Care & Maintenance

We hope that you are enjoying the beauty and efficiency of your new windows and doors. Windows and doors require cleaning and maintenance a few times a year, however because of weather and sun exposure your windows and doors may require more frequent attention.

Regular maintenance of your windows and doors will help keep them looking attractive and operating smoothly.

• The weatherstrip on your window or door unit is designed to act as a barrier in the space between the sash and frame to reduce air and water infiltration. Make sure that it is still working effectively and not damaged as this can cause the unit to not work as efficiently as it should.
• Examine the window’s interior and exterior finish. Occasional restoration to a damaged finish may be necessary. If restoration is necessary, be sure that any solvent-containing materials do not come in contact with the weatherstrip as these solvents can cause the weatherstrip to lose its flexible qualities.
• The caulking along the outer edges of the window frame should also be checked for any gaps or loose caulk as this can compromise the performance of the window. Trim off any old, loose caulk and seal any gaps with a good quality oil-based caulk. We recommend using Quad VOC caulk.
• Make sure that the hardware on the unit(s) is working properly. Broken or non-working hardware can affect the security and efficiency of the unit(s).
• Clean any sand, dirt or dust from window and door hinges, sills, and tracks. A silicone spray can be used to ease the opening and closing of windows and doors.

Most windows and doors will have a manufacturer label adhered to the glass. These labels should be removed from the glass soon after installation to assure no damage is done. Never remove labels when the units are exposed to direct sunlight. Also, make sure that if any cleaning agents are used that they do not come in contact with the weatherstrip as this will compromise the effectiveness of the weatherstrip. The label can generally be removed by soaking with rubbing alcohol and rubbing label with a gentle motion until the adhesive is removed. You can also soak the label with acetone and then peel the label off after a few minutes. These are simply recommendations. It is up to the homeowner to check with the manufacturer for specific requirements to assure that using cleaning products do not void any warranties. NEVER use a razor blade on the glass to remove labels.

Cleaning the glass of your new window and door unit(s) should be done when they are not exposed to direct sunlight. The use of razor blades is not recommended on any coated glass such as Low E II. Lighthouse Windows recommends the following process for glass cleaning, however it is the homeowner’s responsibility to check with their specific window and door manufacturer regarding cleaning requirements to assure the warranty is not compromised.

• Soak the glass surface with a clean water and soap solution to loosen any dirt and debris
• Use a mild, non-abrasive window washing solution and apply with a non-abrasive applicator
• Immediately after washing the glass, remove all of the cleaning solution with a squeegee, taking care not to allow any metal surface of the cleaning equipment to touch the glass surface. Use a cloth to wipe the squeegee dry after each swipe.
• Dry all cleaning solution from window gaskets, sealants and frames. Also, make sure that no abrasive particles are trapped between the glass and the cleaning material. Weatherstrip and frames become susceptible to deterioration if the water and cleaning solutions are not dried away immediately after cleaning.