Cortizo

Quick Facts

Brand at a Glance

Product Range

Why This System

Step 1 of 2: Manufacturer Recommendations

Official Care Guidance

Glass

• ✓Clean with lukewarm water mixed with 2% neutral soap solution.
• ✓Use a soft sponge, drying cloth, or absorbent paper.
• ✓Gently rub the glass surface, then wipe dry with an absorbent cloth.
• ✓Cortizo recommends repeating this operation monthly.
• ✓Steam cleaning machines may be used on glass.
• ✕Do not use sharp tools (knives, spatulas) on glass surfaces.
• ✕Do not use steel wool or abrasive sponges.
• ✕Do not use aggressive bathroom cleaners or lacquer solvents.

Aluminium Frames (Lacquered/Powder-Coated) - Use PREVENT COLOR kit

• ✓Clean with lukewarm water and 2% neutral soap using a soft sponge.
• ✓Wipe dry with an absorbent cloth after cleaning.
• ✓Use the Cortizo PREVENT COLOR kit specifically for lacquered aluminium and foil-wrapped PVC.
• ✕Do not use solvents, abrasive cleaners, or lacquer removers.
• ✕Do not use steel wool or abrasive sponges.

Aluminium Frames (Anodised) - Use PREVENT BASE kit

• ✓Clean with lukewarm water and 2% neutral soap using a soft sponge.
• ✓Wipe dry with an absorbent cloth after cleaning.
• ✓Use the Cortizo PREVENT BASE kit specifically for anodised aluminium and basic PVC finishes.
• ✕Do not use alkaline or acid-based products on anodised surfaces.
• ✕Do not use abrasive materials.

PVC Frames

• ✓Clean with lukewarm water and 2% neutral soap using a soft sponge.
• ✕No solvents - solvents degrade PVC permanently.
• ✕No ammonia-based products.
• ✕No bleach.
• ✓PREVENT BASE kit covers basic PVC; PREVENT COLOR covers foil-wrapped PVC.

Hardware

• ✓Lubricate all friction elements (hinges, handles, locks) every six months using clean, non-resinous grease or oil.
• ✓Corner drives contain permanent grease and do not require additional lubrication.
• ✓Check that all locking points engage correctly during each lubrication cycle.

Gaskets and Drainage

• ✓Vacuum dust and debris from around seals and the chamber between the frame and the sash.
• ✓Inspect seals annually for cracking, compression, or shrinkage.
• ✓Clear drainage slots of any blockages at least every six months.
• ✓Blocked drainage leads to water accumulation inside the frame channel, which accelerates corrosion and can cause seal damage.

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 Cortizo installation.

1. 1

   Identify the Frame Finish Type First

   Before cleaning, confirm whether your Cortizo frames are lacquered (powder-coated) or anodised. Anodised aluminium has a metallic sheen with visible grain - it looks like raw metal with a slight colour. Powder-coated aluminium has a smooth, uniform painted appearance.

   This determines which Cortizo maintenance kit to use. PREVENT BASE for anodised aluminium and basic PVC. PREVENT COLOR for lacquered aluminium and foil-wrapped PVC. Using the wrong kit on the wrong finish causes permanent damage.

2. 2

   Detail the Frame First

   Before touching the glass, wipe down the frame edges with a damp microfibre cloth and mild soapy water. Dust, pollen, and grime collect on the frame surface around the glass.

   When the squeegee rubber reaches the frame edge, it picks up that dirt and drags it back across the glass as a streak. Clean the frame first on every window. For Cortizo's slim-sightline profiles like the COR 70, this step requires precision - the frame edge is narrow.

3. 3

   Agitate the Glass

   Dip the T-bar applicator fully into the soapy water. Apply the solution across the entire glass surface in overlapping strokes, covering every corner. The goal is to dissolve the dirt so the squeegee can shave it away cleanly.

   Never clean Cortizo windows in direct sunlight. The soap water dries faster than you can squeegee it off, baking a film onto the glass.

4. 4

   Edge Detail Before Squeegeeing

   After agitating the glass, run a dry corner of your cotton rag along the top edge and both side edges of the window frame. This removes the pooled soap solution sitting on the frame that the squeegee would otherwise pick up and redistribute.

   This step is especially important on Cortizo sliding and patio door systems where the frame channels are close to the glass edge.

5. 5

   The Three Squeegee Turns

   Side to side: start at the top edge with a dry rubber. Work across the glass in a straight horizontal line. Tilt the squeegee so the soap water spills from one side of the channel only. Wipe the rubber dry after each line. Overlap slightly. Repeat to the bottom.

   Top to bottom: same approach in vertical lines. Start in the top corner with a dry rubber. Tilt to direct water to the lower side. Wipe dry after each line. Repeat across.

   The J tune: the continuous professional motion - top to bottom in one smooth, unbroken movement. Your thumb guides the rotation as you reach the end of each horizontal pass. When this motion is in muscle memory, it is the fastest approach for any size of Cortizo window or door.

6. 6

   Final Edge Detailing

   After squeegeeing, there is always a thin line of water along the bottom edge and at the sides where the squeegee cannot reach. Take a dry cotton rag folded to a clean corner and detail these edges in one smooth pass.

   Get a finger into the edge where the glass meets the frame seal and remove any pooled solution sitting there. Left to dry, it produces a white residue mark that becomes visible when sunlight hits the glass.

7. 7

   Hardware and Drainage

   Every six months, apply clean non-resinous grease or oil to all hinges, handles, and locking points. Corner drives contain permanent grease and do not need additional lubrication - apply oil only to friction elements.

   Clear the drainage slots in the frame base at each cleaning visit. Blocked drainage is the most common cause of water damage to Cortizo aluminium frame bases over time.

Pro Tips

• ★ Identify the finish type before anything else - anodised and lacquered aluminium look similar when installed but require completely different products. When in doubt, check the original documentation or contact the installer.
• ★ Cortizo recommends monthly glass cleaning for best results - more frequent than most manufacturers. In coastal, motorway, or industrial locations this is especially important to prevent atmospheric deposits from bonding to the finish.
• ★ The PREVENT BASE and PREVENT COLOR kits are available through authorised Cortizo retailers - using the correct kit is the safest approach and the one the manufacturer endorses.
• ★ Corner drives in Cortizo hardware contain permanent grease and should never be lubricated with additional product - only oil the friction elements.
• ★ On the COR 70's 20 mm exterior sightlines, the frame edge is very narrow. Squeegee control matters more here than on wider-profile systems.

What NOT To Do

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Cleaning Frequency

Glass and frames: Twice per year minimum (Cortizo recommends monthly glass cleaning for best results.). Urban, coastal, or industrial environments: Quarterly (Cortizo explicitly notes higher contamination in these locations.). Hardware lubrication: Every six months (Clean non-resinous oil or grease on friction elements only. Corner drives do not need additional lubrication.). Drainage slot clearance: Every six months minimum. Seal and gasket inspection: Annually, and after heavy storms. Chamber vacuuming (between frame and sash): Every six months

Frequently Asked Questions

Field Notes

“Glass and frames: minimum twice per year - Cortizo recommends monthly for best results. Coastal, industrial, and motorway locations: quarterly minimum. Hardware lubrication (friction elements only): every six months. Drainage slot clearance: every six months minimum. Seal inspection: annually and after heavy storms.”

Justin Orloff