Window and Door Care

 

Glass Care

Milgard controls the entire production of every window and patio door—including the glass. Whether your window comes with the standard energy-efficient SunCoat® Low-E glass or with one of our many specialty glass options, an occasional cleaning is necessary to ensure clarity and exceptional performance.

1. The best practice is to clean glass with a mixture of mild dish soap and water. When finished, rinse completely with clear water and wipe dry with a soft cloth.

2. NEVER use any of the following products on any part of your window or patio door (they may damage the glass surface or insulating seal):
   
   

   • Petroleum-based cleaners

   • Caustic chemicals

   • Razor blades, putty knifes or abrasive pads

   • High-pressure water hoses
     
     

3. When cleaning screens, use only mild soap, water and a soft brush. When finished, rinse with clear water and wipe dry.

 

Window and Patio Door Tips for Years of Easy Operation

1. Periodically lubricate all sliding window and door tracks and rollers. We recommend that you lubricate the hardware components once a year. In areas with high salt air, at least twice a year is recommended.

2. Regularly check weatherstripping to ensure your patio doors (and windows) seal airtight.

3. Occasionally vacuum the tracks on all sliding patio doors and windows to remove any dirt or debris.

4. Milgard sliding patio door rollers can be adjusted for proper height clearance. To adjust, insert a screwdriver through the access hole at the bottom of your patio door.

Managing Condensation

Condensation on the inside of a window indicates the humidity levels inside the room are higher inside than outside. Excess moisture on the inside of a window is unsightly and obstructs your view. Follow these easy steps to reduce the risk of excessive condensation.



1. Check all windows and patio doors for smooth operation and airtight seals.

2. Use exhaust fans regularly in rooms with high humidity (bathrooms, pool rooms, kitchens, etc.)

3. Use a ceiling fan to continuously circulate air.

4. Use dehumidifiers to reduce the amount of moisture inside homes with humidity problems.

5. Open windows and doors when practical to reduce excessive moisture inside a home.

 

 

Enabling Proper Window and Patio Door Drainage

Mother nature can sometimes be unforgiving. Fortunately, our windows and patio doors have a specially designed "weep" drainage system with vented slots on the exterior bottom of our frames to protect the inside of your home. Proper maintenance of your weep system is required to assure proper drainage.



1. The weep system allows water to drain to the outside as it builds up. It's normal for water to build up on the sill or the outside track, which is why it's important to keep the sill or track clean of any dirt or debris.

2. Periodically inspect the weep holes on the exterior bottom rails to make certain they are clear of any dirt or debris. Use a soft bottlebrush to clear openings, if necessary.

3. A good time to inspect and clean weep holes is when excessive rain is anticipated.