Any kind of wear and tear can take a toll on your windows. From pollution to the weather, anything can damage your windows over time and have them looking a little worse for wear. We’ve put together a complete guide to the importance of maintaining your uPVC windows and our tips and tricks for proper cleaning. Keep reading to find out more!
uPVC Windows & Doors
uPVC Windows and doors have soared in popularity, and for good reason! They have excelled in creating energy efficient and aesthetically pleasing window fittings on many homes across the UK. We’ve summarised some of the most important benefits to know about having uPVC windows and doors and how they could elevate your home.
Benefits
● Durable - uPVC windows and doors are extremely durable, as the material they are made from is extremely strong as well as weather resistant. Also, being resistant to rot and corrosion makes uPVC a good choice for windows and doors.
● Ventilated - Because of their wide variety of styles, uPVC windows and doors can be crafted in a way that creates proper air ventilation throughout your home. This can help you to prevent condensation as well as regulate the airflow in your home.
● Weather Resistant - uPVC doesn’t react to water or air the same way wood or other materials do, meaning it is not susceptible to the natural elements, giving it a longer lifespan and resistance to extreme weather conditions.
● Eco-Friendly - The life-span of uPVC windows and doors is approximately 40 - 80 years so they are built to withstand the test of time. Additionally, they are sometimes made from recyclable materials, meaning they have a less damaging impact on the environment.
● Soundproofing - uPVC windows and doors combined with double glazing makes for extremely effective soundproofing. They are able to reduce up to 50% of the noise usually heard compared to traditional materials.
Caring For Your Windows
When it comes to caring for your windows, there are lots of things you can do to keep them in their best condition. Generally speaking, the rain will usually do a good job of keeping your windows looking okay, but if you want to go the extra mile with sparkling windows all year round, keep reading to find our cleaning advice.
General
General cleaning on a regular basis is a great way to ensure your windows are looking nice and clean all the time, as well as keeping them from further damage like staining or pollution. When generally cleaning your windows, cleaning your windows is a very simple process:
● Use a cloth and some warm water, with some washing up liquid or a cleaning solution
● Simply wash the windows, getting rid of dirt and other marks
● Follow cleaning product instructions, usually you can wipe away with a dry cloth, or use a squeegee to finish off cleaning
This is a simple process you can use whenever you need to clean your windows. It is important to remember however, that you should avoid using a high power hose or anything that could potentially damage your windows. Although they are strong, you still want to be careful so that you aren’t damaging them any further.
Condensation
You may be facing a struggle with condensation building up in your windows. Condensation occurs because of too much moisture in the air, which settles and leaves water droplets on the inside of your windows. Rooms with condensation are often humid or lack effective ventilation.
Moisture is a bad sign as it can quickly develop into mould and ruin the air quality in your home. So, if you’re experiencing condensation, these are some things to try to minimise the damage:
● Bathroom or kitchen fans
● Try leaving windows open to encourage more circulation
● Invest in double glazing services
● Try using a dehumidifier
Condensation isn’t the end of the world, as long as you are removing the moisture, rather than letting it sit as this will cause problems like mould or rot if the water starts dripping and collecting.
Stain removal
Window stains can be stubborn and difficult to remove. You may find that hot soapy water isn’t enough for some stains, so you may need to look into a more intense glass stain remover. There are lots of stain removing cleaning products available, so you may need to look at a higher strength one, depending on the severity of the stain.
It’s important to never use anything hard on your windows, even if you’re giving them a good clean. This is because hard items will scratch the glass and make it more susceptible to damage. Microfiber cloths will give you some of the best results when cleaning glass.
Paint Marks
Paint marks from decorating or marks from construction that end up on your window can be frustrating, spoiling the clean glass. But, scraping or scratching the paint off is definitely something you should avoid, as this will only damage the window.
Instead, there are a few ways to tackle paint on your window. If you have a water based paint on the window, warm soapy water should be able to remove the paint mark effectively. However, if you have a spirit based paint, then a white spirit can be used to clean the glass. And, be sure to go over with soapy water after you have removed the paint to keep things looking spick and span.
If you can, try to get to the paint before it has completely dried, as this will make for a much easier cleaning process.
Can uPVC Windows Be Repaired?
You may find that your uPVC window has been damaged in some way and it requires a repair. While most uPVC windows last around 40 years, if you had an improper installation or poor quality materials, then your windows may be more susceptible to damage. The most common problems that come with uPVC windows are:
● Rusting
● Letting cold air in
● Damaged screws and locks
● Damaged hinges
You may also experience warping in the plastic or chips in the plastic, meaning repairs need to be made. With minor problems the uPVC can be repaired, however, bigger issues will likely mean a full replacement of uPVC window fittings.
uPVC Glass Replacement
If your glass inside the uPVC window fitting is damaged, this can also be replaced. Many people decide to switch from single glazing to double glazing within their existing uPVC window frames. This can be beneficial if you want to make your windows and door more efficient, as the double glazing and uPVC fitting will help with both ventilation and temperature.
A replacement would usually be carried out in these steps:
● Taking accurate measurements of the window pane so that the glass can be made to order and fit in the frame
● The frames will be fit into the window fittings carefully and held in place with screws of special brackets (this is a key step to ensuring air and water will not be let into the window or frames)
● Window sashes and glazing are completed
● Finally, the fittings are added as the final step (locks, hinges and other hardware to keep the window functioning
This is a precise job to be carried out, so having a dependable and professional team of installers is definitely essential.
True Window & Glass Centre
With an experienced and professional team, here at True Window And Glass Centre Ltd, we want our clients to be able to depend on us. We understand the importance of having your windows looking brilliant all year round, and our uPVC and double glazing emergency repairs are available to help you in an emergency. Our extensive range of style and colour options means that you can choose uPVC windows to suit your home perfectly.
For further enquiries about our uPVC window fittings, repairs or any of our other services, feel free to contact us today and speak to our excellent team. We will be happy to help you find quality products and fittings at competitive prices.
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