Timber Windows and External Doorsets – Storage and Maintenance Requirements and Warranty provisions.

All Guarantees offered are subject to proper storage and maintenance of the products supplied in accordance with our recommendations. These include:

• stored before fitting in appropriate conditions, according to manufacturer’s storing instructions,
• fitted according to manufacturers fitting instructions,
• properly used and maintained according to manufacturer’s maintenance instructions.

Warranty Claims:

1. All warranty claims shall be made in writing, detailing the issues raised, and supported with images, and a professional third party report, where any claim may be the subject of legal process.
2. All warranty claims will be considered and reported back to the customer in writing, with either:
3. Commitment to specific remedial work, with a plan of timescales- OR
4. Agreement of costs to replace items where the Manufacturer deems necessary.
5. Issue of replacement parts where replacement is deemed necessary.

Warranty Exclusions:

The warranty excludes:

• any visible defects not reported before product fitting,
• mechanical damages occurred during transport, storage or operation after goods delivery,
• transport visible damages not reported on delivery note,
• obvious damages reported after 24 hours from delivery,
• malfunctions and damages caused by random events which cannot be fore seen by the manufacturer, such as wrong site adjustment, modification of the product, or poor fitting.
• All incidental costs are not covered by this warranty, this includes access, labour. The maximum value of any claim is the limit of the individual item value.
• coating faults caused by improper ventilation, improper heating or relative humidity above 70% inside the building.
• timber swelling, frame and sash distortion and improper hardware working caused by excessive humidity and lack of heating or ventilation,
• natural wear and tear of product (e.g. worn gaskets),
• wear and tear or damages caused by improperly carried out repairs our maintenance works,
• lack of parts or accessories not reported during delivery of goods,
• differences in coating hue connected with colour intensity distribution which depends on timber natural properties,
• differences in coating texture connected with structure and chemical properties of timber (standing growth rings),
• visible joints of glued timber (finger joints),
• influence of weather conditions on coating in form of minor colour changes, minor loss of gloss level or chalking effect,
• coating damages caused by using aggressive cleaning detergent or plastering,
• minor unevenness of silicon surfaces connected with process of impose and drawing down silicon,
• minor unevenness of glazing beads caused by technological process, which are not hinder product operating,
• cracks at frame or sash joints caused by excessive humidity or incorrect fitting,
• resin leakage and coating discolouration caused by compounds included in wood such like resins and tannins,
• oak timber discolouration (black stains) occurred as result of reaction between oak tannins and iron or iron compounds (contained also in rainwater),
• presence of healthy knots in timber,
• coating defects on hidden surfaces of product,
• scratched external face of unit glass reported after installation.

General Maintenance:

IN ORDER THAT YOU RECEIVE THE BEST POSSIBLE PERFORMANCE FROM YOUR WINDOWS, A CERTAIN DEGREE OF REGULAR MAINTENANCE IS REQUIRED.

Our recommendation is that you carry out an inspection at least once a year. The best way is to try and make this part of your routine, e.g. when you clean your windows, take the opportunity to clean the external parts of the windows at the same time. In this way, you will see the condition of the surface treatment at the same time as you maintain the surface through cleaning.

The frequency of maintenance depends on your local environment. This varies due to climate, precipitation and humidity, air pollution, mould and algae, temperature changes, the location of the building, the positioning of the window in the wall, the direction in which the window faces. This means that different windows in the same building may need varying levels of maintenance.

LUBRICATION

Window’s hardware will need occasional care. We recommend that you oil all mobile hardware parts twice a year with acid free oil to keep them moving smoothly. Use oil intended for sewing machines, WD-40 or similar. Windows situated in exposed areas, particular coastal locations (within 5 miles), must be oiled more often. Under extreme conditions it will be necessary to check if hardware is still fully functional more regularly. In order to easily describe the general maintenance requirements of our windows and doors, the instructions have been divided into three general groups of materials:

• Glazing,
• Timber treatment,
• Aluminium cladding/profiles.

GLAZING

Cleaning your glass should be carried out at regular intervals, as a minimum the glass should be cleaned approx. 3 times per annum .The following guidelines can be followed:

1. Choose a calm day to clean your windows, following simple health and safety guidelines.
2. Rinse the glass with warm water mixed with a mild detergent.
3. Rinse the glass with clean water. It’s important to remove all the remaining detergent as some detergents are harmful to wood.
4. Dry glass using a chamois leather.

It is a good idea to open the windows and wash all available surfaces, corners etc. where insects like to hide, a couple of times a year. It is especially important to remove cobwebs and the like, which in time will inevitably sit in the corners and can block the automatic water drainage and the natural ventilation around the frame. That may lead to further damages. Glass labels on new windows can be removed by soaking them in water. Label residues on the glass can be removed by gently using a cleaner designed for ceramic hobs.

CONDENSATION (INTERNAL)

Internal condensation typically occurs with poorly insulated windows with high interior atmospheric humidity and a low exterior temperature. The normal room air is warmer than the cooled down air located near the window pane. The room air is cooled down near window pane and, at the same time the relative atmospheric humidity increases in the cold air because it cannot carry as much atmospheric humidity as the warmer air. When the relative humidity reaches 100%, the so-called dew point , the water condenses as mist or water on the window panes.

How to avoid internal condensation:

• Properly ventilate construction damp in a newly built house.
• Provide good ventilation. Air rooms regularly.
• Ensure that the atmospheric humidity does not exceed 40%.
• Ensure that the warm room air can rise unhindered up over glass surfaces.

CONDENSATION (EXTERNAL)

Under certain conditions, condensation may form on the outside of the glass. This may occur on energy efficient windows which have a very low U-value, indicating the glass construction provides effective insulation and small energy losses.

External condensation is formed primarily during the dawn and morning hours between September and April in northern climate. As the air becomes warmer over the course of the day, the condensation disappears. If the weather is calm, cold and clear with high atmospheric humidity, the temperature of the outermost exterior pane may fall below the dew point and condensation is formed. The energy losses from inside are too small to keep the temperature of the outer pane above the dew point for the outside air.

CONDENSATION BETWEEN PANES

In the unlikely event that condensation is found between the panes of glass of a sealed unit, please contact our office. This is a sign that the sealed unit is punctured and should be replaced.

TIMBER AND ALUMINIUM

Modern timber windows are energy-efficient, ecological, comfortable in use, aesthetic and also highly durable. Our windows are protected by Teknos/GORI Industry coating system which provides:

• effective timber protection from weather conditions (UV radiation, water, temperature changes) and biological factors,
• water vapour permeability (prevent moisture gathering in timber),
• high elasticity (coating is resistant to swelling and shrinkage of timber),
• increased dirt-resistance (easy to clean, increased resistance to aggressive detergents and alkalis),
• eco-friendly (water-based, manufactured according to EU standards concerning environment protection).

Nevertheless, windows shall undergo regular maintenance actions. A visual inspection should be carried out at least once a year, to check the external surfaces are free from any splits or cracks in the paintwork or timber. UV rays from the sun can also effect the surface treatment – especially on south and west facing elevations. Properties without overhanging eaves will also be more exposed to the UV rays. Any cracks in the paintwork or timber, will allow moisture to penetrate into the product and over time cause decomposition of the timber. If any defect is spotted it have to be repaired immediately to prevent further damage.

MAINTAINING TIMBER SURFACES CARE AND CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS:

We recommend that you wash the frames and sashes once a year to remove dirt and other kinds of impurities (grease, bugs). Use Teknoclean 1951-00 or water mixed with a mild household cleaning product as an alternative. Those actions helps to keep coating in a good shape. Teknoclean 1951-00 is concentrated, alkali cleaning fluid which should be diluted prior to use:

• slightly dirty surfaces – 1% solution (100ml of product in 9-10l of water),
• heavily dirty surfaces – 5% solution (500ml of product in 9-10l of water).

Diluted detergent shall be lied down evenly with soft brush, sponge or cloth. After 5 minutes wash it off with clean water. Don’t use it for window’s hardware and other metal surfaces.

Most detergents for windows contain ammonium chloride. After cleaning, all the remains of ammonium chloride have to be removed.

After cleaning, apply GORI 690-31 Surface Maintenance to external timber surfaces. It restores gloss and protection of surfaces damaged by solar radiation, rains and frost. However, it doesn’t replace standard renovation of damaged coating. Emulsion shall be applied with soft cloth, evenly along timber fibres. Allow it to dry. Don’t use it if you are going to renovate the coating in four weeks’ time. Don’t use care and cleaning products when the moisture ratio is higher than 85% and temperature is below 10°C.

Timber parts like extension sills, astragals or glazing beads require more caring maintenance. They are thinner than window/door timber profiles and so they are more vulnerable to environmental conditions. They should by visually inspected at least twice a year and maintained if it’s necessary.

ANNUAL CONSERVATION:

1. Obligatory once a year, coating surface shall be cleaned with clean water mixed with addition of Teknos’ detergent TEKNOCLEAN 1956 or comparable detergent in order to remove dirt, bugs and other impurities which may be the source of mould and algae growth.
2. Corner joints and end grain surfaces should be inspected to check they are free from any cracks in the coating or timber. Any cracks should be fixed with Teknoseal 4000 or other proper product. Also “V” joints have to be inspected to check if they are free of cracks. Repairs should be carried out using Teknoseal 4001, Teknoseal 4007, Teknoseal 4008, Teknoseal 4009 or other proper product.
3. The damaged coating should be repaired as follows:

• Rub down damaged area with fine sandpaper.
• Brush off shavings and sawdust and dry the area.
• Apply a layer of remedial paint in proper colour with high-quality brush suitable for water- based acrylic paints. After few hours apply second layer.
• If damaged area is large, you should slightly grind all the frame and repaint it.

4. At least once a year, right after cleaning and repairs mentioned above, you should apply Teknos’ care products TEKNOWAX or TEKNOCARE 4250 according to instructions.

THE FIRST AND FOLLOWING REDECORATIONS:

1. Rub down damaged area with medium-grade sandpaper and then with fine-grade one.
2. Brush off shavings and sawdust and dry the area out.
3. Raw timber should be preserved with timber protection product TEKNOL AQUA 1410. Allow it to dry.
4. Apply translucent or opaque Teknos’ base coat AQUA PRIMER 2900, AQUA PRIMER 3130. Allow it to dry.
5. Apply a layer of top coat using a high-quality brush (Aquatop 2600 or other proper paint). Allow it to dry and afterwards apply next layer. You should always keep to producer recommendations (drying time, applying conditions).

When carrying out remedial works to your windows make sure that the ambient temperature is above 8°C and the moisture ratio is below 85%. To avoid the effect of dew also avoid early mornings and later in the day, to enable paintwork to dry.

MAINTAINING ALUMINIUM CLADDING/PROFILES

Aluminium parts may be mill finished or paint powder coated in a wide range of colours. It is important that the aluminium cladding is monitored regularly for any contamination that can stains the surface finish. Any form of contamination needs removing before it damages the surface treatment. Otherwise, it is recommended that all aluminium cladding is washed and cleaned at least once a year as described:

1. Wipe the cladding with a soft brush to remove dust and loose foreign matter.
2. Prepare a bucket of clean warm water with a little amount of mild detergent and wash down.
3. Rinse clean and then wring the cloth to dry off after washing. A clean damp chamois leather is ideal for drying cladding without smears.

If the aluminium parts have been scratched, remove minor scratches with a polishing compound. You can also try filling a scratch with a small amount of colour matching paint to make it less obvious. Scratches on aluminium surfaces won’t affect the window’s long lifetime.