PVC & Aluminium WindowsFAKRO Roof Windows: Everything You Need to Know Before Installing
Complete guide to FAKRO roof windows: types, benefits, installation and care. Tecnisun, exclusive FAKRO distributor in Granada, advises you.
Read moreWhy Caring for Your Windows Is Essential
Your windows are the barrier between your home's comfort and the outside world. In the climate of Granada and Malaga, with thermal ranges exceeding 45°C between summer and winter, extreme temperatures, wind, rain, and — on the Malaga coast — ambient salinity, your windows work hard to keep you comfortable. A little regular care ensures they keep doing so reliably for decades.
Quality windows can last 30, 40, or even 50 years. But to maintain their performance throughout their entire lifespan, they need basic periodic care that you can do yourself and that many homeowners neglect. The good news is that modern aluminium RPT and PVC windows require very little upkeep — just 2-3 hours per year.
50+Years of lifespan with proper care
2-3hAttention needed per year
10Practical tips in this guide
Did you know?
Modern STRUGAL thermal break aluminium and STRUGAL PVC windows need very little maintenance. With this guide you can look after them yourself in a few hours a year.
Tip 1: Regular Profile Cleaning
PVC Profiles
Warm water with neutral soap, soft cloth, rinse and dry with microfibre. Never use solvents, acetone or abrasives.
Lacquered Aluminium Profiles
Same technique: water with neutral soap and soft cloth. For stubborn stains, use a specific cleaner. Avoid metallic scouring pads.
Important
Recommended frequency: every 3-4 months, or monthly if your home is near the coast (salt spray is aluminium's worst enemy). In Malaga's coastal areas, monthly cleaning is essential.
Tip 2: Glass Cleaning and Inspection
Good glass cleaning improves light entry and is an opportunity to detect problems such as cracks, condensation between panes, or deterioration of the perimeter seal.
- Use commercial glass cleaner or a water-vinegar mix
- Apply with microfibre cloth or newspaper
- Always clean from top to bottom to avoid drip marks
- Check inside the double glazing chamber: if there is mist or moisture, the seal has failed and the glass unit needs replacing
Tip 3: Hardware Lubrication
The hardware is the mechanical heart of the window. Poorly lubricated hardware can wear out prematurely.
| Element | Description | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Locking points | Cams and strikes that ensure airtight closure | Once/year |
| Hinges | Upper and lower on casement windows | Once/year |
| Espagnolette/handle | Internal mechanism activating locking points | Once/year |
| Sliding tracks | Guide rails for sliding leaves | Once/year |
Tip
Use WD-40 or similar spray lubricant. For sliding tracks, use silicone spray lubricant. Never use thick grease that accumulates dirt. Best timing: once a year at the start of autumn.
Tip 4: Weatherseal Inspection
The rubber gaskets (EPDM) are responsible for water and air tightness. Over time they can dry out or deform, compromising your window's performance.
- Visually inspect seals at least once a year
- Look for cracks, flattening or detached sections
- Apply a rubber renewal product to maintain elasticity
- If a seal is damaged, replace it with one compatible with the profile
Tip 5: Hardware Adjustment
With use, hardware may need small adjustments to maintain optimal closure. This is particularly relevant in Granada, where the wide temperature range causes thermal expansion and contraction of profiles throughout the year.
Signs You Need Adjustment
- The handle moves with difficulty or feels loose
- The leaf rubs against the frame when opening or closing
- You feel a draught with the window closed
- The leaf is not fully aligned with the frame
- The locking points do not engage fully (you can hear wind)
Many adjustments can be made with a simple Allen key on the hinge and locking point mechanisms, following the manufacturer's instructions. If you are not comfortable doing it yourself, ask a joinery professional.
Tip 6: Drainage Channel Cleaning
All windows have small drainage holes at the bottom of the frame to evacuate rainwater. If blocked, water accumulates and can cause leaks. Clean with a toothpick, fine brush, or compressed air. Check water flows correctly. Recommended frequency: twice a year, before rainy seasons (autumn and spring).
Tip 7: Shutter and Blind Care
Roller shutters
Clean slats with a damp cloth. Lubricate belt or motor mechanism once a year. Never force if stuck.
SAXUN Screen Blinds
Clean fabric per manufacturer instructions. Check actuation mechanism annually. SAXUN blinds are low-maintenance by design.
Shutter boxes
Critical insulation point. Check they close properly with no gaps or draughts.
Tip 8: Perimeter Silicone Inspection
The seal between the window frame and the wall is fundamental for preventing air and water leaks. Visually check for cracks or detachment. If you find faults, remove the old silicone and apply a new layer with neutral silicone. This is a job most handy homeowners can do themselves.
Tip 9: Protection During Building Works
- Cover profiles with plastic and masking tape
- Remove plaster or cement splashes immediately with water
- Do not lean ladders or heavy materials against profiles
- Protect glass with plastic or cardboard
Tip 10: When You Need a Professional
Some faults go beyond home care and should be checked by a joinery professional:
Condensation between panes
The chamber seal has failed. Needs glazing replacement (not the whole window).
Broken hardware
Hardware can often be replaced without changing the entire window.
Persistent leaks
May indicate an installation problem or advanced wear.
Windows that won't close
If basic adjustments don't solve the problem, there may be leaf sag requiring re-alignment.
Common Mistakes That Shorten Window Life
| Mistake | Consequence | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Using bleach or ammonia on PVC | Discolouration and material embrittlement | Only water + neutral soap |
| Never lubricating hardware | Premature wear and part breakage | Lubricate once/year |
| Forcing a stiff window | Leaf sag, hinge breakage | Adjust with Allen key or ask a professional |
| Ignoring condensation between panes | Total loss of chamber insulation | Replace double glazing (not the whole window) |
| Blocking drainage holes | Water leaks indoors | Always keep them clear |
Special Care for Malaga Coastal Homes
Homes near the sea require special attention due to ambient salinity:
- Monthly cleaning of profiles with fresh water to remove salt residue
- More frequent lubrication of hardware than inland
- Regular inspection of seals and sealants (salt accelerates degradation)
- Qualicoat Seaside treatment recommended on new aluminium profiles
- Consider PVC windows for maximum corrosion resistance
Seasonal Care Checklist
Spring
General cleaning of profiles and glass. Seal inspection. Drainage channel cleaning.
Summer
Check blinds and shutters. Ensure solar control glass is clean for maximum efficiency.
Autumn
Hardware lubrication. Perimeter sealant check. Channel cleaning before rains.
Winter
Verify airtight closure. Check for condensation. Inspect shutter boxes for draughts.
Prevention Pays Off
Most common faults — dried-out seals, misaligned hardware, sagging hinges — can be avoided or greatly delayed with 2-3 hours of basic care per year:
| Fault | Avoidable with Care? |
|---|---|
| Damaged EPDM seal | Yes (rubber renewal product) |
| Misaligned hardware | Yes (annual lubrication) |
| Faulty espagnolette | Partially (lubrication) |
| Broken hinge | Yes (lubrication + adjustment) |
| Double glazing failure | No (seals eventually age) |
When to Replace Instead of Repair
Care extends lifespan, but there comes a point when repair no longer makes sense. Signs you need new windows:
Aluminium without RPT
If your windows are aluminium without thermal break (most installed before 2005), no maintenance can improve their energy efficiency. Worth replacing with PVC or STRUGAL aluminium RPT.
Constant condensation
If glass fogs up inside in winter, insulation is insufficient. Maintenance cannot fix a design or material problem.
Unrecoverable hardware
If hardware is too corroded or deformed to adjust or replace, the entire window needs replacing.
Permanent draughts
If air still enters after adjusting hardware and replacing seals, the profile may be warped or installation faulty.
If you are thinking of replacing them, see also our guide to window replacement subsidies and check the calls currently open.
Is It Time to Replace Your Windows?
If your windows no longer respond to care, at Tecnisun C.B. we help you choose between STRUGAL aluminium and PVC. See every option on our windows page or tell us about your case. Free, no-obligation online quote; the technical home visit has a cost, which we tell you before arranging it.
Request a quote →
