Maintenance

Your new windows represent a significant investment in your property, and Shaws take great care to ensure that their work and materials are supplied to a first class standard.

But how do you maintain your investment in peak condition? Shaws have compiled a short guide to looking after your windows, providing you with information to keep them in excellent condition.

Glazing care General cleaning General maintenance Blinds Options Environmental control Condensation advice

back to top

Glazing care

Glass
Any proprietary household cleaner may be used with a soft cloth. It is recommended that heavy external grime be removed with a solution of soap and water.

Lead glass
Warm soapy water and a soft cloth, moderately applied, will prove an adequate method. Take care as excessive pressure might dislodge the lead from the glass surface. NOTE - external lead will oxidise. This is a natural phenomena and cannot be avoided.


Scratches
Can be removed with jeweller's rouge or equivalent rubbing compound.

PVCu frame
Wash frames with soap and water solution every four months to remove grime and atmospheric deposits. If necessary, clean with non-abrasive proprietary cleaner, suitable for plastics, using a soft cloth. For stubborn blemishes, use a strong, non-abrasive, proprietary cleaner. NOTE - avoid all solvent based or abrasive cleaners.

Glass defects
All double glazed units are susceptible to a degree of surface damage during the manufacturing process. We use only the very highest quality float glass available, whether laminated, toughened or annealed, which conforms to the requirements of BS6262. Double glazed units produced to BS5713 conform to the highest manufacturing standards and the most uncompromising quality control and inspection routines.

Patterned glass
Originates in very large sheets and due to spacing repetition, centralisation of any design in a specific window cannot be guaranteed. There is no correct direction for patterned glass.

back to top

General cleaning

Conservatory and roof
Wash roof panels with soap and water solution every four months to remove grime and atmospheric deposits. NOTE - avoid all solvent based or abrasive cleaners.

Drainage
Your double glazed products are designed with an inbuilt drainage system, comprising slots within the thresholds that allow water ingress to flow to the outside. To ensure an efficient system these slots must remain unblocked. To prevent blockages, periodically remove dirt,clear drain holes and check drainage operation by flushing with water.

Weatherseals
May become dislodged from their grooves. Should this occur, slide back into position immediately, to avoid damage when the product is closed. If the weatherseals are broken or damaged, ensure replacement by contacting your installer.

Gutters and boxgutters
Because guttering is laid level, you will occasionally notice standing water in your guttering system. It is important that all gutters and their respective outlets are regularly cleaned. In line with published Health and Safety Regulations, always use crawl boards when working on the roof of a conservatory.

back to top

General maintenance

Lubrication
Light machine oil (eg "3in1" or "WD40") lubricant may be used for the lubrication of handles, locks and hinges etc. Where indicated in the specific product lubrication instruction use petroleum jelly.

Mastic seal
Some discolouration of the mastic seal is a natural occurrence and cannot be avoided.

Brass work
When installed, brasswork is fully protected with lacquer. In time and through normal wear and tear, this lacquer may peel or become tarnished. Taking care to protect the PVCu surfaces from chemicals, remove old lacquer with nail polish remover/paint stripper. Clean and polish with a suitable proprietary brass polish. Carefully relacquer with a good quality product.

Anodised gold finish (not brass)
Wash with soap and water solution every four months to remove grime and atmospheric deposits. NOTE - avoid all solvent based or abrasive cleaners.

back to top

Blinds

When installing blinds, they must never cover the inside of the glazing bars.

The installer of the blinds (at their risk) will attach/penetrate the internal PVC claddings with fixings. Your installation company will not accept any responsibility or claims for water ingress through fixings/screw attachments, deflection of materials, distortion of materials which may occur as a result of this.

The blinds must be designed to allow hot air to disperse from between the glazing material and the blind. It is recommended that a space of 15mm be left between the PVC and the actual blind.

To help reduce internal conservatory temperature it is recommended that a ridgeflow ventilation unit should be installed whenever blinds are to be installed. In addition an automatic roof vent should be installed. If your conservatory does not contain these items, contact your conservatory installer who can retrospectively fit these.

back to top

Options

Your conservatory may be fitted with an electrical fan or electrical mechanically assisted ridgeflow ventilation unit. In the unlikely event of the units failing, always consult a qualified electrician and/or refer to your local installation company.

back to top

Environmental control

Condensation
In the drive to conserve energy and reduce heating costs, homes have become sealed, resulting in trapped water vapour and the potential problem of condensation.

Condensation can only ever be minimised and never eradicated.

Ventilation
Provide natural ventilation whenever possible by opening a window or door, and leaving trickle vents open at all times. NOTE - security should be borne in mind when leaving open an easily accessible window or roof vent.

Heating
Maintain some permanent heat in the conservatory during cold weather. If possible, situate heating appliances under windows to maintain the temperature of the inside pane of your double glazing.

back to top

Condensation advice

Double glazing cannot cause condensation. By acting as a heat barrier and providing an inner pane which is considerably warmer than the outer pane, condensation is reduced.

Modern buildings are designed to eliminate draughts and do not have the natural ventilation that some older houses have with their chimneys and ill-fitting doors and windows. Houses which have been completely sealed by the installation of cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, double glazing and draughtproofing throughout are likely to become mouisture traps. In such cases, condensation is a ventilation problem. Provided the rooms are heated normally, the solution will probably be found by providing controlled ventilation.

In the case of older, "unsealed" buildings, the dominant factor is likely to be the indoor temperature. Additional heat or the introduction of localised heat near the windows will probably provide the answer.

Bathroom

• Stop water vapour finding its way into the rest of the house, particularly during and after bathing.
• After bath or shower, close the door and open a window for a few minutes. Position a radiator or heated towel rail under the window.

Bedroom

• Check points under "Living Rooms", particularly with respect to the position of curtains and the provision of vents.
• If possible, extend the central heating programme to compensate for the night-time drop in external temperature and the increase in water vapour caused by the occupant's breathing.
• Bedroom windows should be opened during the day to allow at least one complete air change.

Living room

• Allow the room's warmth to reach the windows. Position heaters under the windows and use fittings which hold the curtains at least 15cm to 20cmaway from the glass to allow free movement of warm air.
• Open windows for at least a few minutes each day to perit air changes.
• Where open fires are not provided, or existing flues are blocked off, see that wall vents are fitted and kept clear. When a gas fire has been installed in an open fire aperture, the backplate should have vent holes below the fire, unless this is provided for in the fire design.
• Where possible, avoid glazed or non-absorbent wall coatings as these can promote condensation on walls.

Kitchen, laundries

• Close internal doors and keep a window open. Alternatively, install extractor fans or cooker hoods, ventilated to the outside air.