Many homeowners find themselves in a winter battle with their windows to keep them in the best possible condition during these colder months. Here are some useful tips for maintaining your windows and shutters in the heart of winter.
Keep condensation at bay
The biggest risk of damage to your shutters or window surrounds as temperatures plummet is the effect of condensation and the problems that lasting exposure to it can cause. Start with condensation management or preventative options to get into good habits.
- Room heating can be a battle in itself during winter, especially when cost is factored in. Maintaining a consistent temperature is better for your windows in the long run so the best option may be to agree on a slightly lower temperature choice which can be regularly to avoid the sharp temperature increase and decreases which encourage condensation to form.
- Checking windows regularly, particularly in rooms that be not be frequently used, for any signs of condensation is a good habit to adopt. If any is identified, be sure to air out the room wherever possible, opening windows until the moisture has subsided and wiping away any residual condensation left.
- Purchasing moisture trappers if condensation is a returning issue on particular windows can be useful as whilst these are not a sure-fire protection against this gathering of moisture, they can be a handy way to reduce levels.
- Be mindful about how you are using rooms. For example, air drying washing inside will result in more moisture in the air so whilst many city dwellings do not have alternative options, or the time of year may prevent hanging outside, consider rotating the rooms which you are drying the clothes in to stop too much moisture gathering in a single space. Making use of extractor fans in bathrooms will help with moisture reduction as well as kitchen fans when cooking so be sure to utilise these if they are in place.
Make smart cleaning choices
When cleaning windows, there are a couple of smart solutions you can adopt for the protection of the window area. For example, if temperatures significantly drop outside, it is a good idea to use luke-warm water mixed with a small amount of screen wash when cleaning the exteriors to stop water freezing onto the window. Keeping suitable cleaning products such as glass cleaner and cloths (one designated to be dampened and a dry cloths) for regular maintenance is a great way to ensure that you regularly clean the window cleaning and means you will be more likely to spot if any long terms effects of condensation or other issues are coming into play.
Keep up to your shutter care and be mindful of the best conditions for them
Keeping up to your shutter after care will help to keep your shutters in the best possible condition as with a 5-year warranty, a well looked after shutter will continue to benefit your interiors for many years to come. Be mindful of your chosen shutter material and exposure to moisture as many materials are not designed to sit in a condensated environment for long periods of time so you will need to keep a close eye to prevent your shutter being damaged. A couple of aftercare times to keep in mind:
- For general dusting we recommend using lambs wool or ostrich feather dusters to flick dust off the shutter surface. Though it sounds obvious, be sure to dust the shutters before using a damp cloth on the surface or wait for the shutters to be completely dry if they have been exposed to any kind of moisture to avoid wetting dust and it sticking to the shutter.
- After dusting, wipe your shutters down with a dry cloth followed by a slightly dampened cloth with warm water to remove any dirt residue. Follow again with a dry cloth to ensure the shutters are completely free of any moisture preventing water marks or any water damage. Never spray anything directly onto your shutter and avoid using any strong chemicals as these may damage the shutter paint work or finishes.
