All Windows Group

Quick Facts

Brand at a Glance

Product Range

Why This System

Step 1 of 2: Manufacturer Recommendations

Official Care Guidance

Glass

• ✓Clean with pH-neutral glass cleaner on a microfibre cloth. Rubber squeegee for streak-free finish.
• ✓Do not use abrasive materials on glass - IGU coatings on mid-range units may be on the outer pane face in some solar control configurations.
• ✓Inspect glazing bead integrity annually - on uPVC units, beads can become brittle with age and UV exposure.
• ✓If condensation appears between panes, the IGU seal has failed. No cleaning technique addresses this - the unit needs replacement.
• ✓Clean glass seals with a damp cloth only to avoid drying out the rubber compound.

Frames

• ✓For uPVC frames: warm water and pH-neutral detergent on a soft cloth. No abrasives, no solvents.
• ✓For aluminium frames: pH-neutral detergent solution, rinse thoroughly, dry immediately.
• ✓On foil-laminated uPVC, avoid pooling water at foil edges and corners where adhesion is under most stress.
• ✓Clear drainage holes at the base of the outer frame with a soft brush every 6 months.
• ✓Check perimeter sealant between frame and masonry every spring for cracking.

Hardware

• ✓Lubricate all locking points, hinges, and pivot pins with light machine oil or PTFE spray twice yearly.
• ✓On tilt-and-turn windows, test both tilt and turn functions after lubrication.
• ✓Check handle fixing screws annually - these work loose from regular use.
• ✓If a sash drags on the sill or the handle requires excessive force to close, call a technician before the fault damages hardware or frame.
• ✓Hardware brands (Roto, Maco, Winkhaus) are visible on keeps and hinge bodies - use brand name to source replacements if needed.

Step 2 of 2: The Orloffs Protocol

The Orloffs Protocol

Pro Tools

My daily tool list. This is what I carry to every job.

Follow these steps in order. Each one builds on the last. This is the same sequence I use on every All Windows Group installation.

1. 1

   Identify frame material

   Determine whether the frames are uPVC or aluminium before selecting cleaning products. Knock the frame - PVC has a hollow sound, aluminium rings slightly.

   Check for foil lamination on uPVC frames - woodgrain or solid colour coatings need gentler handling than plain white PVC.

   Note any hardware branding on hinges or keeps - this determines spare parts sourcing if needed.

2. 2

   Check drainage and seals

   Inspect the drainage holes at the base of the outer frame on each window. Clear any blockage with a soft brush.

   Check the perimeter sealant joint between frame and masonry for cracks or gaps, especially at corner joints and below the sill.

   Inspect rubber compression seals between sash and frame for brittleness - squeeze gently to check flexibility.

3. 3

   Clean glass

   Apply pH-neutral glass cleaner to a damp microfibre cloth and wipe glass in overlapping passes, top to bottom.

   Squeegee each pane immediately after wiping, working in overlapping horizontal strokes.

   Dry the frame rebate to prevent cleaning solution tracking into hardware.

4. 4

   Clean frames using material-appropriate method

   uPVC: warm water and pH-neutral detergent, soft cloth, no abrasives, working top to bottom.

   Aluminium: same solution, rinse with clean water, dry immediately - do not allow solution to dry on aluminium in sunlight.

   Pay attention to drainage slot areas and corner welds on uPVC where dirt accumulates.

5. 5

   Lubricate hardware

   Apply light machine oil or PTFE spray to each hinge knuckle, locking point, and pivot pin.

   Operate through full tilt-and-turn cycle three times to distribute lubricant throughout the mechanism.

   Wipe excess lubricant from frame face - oil on white PVC or powder-coated aluminium collects dirt.

6. 6

   Final function check

   Lock and unlock each window through all positions. Resistance should be smooth and consistent.

   Check that every locked position engages - on multipoint locks, a single disengaged point significantly reduces weather performance.

   Record service date. Mid-range windows in normal residential use are on an annual hardware service cycle.

Pro Tips

• ★ Polish-manufactured uPVC windows often use VEKA or Rehau profiles - check the internal chamber markings if you need to identify the profile system for spares or technical data.
• ★ On export units, hardware brand markings on the keeps and hinge bodies are the most reliable way to source replacement parts without going back to the original manufacturer.
• ★ Both uPVC and aluminium windows from Polish manufacturers are built to the same EN standards as west European windows. Do not assume lower quality because of country of origin.
• ★ Tilt-and-turn mechanism faults on Roto or Maco hardware are best diagnosed by a technician familiar with the specific hardware system, not by trial adjustment.
• ★ Mid-range IGU units at Polish price points may use aluminium spacer bars rather than warm-edge. Aluminium spacer bars conduct cold to the inner pane edge more than warm-edge systems and can show condensation at the edge earlier in cold weather.
• ★ Clear drainage slots in autumn before leaf fall season blocks them and during spring after winter debris accumulation.
• ★ If you have a mix of uPVC and aluminium windows in the same building from All-Windows, keep separate cloths for each material to avoid cross-contamination of cleaning residues.

What NOT To Do

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Cleaning Frequency

Glass cleaning: Every 6-8 weeks (More frequently on ground floor or road-facing elevations.). Frame cleaning: Every 3-4 months (Drain slots checked every 6 months.). Hardware lubrication: Twice yearly (Spring and autumn.). Full service check: Annually (Seals, drainage, hardware adjustment, frame condition.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Field Notes

“Polish-manufactured windows at mid-range price points are consistently well-built in our experience. The main variable is hardware adjustment quality at installation - many issues we see are installation faults, not manufacturing defects. The export market focus means All-Windows units are often shipped to countries where local service agents are not available. Hardware brand knowledge is essential for anyone maintaining these windows remotely. uPVC units from Polish manufacturers often age well in temperate climates. Surface yellowing on south-facing units is the most common aesthetic issue and is addressable with PVC restorer cream.”

Justin Orloff