uPVC Window & Door Product Care & Maintenance Guide

Includes simple to follow guides on how to maintain your new upvc window and door products

We want to ensure you get the most out of your new installation, so we have put together this handy guide of easy ways to keep your double glazing, window frames, and doors looking pristine.

Cleaning Glass Surfaces

You should aim to clean glass surfaces every 3-6 months to help maintain their condition

Any proprietary household glass cleaner may be used with a soft cloth and it is recommended that heavy external grime be initially removed with a solution of soap and warm water. Laminated glass, or glass containing Georgian bars, is cleaned in exactly the same manner. It is recommended that hand jewellery is removed prior to cleaning to avoid scratching the glazed units.

LEAD GLASS CLEANING

In this type of double glazing, lead strips are bonded to the face(s) of the unit in diamond, square patterns or rectangular patterns. Take care when cleaning leaded lights as excessive pressure might dislodge the lead from the glass surface. The use of warm soapy water and a soft cloth, moderately applied, will prove an adequate cleaning method.

PLEASE NOTE: External lead will oxidise. This is a natural phenomena and cannot be avoided.

DO's

  • Use a soft cloth or sponge
  • Remove all jewellery
  • Keep any cleaning products away from skin or eyes
  • Dry. with a clean lint free cloth

DONT's

  • Use abrasive cloths or cleaning products / cream cleaners
  • Use bleach or solvent based cleaning products
  • Use excessive force when cleaning

Cleaning uPVC Surfaces

You should aim to clean uPVC surfaces every 4 months to help maintain their condition

Wash frames with soap and water solution every four months, to remove any grime and atmospheric deposits. If required, clean with a non-abrasive proprietary cleaner, suitable for plastics, using a soft cloth. If necessary, use a strong, non-abrasive proprietary cleaner such as a cream, to remove stubborn blemishes.

It is important to note that you should not try to paint over any uPVC surfaces. This will damage the window and negate any guarantee you have on the products.

PLEASE NOTE: Avoid all solvent based or abrasive cleaners.

DO's

  • Use a soft cloth or sponge
  • Remove all jewellery
  • Keen any cleaning products away from skin or eyes
  • Dry with a clean lint-free cloth

DONT's

  • Use abrasive cloths or cleaning products
  • Use bleach or solvent based cleaning products
  • Use excessive force when cleaning

Cleaning Foiled Surfaces

You should aim to clean foiled surfaces every 4 months to help maintain their condition

EXTERNAL FOILS

External foiled surfaces should be cleaned every four months with soap and water solution to remove any grime and atmospheric deposits and preserve their condition.

INTERNAL FOILS

Internal foiled surfaces require the minimum of maintenance and should not require regular attention. If light cleaning is required, take care not to scratch the surface. Take particular care around any joints or edges.

DO's

  • Use a soft cloth or sponge
  • Remove all jewellery
  • Take additional care when cleaning foiled surfaces
  • Dry with a clean lint-free cloth

DONT's

  • Use abrasive cloths or cleaning products
  • Use bleach or solvent based cleaning products
  • Use excessive force when cleaning

Aluminium Surfaces

You should aim to clean aluminium surfaces every 3-6 months to help maintain their condition

External aluminium surfaces should be cleaned approximately every 3-6 months to ensure their condition is well maintained. Aluminium window and door products that are exposed to salt water should be cleaned with fresh water at more regular intervals to remove any salt deposits.

Powder coated aluminium can scratch, so please take extra care when cleaning products.

DO's

  • Use a soft cloth or sponge
  • Remove all jewellery
  • Only clean when required & treat aluminium with care
  • Dry with a clean lint-free cloth

DONT's

  • Use abrasive cloths or cleaning products
  • Use bleach or solvent based cleaning products
  • Use excessive force when cleaning or clean too regularly

Cleaning Window & Door Furniture

Window & Door Furniture can be cleaned monthly to maintain their quality of finish

Window and door furniture, including handles, letterplates, urn knockers and spyholes can be cleaned monthly to maintain their appearance.

When cleaning window and door furniture, use a mild concentration of hot, soapy water and a soft cloth.

Any moving parts can be lubricated up to twice a year. This is very important for any installations in coastal areas.

DO's

  • Use a soft cloth or sponge to clean and dry
  • Remove all jewellery
  • Protect hardware when cleaning other surfaces
  • Use light machine oil to lubricate moving parts

DONT's

  • Use abrasive cloths or cleaning products
  • Use bleach or solvent based cleaning products
  • Use excessive force when cleaning
  • Attempt to remove any window or door furniture to clean

REMEMBER TO

  • Use a lint-free cloth to dry furniture after cleaning

Window and Door Maintenance

Windows

Window hinges and multi-point locks should be cleaned and checked regularly to maintain optimal performance.

Hinges and Multi-Point Locking Mechanisms

Regularly clear hinge tracks of atmospheric debris and dirt. A small amount of engineering oil can be applied to maintain smooth operation. Oil can also be used on any moving parts of a multi-point locking system to help maintain an optimal level of performance.

DO's

  • Remove dirt and dust before oiling
  • Use a light grade of engineering oil
  • Apply grease to any hooks/latches
  • Use light machine oil to lubricate moving parts

DONT's

  • Ensure fingers are always safe from being caught in mechanisms
  • Use solvent based aerosol cleaning products
  • Use excessive force when cleaning

REMEMBER TO

  • Keep hinge tracks, locks and any. moving parts free of dirt and debris

Doors

Door hinges and multi-point locks should be cleaned and checked regularly to maintain optimal performance.

Lubrication

For lubrication of handles, locks and hinges, use a light machine oil (eg "3 in 1" or "WD40") lubricant for moving parts.

PVC Gold Finish (not brass)

Never use abrasive cleaning agents. Warm soapy water and a soft cloth are sufficient. It is important that abrasive agents are not used on this finish.

DO's

  • Remove dirt and dust before oiling
  • Use a light grade of engineering oil
  • Apply grease to any hooks/latches
  • Use light machine oil to lubricate moving parts

DONT's

  • Ensure fingers are always safe from being caught in mechanisms
  • Use solvent based aerosol cleaning products
  • Use excessive force when cleaning

REMEMBER TO

  • Keep hinges, locks and any. moving parts free of dirt and debris