Building a house is a big challenge. First of all , because it requires the coordination of many different works. One of the most important stages of any construction is the assembly of joinery. When is the best time to install windows in a new home? we suggest!
When windows appear in a new building, you know that a very important stage of work is already completed. The so-called closed shell means that the most important elements of the structure are ready, and the building looks more and more like a place where happy residents will soon move in.
Let us emphasize right away - a lot depends on the stage of works carried out and planned at the construction site, as well as the technologies used. The time of year when the windows should be installed is also important.
At what stage of construction works should windows be installed?
Most professionals recommend installing windows in your home when the walls and roof are ready. It is then possible to close the structure and protect the interior against weather conditions. The building is also ready for further works, including screeds and interior plastering.
Is it worth installing windows when you are planning a break in construction works?
It also happens that when the shell is completed, work on building a house has to be suspended. The reasons can be different: it can be a winter break, the need to raise funds for further works, and sometimes the belief that the newly built walls should still dry and rest.
Regardless of the reason, if construction work is not continued for some time , it is unlikely to install windows.
There are two reasons. The first is the drying of the walls - it is much better to protect the door and window openings of the building in a raw state with a plate or boards. They will protect the interior against precipitation, and at the same time allow for good ventilation and drying of the walls.
The second reason is the risk of ... losing windows. On construction sites left for a winter break, for example, theft is common, and windows are no exception. So it's not worth taking the risk if the construction is not well secured.
When can PVC or aluminum windows be installed?
In the case of PVC windows, there are fewer doubts as to the moment of their installation. This is due to the properties of the material they are made of.
PVC windows can be installed immediately after covering the house with a roof. At the next stage, the so-called wet works, i.e. screed or laying plaster, usually begin. They are usually associated with significant moisture inside. The PVC material from which the windows are made tolerates moisture well and is resistant to its effects. Thanks to this, you can carry out work inside, and at the same time enjoy the comfort of a closed building.
However, it is worth remembering that during and after the work, very good ventilation is necessary, and in some cases even heating. The same rules as for PVC windows also apply to aluminum joinery.
Can windows be installed in winter?
This stage of construction works is best done in spring or autumn, when the temperatures are positive, but not too high. However, much depends on the construction schedule. If you plan to install electrical and plumbing installations or make screeds in the winter, earlier installation of windows is a must and there is no point in delaying it.
Although modern assembly materials and technologies allow the installation of windows in sub-zero temperatures, most experienced professionals advise avoiding work in frost, rain or snow.
At low temperatures, the properties of assembly materials, such as foams, may change, which may lose their binding properties. Then you have to use materials intended for work at negative temperatures, which are much more expensive.
In addition, in cold rooms moisture settles more easily, which can have an adverse effect on both the windows and the interior of the house. After installing the windows, the building may turn out to be excessively airtight. In order to avoid the accumulation of moisture, it is necessary to provide adequate ventilation and ensure that the rooms are heated.
Inserting windows has one more important aspect. From now on, it is harder for people from outside to get to the construction site, and the investor and contractors can safely leave equipment and materials inside the house. However, it is worth thinking about additional security, such as monitoring or an alarm system. From the point of view of burglary protection, it is even necessary to "close" the house before starting the finishing works inside.
