Maintenance & Operation Guide

Cleaning

Your windows, doors, conservatories and glazed products require a minimal amount of care in order to give you trouble free operation and remain in optimum condition for many years to come.

The following information will  show you the most effective way to clean your products.

Standard PVC-u frames

  • Wash frames with soft sponge using a soap and water solution (dilute washing up liquid is fine) to avoid build up of grime and atmospheric deposits.
  • For stubborn stains, use a non abrasive PVC-u liquid cleaner. Use sparingly and buff to shine.
  • AVOID solvent based cleaners and take care not to disturb sealants.
  • Dry the surface with a soft lint free cloth.

Coloured Foiled PVC-u frames including R9 Heritage Windows

  • ONLY use a soft sponge with a soap and water solution (dilute washing up liquid is fine) to clean woodgrain or foiled windows.
  • NEVER use cleaning fluid or solvent based cleaners.
  • Minor scratches can be repaired using a touch up pen
  • Dry with a soft lint free cloth.

Composite Doors

  • ONLY use a soft sponge with a soap and water solution (dilute washing up liquid is fine) to clean woodgrain or foiled windows.
  • NEVER use cleaning fluid or solvent based cleaners as these have the potential to damage the door skins
  • Minor scratches can be repaired using a touch up pen
  • Dry with a sot lint free cloth.
  • The external glass can be cleaned with a traditional glass cleaner

Window Hardware and Door Furniture

  • The handles, letter plate, knocker, hinges, and all other window/door hardware should be given a thorough cleaning with a soft cloth/sponge and a soap and water solution (dilute washing up liquid is fine)
  • NEVER be tempted to use a strong cleaning fluid or solvent based cleaner as it may damage the finish of the hardware.
  • To remove residue on stainless steel window/door furniture use a wadding cloth.

Glazed Units

  • Remove all hand jewellery prior to cleaning to avoid scratching.
  • Remove any heavy external grime with a soap and water solution first
  • Use a glass cleaner, apply with a soft cloth and buff to a shine

Leaded Glass

  • If Leaded strips are bonded to the glazed unit, take extra care as excessive pressure may dislodge the lead from the glass surface.
  • Use a soft cloth with a soap and water solution and apply moderate pressure
  • NOTE: external lead will oxidise. This is natural and can not be avoided.

Conservatories/Orangeries/Lantern Roofs

  • We do not advise the access of a conservatory/lantern roof without the use of scaffolding or platforms.
  • NEVER lean ladders against PVC-u frame, gutters or glass as this may result in damage
  • Keep all gutters and outlets clear of leaves and other debris to maintain efficient operation

Self Cleaning Glass

  • DO NOT use abrasive or solvent based cleaners on the external glazing surface as the self cleaning properties may be affected.
  • Use a soft cloth/sponge with a soap and water solution and buff to a shine
  • A glass cleaner may be used on the inside of the glass

Polycarbonate

  • Wash polycarbonate with a soft sponge using a soap and water solution (dilute washing up liquid is fine) to avoid build up of grime and atmospheric deposits.
  • For stubborn stains, use a non abrasive PVC-u liquid cleaner. Use sparingly and buff to shine.
  • AVOID solvent based cleaners and take care not to disturb sealants.
  • Dry the surface with a soft lint free cloth.

Aluminium

  • Wash aluminium frames with a soft sponge using a soap and water solution (dilute washing up liquid is fine) to avoid build-up of grime and atmospheric deposits.
  • For stubborn stains, use a nonabrasive house hold cleaner. Use sparingly and buff
  • AVOID solvent based cleaners and take care not to disturb sealants.
  • Dry the surface with a soft lint free cloth.

Maintenance

Lubrication

  • All locking systems require periodic lubrication, and your new windows and doors are no exception. For hardware and opening mechanisms, use light machine oil (3 in 1) or silicone based spray.
  • Oil all pivot points (one drop per pivot is sufficient) and wipe away excess.

Drainage

  • All our glazed products are designed with an in-built drainage system, compromising of slots with in the lower thresholds that allow any water ingress to flow on the outside. To ensure an efficient system, these slots must remain unblocked.
  • Periodically remove dirt, clean drain holes and check the drainage operation by flushing through with water.

Sealant

  • The mastic sealant is the waterproof seal found around the doors and windows.
  • Please note that some discoloration of the seal is a natural occurrence and cannot be avoided.
  • You may also find that if there is lack of ventilation in a room over a period of time, trapped water vapour may cause the sealant to show signs of mould. This will be particularly apparent in bathrooms & kitchens or if damp washing is left to dry in a room with no ventilation.
  • To avoid this ensure there is ventilation in your home where ever possible by:
    • Opening a window (please bear security in mind when leaving windows open when your house is unoccupied)
    • Fitting a ventilation or extractor unit in the kitchen and bathroom
    • Fitting wall vents to provide air flow

Friction Hinges

  • To attain optimum performance the scissor mechanism of the friction hinges will require periodic lubrication.
  • The pivots , sliding shoe and tracts should be kept free of dirt and debris.

Keeps

  • Lubricate the slots of the keeps with petroleum jelly as required.

Handles

  • Clean and lightly oil moving parts

Condensation

 

Water vapour is naturally present in the atmosphere. In the home the natural water content is increases by normal day to day living such as cooking, bathing, boiling the kettle , drying clothes and breathing.

The water vapour remains undetected while floating in warm air, but upon contact with cold surfaces such as double/triple glazed units, mirrors and tiles condensation then occurs as the vapour turns into water droplets.

Traditional house construction allowed the escape of this water vapour through natural ventilation, including open chimney flues, air bricks and ill fitting windows and doors. However the drive to conserve energy and reduce heating costs has led to home owners  becoming energy conscious and therefore sealing homes. The result of this is trapped water vapour and increased problems of condensation.

This is made more apparent where there is a lack of ventilation in the room such as an open window and especially in bedrooms at night where the windows have been closed and the temperature outside drops you may wake up to find condensation.

This is perfectly normal and does not mean your new windows and doors are faulty it means your highly energy efficient windows and doors are in fact working correctly in keeping the heat in and the cold out.

Ways to avoid condensation

Ventilation

Provide ventilation in your home where ever possible by:

  • Opening a window (please bear security in mind when leaving windows open)
  • Fitting a ventilation or extractor unit in the kitchen and bathroom
  • Fitting wall vents to provide air flow

Heating

Maintain heat in the house during cold weather and marginally increase the temperature in areas where condensation is a particular problem.

Circulation

Water vapour will easily drift from its original point due to the convection currents in your home. To avoid this:

  • Keep internal doors to kitchen and bathroom areas closed and draught sealed where possible.
  • Ensure bedrooms are ventilated at night to provide air movement
  • To ensure air flow in the vicinity of the windows, curtains should be a minimum of 150mm away from the window.

Glazing Imperfections

 

All glazed units are susceptible to a degree of surface damage during the manufacturing process. Certain imperfections in the glass cannot be avoided, even in the most carefully controlled production environment. Such blemishes and imperfections are therefore beyond our control, but are considered acceptable by even the most rigorous industry  standards.