Care and Maintenance
NBP Windows Care and Maintenance Instructions
Cleaning and Caring for Your Vinyl Windows and Sliding Glass Doors
Cleaning windows means more than just cleaning glass. With simple care and cleaning, your windows and sliding glass doors can keep their beautiful appearance for years. Like any surface exposed to outside elements, your windows and doors will get dirty over time. Here are some helpful tips for effectively cleaning your vinyl windows and sliding glass doors without damaging them.
Vinyl Frames
- Make sure to vacuum any dirt or sand from sill track areas before washing.
- Test any cleaner on an inconspicuous area first.
- Use a mixture of mild dish soap mixed with water for cleaning of vinyl frames. Do NOT clean the windows or doors with a high-pressure washer. The extreme spray pressure could crack or destroy the caulking around the windows or doors.
- Rinse completely with clear water and wipe dry.
Ensure that drainage or “weep” holes are clear of dirt or obstructions inside and outside the window frame.
The use of a Magic Eraser® is recommended for scuff marks and crayons on the vinyl.
DO NOT USE liquid grease remover, strong soaps or detergents containing organic solvents, nail polish remover, furniture polish, or cleaners containing chlorine bleach. These items could affect the surface appearance of the vinyl.
Window Glass
Glass care is important and requires proper maintenance. Avoid cleaning glass in direct sunlight. Rinse the glass completely with clear water and wipe dry with a soft cloth. If you need an additional cleaning solution, opt for an ammonia-free cleaner such as Windex®.
- DO NOT USE any petroleum-based cleaners or caustic chemicals to clean the glass.
- DO NOT USE a razor blade, putty knife, or abrasive pad to clean glass.
- DO NOT CLEAN GLASS WITH A HIGH-PRESSURE SPRAY WASHER. The extreme spray pressure could damage the glazing and destroy the seal of the insulating glass unit.
- DO NOT add attachments to window or glass.
Screens
- For routine cleaning, carefully vacuum your screens first.
- Remove the screen from the window frame.
- Place on a flat surface and wash with mild soap and water. Use a soft brush (if needed) to remove dirt and grime. Clean both sides of the screen around the interior and exterior of the frame.
- Rinse off with clean water, wipe dry, or allow it to dry completely before reinstalling in the window.
DO NOT USE a high-pressure spray. It will cause damage, rip screens, and jeopardize window seals.
R5 Windows With AGC Comfort Select™ 73 Low-E Glass
AGC Comfort Select™ 73 is a tough, low-emissivity glass that's pyrolytically coated for durability. It’s slightly textured surface makes cleaning Comfort Select™ 73 different from regular glass, so read the instructions carefully. Proper care is crucial for keeping your high-energy-efficient R5 windows with Comfort Select™ 73 Low E Glass looking great and working well.
Hand Cleaning Recommendations:
NEVER use any razor blade, scraper, plastic, or metal on the coated surface. Remove rings and any other items that may come in contact with the coated glass while handling.
- Thoroughly clean the surface of the glass with a clean sponge or soft cloth and plain water to remove surface contaminates.Dry with a clean soft cloth.
- Use a clean sponge or soft cloth to wash the surface with a solution of 10% to 20% white vinegar with clean water. Always use a new soft cloth or squeegee to dry the glass.
If the glass is exceptionally dirty, cleaning may cause streaks when dried. In this case, repeat cleaning. Be cautious with rubber squeegees, as they can leave extremely hard to remove streaks if used incorrectly or in poor condition.
Commercial glass cleaners (Windex®, Glass Plus®, etc.) may be used, but some may leave a film residue and cause smearing. If these situations occur, repeat the cleaning process using a vinegar-based cleaner. Vinegar-based cleaners tend to cause less streaking than other types of cleaning solutions.
The most important consideration is to remove as much contamination from the coating as possible with the plain water wash before attempting final cleaning.
Special Cleaning
Special cleaners may be used to spot-clean the glass for unusually hard-to-remove contaminates such as crayons, wax, grease, markers, and adhesives. Denatured alcohol and isopropyl alcohol work on a variety of contaminants. Commercially available cleaners such as Goo Gone® and Goo Off® work well for harder-to-remove contaminates such as crayons and markers. After spot cleaning, the full glass surface should be cleaned as discussed above.
Continued Smooth Operation
Follow these helpful tips to ensure that your vinyl windows and sliding glass doors continue to open, close, lock, and unlock easily.
- Moving parts in hardware components and tracks should be lubricated periodically using a non-detergent lubricant such as 3-IN-ONE® multipurpose oil or lithium grease. In a salt air environment, this can mean cleaning and lubricating monthly.
- Check weather-stripping around all operable panels to make sure it seals evenly.
- Check and clean weather-stripping by lightly brushing the pile.
- Make sure tracks are kept clean by vacuuming to clear any dirt, sand, or debris.
- Check windows and doors annually and re-caulk as needed.
Condensation & Mold
Condensation can be a natural occurrence. It may be a warning that too much moisture is present, which could cause structural deterioration and the potential for mold growth. It is not considered a defect of the window or door.
- Water or frost on windows is condensation.
- Condensation inside a window or door results from a higher air moisture content contacting the lower temperatures on the glass or vinyl. Higher interior humidity and a lower outside window temperature can cause condensation. An example is when a bathroom mirror “steams up” after a hot shower. Like that mirror, the inside or outside of your window can sweat or fog because of temperature differentials.
- If condensation forms between the two layers of glass in an insulated window, the airtight seal has probably been broken, and the glass will need to be replaced.
Excessive interior humidity can cause structural damage and health concerns if high moisture levels are sustained inside wall cavities. Wood rot, mold, and mildew may result. To mitigate interior humidity becoming a problem for your home, follow these tips:
- Use exhaust fans, especially when showering.
- Install and use a dehumidifier and ceiling fans to circulate air.
- Open drapes and blinds, allowing air to circulate against windows.
- Periodically open windows and doors whenever practical to allow interior moisture to escape.
Note: If you’re experiencing more condensation aftre replacing your old windows, it’s likely because your previous windows were drafty. Good windows and insulation all create barriers to a home's air exchange.
Outdoor Condensation
Under some climate conditions, condensation may occur on the exterior surface of a window or door. This is more likely to occur on higher-performance windows with Low E coatings, and low-conductance gas fills that create very low factors.
For exterior condensation to occur, the glass temperature must be below the outdoor dew point temperature. This is most likely to happen when there is a clear night sky, still air, high relative humidity, and the right temperature conditions.
Like other dew formed at night, exterior window condensation will disappear as the sun warms the surfaces. The excellent thermal performance of the well-insulated glazing creates a condition where the outer glass surface can be cold enough to cause condensation.
For questions or more information, give us a call at 215-535-7110.