Although the grained foiled finishes are available on the interior as well, customers would generally opt for white UPVC interiors as they are easier to clean and give a much cleaner feel to the home.

The foils can come in a few finishes such as Oak, Mahogany, Rosewood and now in bespoke colors which are new to the market. Colors ranging from Irish oak, rustic cherry and even various shades of grey, reds and blues.

Depending on which sort of finish the customer chooses there will be a different way that you should treat the window frame when cleaning. But the maintenance of the product concerning functioning parts and general rules will stay the same no matter what PVC products are fitted.

The age of the windows may affect the aesthetics also, as customers were having PVC fitted up to 18 years ago. The PVC part of the window and door should still be able to be brought back as good as near to new as possible with the right products.

Although there are a few tips on bringing old windows back to life, it’s important to realise that the performance of the glass wont be anywhere near as effective as the new heat efficient windows and doors being fitted at the moment. There is also the problem of malfunctions on working parts such as handles and locking systems that need maintaining on at least 3 to 6 month periods to provide you with less problems.

General cleaning.

First open the windows and you will see a channel revealed where the hinges and locking keeps sit. Use a small brush and loosen the dirt, then take a vacuum cleaner to suck out the loose dirt.

We would advise anyone seeking advice on general cleaning of PVC windows to use a non abrasive cloth and soapy water. Use soapy water (standard none bleach detergent) to wash over the entire window internally and externally. Wipe down the whole frame afterwards and dry with a different cloth. Use the soapy cloth to wipe down inside the channel and giving the rubbers a clean whilst it’s open.

If you look on the opener where it closes on to the window frame there will be a 5 mm dirt line which is all around this needs to be removed with the soapy cloth.

Along the top and sides of the window opener will need a wipe too. If you fully extend the opener as far as it will go you will see at the top of the opener reveal itself and you will access it easily.

If there are any tacky markings on the PVC frames or glass that you can’t remove the glass cleaner or solvent we advise lower down will bring it off.

Sometimes when decorating you can accidentally splash glass and leave tiny speckles, use a Stanley knife blade which is a flat sharp blade or similar. This technique of removing any really stubborn marks off the glass with a blade should be used with absolute care as you don’t want to scratch the glass by accident. Use it as flat as you can and take your time. If you’re not confident about this technique avoid it or get a professional in.

Solvents, cream cleaners and sprays

Depending on what type of colour and age of the PVC window or door will depend on what to use. The level of dirt and ground in dirt will also make a difference as to what cleaning product you will need to use.

If the window is white PVC and is relatively new the above general cleaning will be enough.

Always use a purpose made industrial paper roll that can be bought from your local PVC outlet to apply anything other than soapy water. Alternatively you can use good grade kitchen roll for the window frames, but not to be advised for the glass.(mentioned further down)

Older windows and doors

If the window is ageing and needs a bit more poke, then opt for a PVC cream cleaner that is non abrasive from a respected DIY supplier. Don’t use the cream on the glass or anything other than the white PVC. Remember to buff off the excess with another piece of the roll. This can then be finished off with some solvent for a great finish.

It is always useful to have a bottle of top grade purpose made solvent PVC cleaner from the DIY / PVC outlet. Have them advise you on what products to use and what you require. This can be used to finish off the PVC white window frame and will even bring out dirt from very minor scratches. Be careful not to wipe away any silicone. Use small amounts of the solvent on the silicone as it can begin to remove it. This is a great way of removing yellow stains on silicone from smoking or cooking.

Wood grains and bespoke finishes

The use of spray oils such as WD40 on wood grain or bespoke colours is all that is needed. It will give a better finish and protect the window from the elements slightly. It will prevent further dust and bird markings from adhering so strongly. Only use this cleaning technique on foiled finishes. White PVC windows will not benefit at all from spray oils when cleaning. Don’t get the spray on the glass, apply liberally to the roll and clean in sweeping motions.

Handles, locking systems and hinge maintenance

It’s a pretty simple thing to keep on top of if you have a WD40 type spray oil. This maintenance needs doing every 3 to 6 months to keep the windows and doors working as they should without any problems. Most fitting teams hand out leaflets on maintenance advice now. If not ask them to advise you.

Handles

Using the handle key, spray on some oil and push in to the handle lock. Wiggle the key and push it in and about 5 times. If you don’t have the key use the straw nozzle on the spray can to try to get some inside the handle lock. Moisture can sometimes cause these locks to seize up slightly.You will feel the lock loosen straight away. Bathrooms and kitchens will benefit most as they produce most steam and condensation, they are also open more than other windows which allows the elements to get to them.

Locking systems

With the window sash open you will see straight away a set of lock keeps on the lower of the channel. It doesn’t harm to give these a quick spray. But if you feel under the actual opener you will feel a locking system and a set of roller cams that lock in to the lock keeps when shut. This whole locking strip needs to be coated and can usually be done from inside. If not gain access externally and spray liberally.

On your PVC doors the spraying of the key can be done from inside and out to prevent any access problems in the future. If you open the door on the handle side, in a channel on the side of sash opener you will see the locking strip. This is the first thing to go on any door even before the handles. This will need spraying in the closed position ( hooks in) and when the door handle is lifted (hooks out) to the open position. Spray liberally with oil and make sure to get underneath and at the top as there are shoot bolts that will be revealed when in the locked position, and these need spraying to prevent the system seizing up.

Spray the hinges of the PVC door in an open position to prevent any major friction coming from any slight rusting. The general cleaning guides of the PVC doors and conservatories are the same as the guide for windows above.

Hinges

Window hinges sit in the rebated channel of the window frame and are accessed when opened. The hinges will extend the more you open the window and are easy to spray. The spray may loosen the hinges each time you do maintenance on them, but there should be a tightening screw that can tighten the hinge back up again. The hinges on PVC windows are the second most common part to fail next to the glazed unit in the window. If not sprayed the condensation and moisture throughout the year will begin to rust the hinge. This is the most worked part of the window and takes all the weight of the sash so keep on top of it. Any rusting that starts will spread quickly especially in salty coastal areas.

Cleaning the glass

It’s the question all installers get asked when fitting windows. What do you use to clean the glass? The simple answer is there is no secret and the only trick is buying an industrial strength purpose made glass cleaner that is none smear.

Applying it with purpose made paper roll is better as kitchen roll or toilet paper won’t do the same job. The reason being that the inferior rolls will leave lots of fibres all over the window and break down very easily. You need to apply direct to the glass and get into all the corners.

Using the roll vigorously wipe the window until it is gone. Now turn the roll over and buff the glass until dry and polish to perfection. The same needs to done on the outside for the ultimate glass finish.

First applying solvent cleaner if there are any sticky marks would be fine. Applying some solvent is safe to use on the glass. Then use the glass cleaner afterwards to get the shine back.

There are different old techniques of vinegar and water and some other dodgy ideas but if you buy a professional grade from a respectable PVC outlet you will have no problems whatsoever in getting the desired Polish on your glazing.

PVC windows, doors and conservatories will use the same techniques in maintenance and cleaning as long as they are of the same finish.

If you don’t have the confidence or are not sure about any of the above then have your local DIY outlet advice you on what techniques should be done. All the above advice will need common sense as to not follow carefully will be detrimental to your double glazing