The Complete Window Maintenance Guide
Table of content
By maintaining your windows and doors regularly, you can ensure they last for many years to come. Don’t worry – maintaining windows and doors can easily be integrated into your daily, monthly, and yearly cleaning routine.
Read our complete guide to window and door maintenance below.
With the right care, you can prevent unnecessary wear and tear and maintain energy efficiency.
For all Klar Window products, clear maintenance guidelines apply to ensure the warranty remains valid.
Whether you have new top-guided windows, side-hinged windows, a new patio door, or a front door, it’s important that you keep them properly maintained.
How Do I Maintain My Windows and Doors?
Maintenance of windows and doors includes regular cleaning, tightening of hinges, lubrication, and inspection of sealing strips and glazing seals.
Note: The warranty will become void, and any future claims will be rejected if the following guidelines are not followed for Klarvinduer products. It is therefore essential to maintain your Klarvinduer products according to the instructions below to ensure they stay in good condition for many years.
Cleaning
Regular cleaning of your windows and doors is important to extend their lifespan and keep the warranty valid. It’s a good idea to make window and door cleaning part of your routine so that you can spot potential issues early.
Glass Panes
Let’s begin with the largest component of any window – the glass panes themselves. Whether you have single, double or even triple glazed windows, the glass should ideally be cleaned internally once a month and externally at least once or twice a year.
Use a solution of vinegar and water or a standard glass cleaner. Wipe with a microfibre cloth and finish with a dry cloth for a streak-free shine.
Take note of any condensation, fogginess or cloudy appearance in your window panes. With single-pane windows, this is an indicator of poor insulating capacity, and you would be well served to budget for new multi-glazed windows. In a double or triple glazed window, condensation may mean moisture is seeping in between the panes, meaning the seal has failed.
If the window’s seal is no longer intact or you notice any cracks in the panes of glass, you will need to replace your window unit. Read Klar’s guide on what windows to buy here for key considerations.
If you need to remove stickers from the glass, start by soaking them in water. Any remaining adhesive can be removed with cleaning benzine.
Frames and Sashes:
Window frames and sashes easily collect dust and dirt, which is why it's a good idea to clean these areas regularly.
Wipe them down with a dust brush or a dry cloth once a week. Regular dusting helps maintain the finish and extend the product’s lifespan.
Wipe the frames, sashes, tracks and caulked surfaces clean with a non-abrasive mixture of mild detergent and water. An old toothbrush can be effective for scrubbing away grime in tricky spots. Finish by wiping these areas dry with a cloth to remove any excess moisture.
Clean frames, sashes, mullions, tracks, and sealed surfaces once a month with a mild, non-abrasive cleaning solution mixed with water. A soft brush, such as an old toothbrush, can help remove dirt from hard-to-reach areas. Finish by wiping with a dry cloth to remove any excess moisture.
Check for peeling or eroding caulking and damaged weatherstripping and reapply or replace if necessary.
Inspect wooden window frames for flaking or peeling paint, bare wood spots, and any signs of mildew or minor rot. Fill cracks and low spots with an epoxy wood filler applied with a putty knife. Refinish the window frame, making sure to use a paint or stain suitable for either interior or exterior, as applicable.
Seals
Clean the sealing strips with standard cleaning agents as needed. It’s important that seals are not removed or dismantled.
Tightening Hinges
Just like furniture, windows and doors need to have their screws tightened occasionally. We recommend tightening the hinges every six months to ensure that the doors and windows do not start sagging.
Cleaning and Lubricating Hinges, Fittings, and Locks
Hinges and tracks should be brushed once or twice a year, especially those that are frequently used, as dirt easily builds up.
If your window or door becomes difficult to open, lubricate the hinges once or twice a year – for example, using WD-40 or petroleum jelly.
If you have a sliding patio door, make sure to keep the tracks clean and free from debris at all times.
Inspecting Seals and Glazing Bands
The seals and glazing around your glass panes are among the most important areas to check.
Inspect sealant and gaskets once or twice a year for signs of cracks or wear, and replace or adjust them if necessary.
Wooden Window Frames
Inspect wooden frames once or twice a year for peeling paint, exposed wood, mould, or early signs of rot – especially on south- and west-facing facades that get more sun exposure. Minor cracks can be repaired using an epoxy wood filler, such as Hempel Epoxy Filler, applied with a spatula.
How Often Should I Paint My Wooden Windows?
We generally recommend repainting window and door frames every 4–6 years, depending on their exposure to the elements.
Keep an eye out for condensation, fog, or cloudiness between panes. In double- or triple-glazed windows, condensation between the glass layers may indicate that the seal has failed.
In Short
Once a week:
Dust window and door frames
Once a month:
Clean the glass on the inside
Wash frames with soapy water
Once or twice a year:
Clean the exterior glass
Vacuum hinges
Lubricate hinges
Tighten hinges
Check seals
Inspect frames
The durability of the surface finish depends greatly on where the products are installed and how exposed they are to sun, wind, and rain. We therefore recommend inspecting and maintaining them regularly.
When Maintenance isn’t Enough
Even if you can follow all of the steps outlined in this comprehensive window maintenance guide, there will likely come a time when window replacement is the only option. Most industry professionals agree that high-quality, well-maintained windows should last at least 20 years, but that is hardly a lifetime.
Be sure to check your window warranty policy, as most will have a 10-year term or less. At Klar, we offer a warranty that lasts up to 12 years for aluminium-clad products. This could turn out to be very beneficial if your regular maintenance has revealed an issue covered by the plan.
Equally important in your home maintenance efforts, is the care and servicing of your front door, so don’t forget to read Klar’s handy front door maintenance guide here.
FAQs
What causes cloudiness in double-pane windows?
Cloudiness or fogginess in double-pane windows is most likely caused by condensation building up on the glass surfaces. There is no cause for concern if it is outside, as this is a sign of effective insulation ability. If it is on the interior surface, this can result from high humidity in your home, requiring an airing out. If located between the two glass panes, this indicates a failed seal in your insulating unit and will need replacement.
How do you stop window frames from rotting?
Preventative maintenance is key to stopping wooden window frames from rotting. Regular cleaning and inspection are critical to spot moisture buildup that, over the long term, can result in mould, mildew and, finally, rot. If detected early, mitigating measures can be taken to eliminate moisture and treat problem spots.
How do you maintain double-pane windows?
Properly maintaining double-pane windows requires an investment of time in regular cleaning, inspection and repairs to all of a window’s components – from the glass panes, to seals and framing, to hardware, to screens.
