Prolonging the life of your uPVC windows and doors - essential maintenance tips

Prolonging the life of your uPVC windows and doors.

One of the major selling points of uPVC frames is the relatively small amount of ongoing maintenance they require, in comparison to other materials.

Whilst it’s true that they do not require a great deal of maintenance, though, there are still a few things you should keep a close check on if you want to maximise the potential life of your units – and keeping on top of window maintenance could save you thousands of pounds further on down the line.

Maintenance is especially important if the window or door in question is a fire escape route, whether that be at home or in a commercial setting.

The most common problems come when handles or locking mechanisms break, or the hinges seize up. These mechanisms make up the majority of the moving parts of the window frame Thankfully, taking just a few minutes every 6 to 12 months is all it takes to

To keep the frames as good as new, simply take some silicone lubricant or machine oil and apply it every 6 to 12 months on all window and door moving parts – handles, locking mechanisms (including the bolts set into the edge of the frame) and all of the hinges (don’t forget the top ones). Turn the handles and open and close the windows to work in the oil and you’ll be set.

This will help prevent premature seizing and breaking due to the stress put upon hinges and locks where the window/door itself moves stiffly.

As well as making sure the handles, locks and hinges still work, an amount of maintenance is required to keep the appearance of the windows as pristine as possible. If you want to keep your white frames shiny white, it’s important to at least run over them with a cloth every few months, or the dirt will stick and become very tricky to remove.

This is especially true for vertical windows fitted with self-cleaning glass, since dirt runs very easily from the glass pane but may remain on the sill and the bottom of the frame. You should pay particular attention to making sure the frame remains as clean as possible or you may risk permanent discolouration of the plastic.

If you keep your windows well maintained, you can expect them to last 25 years or more – but eventually they will reach a point where they can no longer be salvaged. When that day comes, simply head to WindowQuoter for a free and instant online quote for new windows or doors.