---
title: "Plastic Windows Before the Cold: When to Enable \"Winter Mode\" and When to Replace Gaskets"
description: "Expert guide on preparing plastic windows for cold weather: how to use \"winter mode\", check hardware, and replace gaskets on time."
date: 2026-10-07T09:38:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/plastic-windows-winter-mode-gaskets
tags: [windows, home-maintenance, winter-mode, lifestyle, tips]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Plastic Windows Before the Cold: When to Enable "Winter Mode" and When to Replace Gaskets

![Main image](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/07/plastikovye-okna-zimnij-rezhim-uplotniteli/plastikovye-okna-zimnij-rezhim-uplotniteli-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- "Winter mode" involves adjusting eccentric trunnions to increase sash pressure against the frame.
- Winkhaus recommends adjusting hardware based on actual wear rather than automatically every season.
- Damaged and cracked gaskets cannot be compensated by strong pressure and must be replaced.
- Excessive pressure can deform the rubber and damage the window handle mechanism.

With the onset of cold weather, many apartment and homeowners begin to feel unpleasant drafts coming from plastic windows. The main reason for this is usually insufficient pressure of the window sash against the frame or natural wear and tear of the sealing gaskets. Before attempting to adjust the hardware yourself, you should thoroughly inspect the window structure and review the manufacturer's official recommendations.

### What is "Winter Mode" and How It Works

In manuals from leading profile and hardware manufacturers such as Salamander, the term "winter mode" refers to increasing the pressure of the sash against the window frame. In systems with appropriate hardware, eccentric locking elements called trunnions are adjusted for this purpose. Turning these elements changes the pressing force of the sash, thereby optimizing the compression of the rubber seal. However, there is no single universal scheme for all plastic windows, as designs and mechanisms vary significantly.

### Contradictory Data on Seasonal Adjustment Necessity

There are noticeable differences in expert and manufacturer recommendations regarding the mandatory transition of windows to winter mode. On the one hand, profile manuals advise increasing pressure with the onset of cold weather for maximum airtightness. On the other hand, hardware manufacturer Winkhaus recommends checking and adjusting the hardware exclusively based on actual signs of malfunction: drafts, the sash catching on the frame, or difficulty opening and closing. Experts emphasize that such problems are not always solved by simply increasing pressure, and excessive force can lead to premature wear of gaskets.

### Gasket Condition and Self-Maintenance Rules

A critically important step in preparing windows for winter is inspecting the gaskets along the entire perimeter of the sash. The presence of cracks, deformations, or damaged areas indicates that the material no longer provides proper tightness and must be replaced. It is strictly forbidden to try to compensate for a damaged gasket by applying stronger pressure with the hardware. If the mechanism jams or the sash is misaligned, you should contact a qualified service technician.

### Safe Adjustment and Maintenance Rules

Before changing the position of the trunnions, you must identify the manufacturer and series of the hardware, find the corresponding instructions, and check if self-adjustment is permitted. Excessive pressure can overly compress the gaskets and make it difficult to turn the handle. After adjustment, check the window operation; the sash should close smoothly. If the handle turns with significant resistance, do not use force — contact a professional service master.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [Пластиковые окна перед холодами: когда включать "зимний режим", а когда менять уплотнители](https://styler.rbc.ua/ukr/useful/plastikovi-vikna-pered-holodami-koli-vmikati-1791361616.html) - Основной источник информации, описывающий рекомендации по регулировке окон и замене уплотнителей.
- [Нужно ли заклеивать пластиковые окна на зиму: разбор привычки из СССР](https://pnz.ru/recommendations/nuzhno-li-zakleivat-plastikovye-okna-na-zimu-razbor-privychki-iz-sssr/) - Подтверждено по источнику pnz.ru
- [Как перевести окна в зимний режим и зачем это делать ещё осенью](https://glavred.info/lifehack/kak-perevesti-okna-v-zimniy-rezhim-i-zachem-eto-delat-eshche-osenyu-10799234.html) - Дополнительный источник, подтверждающий методы настройки фурнитуры осенью.
- [Перевод пластиковых окон на «зимний режим»: как отрегулировать прижим створок своими руками и ...](https://ntr-24.ru/poleznaja-informacija/146577-perevod-plastikovyh-okon-na-zimnij-rezhim-kak-otregulirovat-prizhim-stvorok-svoimi-rukami-i-pomenjat-uplotnitel.html) - Источник подтверждает правила ухода за пластиковыми окнами и особенности работы с цапфами.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: Is it mandatory to switch windows to winter mode?
**A:** Not always. Some manufacturers recommend doing this for airtightness, while others advise adjusting hardware only when drafts or malfunctions appear.

### Q: What should I do if the gasket is cracked?
**A:** A cracked gasket must be replaced with a new one matching your window profile. Trying to compensate for its wear by tightening trunnions is strictly prohibited.