Aftercare Guidelines
Handcrafted in Britain since 2012
Caring for Your New Sash Windows – What to Expect After Installation
Your relationship with us doesn’t end when installation is complete. We want every customer to know what to expect once their new windows and doors are in place — and how to look after them so they perform beautifully for decades
Like a car, your windows will last far longer with regular, simple maintenance than without it — and most of what’s needed takes only minutes.
The First Few Weeks – Post-Installation Care
After installation, it is important that you do a few simple things to keep your windows and doors working like they should:
- Be sure to open your windows and doors daily in the first few weeks after installation. You can gradually decrease this to every other day, followed by at least once a week as time progresses. Timber is a natural product that can expand and contract with the weather and also needs a little time to settle into its new environment. Our windows and doors are precision engineered and designed to keep the tolerances around opening sections as tight as possible to prevent air leakage, it is therefore incredibly important to keep you windows and doors moving, otherwise they can stick and become difficult to open.
- All of our joinery is installed fully finished as per our client’s requirements. This means that once the joinery is installed, it is not necessary to repaint or apply a topcoat to the joinery itself.
Annual Maintenance Guide for Timber Sash Windows
- Inspect surface coatings, glazing and ironmongery annually (at least) dependent on the prevailing weather conditions.
- Maintain the decorative finish applied to our products with regular servicing to ensure moisture is unable to penetrate into the timber at any time during its life – a vital factor for optimum preservation.
- The paint finish of your custom-made joinery must be looked after and must be regularly maintained. For specific guidance on repainting schedules, check our maintenance guide which is sent to you following installation.
- Clean windows and doors at least twice a year using a soft, non-abrasive cloth with mild detergent and warm water. Change the water frequently and rinse thoroughly afterwards. Do not use hosepipes or pressure washers.
- During cleaning, inspect for any damage. Areas of wear on sills, door edges, and sashes should be touched up promptly — small repairs prevented early avoid larger problems later.
Caring for Your Window Hardware and Ironmongery
General maintenance should include:
- Regularly wiping away dirt and debris, especially on moving parts.
- Check all screws are tight.
- Wipe handles with a damp cloth, do not lubricate.
- Apply petroleum jelly to all locking bolts, guide slots and striker plates on the window locking system.
- Add the minimum amount necessary of light machine oil to all hinge pivots and wipe away the excess.
Keeping Your Sash Windows Running Smoothly
To ensure that your sliding sash windows operate smoothly, apply a silicon spray or candle wax to the pulley stiles regularly. Treat your windows and doors with care and avoid slamming them shut or forcing them open. To open a window or door, ensure that you use the furniture provided as using the glazing bars or rails will weaken the joints over time. To avoid damage, ensure that all fasteners are opened fully before use.
If you have any questions about caring for your windows or doors, or if you notice anything that needs attention, our team is always happy to help. Call us on 0207 924 7303, or click below to contact us.