Care & Maintenance

Congratulations on choosing windows and doors that offer the easy care and maintenance of vinyl. Vinyl won’t pit or peel. With only simple cleaning, your windows can keep their beautiful appearance for years to come.

Like any surface exposed to outside elements, your windows or doors will get dirty from time to time. Often heavy rains will wash the vinyl clean. If the rain isn’t enough, you can restore the splendor of the windows or doors by following these simple instructions.

Cleaning the Frame

Wash using mild detergent (if necessary) and a soft cloth or an ordinary long-handled, soft-bristle brush. Do not wash the window or doors with a high-pressure spray. The extreme pressure could crack or destroy the caulking around the window or door.

To remove difficult dirt and stains, use the readily available household cleaners listed on the chart. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on use of the cleaners. In some cases, you may wish to use a mildly abrasive cleaner such as Soft Scrub®, but the use of any abrasive material could scratch or dull the surface of the glass and window or door frame. Always test cleaners in an inconspicuous area first.

Do not use liquid grease remover, strong soaps and detergents containing organic solvents, nail polish remover, furniture polish or cleaners containing chlorine bleach. These items could affect the surface appearance of the vinyl.

Cleaners to Remove Stains from Vinyl Window and Door Frames

Cleaning materials are listed in alphabetical order

Bubble Gum

Fantastik®, Murphy Oil Soap®, solution of 30% vinegar and 70% water, Windex®

Crayon

Lestoil®

Felt-tip Pen

Fantastik®, water-based cleaners

Grass

Fantastik®, Lysol®, Murphy Oil Soap®, Windex®

Lipstick

Fantastik®, Lysol®, Murphy Oil Soap®

Lithium Grease

Fantastik®, Lestoil®, Murphy Oil Soap®, Windex®

Mold and Mildew

Fantastik®, solution of 30% vinegar and 70% water, Windex®

Motor Oil

Fantastik®, Lysol®, Murphy Oil Soap®, Windex®

Oil

Soft Scrub® (may dull surface finish)

Paint

Brillo® Pad (use with water, may scratch surface finish)

Pencil

Soft Scrub® (may dull surface finish)

Rust

Fantastik®, Murphy Oil Soap®

Tar

Soft Scrub® (may dull surface finish)

Top Soil

Fantastik®, Lestoil®, Murphy Oil Soap®

Cleaning the Glass and Screens

Use only mild soap, water, and a soft brush when cleaning your screens. When finished, rinse with clear water and wipe dry. Use a glass cleaner or mild detergent to clean the glass. Do not use a high-pressure spray, petroleum-based cleaners or caustic cleaners.

Check Your Windows and Door Drainage

Thermo-Tech windows and doors are designed with a drainage system to protect the inside of your home. Proper maintenance of the drainage system ensures it will continue to function as it should.

Periodically inspect the drainage holes to make certain they are clear of any dirt or debris. Use a soft bottlebrush to clear openings.

Occasionally vacuum the tracks on sliding doors and windows to clear any dirt or debris.

Operation of Your Vinyl Windows and Doors

Along with being virtually maintenance free, your window and doors have been designed and manufactured to be thermally efficient, aesthetically pleasing and easy to operate. For easy access during cleaning, all Double-Hung and Single-Hung Windows with operable sashes tilt in. Slider Window sashes lift out. Casement Window sashes open by turning the handle.

To tilt in the operable sash on Double-Hung and Single-Hung Windows, simply unlock the sash and raise (or lower) it approximately 2″ above (or below) the frame. Slide the tilt latches toward the cam lock and gently tilt the sash in. Always support tilted sash while cleaning. When finished cleaning, tilt the sash up and snap the tilt latches into place. For safety, make sure the tilt latches are securely engaged.

If it becomes necessary to remove and reinsert the sash, tilt the sash inward to a 90-degree angle and lift the bottom of the sash up and out of the frame. To reinsert the sash into the frame, make sure both pivot bars (located at the bottom of the sash) are fully inserted into the balance shoes.

To remove a Slider Window sash, simply unlock the sash and slide it past the sash retainer insert located in the head. Lift the sash up into the head and pull the bottom of the sash toward you.

To operate a Casement Window, lift the handle on the side of the frame to unlock the sash. Turn the handle on the bottom of the frame to open the sash to the desired position. Turn the handle in the opposite direction to close the sash. To lock the window, make sure the sash is fully closed. Then lower the handle on the side of the frame.