10 Tips on Caring For Your Windows
PARKERSBURG, W. VA. – Extending the life of your windows can mean long-term savings for your family. To maximize the lifespan of your home’s windows, the experts at Simonton Windows® recommend the following tips:
Tip #1 – Never wash your windows or doors with a high pressure spray. The extreme pressure could crack or destroy caulking around the units. Instead, take time to individually clean the windows. If you have vinyl-framed windows, a soft cloth or ordinary long-handled soft bristle brush and some mild detergent may be all that’s necessary to maintain your windows. Do not use abrasive cleaners that may scratch the frame or glass.
Tip #2 – To clean unexpected stains on vinyl windows and door frames (such as bubble gum, felt-tip pens, lipstick, motor oil or top soil), try using Fantastik® cleaner. For tougher stains (such as tar, pencil or oil marks) use Soft Scrub®. And, if children decide to draw on the windows with crayon, Lestoil® can often remove their creative efforts.
Tip #3 – Vacuum around the edges of your weather stripping to remove any dirt build-up. Carefully vacuum your window screens regularly instead of removing them and cleaning with soap and water.
Tip #4 – Recycle old, white cotton hole-ridden socks and use them for cleaning window sills and frames. Slip the socks on your hands and you can “feel your way” toward a cleaner window. Try using a light combination of vinegar and water to gain sparkling glass on your windows.
Tip #5 – Never insert nails or screws in the interior or exterior of a window frame to hold up holiday decorations or lights. Window frames should never be tampered with or they can lose their ability to function properly. There’s also the chance that something inserted in the frame could compromise the energy efficiency of the window or even puncture the waterproof channel of the frame.
Tip #6 – If the glass in a window gets broken, do not replace the glass yourself. Some windows have insulating glass units that contain harmless Argon gas that helps in the window’s energy efficiency. A replacement unit should be ordered and installed that perfectly matches the original window.
Tip #7 – If you have brass hardware on your windows, use a dry, clean, soft cotton cloth to remove dust and dirt from the protective lacquer coating on the hardware. Over time, all brass hardware eventually develops tarnish when the protective coating breaks down. When this happens, remove the hardware from the window and use fine steel wool soaked in a light oil or soapy water on the hardware. Restore the clean hardware’s luster with polish and then apply several coatings of a quality automobile wax.
Tip #8 - Condensation, or "sweating," is a natural occurrence on all windows and is caused by excess humidity, or invisible water vapor, present in the air. When this water vapor comes in contact with a surface which is at a cooler temperature, the vapor turns to visible droplets of moisture.
Each Simonton window has many features built in to keep the temperature of the glass as warm as possible and thus reduce condensation. However, there is no such thing as a condensation-free window in high humidity conditions. Controlling the amount of moisture in your home is the most effective action you can take to avoid condensation.
To reduce the moist air in your home, use fans in bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms to circulate the air. You can also use a dehumidifier and air out your home frequently by opening windows and doors. Finally, reduce your number of indoor house plants, since they increase humidity levels.
Tip #9 – Thoroughly wash the exterior frames of your windows (including the sill that is exposed within your home closest to the screens) twice yearly. Remove any bugs or dirt that may have accumulated.
Tip #10 – Over time, dirt may accumulate on window edges and corners. To remove the build-up, use Q-tips dipped in vinegar. Make sure to thoroughly rinse with water afterwards.
“Understanding your windows and accurately maintaining them can extend their lifespan,” says Christopher Burk, product manager for Simonton Windows. “Just as with any major product or appliance in a house, windows will wear out over time. They lose their efficiency and their ability to operate properly.
When it comes time to replace your windows, Burk advises homeowners to invest in a low-maintenance frame, such as vinyl. “Frames made of vinyl can definitely eliminate many maintenance woes and give you years of beauty on the interior and exterior of your home.”
Simonton Windows produces ENERGY STAR® qualified replacement and new construction windows and doors, including a line of impact-resistant products. The company was ranked #1 in quality in the 2007 Brand Use Study sponsored by Builder magazine and has won two consecutive Best In Class Awards for being ranked “Overall Top Rated Vinyl Window Brand” in unaided industry studies.
Founded in 1946, Simonton’s hallmark has been to deliver its made-to-order products in seven days or less. Part of consumer products company Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE: FO), Simonton has manufacturing facilities in Pennsboro, Harrisville and Ellenboro, W.Va.; Paris, Ill.; McAlester, Okla.; Lyons, Ga.; and Vacaville, Calif. Simonton is a founding sponsor of The Weather Museum and a corporate partner of Homes for Our Troops. For information, call (800) SIMONTON or visit www.simonton.com.
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