You have beautiful new windows in your home. The views are amazing. The windows are easy to open when you want a fresh breeze. Neighbors keep remarking about how great they look. Everything is A-OK.
Now what?
We’re glad you asked. To ensure that your windows continue to look fabulous and work well, you need to follow our replacement windows care checklist. Don’t be afraid: These are simple steps you can take that will help maintain your windows’ appearance and performance.
Why Post-Installation Windows Care Matters
Obviously, you want your new windows to last. There’s no reason to install new windows throughout your home only to go through the entire process again in a few years. To ensure that your windows work well for years to come, you need to follow our post-installation windows care checklist.
Protecting Your Investment
You’ve made a considerable investment to upgrade your home with these new windows. Now it’s time to protect your investment. If you take the time to properly care for your windows post-installation, then it’s much less likely that the windows will perform poorly or break, requiring you to spend money to fix them.
Enhancing Energy Efficiency & Comfort
People install new windows for a variety of reasons, but energy efficiency is almost always at the top of the list. By inspecting your windows post-installation, you’re ensuring that you’ll get optimal energy performance from your windows, which in turn will help you maintain a comfortable interior temperature in your home regardless of the season.
Replacement Windows Care Checklist
What to do after a fresh windows install? We lay it all out in the following sections.
Immediate Care After Installation
Once your new windows are installed, do a brief inspection. Are there any cracks in the glass? Do any bolts or screws appear to be loose? Assuming the window is operational, does it open and close with ease? Does the locking mechanism work? Once you’ve answered those questions, you should remove any dust and debris that has accumulated during the installation process.
Weekly and Monthly Maintenance Tips
There are periodic steps you can take to extend the life of your windows. The most obvious thing you can do is clean your windows on a regular basis. You don’t have to make a special trip to the store for some high-priced cleaning solution: Just get a bucket of warm water and mix it with a few teaspoons of dish soap.
You should also open and close your windows on a regular basis to make sure that they’re still operating properly and that the locks are still working. And while they’re open, inspect the track and remove any dust or debris that you find. This task is especially important because you don’t want to discover during an emergency that your windows are difficult to open.
Seasonal and Annual Window Care Tasks
If you live in a region that experiences different seasons, then you’ll have to perform some seasonal upkeep. For example, as the temperature starts getting cooler and the days shorter, it’s probably time to remove your window screens for the season. Make sure to store them in a dry, out-of-the-way place until next spring.
Once Old Man Winter does arrive, you might be tempted plug in a humidifier and turn it up to its highest setting to combat the dry air. However, it’s best to keep it at a moderate level so that condensation doesn’t form on the windows.
Now, once winter is gone and the days start getting warmer, it’s time to start your annual spring cleaning. Here again, it’s best to keep it simple when concocting your cleaning solution, as the combination of warm water and dish soap is sufficient. You should also use a sponge or microfiber cloth so as not to damage the glass.
Common Care Mistakes to Avoid
It’s important to keep your windows looking good and operating smoothly for years to come, so make sure you’re using the right tools and cleaning methods for the job.
Products and Cleaning Methods to Never Use
We’ve mentioned above that you should use water periodically to clean your windows, but you should never use a garden hose or power washer. They could do significant damage to both the glass and frame.
Similarly, make sure you have the right cleaning solution. Some chemicals are too harsh on windows, so they’re not recommended. Do not use bleach, ammonia, oil-based solutions, or similar agents on your windows.
Finally, we want to emphasize the importance of using a sponge or microfiber cloth while cleaning your windows. A squeegee is also acceptable. But we don’t recommend using a wire brush or paper towels: The former could damage the glass, while the latter could leave streaks on the glass.
Expert Tips for Durable, Beautiful Windows
Here at the Sunrise Collection, we’ve consulted our experts on staff to see how they maintain beautiful, long-lasting windows.
How to Spot Early Signs of Issues
It’s always a good idea to nip a problem in the bud. Here are a few early signs that your windows are not working properly:
- Water pooling around the sill
- Condensation on the glass
- Window is noticeably more difficult to open and close
- HVAC system working harder to maintain a consistent temperature (which could indicate window leakage)
- Outside sound is not being absorbed the way it previously was
When to Contact a Professional
If you’re at the point where you’re beyond taking a few basic steps (e.g., applying weatherstripping, re-painting the frame, etc.), it’s probably best to call a professional. These individuals work with windows on a daily basis, so you’ll get the problem fixed without undue hassle.
Frequently Asked Questions about Windows Care
Here are the questions we see most often about windows care:
Q: What is the average cost to replace all windows in a house?
A: The cost of replacing all the windows in a house can vary greatly depending on a number of factors, including the state in which you live, the number of windows in the house, and the types of windows being installed. But, generally speaking, we can estimate that the average cost to replace all the windows in a house is between $10,000 and $20,000.
Q: How do I prepare my house for replacement windows?
A: Make sure all furniture is cleared away from the windows. You’ll also want to ensure that everyday items – like briefcases, laptop computers, children’s toys – are cleared away from the
windows. If you have pets, be sure to keep them from interfering with the workers who are doing the installation.
Q: Is it worth it to hire someone to clean my windows?
A: In most cases, yes. Although cleaning windows is not overly taxing, many homeowners find that it’s worth it to hire a professional to do the job.
Q: How long will my replacement windows last?
A: If properly maintained, most replacement windows manufactured in the United States today will last for 20-40 years.
Ready for Flawless Windows? Contact Sunrise Today
Now that you have the knowledge to take care of your Sunrise Collection replacement windows post-installation, you have to take the necessary step of ordering them. Go to sunrisecollection.com to find a certified Sunrise dealer in your area.
And once your Sunrise windows are installed, keep them looking flawless for years to come by downloading our comprehensive care checklist.
