Extending Window Life Expectancy With Cleaning

Cleaning the frames occasionally with warm water and an appropriate detergent can extend the life of UPVC windows. Unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (UPVC), a rigid, chemically resistant form of PVC used for piping, window frames, and other structures.

Could the UK’s Worsening Weather Be Shortening the Real Life Expectancy of Double Glazing? When we buy double glazing there is general assumption that it is likely to last us at least a couple of decades but could the apparently worsening UK weather be shortening the real expected life of our double glazing? Since their introduction to the UK from Germany in the 1970s PVC-U Windows have been marketed on their longevity and durability, and the relatively small amount of maintenance needed. The estimated ‘typical service life’ of these windows was revised up from 25 years to 35 years according to a BRE study commissioned by the British Plastic Federation (BPF) for windows that are ‘under normal urban and non-aggressive conditions’.
 

A movement of the Jet Stream southwards, 2012 being the wettest winter since records began, and growing concern about the likelihood of more freak weather in the future are beginning to prompt worries among some home owners about the life true expectancy of even the more durable and hitherto perceived safer investments in their home such as the double glazing.
 

Part of the possible answer could be found in the German Institute for Construction with Plastics report which indicated that faults are more likely to appear in the non PVC components of a double glazed window such as the operating mechanism or the seals. If these components were subjected to and were susceptible to the ill effects of more extreme and aggressive conditions, could this affect double glazing life expectancy?
 

Experienced double glazing installation, spares and repairs specialist Dave Pearson of Swindon Based DA Windows commented: “As I understand it, apart from high rainfall and some terrible flooding in some parts of the country the weather for the this winter period from December to February has actually been nearly average and not unusually cold – but I think you’ll find that since 1998 we’ve had 6 of the wettest winters on record. Lots of rainwater always spells worry for home owners. I’d agree that PVC-U frames of windows are likely to be one of if not the most durable components and that it’s the other parts that may need attention, maintenance and perhaps replacing in some windows during their working life”.
 

Dave went on to say “We often have to replace ‘misty’ double glazed units. This happens where the seal of the glass unit is broken, the desiccant in the space bar becomes saturated and the moisture then starts to collect in the gap between the panes. Expansion and contraction over time in response to the effect of the elements is likely to be a cause of this in some cases. Natural wear and tear of the other window elements such as friction stays, handles etc. can also result in the need for replacement parts and repairs.”
 

Dave also had some pointers for people keen to make their PVC-U windows last as long as possible.
 

“Cleaning the frames occasionally with warm water and an appropriate detergent can keep the frames looking great and can remove any deposits. If you’re able to check the gaskets, hinges and hardware when you can you may be able to quickly address and potential problems. You may need to lubricate some parts of the hardware from time to time too."
 

"On the whole though it’s my experience that PVC-U windows are extremely durable and are likely to last a very long time, and they don’t all need replacement parts or extra work. I’m not convinced that the kinds of weather we’ve been having is likely to affect your window life expectancy”.

Did you know? The word window originates from the Old Norse 'vindauga', from 'vindr – wind' and 'auga – eye', i.e. "wind eye". In Norwegian Nynorsk and Icelandic the Old Norse form has survived to this day (in Icelandic only as a less used synonym to gluggi), in Swedish the word vindöga remains as a term for a hole through the roof of a hut, and in the Danish language 'vindue' and Norwegian Bokmål 'vindu', the direct link to 'eye' is lost, just like for 'window'. The Danish (but not the Bokmål) word is pronounced fairly similarly to window.

Window is first recorded in the early 13th century, and originally referred to an unglazed hole in a roof. Window replaced the Old English 'eagþyrl', which literally means 'eye-hole,' and 'eagduru' 'eye-door'. Many Germanic languages however adopted the Latin word 'fenestra' to describe a window with glass, such as standard Swedish 'fönster', or German 'Fenster'. The use of window in English is probably due to the Scandinavian influence on the English language by means of loanwords during the Viking Age. In English the word fenester was used as a parallel until the mid-18th century and fenestration is still used to describe the arrangement of windows within a façade. Also, words such as "defenestration" are in use, meaning to throw something out of a window.

From Webster's 1828 Dictionary: Window, n. [G. The vulgar pronunciation is windor, as if from the Welsh gwyntdor, wind-door.][3]