The installation technology of modern metal-plastic structures: windows, doors, glazings of balconies and loggias, involves the use of mounting foam. Foam for installing windows is a reliable sealing material that has established itself in the Russian climate, especially in low temperatures, where it demonstrates its high thermal insulation qualities.
Key Features
Reliability of the parameters of the mounting foam can be achieved by observing the technological process when installing a plastic window and with the right choice of material. The characteristics of the foam should correspond to the conditions in which it is intended to be used: humidity, temperature, season, and subsequent finishing of window slopes.
This modern material appeared on the construction market not so long ago and gained its popularity along with metal-plastic constructions, since the technology of their installation can not do without foam. The mixture has high adhesive properties, does not allow electric current, easily fills inaccessible voids, is not susceptible to decay and has heat and sound insulation qualities.
Composition and scope
On the modern market there are many already established brands and unknown brands of polyurethane foam, but in fact, it is a one-component polyurethane foam sealant in aerosol packaging. The liquid prepolymer is displaced from the cylinder by means of a propellant gas under excessive pressure.
After spraying the composition, it polymerizes - hardening under the influence of moisture from the air. The result is the formation of a porous material, similar to polystyrene, which can be used for slopes and processed in any necessary way: cut, putty or plaster.
This material is used for installation and repair of window frames, door frames, window sills, other structures made of concrete, plastic, metal and wood. Foam is used when installing windows and doors to seal joints and cracks.
When working with polyurethane foam, you do not need to have special skills. It does not require the use of additional devices and sources of electricity.
Properties
This material is characterized by:
- the volume of foam, which indicates the size of the container;
- adhesion, i.e. adhesion to the surface;
- foaming, which means the transformation of the composition from a liquid state into foam;
- an extension that says how much the volume of the foam increases during solidification. This indicator is important if compaction of deep joints and joints is required;
- secondary expansion.
The secondary expansion rate has a negative effect and can play a trick on ignoring this property of foam. For example, when installing metal-plastic structures in the form of windows and doors as a result of the secondary expansion of the foam, additional pressure arises on the structural elements with their subsequent deformation. To prevent this, it is necessary to install spacers during the installation of windows.
Foam cannot be used for installation purposes on an icy, polyethylene, teflon, silicone and oily surface.
Positive qualities of polyurethane foam:
- non-transmission of electric current;
- multifunctionality of use - as a heater, sealant, adhesive and soundproofing composition;
- water repellent properties;
- fire safety class B1;
- due to the property to increase significantly in volume, the foam effectively fills the most inaccessible places: seams, cracks, indentations, quickly hardening at the same time;
- the applied composition does not rot and is not afraid of mold;
- possesses high heat-insulating qualities;
- can be used for fixing pipes of water supply and heating, electrical wiring;
- It is used as a sealant with insulation properties during the installation of roofing materials;
- mounting foam when installing windows, due to the high bonding properties, provides reliable fixation of window and door blocks without the use of nails and screws;
- soundproofing qualities allow damping noise from vibrations. When installing plastic windows, this property complements the quality of the structure and enhances the action of soundproof rubber seals installed in the window.
Disadvantages:
- despite the fact that the material repels water from its surface, moisture can accumulate in its porous structure, which over time destroys the structure of the foam and reduces its operational properties;
- collapses under the influence of direct sunlight;
- the presence of strict requirements for the storage of cylinders - vertical position and ambient temperature from no lower than 5 and no higher than 25 degrees;
- after contact with human skin, it is very difficult to rub off and only with solvents, so when working with foam it is important to use gloves.
Varieties
If the composition of the material from different manufacturers has slight differences, then, depending on the design of the balloon itself, the foam can be professional and household.
Professional
Professional or pistol foam is characterized by its use in conjunction with a gun applicator as a device for dispensing material. To do this, the design of the cylinder is equipped with a special operating valve on which the gun is worn.
The use of a metering device allows the portioned delivery of material to slots and recesses, to control the amount of material and save its consumption. The device itself is ergonomically thought out and allows you to work with one hand, using the trigger and the handle. A long thin metal nozzle allows you to feed the material into the recesses. In this case, the position of the bottom of the cylinder does not matter.
The applicator gun is a professional device, so it has a high cost. It is acquired by builders and installers, whose field of activity is directly related to its application.
Modern cylinders are equipped with reusable valves. This ensures a tight closing of the container and preservation of the contents until the next use without loss of quality and drying. The mechanism for securing the cylinder to the gun can also be different: the valve can be threaded and screwed onto the gun or fastened.
Household
For domestic use, it does not make sense to buy a metering gun, since special aerosol solvents, which also cost money, are required to care for it..
For home episodic use, manufacturers offer household mounting foam. It is also called semi-professional or manual and is represented by only one cylinder without additional devices, except for the nozzle in the form of a plastic tube, which is put on the valve before starting work.
Seasonality classification
Depending on the requirements for temperature conditions, mounting foam is:
- summer;
- winter
- all-weather.
It is recommended to use summer foam at a temperature of 5 to 35 degrees. Winter foam is used at temperatures from 18 degrees below zero to 35 degrees with a plus sign. The presence of special additives and additives ensures the passage of the polymerization process in conditions of low atmospheric humidity. It is important to remember that the higher the temperature, the greater the expansion coefficient of the foam and vice versa.
The all-season option is rarely seen on the shelves of construction stores, since this material is relatively new and not manufactured by all manufacturers. The composition is characterized by improved qualities compared to the winter and summer versions, has a high expansion coefficient and high foaming rate at temperatures up to minus ten degrees.
Selection rules
The modern construction market offers a huge selection of these products from both well-known manufacturers and new companies. To make the right choice, it is important to pay attention to the following points.
Taking the balloon in hand, check for under-filling by comparing the actual weight with the declared volume. A 750-ml bottle should weigh between 850 and 920 grams. If there is not enough foam in the bottle, the internal pressure will drop low enough and some of the foam will remain inside.
The percentage of secondary expansion that occurs after a certain period of time - up to several days is very important. It should not exceed the primary value by more than 20 percent, otherwise deformation of structures will occur due to the additional load.
Foam should adhere to the surface qualitatively, not drain off it, have low shrinkage and elasticity. You need to purchase a cylinder with a fresh shelf life.
Application rules
Observing simple rules during operation, it is possible to ensure that the mounting foam when installing plastic windows will last a long time and retain its quality.
Given that polymerization takes place in a humid environment, the surface should be moistened with water before work. As a result, solidification will occur quickly and the expansion coefficient of the foam will increase.
When working in the winter, it is necessary to clean the surface of ice and hoarfrost.
Before applying the cylinder is actively shaken for 60 seconds. In winter, the cylinder should have room temperature.
When spraying the contents, the cylinder should be kept upside down to concentrate the composite in the region of the valve. This will prevent a drop in internal pressure and allow the use of the entire foam..
When filling the seam, you need to start work from below and move up with uniform movement of the cylinder. In this case, the seam must be filled by 50%. If it is very deep, then this can be done in several passes, while each previous layer should grasp well.
The final hardening of the foam will take approximately 8 hours, this indicator is associated with environmental humidity and temperature.
When the foam hardens, you can cut off its excess with a knife and carry out work to protect its surface from external influences such as moisture and the sun. Foam can be plastered, putty or stained. When installing plastic windows, it is hidden under cashing or shelves.
Common brands
The most common and well-established brands of polyurethane foam in the construction market are:
- Installation moment;
- Makroflex;
- Soudal.
"Moment-installation" is the most common option available for domestic and professional use.. According to seasonality - usually all-weather. It features high adhesive properties. Due to the dense and homogeneous structure, it is most often used when installing metal-plastic structures.
Makroflex is also commonly found in stores.. Suitable for use on any surface. It has a low secondary expansion coefficient. Divided by seasonality.
“Soudal” is not often found on sale, but this foam is worth looking for, as it has excellent qualities.. It is characterized by the absence of toxins and a specific odor, good density and low porosity.In addition to winter and summer foam, the manufacturer produces fireproof options.