Looking After Your Installation

Maintenance is very simple. Just follow these straightforward guidelines.

Clean the PVCU frames occasionally or at least four times a year. Use a soft cloth, warm water and a mild detergent such as washing up liquid on PVCU, woodgrains, coloured finishes and other surfaces. NEVER use excessive pressure when cleaning PVCU.

Clean glass with a clear liquid spray type glass cleaner.

Take care not to dislodge decorative lead strips during cleaning. Though strongly bonded, excessive pressure might cause distortion or de-lamination of the lead from the glass surface. Exposed lead will oxidise naturally creating a lasting patina. It is recommend this is not disturbed.

Where fitted, drainage holes and slots should be inspected and kept clear from blockage for optimum performance, especially in bad weather. Dirt and grit should be removed from door thresholds, in particular from metal, low level cills, and the inside lower rebates of opening windows. A suitable cloth or soft brush, such as a paint brush, can remove dust and cobwebs from moving parts, rebates and cill areas where dirt, dust and grit can naturally accumulate.

Keep weather-strips and glazing gaskets clean and free from grime. Inspect to ensure there is good and consistent surface contact. Any dislodged gaskets or weather seals can be slid back into position. If damaged it is important we are contacted for replacement.

Keep patio door roller tracks clear of dust and debris.

Never use glass cleaner, bleach, solvents, abrasive or cream cleaner on PVCU window frames or door panels.

Never use high-pressure or steam cleaners, or abrasive papers such as sandpaper on frames or glass.

Never use abrasives or brass cleaner on handles, door knockers or letter plates.

Don't try to paint PVCU or attempt to remove paint from PVCU.

Lubricate hinges, hardware and moving parts sparingly. This is to allow smooth operation and should stop sticking and stiffness.

For window locks, window and door handles, hinges and pivots use light oil such as 3 in one, WD 40 or similar.

For friction hinges, friction stay channels, or other sliding sections use a thin film of light grease such as Vaseline.

For door locks, cylinder locks use a graphite PTFE based lubricant.

For ventilators, cat flaps and other ancilliaries lubricate hinges and pivots with light oil as necessary.

If the handle becomes stiff due to high humidity, free it with a single drop of lubricant.

To prevent weather ingress, joints between the building and windows, doors or conservatory are sealed with a suitable compound. It is possible that in time, some unavoidable discolouration and shrinkage of the compound may occur. This is an easily solved problem, the sealant just needs removing and replacing.

Woodgrain finishes:

As with natural wood, allowance should be made for variations in the shading and pattern of woodgrain finishes together with slight surface marks, scratches and inclusions including those caused by the fabrication process such as welding of the joints.

Coloured finishes:

When viewed from a reasonable distance, coloured finishes should be substantially free from blemishes and orange peel effect. Allowances should be made for slight variations in shading between surfaces and those caused by the fabrication process such as welding of the joints. Like all surfaces exposed to sunlight, some slight colour changes can be expected over time.

Conservatories:

All windows and doors and other surfaces should be maintained as described already. However there are a few addittional matters that should be addressed.

Roofs:

Roofs can be cleaned with water and mild detergent such as washing up liquid to remove grime and any naturally occurring algae. Always test first. Under no circumstances should abrasive cleaners and solvent based materials be used on any surface.

Take care not to damage roof materials such as glass or polycarbonate. Do not walk directly on the roof. If necessary and with great care, use boards resting on frame members to spread the load. Avoid leaning ladders directly against plastic materials such as gutters, PVCU framing, roof sheets, etc..

Gutters:

All gutters, box gutters and down pipes should be regularly inspected, kept clean and free from debris and blockage. A small quantity of standing water in gutters is normal and can be ignored.

Heating:

It is suggested that some background heat should be present in conservatories during cold weather. If condensation is a concern, increase ventilation and heating. Where possible locate heaters below glass areas to maintain temperature levels.

GLASS

Clear glass:

To meet enhanced thermal performance standards set by UK Government, glass with an energy efficient coating is used in the manufacture of double glazed units. As a consequence, it is perfectly normal to see a slight tint within the glass.

Standards:

The manufacture of glass is an exceptionally aggressive process. As a consequence slight imperfections and blemishes cannot be avoided and are accepted as an industry standard which states:-

1. With the exception of the high energy coating, transparent glass used in the manufacture of double glazed units is similar to that used in single glazing and will therefore have a similar level of quality.
2. Both panes of the double glazed units shall be viewed from the room side, standing at a distance of 2 metres (6.5 feet) in natural daylight and not in direct sunlight. The area to be viewed is the normal vision area with the exception of a 50mm (2") wide band around the perimiter of the unit.
3. Transparent glass shall be deemed acceptable if the following phenomena are neither obtuse or bunched:-
   • Totally enclosed seeds
   • Bubbles or blisters
   • Hairline or blobs
   • Fine sctraches not more than 25mm (1") long
   • Minute embedded particles
4. Obtrusiveness of blemishes shall be judged by looking through the glass and not at it, under normal lighting conditions, as described in 2 above.

(extracted from the standards of the Glass and Glazing Federation)

Though exacting inspection and quality control systems are in place, tints from the energy coating, inherent blemishes and marks within glass used to produce double glazed units is beyond our control.

PATTERNED AND DECORATIVE GLASS:

Patterned and decorative glass is manufactured in large sheets and due to the spacing of pattern repitition, centralisation and matching of a design in an individual unit cannot be guaranteed.

Condensation:

Under normal conditions, water vapour is present in any atmosphere. In the home, steam, gas fires and even breathing further dampen the atmosphere. It may only become noticable when air comes into contact with a cold surface, for example a wall, which could lead to dampness. It is more usually encountered on window glass where it shows as a misting. The phenomenen is known as condensation which can never be eliminated but can be alleviated by maintaining good ventilation and warm internal atmosphere.

NOTE: The security of open windows, even when in the ventilation position, and open conservatory roof vents should be considered particularly if the property is to be left unattended.

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