Aug. Winkhaus

Quick Facts

Brand at a Glance

Product Range

Why This System

Step 1 of 2: Manufacturer Recommendations

Official Care Guidance

Glass

• ✓Standard glass cleaning technique. Microfibre T-bar and professional squeegee.
• ✓On motorised activPilot windows: do not spray cleaning solution directly at the mechanism area. Apply with a cloth near the hardware zone.
• ✓Keep solution away from any electronic control panels near activPilot windows.
• ✓Edge wipe in rebate before final pull.

Frames

• ✓Clean frames according to the frame material - PVC or aluminium depending on the window manufacturer.
• ✓Wipe down visible hardware with a damp cloth and dry immediately at every clean.
• ✓On activPilot windows, do not wet the motor housing area during frame cleaning.
• ✓Clear drainage slots as standard on all tilt-and-turn windows.

Hardware

• ✓Standard manual Winkhaus hardware: annual lubrication with light oil or PTFE spray at all mechanism points.
• ✓activPilot motorised hardware: lubrication access points are specific to the system - check Winkhaus technical documentation for lubrication points. Do not lubricate the motor unit itself.
• ✓Multi-point door locks: annual lubrication of all bolt and hook points. Full handle cycle after lubrication.

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 Aug. Winkhaus installation.

1. 1

   Hardware system identification

   Walk all windows before starting and identify any with activPilot motorised operation (no conventional handle, push button or control pad nearby).

   Identify any commercial blueMatic access control doors - do not service these without IT coordination.

   Note security-rated RC2 or RC3 windows or doors - service is lubrication and function check only.

2. 2

   Standard manual window cleaning and hardware service

   Standard tilt-and-turn cleaning protocol: glass in tilt and turn positions, frame wipe, drainage slot clearance.

   Annual lubrication: hinge scissors, corner transfer pieces, espagnolette rod guides, cam faces.

   Operate full cycle after lubrication.

3. 3

   activPilot motorised window cleaning

   Apply cleaning solution with a cloth rather than spray near the mechanism area.

   Keep squeegee strokes away from the motor housing zone.

   Do not spray window cleaner directly at the control buttons or electronic unit.

4. 4

   activPilot motorised hardware check

   Operate the window through its motorised cycle (open, tilt, close, lock) to confirm function.

   Listen for any unusual motor noise - grinding or intermittent operation indicates a service need.

   Lubricate only the mechanical components at points identified in Winkhaus technical documentation.

5. 5

   Multi-point door lock service

   Lubricate all hook bolt and deadbolt guide points in the door frame.

   Apply light oil to the handle cam and latch mechanism.

   Operate the door through full lock cycle to confirm all points engage.

6. 6

   Security hardware function check

   On RC2 or RC3 rated windows or doors, operate through the full cycle and confirm all security cams engage without resistance.

   Report any security hardware component that is damaged, missing, or non-functional. Do not substitute with non-certified components.

   Document function check results.

Pro Tips

• ★ Identifying activPilot motorised windows before starting is not optional. Spraying window cleaner into a motorised Winkhaus mechanism causes water ingress to the motor unit. The repair cost is significant. The identification step takes seconds.
• ★ Standard Winkhaus tilt-and-turn hardware has the same lubrication requirements as MACO or ROTO hardware of equivalent specification. If you know how to service one central European hardware brand, the same protocol applies to Winkhaus with minor adjustments.
• ★ Corner transfer pieces on Winkhaus tilt-and-turn fittings are the first mechanism point to show wear. A clicking sound when the handle passes 45 degrees is the corner piece signalling it needs lubrication.
• ★ Winkhaus security hardware in RC2 or RC3 applications uses specific anti-lift and anti-drilling components that are not visible from outside. Do not attempt to adjust or replace any component on security-rated hardware without written instruction from the building manager or installer.
• ★ activPilot windows in smart home systems may be set to operate automatically based on temperature or CO2 sensors. Warn the occupant before working on or near activPilot windows - an automatically operating window during cleaning is a safety hazard.
• ★ Winkhaus blueMatic commercial access control doors are building security infrastructure. Never disable, disconnect, or service any electronic component without coordinating with the building's IT and security management team.
• ★ On standard Winkhaus manual hardware, PTFE spray is preferred over oil in office building windows where the mechanism is adjacent to interior spaces. Oil attracts dust from the interior environment and gums up in guide channels over time. PTFE leaves no residue.

What NOT To Do

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Cleaning Frequency

Glass: As required by window type (Determined by the window manufacturer specification, not by Winkhaus.). Standard manual hardware: Once per year (Annual lubrication standard. More frequent on high-use commercial windows.). activPilot motorised hardware: Annual check by qualified installer (Electronic component checks and motor function testing requires Winkhaus-qualified service.). Multi-point door locks: Twice per year on entrance doors (High daily-cycle hardware needs bi-annual lubrication service.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Field Notes

“Winkhaus is one of the most widely distributed central European window hardware brands. Standard Winkhaus tilt-and-turn fittings are serviced with the same protocol as any equivalent hardware - the brand distinction matters less than the mechanism type. The activPilot motorised system is the most technically distinctive Winkhaus product from a cleaning and maintenance perspective. It changes the glass and hardware cleaning protocol in a way that no other standard residential hardware does. Security hardware certification on Winkhaus RC2 and RC3 products is a building envelope security issue as well as a maintenance consideration. Property owners and building managers value a maintenance contractor who understands and respects these certifications.”

Justin Orloff