Keylite Roof Windows

Quick Facts

Brand at a Glance

Product Range

Why This System

Step 1 of 2: Manufacturer Recommendations

Official Care Guidance

Glass

• ✓Clean the window pane using a soft, clean cloth, chamois, or non-metal squeegee.
• ✓Clean water is sufficient for cleaning the pane.
• ✓In hard water areas, add a small amount of detergent to soften the water or wipe off all excess water after cleaning.
• ✕Avoid using silicone on glass surfaces.
• ✕Avoid using cleaning products containing abrasive particles.
• ✕Do not use chemical products on the glass.
• ✓Avoid wearing jewellery or sharp objects while cleaning.
• ✕If the pane is damaged, protect it with clean plastic until cleaning is finished to prevent further damage.

Timber (Pine) Frames

• ✓Clean with warm soapy water and a soft cloth.
• ✓Rinse with clean water after washing.
• ✓Dry with a lint-free cloth.
• ✕Ensure cleaning product deposits are not allowed to remain on wood surfaces - they cause discolouration and damage.
• ✓Keylite provides finish-specific Window Maintenance Kits with paints or finishes for touch-ups.

White Painted Frames

• ✓Clean with warm soapy water and a soft cloth.
• ✓Touch up any chips or damage to the paint finish promptly to protect the timber underneath.
• ✓Use the Keylite Window Maintenance Kit for white painted windows for correct colour-matched paint.

White PVC Frames

• ✓Clean with warm soapy water and a soft cloth.
• ✓PVC frames are moisture-proof and suitable for wet rooms.
• ✕Do not use abrasive tools or scourers on PVC surfaces - they scratch and damage the surface permanently.

Hardware

• ✓Keylite Maintenance Kits include grease for lubricating hinges and pivot mechanisms.
• ✓Check the centre-pivot mechanism for smooth operation.
• ✓If windows are not cleaned for prolonged periods, dust and dirt settles creating friction that makes windows difficult to open or close.
• ✓Lubricate pivot points and locking mechanisms regularly.

Aluminium Cladding

• ✓Clean external aluminium cladding with warm soapy water and a soft cloth.
• ✓Rinse with clean water after washing.
• ✕Do not allow cleaning product deposits to remain on aluminium surfaces - they cause discolouration and 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 Keylite Roof Windows installation.

1. 1

   Rotate and secure

   The official Keylite Operating & Cleaning guide shows a 4-step sequence for each window type.

   Centre Pivot (CP): Step 1 - pull the top handle release and lower the sash. Step 2 - push the bottom of the sash outward until it rotates 180 degrees. Step 3 - apply the squeegee to the now-accessible outer pane. Step 4 - rotate the sash back and re-engage the handle.

   Top Hung (TH): Step 1 - operate the handle to open the window outward from the top. Step 2 - pull the release and push the sash to the cleaning position. Step 3 - apply the squeegee. Step 4 - return the sash and re-secure the handle. Top-hung models do not rotate fully - the outer glass is accessed at an angle.

   Engage the locking mechanism before cleaning. An unsecured sash can swing back under its own weight.

2. 2

   Agitation

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

   Roof windows collect harder grime than vertical windows - pollen, sap, and droppings that have baked on at a pitch angle. Take your time with this step.

3. 3

   Detail the frame edge before squeegeeing

   Run a dry corner of your cotton rag along the frame edges around the glass. Remove the pooled soap water sitting on the frame and gasket.

   Keylite explicitly warns against letting cleaning product deposits remain on wood or aluminium surfaces, so this step protects the frame finish while preventing dirty residue from being dragged across the glass.

4. 4

   The three squeegee turns

   With the window rotated, the glass is roughly vertical, which makes squeegeeing straightforward.

   Side to side: start at the top edge with a dry rubber. Work across in a straight horizontal line. Tilt so soap water spills from one side. Wipe dry after each pass. Overlap 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 downward. Wipe dry after each pass.

   The J tune (continuous motion): from top to bottom in one smooth, unbroken movement. The fastest and most consistent turn for any Keylite window.

   For top-hung windows that cannot be rotated, work from outside using a pole with the top-to-bottom turn. Never clean in direct sunlight.

5. 5

   Final edge detailing

   After squeegeeing, take a dry cotton rag, fold to a clean corner, and detail the edges in one smooth pass. Get your finger into the edge where glass meets the gasket seal.

   Keylite warns that deposits left on wood or aluminium cause discolouration and damage. This final detailing step prevents that.

6. 6

   Frames and hardware maintenance

   Wipe down the frame with a damp cloth and mild soap water. For pine frames, inspect the lacquer for chips or wear - address damage with the Keylite Maintenance Kit.

   Lubricate the hinges and pivot hardware with grease. Clean the external aluminium cladding with mild soap water and rinse. Check the ventilation flap for smooth operation.

   Rotate the window back to its closed position and disengage the lock. Check that the window opens, closes, and locks smoothly.

Pro Tips

• ★ Always engage the locking barrel when the window is rotated for cleaning - an unsecured sash swings back under its own weight.
• ★ Roof windows collect harder grime than vertical windows - take extra time on agitation to dissolve baked-on pollen, sap, and droppings.
• ★ No chemical products, no abrasive particles, no silicone on any Keylite surface. Clean water and mild soap only.
• ★ Do not disturb the expanding thermal collar around the frame perimeter - damage compromises the thermal seal.
• ★ Touch up chips or lacquer wear on timber frames promptly using the finish-specific Keylite Maintenance Kit.

What NOT To Do

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Cleaning Frequency

Glass and frames: 2x per year minimum (Spring after pollen season, autumn after leaf fall. Quarterly in urban or high-pollution environments.). Under tree cover: Increase frequency (Prevent sap and organic matter bonding to the glass.). Hardware and pivot mechanisms: 1x per year (Lubricate with grease from the Keylite Maintenance Kit.). Timber frame finishes: Inspect at each cleaning (Touch up chips or lacquer wear promptly.). Aluminium cladding: 1x per year minimum (Wash to prevent deposit buildup and discolouration.). Ventilation flaps: Check at each cleaning (Replace handle foams when worn.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Field Notes

“Glass and frames: twice per year minimum - spring after pollen, autumn after leaf fall. Quarterly in urban environments. Roof windows collect harder grime than vertical windows - allow extra agitation time. No chemical products, no abrasive particles, no silicone. Clean water and mild soap only. Hardware: annual lubrication with grease. Inspect timber finishes at every cleaning. Always engage the locking barrel before cleaning a rotated centre-pivot window.”

Justin Orloff