KATZBECK

Quick Facts

Brand at a Glance

Product Range

Why This System

Step 1 of 2: Manufacturer Recommendations

Official Care Guidance

Glass

• ✓Clean at least twice per year.
• ✓Use mild pH-neutral or alkaline cleaners only.
• ✓Use a microfibre cloth or soft sponge.
• ✓Rinse the surface with cold clean water first to remove loose dirt and particles before wiping.
• ✕No abrasive products.
• ✓No solvent-containing products.
• ✓No sharp tools or razor blades.
• ✓Contact time for cleaning solution should not exceed one hour.

Powder-Coated and Anodised Aluminium Frames

• ✓Rinse with cold pure water first to remove loose particles.
• ✓Clean with a neutral soap solution (pH 7) using a sponge, microfibre cloth, or soft brush.
• ✓Work in circular motions from top to bottom.
• ✕Do not use abrasive cleaning products - they damage the surface permanently.
• ✓Do not use solvent-containing products.
• ✓Contact time for cleaning solution must not exceed one hour.
• ✓Clean at least twice per year.

Kunststoff (uPVC) Frames

• ✓Clean with mild pH-neutral cleaners and a soft cloth.
• ✕No solvents of any kind - solvents degrade Kunststoff and the damage is permanent.
• ✓No abrasive products or scouring pads.
• ✓Rinse thoroughly after cleaning.

Wood Surfaces (Interior)

• ✓Clean occasionally with warm water and a sponge cloth.
• ✓For oiled wood surfaces, maintain 1-2 times per year depending on weathering intensity using Pullex wood oil, applied thinly with a cotton cloth.
• ✕Do not saturate wood with water.

Hardware

• ✓Lubricate all moving parts twice per year with acid-free grease or oil.
• ✓Use resin-free (harzfrei) oil on hinges specifically.
• ✕Do not use silicone spray on hardware.
• ✓Only neutral cleaning and care products that do not impair corrosion protection.
• ✓Hardware must never be painted over.
• ✓Adjustment work must only be done by authorised KATZBECK specialists.

Seals and Gaskets

• ✓Clean yearly using conventional household cleaners.
• ✓Apply silicone spray or glycerin to maintain elasticity and sealing function.
• ✓Check seals at least once per year to ensure restoring function.

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 KATZBECK installation.

1. 1

   Detail the frame first

   Before touching the glass, wipe down the window frame edges with a damp microfibre cloth and mild soapy water. This removes dust, pollen, and grime sitting on the frame surface. On KATZBECK aluminium frames, work in circular motions from top to bottom as their Fibel recommends.

   When you run the squeegee across the glass, the rubber edge makes contact with the frame. If there is dirt on that frame, the squeegee picks it up and drags it across the clean glass as a streak. Clean the frame first. Every time.

   For LINEA flush-glazed systems, pay extra attention to the narrow joint where glass meets frame. Dirt sits in that gap and will be dragged across the glass by the squeegee rubber if you do not clear it first.

2. 2

   Agitate the glass

   Dip your T-bar applicator completely into the soapy water on both sides. Apply the solution across the whole glass area using overlapping strokes. The goal is to dissolve the dirt so the squeegee can shave it away cleanly.

   If the dirt is not fully dissolved and released from the glass, the remaining grit will be dragged across the surface by the squeegee, leaving smudges or micro-scratches. Take your time with this step - especially on large Panorama units where the glass area is substantial.

   Never clean in direct sunlight. The soap water dries before you can squeegee it off, baking residue onto the glass surface that is harder to remove than the original dirt.

3. 3

   Detail the frame again before squeegeeing

   Once the glass is agitated, run a dry corner of your cotton rag along the top edge and both side edges of the window. This removes the pooled soap water sitting on the frame.

   When the squeegee reaches those edges, it will not pick up dirty residue and drag it back across the glass. This step takes ten seconds and prevents most streaks.

4. 4

   The three squeegee turns

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

   Top to bottom: same principle, vertical lines. Start in the top corner with a dry rubber. Tilt to direct water to the lower side. Wipe the rubber dry after each line. Overlap into the next line across.

   The J tune (continuous motion): from the top of the window to the bottom in one smooth, endless movement. No stops. Your thumb guides the rotation. On KATZBECK Panorama units with their large glass areas, the J tune is the most efficient approach.

5. 5

   Edge detailing

   After squeegeeing, there is always a thin line of water along the bottom edge and at the sides. Take a dry 100% cotton towelling rag, fold it to a clean corner, and detail these edges in one smooth pass.

   Get your finger into the edge where the glass meets the frame seal. Remove any pooled soap water sitting there. If left to dry, it leaves a residue mark that shows up as soon as the sun hits the glass.

   Rotate the rag so you are always touching the glass with a clean, dry section. Replace the rag with a fresh one every few windows.

6. 6

   Hardware lubrication

   Lubricate all hinges and locking points twice per year using acid-free, resin-free oil. Do not use silicone spray - KATZBECK is specific about this. For hardware adjustment, do not attempt it yourself. KATZBECK states that adjustment work must only be performed by authorised specialists.

Pro Tips

• ★ Identify the range before you start - CLASSIC K, DESIGN, LINEA or Panorama. Frame care differs across each.
• ★ Clean the frame first, every time. Most streaks come from dirt the squeegee picks up at the frame edge.
• ★ On LINEA flush-glazed systems, clear the narrow glass-to-frame joint before squeegeeing - grit trapped there gets dragged across the glass.
• ★ Do not use silicone spray on KATZBECK hardware - acid-free grease or oil only, resin-free oil on hinges.
• ★ Operate every KATZBECK window at least once per month to prevent resting wear on hardware and seals.

What NOT To Do

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Cleaning Frequency

Glass and frames: 2x per year minimum (Quarterly in urban Vienna environments with traffic pollution and pollen.). Hardware lubrication: 2x per year (Acid-free, resin-free oil. No silicone spray.). Seal maintenance: 1x per year (Clean with household cleaner and apply silicone spray or glycerin.). Oiled wood interior surfaces: 1-2x per year (Pullex wood oil depending on exposure.). Window operation: Monthly minimum (Prevent resting wear on hardware and seals.). Drainage channels: 2x per year minimum (Check and clear to ensure water drains freely.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Field Notes

“Glass and frames: minimum twice per year, quarterly in Vienna with pollution and pollen. Hardware: twice-yearly lubrication with acid-free, resin-free oil - no silicone spray. Seals: annual clean with household cleaner, apply silicone spray or glycerin for elasticity. Operate every window monthly to prevent KATZBECK's documented resting wear problem. Drainage channels: check and clear at least twice per year.”

Justin Orloff