WINDOW FRAME CLEANING

Cleaning windows means more than just cleaning the glass. Here are some helpful tips for cleaning your window and frame effectively without damaging them.

•  Make sure to vacuum any dirt from sill and track areas before washing. •  Use a mixture of mild dish soap* and water for cleaning of window frame. •  Rinse completely with clear water and make sure to wipe dry. •  Make certain that drainage or "weep" holes are clear of dirt or obstructions both inside and outside of the window frame. * Ivory soap is an example of a mild dish soap. Always test cleaners in an inconspicuous area before using.

	GLASS CARE

Glass care today has never been more important. Insulating low-e or heat reflective glass requires proper maintenance to ensure complete effectiveness.

•  Clean glass with a mixture of mild dish soap and water. Rinse completely with clear water then wipe dry with a soft cloth to avoid water spots. •  Avoid cleaning glass in direct sunlight. •  DO NOT USE any petroleum-based cleaners or caustic chemicals to clean glass. •  DO NOT USE any razor blade, putty knife or any abrasive pad to clean glass. •  DO NOT USE a high-pressure spray nozzle when rinsing windows after cleaning.

	R-5 Low E Window Hand Cleaning Recommendations

Comfort E-PS™ is a pyrolytically coated (hard coat) low emissivity glass. The coated surface is durable and has a slight texture inherent on this type of coated glass. Hand cleaning of Comfort E-PS™ is only slightly different than cleaning of non-coated glass. Following the recommendations below will result in successfully cleaning Comfort E-PS™. It is very important to read all care instructions before cleaning your high energy efficient R-5 windows with Comfort E-PS Low E Glass. Special care is needed to maintain the beauty and performance of your new windows.  Never use ANY type of scraper, plastic or metal, on the coated surface. Remove rings and other objects that would come in contact with the coated glass. Regular Cleaning

•  Thoroughly clean the surface of the glass with a clean sponge or soft cloth and plain water to remove surface contaminates. •  Dry with a clean soft cloth. Use a clean sponge or soft cloth to wash the surface with a solution of 10% to 20% vinegar. Always use a new soft cloth or a squeegee to dry the glass. Cleaning may cause streaks when dried if the glass is exceptionally dirty. In this case repeat cleaning. Care should be taken with rubber squeegees as they can leave streaks that are extremely hard to remove if they are used incorrectly or are in poor condition.  •  Commercial glass cleaners (WINDEX®, GLASS PLUS®, etc.) may be used, but some may leave a film residue and may cause smearing. If these situations occur repeat the cleaning process using vinegar based cleaner. Vinegar based cleaners tend to cause less streaking than other types of cleaning solutions. The most important consideration is to remove as much contamination from the coating as possible with the plain water wash before attempting final cleaning.

Special Cleaning For unusually hard to remove contaminates such as crayons, wax, grease, markers and adhesives, special cleaners may be used to spot clean the glass. Denatured alcohol and isopropyl alcohol work on a variety of contaminates. For harder to remove contaminates such as crayons and markers, commercially available cleaners such as Goo Gone® and Goof Off® work well. After spot cleaning, the full glass surface should be cleaned as discussed above.

	SCREEN CLEANING

•  Remove screen from window and wash on a clean flat surface with mild soap and water, and a soft brush (if needed). Rinse, wipe dry and reinstall. •  DO NOT USE a high pressure spray. It will cause damage, rip screens, and cause window seals to become unstable.

	CONTINUED SMOOTH OPERATION

To ensure that your windows continue to open, close, lock and unlock easily, follow these helpful tips.

•  Moving parts in hardware components and tracks should be lubricated periodically in accordance with the included manufacturer's maintenance instructions. If you are located in a salt air environment, this can mean cleaning as well as lubricating, monthly. •  Check weather stripping around all operable window panels to be sure it seals evenly. •  Check and clean weatherstripping by lightly brushing the pile. •  Make sure track is kept clean by vacuuming to clear any dirt or debris.

	CARE INSTRUCTION

•  Check window annually and recaulk (outside and inside) as needed.

	CONDENSATION AND MOLD

Window condensation can be natural occurrence and may be a warning that too much moisture is present and could cause structural deterioration and the potential of mold growth.

•  Condensation on the inside of a window is a result of a higher air moisture content contacting the lower temperatures on the glass. Higher interior humidity and the lower outside window temperature can cause condensation. •  Excessive interior humidity can cause structural damage and health concerns if high moisture levels are sustained inside wall cavities. Wood rot, mold and mildew may result. •  Make sure to check all sashes for smooth adequate operation. •  Use exhaust fans, especially when showering. •  Install and use a dehumidifier and ceiling fans to circulate air. •  Periodically open windows and doors whenever practical to allow interior moisture to escape.

OUTDOOR Condensation: Under some climate conditions, condensation may occur on the exterior glass surface of a window. This is more likely to occur on higher-performance windows with Low-E coatings and low-conductance gas fills that create very low factors. For exterior condensation to occur, the glass temperature must be below the outdoor dew point temperature. This is most likely to happen when there is a clear night sky, still air and high relative humidity, in addition to the right temperature conditions. Like other dew formed at night, exterior window condensation will disappear as surfaces are warmed by the sun. It is excellent thermal performance of the well-insulated glazing that created the condition where the outer glass surface can be cold enough to cause condensation to form.