How to look after timber windows so that they please the eye for a long time?

Timber windows are an elegant element that adds charm to any building. Natural timber used to make window joinery looks attractive, warming the image of a house, and is durable and resistant to the action of many external factors. However, for windows made of this noble natural material to look impeccable and work faultlessly, they must be looked after properly.

What should be done to keep timber windows in good technical condition?

Timber is a material that must be looked after carefully. For timber windows to look good and work without failure, you must give them:

1. Regular cleaning and care At least twice a year they must be cleaned and cared for thoroughly. For washing use cleaning products intended for timber window joinery, and for care a special care milk. These products will give them durability and appropriate protection against the action of changing weather factors, and will also clean off unsightly dirt and give them shine.

2. Regular cleaning of the panes For timber windows to look beautiful and be a true ornament of a house, their panes must be cleaned regularly. This is a simple activity that will give them an immaculate appearance and give the interiors of a house optimal daylight. It is worth using cleaning products intended for glass surfaces and a soft cloth (e.g. of microfibre).

3. Ongoing repair of minor damage During everyday use minor damage appears on the surface of timber frames. This is a natural phenomenon that should not worry you. To keep the windows in good condition, see to the ongoing repair of all cracks, scratches and abrasions. Smooth the damaged surface with sandpaper of grade 200 – 400, dust it thoroughly and then apply two coats of a special opaque paint or a translucent colour.

4. Spring inspection of seals and hardware Timber windows are not just a timber frame. They also consist of seals, hardware and many moving elements which work together every day, constantly rubbing against one another. When winter comes to an end, it is worth checking what condition they are in, cleaning them and caring for them (use special lubricants and maintenance oils for this). Lubricating the hardware is a very important activity, thanks to which friction and the risk of corrosion will be minimised and the windows will be assured a longer service life. Seals that have lost their flexibility or cracked must be replaced with new ones without delay.