UK Manufacturers of Bespoke Timber Windows and Doors
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TIMBER WINDOW MAINTENANCE

There are many factors to consider when choosing the style and material for your property’s windows. One of the perceived drawbacks of having timber windows is that they will be laborious and expensive to maintain compared with PVCu. However, timber windows can last twice as long, with very little maintenance required.

Why are factory finished windows low maintenance?

Fully factory finished windows differ from those that are painted and glazed on site. Through advanced technology we can achieve maximum performance with minimal maintenance – and we achieve this by:

  • Extensive preparation for painting. We take great care in end grain sealing and joint sealing, to protect the vulnerable parts of the timber. We protect the vulnerable parts of the timber by end grain sealing and joint sealing
  • Internally beaded glazing systems protect the weakest part of the glazing system from the elements.
  • Humidity controlled factory, ensuring that the timber is kept at the right moisture content throughout the production process.
  • Extensive checks between coats to ensure that the timber is correctly coated and the finish is applied to our exacting standards.
  • Micro-porous coating -a four-stage application process which provides maximum protection to the timber, while allowing it to breathe and letting its natural beauty show through.

What maintenance is required?

General Cleaning

It is recommended that all your products are cleaned annually, depending on environmental factors.

  • For general cleaning use a soft cloth and water with soap or washing-up liquid
  • To remove grease marks, use washing-up liquid with little or no water then rinse with clean water
  • Do not use glass cleaner on frames
  • Do not use kitchen/bathroom cleaners

Wood is not indestructible. Maintenance of the coated finish is important, not only to keep the window or door looking good but with the correct maintenance your products should last even longer than their guarantees.

To Recoat

It is recommended that the surface coating is inspected annually and if required you should re-coat the wood with micro-porous stain or paint.

Here’s how:

  • Clean the window or door as above and let it dry completely
  • Use a fine grade of wet and dry silicon carbide abrasive paper to lightly rub down the existing paint or stain finish (do not try to rub through the existing coat. This exercise is intended only to remove any grease and dirt and provide a smooth surface)
  • Remove all dust and debris with a wet cloth, taking care to avoid inhalation of the dust
  • Allow to dry thoroughly
  • Apply the micro-porous finish with a brush, taking care not to overload the brush or get the finish on the seals or gaskets
  • Only use micro-porous paint or stain. Avoid non-micro-porous finishes such as yacht varnish as they need stripping and renewing more often. And you should follow the instructions on the container carefully.

Scratches and Chips

  • Damaged timber should be re-painted or re-stained immediately
  • First, prepare the damaged area by removing all surface damage with a light abrasive following the line of the grain
  • Remove all dust and debris with a wet cloth, taking care to avoid inhaling the dust
  • Where necessary, a timber filler may be used to repair the damage and provide a smooth surface for reapplying the finish
  • Re-apply the finish to the damaged area as described above

Failure to treat scratches and chips will invalidate the product warranty.

Knots, Grain and Movement

Wood is a natural product and features such as knots and differences in grain appearance do occur. This is not a fault but part of the natural beauty of our timber product. As a natural product, some degree of movement in terms of expansion or contraction can be expected.