Windows and doors are complex components that should get checked regularly - at least once a year. With the maintenance and care, you ensure that you enjoy it for a long time and that they function properly.

Windows or doors - whether plastic or V&N Glass - have surfaces that should be cleaned regularly without abrasives and aggressive cleaning agents, depending on the use. Also, the windows and doors should be cleaned gently.

The following professional tips from UPVC Windows Sydney help with the maintenance and care of your windows and doors.

During the construction phase

Protection of the elements:

Ensure that the elements are completely in protection during the entire construction period.

Masking with suitable adhesive tapes:

If you tape windows or doors for protection during the construction period, make sure that you only use suitable adhesive tapes to avoid surface damage.

Cleaning glass:

Check the glass surfaces for damage. Clean them very carefully! Remove stickers and soiling no later than three months after installation; otherwise, matt surfaces can form in intense sunlight.

Cleaning silicone:

The silicone seal is hard only after 3-4 weeks. Therefore, only clean the seal with a lot of water (only with a gentle cleaning agent) and without pressure to avoid an eraser or lubricating film effect.

Cleaning wooden surfaces:

Check the surfaces for damage. Repair all the damaged areas immediately. Only clean the surfaces after approx. Six weeks. Do not remove dirt by intensive and dry rubbing, as this can damage the surface. When cleaning, be as careful as possible and with soft materials.

Ventilate well:

To avoid structural damage and heavy stress on the wooden structure, adequate and extensive ventilation is required (especially during the construction phase). Tilt ventilation is not sufficient.

Construction phase:

Avoid high air humidity (> 55%) during the construction phase as this can usually be achieved by adequate ventilation. Otherwise, it is important to use powerful drying devices.

Initial cleaning

At the earliest 24 hours after the final assembly of your new windows and doors, please remove the glass stickers immediately. Then you can start with the basic cleaning of plastic windows. Remove the protective film from the new window elements after three months at the latest: this will prevent the surface quality from being impaired right from the start. Also, the elements should be cleaned for the first time within four weeks after installation. Afterwards, cleaning every six months is recommended.

For example, excessive “rubbing” on the silicone seal can lead to silicone streaks on the glass. Attention also with microfiber cloths: an injury to the silicone surface is possible. If the windows are new, the seal should not be cleaned in the first four weeks, as the silicone may not have hardened yet.

Surface coating:

When cleaning, you should also check whether the surface coating is still intact, especially with wooden windows. Coatings can be affected by weathering or mechanical stress.

Renovation

Coats: Timely - in the event of extreme climatic stress, annual - inspection and repair of individual, even small, damaged areas is highly important for all surface treatments of wooden exterior components.

Glaze coatings require more frequent revisions (approximately every two years, depending on weathering) than for opaque coating systems (approximately every four years, depending on weathering).

Clean the seals:

The seals on your windows ensure that there is usually no drafts and that the window does not let rain through to the inside (normal rain and wind).

Seals should, therefore, be checked regularly for correct seating and also cleaned occasionally. Pay attention to the corners of the seals - are they tight? After a few years, it can make sense to replace old seals with new ones, since seals are also subject to wear or an aging process.

Glass seals:

It is advisable also to check the sealing of the glass to the casement when cleaning. If the manufacturing material of the seal is silicone sealant, you should check whether the silicone still adheres to the glass and the frame - you can usually see this visually. If the silicone is not in order, the joint must get repairment immediately.

With the dry glazing, check whether the sealing lip is in contact with the glass.

Drainage openings:

When cleaning, check the drainage openings in the lower frame profile or the weather protection rail. The openings ensure that rainwater runs off if water gets in. Be sure to clean clogged openings.

Fittings:

The high-quality fittings on your windows should be lubricated with acid and resin-free grease or oil at least once a year. In particular, security strikers should always have a grease film that prevents possible abrasion. If you find that a fastening screw has loosened, tighten it again.

The optimal setting of the windows ensures tightness and comfort. It can always happen that readjustment is necessary or sensible.

Eliminating condensation:

Especially in the cold season, condensation can form in the window rebate; adequate ventilation can greatly reduce this effect. If you find defrost water, you should remove this water, for example in the morning during peak ventilation.

Correct indoor climate:

To take advantage of the new windows and doors and at the same time counteract over-humidification, you should observe the following ventilation advice: In the morning, ventilate all rooms for 10 to 15 minutes - especially the bedroom and bathroom. Ventilate several times during the day - Depending on the amount of moisture; the windows should not only be tilted but opened fully so that intensive air exchange is guaranteed in the shortest possible time thanks to surge ventilation.

Through the cross ventilation (simultaneous opening of the opposite window or door) you achieve a better effect. Turn off the heating during ventilation.

Condensate on the outside of the window:

Especially in autumn, there is a phenomenon that astonishes some homeowners with new windows: the window panes mist on the outside! How can it come to that?

The sometimes very high humidity in autumn, especially on days when fog is forming, fogs up on the coldest point, in this case, the outside of the windowpane. Observe the insulating effect of the thermal insulation glazing here. The insulating effect of the pane is so good that its outer surface no longer heats up, even though the surface temperature of the inner surface is almost as high as the room temperature; this shows that the glazing rightly bears the term "thermal insulation". In this case, it is not a defect in the window or the glazing, but rather a "quality mark".

Conclusion:

Adequate and correct ventilation helps to save energy and thus protect the environment since fresh dry air gets hot faster than over-humidified air. Thanks to the new, tight windows, the freshly warmed air remains in the living room and ensures a comfortable, healthy indoor climate.