Maintenance

DOMUS, PATUS and AURA maintenance of external wood - full colours

Timber windows need maintenance. Not much though, if the work gets done in time. Inspect regularly whether there are cracks emerging in the exterior coating. This applies particularly on the southern and western elevations, bays etc. where the sun's UV rays are hard on all woodwork.

Just one crack in the paint exposes the timber to moisture, and the decomposition of the timber has begun. The windows must be reviewed once a year with a brush to make repairs to the surface wherever they are needed. The timber moisture content should be in the range between 15 and 18 percent and the air temperature around 15 degrees. Avoid painting too early - wait for the night dew to ease - and quit in time for the paint be "hand dry" before the dew falls again. For post-treatment we recommend the use of a paint with great covering power either water or oil based in the appropriate colour. The paint applied in the factory is water based in gloss 20. Furthermore it is a good idea to wash the sash and frame a few times a year when you clean the windows. This removes dirt and other contamination, which ultimately degrades the surface. Use water with a mild detergent.

DOMUS maintenance of external wood - translucent colours

Twice per year, preferably during spring and autumn, the cover coating must be washed with clear water with added suitable ph-neutral cleaning agents in order to remove dust, insects and other pollutants that could serve as a basis for infestation by bacteria and fungi and other contaminations.

Then check the surface thoroughly for any damage. Any damage identified must be treated as follows:

1. As far as possible, sand only the damaged areas (grain 180-220) and remove the dust. Finally, treat with 2 x Aquatop 2600-TS 7129 (split acrylic paint brush).
2. In the event of significant damage in the surface coat, the whole frame section must be sanded. Take care not to sand off the primer. Finally, treat the whole frame section with 2 x Aquatop 2600-24 tinted (split acrylic paint brush).
3. Deeper instances of damage, which reveal untreated wood, must be sanded and treated with Teknol Aqua 1410-01.When the impregnation is dry, treat the area with 1 x Aquaprimer 2900-02 tinted. Finally, treat with 2x Aquatop 2600-24 tinted (split acrylic paint brush).
4. When painting, you must be aware of the following: impregnation, priming and the surface product must not be applied at temperatures of less than +8°C and humidity of more than 85%. Water-dilutable products have a limited shelf life. In closed packaging and when stored in a frost-free environment, they will last for approx. 12-14 months.

ALDUS, PATUS+ and AURAPLUS maintenance of external aluminum

The outer aluminium reduces the need for maintenance. You can make do with washing the outside of the window a few times a year. It is best if you make it a habit to wash the sash and frame whenever you clean the windows. If the window has been damaged or physically stressed by other means, remove minor scratches with a polishing compound.

DOMUS, ALDUS, PATUS and PATUS+ care of interior wood

The inside of the window requires virtually no care to ensure durability. But in most rooms it will from time to time be necessary to remove grease and smoke from the sash and frame. The cleaning frequency depends on the load the room is exposed to. Clean with a cloth and mild detergent.

DOMUS, ALDUS, PATUS and PATUS+ care of weather strips

Weather strips require no maintenance beyond routine cleaning when needed. Use a cloth with a silicone care product to make the strips remain soft. That's all.

If you would want to give your windows a new colour, be careful not to get paint on the strips. If that happens, they will lose their flexibility that is necessary for the window or door to close tightly.

DOMUS, ALDUS, PATUS and PATUS+ lubrication of hardware

Ironmongery parts do not require much care. However, it would make sense a few times a year to give the moving parts few drops of acid-free oil, so they continue to move smoothly. Use oil for sewing machines, K-40 or similar. For parts in exposed locations, e.g. coastal areas, the oiling intervals are likely to be shorter than once a year. Under extreme circumstances, a replacement of exposed fittings will be needed after a few years. In addition, make sure to keep dirt away from the various runners that some types of windows are provided with, in order to always have fully functional windows.

DOMUS, ALDUS, PATUS and PATUS+ cleaning window panes

Use a soft brush and a squeegee, with a mild soapy water - if necessary add a rinse agent that prevents calcium stains. We recommend cleaning the exterior frame and sash twice a year when cleaning the windows anyway. 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.

Window Stickers on new windows can be removed by soaking them in water. Remains of window stickers or other marks may be removed with gentle use of ceramic hob cleaner.