RAL INSTALLATION – The standard for modern window and door fitting

Installation to the RAL standard offers many advantages:

• Energy efficiency – significantly reduces heat loss, reflected in lower heating and cooling bills.

• Protection from moisture and mould – prevents condensation and fungal growth in walls around windows.

• Longer window and door life – correctly fitted windows and doors are less susceptible to damage and deformation over time.

• Improved sound insulation – especially important in urban areas or beside busy streets.

RAL installation is recommended for new constructionand also when renovating buildings to achieve a higher energy standard, particularly for passive or low-energy houses.

In many Western European countries, RAL installation is already a legal standard. Although not mandatory here, it is increasingly chosen by investors seeking long-term solutions.

RAL installation is a professional, technically precise method for fitting windows and doors into masonry openings. It follows recommendations from the RAL Quality Assurance Association for Windows and Doors and uses three-layer sealing for durability, energy efficiency and resistance to external influences.

The system uses special installation tapes on the inner and outer sides of the window or door profile, with low-expansion PU foam filling the wall-to-frame gap. The outer tape is vapour-permeable and watertight, preventing outside water entry while allowing moisture to escape from the joint. The inner tape is completely impermeable to water and vapour, protecting the intermediate zone from indoor moisture.

Tapes are bonded to the frame before installation and must remain continuous around the entire perimeter, with ends overlapping by about 30 cm. At corners, a “bow” fold ensures complete continuity. The unit is then positioned using wooden wedges and precisely levelled, checking verticals, horizontals and diagonals. It is secured with screws, usually turbo screws.

Once the window or door is positioned, the tapes are extended onto the wall edges. The outer tape is bonded with special adhesive or sealant; the inner tape is bonded only after filling the gap with PU foam. The gap must not exceed 2 centimetres, as wider gaps can waste foam and reduce tape effectiveness. The foam must be intended for window and door installation and have suitable thermal and acoustic properties.

Finally, both tapes are finished: outside, they are covered with facade render and a drip profile is installed; inside, reveals are finished with mesh, adhesive and skim coat. Facade contractors and decorators usually complete this work.

A modern RAL installation trend uses multifunctional expanding tapes combining the roles of outer tape, inner tape and PU foam. These weather-resistant tapes allow the joint to “breathe” and prevent moisture retention, greatly reducing fungal growth, mould and rot. Besides simplifying installation, they improve building sound and thermal insulation.

Introducing RAL installation as a construction standard offers multiple benefits: preserving window and door quality over time, increasing building energy efficiency and improving living comfort. Correct, professional installation matters as much as product quality.