. Over time, under the influence of external factors, the plaster and putty fail, so you have to start all over again.

A slightly better option is the use of drywall constructions. However, even moisture-resistant versions of drywall are not able to withstand external influences (in particular, the constant presence of condensate). In addition, drywall for greater strength must be puttied and covered with paint on top.

Plastic, in addition to external attractiveness, has a number of other advantages:

• Externally, the plastic is combined with the color and texture of the window frames. Due to this, the window looks like a solid and monolithic design.
• Slopes on plastic windows can be easily insulated if heat and vapor barrier are provided. If the insulation is done correctly, condensate will not annoy the owners.
• A good bonus will be reliable sound insulation. This is especially true for people who live near busy streets.
• Arrangement of PVC slopes does not require a large number of building materials.
• In the process of work there is no loud noise, there is a minimum of garbage.
• Plastic slopes can be equipped both indoors and outdoors.
• Immunity of plastic to high humidity.
• Long service life without changing operational properties.
• Resistance to temperature changes, small values ​​of thermal expansion.
• Ease of care. Plastic slopes can be washed using a variety of household cleaning products.

Important! The disadvantages of plastic slopes include the impossibility of partial repair. If the plastic is damaged, you will have to replace the entire structure. This minus is partially offset by the fact that modern plastic has good strength properties. Damaging it is not so easy.

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Types of window slopes made of plastic

In the modern market there are two types of plastic slopes.

• Wall products.
• Sandwich panels.

According to experts, the option with sandwich panels is preferable.Sandwich panels are a structure of 2-3 plastic sheets, between which stiffeners and insulation material are located. Compared to wall panels, a sandwich can tolerate low temperatures much better.

Of course, even in this case, a layer of insulation or a thorough blowing with mounting foam will not interfere. Foam provides additional grip of the slope to the surface of the window opening.

Important! Another question is what to choose slopes for plastic windows - from matte or glossy material:

• The gloss looks good, but it gets dirty faster, fingerprints are clearly visible on it.
• For families with children, the matt option is more suitable. Slopes will have to be washed less often.

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How to sheathe slopes with plastic?

As a rule, slopes on plastic windows begin to be drawn up the day after the installation of double-glazed windows. The works are not particularly difficult, therefore, with minimal construction skills, you can do this work yourself.

Important! Plastic does not exfoliate and does not need additional coloring. If you want to change the appearance of the slopes over time, then you can use a self-adhesive film. You can choose any pattern or imitation of different materials, wood, ornamental stone, ceramics, etc. It doesn’t matter - you decide to replace the old slopes with new ones or do their installation for the first time, you must adhere to one standard algorithm of the main stages of work.

What tools will be needed?

To equip the slopes from PVC plastic, you will need such tools:

• Good construction knife.
• Ruler, tape measure and square for measuring work (preparation and adjustment of panels for installation).
• A construction syringe for sealant or a gun for using construction foam.
• Wide paint brush for priming the surface.
• Scissors for metal when using profiles and corners of metal.
• Building level to control horizontal and vertical surface removal.

Important! According to many builders, a preliminary primer is necessary for the surface to strengthen it. In any case, the side and ceiling parts of the window opening must be cleaned of debris and degreased.

The required set of materials:

• Plastic panels.

Important! Given that the lower part of the window opening will be covered with a window sill, it is necessary to measure the side and ceiling part of the opening. It is necessary to buy material with a margin of 10-15%.

• Starting rail made of U-shaped plastic.
• F-shaped rail.
• Profile for the inner corner, which is installed at the joints of the panels.
• Material for thermal insulation (mineral wool or polystyrene foam).

Important! If you use sandwich panels, slopes do not need additional thermal insulation.

• Self-tapping screws.
• White silicone for the gaps between the panels.
• Rail made of wood or plywood with a thickness of 10-12 cm.
• Foam (preferably professional).
• Brackets for installation.
• Primer.

Important! If you mount slopes on plastic windows from sandwich panels, U-shaped and corner rails will not be useful to you. F-shaped slats can also be dispensed with by designing the outer corner with a putty mixture. Which option to use - it all depends on your personal preferences.

Surface preparation:

1. First, remove the old coating. Whitewashing is easily removed if moistened several times with warm water. If the slopes were painted with oil paint, then it is best to remove it with a spatula, pre-heating the surface with a building hair dryer.
2. Surface treatment with a primer is mandatory, as this avoids the appearance of fungus and mold. Mold not only spoils the walls, but is also dangerous to health, therefore this stage of work should not be neglected. The primer is applied in several layers, waiting until the previous layer has dried. They process the entire surface, up to the most inaccessible corners.

Important! The most time-consuming option is to completely remove the plaster from the slope. This is done in the case when a thick layer of the solution does not allow even ordinary plastic panels to be installed. Remove the plaster with a punch equipped with a special nozzle.

3. The work on preparing materials for the installation of plastic slopes begins with fitting the panels to the width of the wall. To cut plastic, it is advisable to use an electric jigsaw.

Important! The panels are attached to the prepared surface using PVC glue or “liquid nails”. If the panels are equipped with special grooves, then for installation you will need rails with special corners. It remains only to install and fix the panel.

Slope foaming

If construction foam is used during installation, the algorithm of actions is as follows:

1. Installation begins with the ceiling of the window opening.
2. For better surface adhesion, spray the ceiling part of the opening with water.
3. Apply foam on the surface of the glued part with a thin strip, as the construction foam expands greatly.
4. Press the material to the surface for 5-7 minutes. After that, install the supports and hold the structure until the foam is completely dry.

Important! For props, you can use ordinary planed boards.

5. The side parts are mounted similarly.
6. The gaps remaining between the panels are additionally foamed. After the foam has completely dried, its residues are cut off with a construction knife.
7. At the joints between the finishing material and the wall, platbands are installed.

Important! Platband has a cross section in the form of a corner and is available in different widths. The platband is glued with liquid nails.

8. If there are cracks between the panels at the end of installation, they are sealed with white silicone.

Important! You can use wooden slats, which are pre-fixed with screws or dowels. The panel is attached to the rail with brackets.

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RTD slopes - an innovative solution

This is a universal design that is becoming more and more popular year by year. The main advantage is the ease of installation. You collect slopes like the details of a children's designer.

Important! This option is ideal for those who want to replace windows without planning a global repair. This design is best combined with VEKA windows.

Features

Joints between walls and slopes are reliably and accurately hidden by a special edging. Their dimensions are:

• Length - 600 cm.
• Width - 60 cm.
• Thickness - 1 cm
• The thickness of the ribs is 0.52 mm.

The benefits of RTD design include:

• Strong and reliable material of production (high-quality rigid PVC).
• There is no need for additional coloring, varnishing and special care.
• Environmental Safety. The material from which the plastic slopes are made does not contain harmful and toxic compounds.
• Resistance to ultraviolet radiation.
• Easy installation.
• Good compatibility with other materials for finishing slopes.

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How to care for plastic slopes?

Despite the fact that plastic is much more wear-resistant compared to drywall and plaster, it needs some care:

• Plastic is unpretentious, but it is advisable to use special detergents that are suitable for both frames and slopes.
• If household chemicals are at hand, use a normal soap solution.

Important! Do not use abrasive cleaners to clean plastic. The surface will be scratched.

• Microfiber wipes are perfect for caring for glossy slopes.
• To avoid condensation on the slopes, use a mixture of glycerol with alcohol (alcohol to glycerol ratio 20: 1).

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Stock footage

Now you know what plastic slopes are: what they are, what are their advantages, how to install them correctly - in general, all that is needed to make your home more attractive and reliable with the help of such material.