Every October, your neighbor takes out a small key, spends five minutes in front of their windows… and their radiators remain almost silent all winter. Have you ever noticed this type of person, whose home always seems warmer than yours without any apparent effort? Their secret isn’t magic. It can be summed up in two words: winter mode. And your PVC windows probably already offer this feature, without you even realizing it.
What your windows do without telling you
Open a window sash wide and look at the metal edge, near the handle. Do you see small, round or slightly oval pieces? These are rollers. Depending on the size of your window, there could be between three and eight.
These rollers are offset, meaning their axis of rotation is slightly different. As a result, rotating them changes the distance between the sash and the fixed frame. In the summer position, the window closes normally. In the winter position, the sash is pulled harder against the frame, compressing the rubber seal and blocking even the slightest drafts of cold air. An ingenious mechanism, designed into the manufacturing process, yet almost no one talks about it.
The step-by-step method for adjusting your rollers
Good news: you only need one tool. In most cases, a 4mm Allen key is sufficient. You can find these in any large DIY store for a few euros. Sometimes, a 5mm model or a pair of pliers will do the job.
Before you begin, take a photo of the initial position of each roller. Each mark may have its own direction of rotation, so it’s best to keep a reference. The principle is simple: align the roller’s mark with the seal to tighten the closure. The key point? All the rollers on the same door leaf must be adjusted identically. Otherwise, you risk unbalancing the mechanism.
To check that everything is properly adjusted, slide a sheet of paper between the door and the frame, then close the handle. When you pull gently, you should feel some resistance. If the paper comes out easily, tighten it a little more. If the handle won’t go down at all, you’ve tightened it slightly too much.
Do not confuse insulation with lack of ventilation
A well-insulated house is perfect for thermal comfort. But be careful: your home needs to breathe. The small ventilation grilles at the top of the window frames must remain open and clean.
Even in the middle of January, ventilate for ten minutes a day. The humidity produced by cooking, showering, or simply breathing needs to escape. Without this habit, condensation will form on the windows and mold can appear in the corners. If your windows are “weeping” in the morning, it’s not a problem with the settings: it’s a sign that the room’s ventilation needs to be rethought.
The right time to act: now
Mid-October is the ideal time. The nights are getting noticeably cooler, and the radiators will soon be back in use. Taking action just before this restart ensures that every euro spent on heating stays within your home.
Five minutes, an Allen key and a good dose of satisfaction: that’s all it takes to stay warm this winter without breaking the bank.
