WINDOW

INSTALLATION
GUIDE
Welcome to your new window
Thank you for choosing a new energy
efficient window from Crystal.

Your new windows has been

manufactured to the highest quality 1
standards and is guaranteed for 10
years.

Your window will arrive unglazed and it

is important that you stack the window
and glass in a vertical position - to
prevent your window and glass being
damaged stack on flexible material
between surfaces, such as wooden
blocks.
Protective corner blocks
Your window is delivered fully fabricated
and should retain the protective film
until all building works are complete.
2
Your delivery contains:-

1. PVC-U window - the window will

have corner blocks attached. These Window handle
are there for protection - remove
these prior to installation - see No 1.

2. Handle - already attached to the 3

window. This is fitted with handle
mesh for protection - see No 2 .

3. Trickle vents - these are taped to

the window.
Window trickle vents
4. Glazing packers, cill and cill end
caps - these are taped to the
window cill, if ordered.
4
Prior to installation please ensure that
your new window has been checked for
imperfections or any damage.

Please report any issues within 48 hours

of delivery.

Glazing packers, cill

and cill end caps
Fitting the new frame
2
Please read through
all of this instruction
guide before starting.
Wall

Cill

1
Remove the old frame
Once the old frame has been removed,
brush away any loose debris or cement,
leaving a clean opening ready to receive
Frame with a cill
the new frame.
If you are fitting a frame with a cill, first
decide if you are going to run the cill
around the brickwork or cut it flush to the
finished width of the hole (see above).

Whichever way you decide to do it, cut

the cill to size with a fine toothed saw to fit
tightly back to the inside edge where the
old frame sat. You may have to remove the
tongue of the internal window board first.

Affixing a cill
Once the cill has been cut to size, apply a
line of sealant along the cill upstand and
across the frame platform at each end.
Screw them together, through the bottom
frame section along the centre line and into
the cill.

Insert screws
 3 4
Expanders
Your new window should have a gap of
around 5mm all around it to make sure
it fits into the aperture - you can add
frame extenders if you need to.

If your new window isn’t quite big

enough, you can add a total of 15, 20
or 35mm to the width or depth by
attaching frame extenders.

Please note: Do not forget to

remove the corner protectors prior
to installation
Insert new frame
Offer the frame into the opening and
using a spirit level, ensure the frame is
level, vertical and not twisted before
wedging into position.

Centralise it and insert packers

underneath to level it and maintain the
5mm expansion gap.

Window expanders
 5. Fix the side of the window frame
5 to the wall. To avoid distortion to
the frame and maintain the 5mm
expansion gap use packers (do not
overtighten the fixings).

6. On wider frames ensure you fix

the top and bottom of the frames.
Ensure that the top and bottom
fixings are sealed with silicone to
prevent moisture absorbing into the
brickwork.

7. When finished ensure you clean any

brick dust from your new window
frame.

8. For optimum thermal and acoustic

Affix new frame performance, it is critical that the
1. Remove any packaging from the gap between the window or door
new frame and screw the cill onto product and the aperture is fully
the bottom of the frame. Make insulated using a suitable expanding
sure you select a screw that doesn’t foam or expanding foam tape.
penetrate the inner skin of the
frame.

2. Seal the ends of the cill and frame

to prevent moisture tracking along
the cills into the brickwork.

3. Position the frame into the prepared

aperture. Centralise it and use
packers to ensure that it is level and
to maintain a 5mm expansion gap.

4. Once the frame is level drill fixing

holes into the frame sides. These
should be drilled 150mm from
the top and bottom corners and
600mm in between (a minimum of
2 fixings per side).
 150

Glazing
1 2

How to glaze the new window Toeing and heeling

Starting with one of the longest beads PVC-U opening windows (sash) are
first, remove the glazing beads by heavy, and although the dead weight is
pushing a sharp chisel or a rigid paint supported on the hinge side when it is
scraper between the bead and the frame opened, there is nothing on the lock side
joint at approximately the centre point. to support the weight, and without the
A sharp tap on the butt of the tool procedure of toeing and heeling the door
should allow the bead to be freed. It is will drop on the handle side. To prevent a
most important to refit the beads in the sash dropping, the glass has to be braced
same positions as they were removed, diagonally corner to corner (see diagram)
they may vary in length slightly, due to by the insertion of plastic packers slipped
the manufacturing process. in the gap between the glass or panel and
frame.
1. Place into position the glass packers
approximately 100mm in from each
corner (intermediate packers should How to toe and heel
be used if the double glazed unit is
wider than 1200mm). The door or sash on the lock side
should be raised to the desired
2. Place the double glazed unit height and squared up with the door
into the frame ensuring correct frame. On the hinge side place the
positioning on the glass packers. packers at the bottom corner, whilst
3. Starting on one of the shortest on the lock side, the packers go at
lengths, fit 3 of the beads moving the top (opposite) corner - place a
around the frame using a rubber dab of silicone under the packers on
mallet, finally fitting the last bead by the door sides to stop the packers
bending it into position. dropping. lt is advisable to use a
glazing shovel when lifting the glass or
N.B. It is always best to leave one of the panel. The packers should be placed
longer beads until last as a long bead approximately 150mm from the edge
will locate and bend more easily. of the frame.
Adjustments
1 2

Window locking mushroom

cams
The cams on the window locking
mechanism can be adjusted with an
Window hinges Allen key that is located in the centre
Generally the window hinges require of the mushroom cams. The cams are
no adjustment. However, should you eccentric and can be turned to increase
wish to adjust the tension on the or decrease the closing pressure of the
friction stay, this can be achieved mechanism. They should also be used
by screwing the brass screw, set in to adjust the cams if you experience
the black plastic pad, in or out to difficulty closing the window vent. This
increase or decrease the tension. The is usually caused by the pressure being
adjustment screw can be accessed by too tight and the cams grinding onto the
opening the vent. keeps.

Finishing
Clean the external surfaces to remove scotia trim. Do this by sealing the frame
the dirt and grit. behind the trim with frame sealant. You
can then stick the trim in place with
Apply a strip of masking tape to the
more frame sealant.
frame perimeter. Apply a smooth bead
of silicone sealant between the frame
and brick work. Before the sealant sets,
remove the masking tape to create a
neat finish. It is important to remember
to seal below the external cill.

Trims and profiles come in lots of

different shapes and sizes to cover
sealant and fixings. They’ll give you a You have finished!
neat, professional finish, inside and out.
Once you have installed your
You can cover wider gaps around the new window, open and close it to
outside of the window with a PVC-U ensure that it is working correctly.
Top tips looking after your windows
Our top tips to keep your windows in Do...
the best condition, we recommend...
• Wash down the PVC-U at least
1. That you carry out routine
twice a year with warm soapy
maintenance on your windows at
water and wipe it dry.
least twice a year. In areas of high
exposure, you may want to do this • Regularly clean the glass with a
more frequently. clear liquid spray glass cleaner.

2. All parts of your new windows that

are exposed when closed, should
Don’t...
be washed down with warm soapy
water using a soft cloth, then dried • Paint PVC-U window frames.
thoroughly.
• Use paste or cream cleaners
3. Any parts that are exposed when which can be mildly abrasive.
the window is open, should simply
• Use any type of bleach, solvent
be wiped clean, removing any
or adhesive.
grime, dirt, insect remains or old
lubricant.
Friction Hinges
4. You avoid any cleaning agents that
Maintenance is important but
have ammonia in them or that are
straightforward. Keep the friction stay
abrasive, particularly on handles
track free from dirt and grime and
and other metal fittings.
keep the hinge mechanism clean.
5. Special attention is paid to keep Lubricate the metal parts regularly with
drainage channels clear and free light oil, concentrating on the pivot
from any blockages. points. Friction can be increased or
decreased by adjustment of a screw.
6. That any moving parts and fixings
Turn in a clockwise direction
are treated as follows:
to increase friction. Take care not to
• The application of light oil, to over tighten.
keep the locking mechanism in
good working order. Egress Friction Hinges
In order to facilitate a maximum clear
• A suitable acid and resin free
opening, egress hinges may be fitted.
grease should be used on sliding
In most cases this will be an upstairs
bars, gears and face plates.
window and allows the window to be
• Maintenance of friction stays is opened to 90°. Some egress hinges
important and we recommend combine the opening facility with
that you follow the guidelines for an easy clean system, whereby the vent
lubrication and adjustment. can be slid sideways to allow external
cleaning to be carried out from inside.
To utilise the easy clean facility, open
the window normally, then press and
hold down the button on both hinges
to release the restrictor hinge. Slide the
vent across to allow egress.
Window Locking Mechanisms Handles

Windows fitted with either an Windows can be fitted with key locking,
Espagnolette or Shoot Bolt locking push to open handles. An easy to use
system will allow the window to system, yet secure and long lasting. To
remain partly open at night to facilitate operate, simply press the thumb button,
ventilation. turn through 90° and push the window
to the desired angle. To close, reverse
To engage the window in its night
the procedure by pulling the window
vent position, open the window to
closed and turning the handle back
approximately 15mm and then return
to its original position, thus engaging
the handle to its locking position. You
it automatically. Handles can be
may feel slight resistance so do not try
deadlocked by using the key provided.
to force the handle, simply move the
window slightly until you find a point
where there is no resistance and close.
Check the window is held securely in the
night vent position by pushing gently on
the vent - if held securely it should not
Warranty
move. Maintenance of locking systems Your new product carries a
is simple: apply light oil to the moving manufacturer’s warranty of 10 years.
parts, once a year. Similarly, a little
grease should be applied to the locking
slots to facilitate smooth running.

Ventilation Control

Windows are fitted with a trickle

ventilation unit, located at the top of
the sash. This is designed so that you
can control ventilation and minimise any
build up of condensation. Simply open
or close the ventilator. No maintenance
is required.