WINDOWS
Ordering Andersen® Window Replacement Parts
Replacement parts and service information for all Andersen® window and patio door products are available from Andersen®. Start with your local retailer. Your Andersen® distributor will also be happy to provide further information. You'll find both of them listed in the Yellow Pages under "Windows."
Maintaining The Beauty Of Your Windows And Doors
1. Clean out dirt and debris from sills and tracks to keep your windows and doors opening and closing easily.
2. As needed, clean glass, vinyl, hardware and screens to maintain their appearance and keep them functioning properly.
3. You should lubricate all moving parts, such as locks, hinges, operators, rollers, glides and tracks, to maintain ease of operation. Minor adjustments may also need to be made, since most houses settle over time.
General Painting/Staining Instructions
Acetone is flammable. Carefully follow manufacturer's instructions on safety.
Lightly sand and apply sealers, stains, paints, varnishes and other finishing materials in well-ventilated areas to prevent nausea, irritation, or injury. Follow all manufacturer's warnings, cautions, and instructions.
If sash, panel or frame are not thoroughly wiped down or primer is not allowed to thoroughly dry, paint may not adhere.
When called for use a fast-dry alkyd primer.
Do not paint weather-strip, gaskets, interlocks, jamb liners, silicone bead, patio door screen channels or any surface that has sliding contact with another surface.
Do not allow painted surface to come in contact with other surfaces until thoroughly dry.
The use of stains on the exterior surface is not recommended. Creosote base stains will cause permanent damage.
We strongly recommend the use of a pre-stain prior to staining. If a pre-stain is not used a spotty appearance may result.
Solutions containing corrosive solvents should not be used on Andersen® Perma-Shield products.
Dark colored paints on exterior of white or Sandtone Perma-Shield windows, patio doors or vinyl grilles may cause damage to the vinyl. For specific color approval, please submit a color chip and manufacturer's description of the paint you plan to use to: Andersen® Windows, Inc., 100 4th Avenue North, Bayport, MN 55003. Attn. Customer & Product Service Information Department.
Perma-Shield Casement Windows
For exterior surfaces thoroughly wipe all surfaces to be painted with a cloth dampened with acetone. After acetone dries, apply a high quality oil or water base paint. Always follow paint manufacturer's directions carefully. Paint with sash open and do not close until thoroughly dry.
For all interior wood surfaces we recommend that prior to painting or staining
the unfinished surface be sanded with fine sandpaper or steel wool. Then we
strongly recommend the use of a pre-stain prior to staining. If a pre-stain is
not used a spotty appearance may result.
Any high-quality oil base stain, oil base paint or latex paint will work
satisfactorily, if applied to stain or paint manufacturer's directions. Paint or
stain with sash or panel open and do not close until thoroughly dry. All stains
should dry overnight before further finishing is attempted. After staining, the
wood should be finished with a quality conventional lacquer, varnish or
polyurethane.
Primed Wood Casement Windows
You should prime and seal interior surface and frame before or immediately after installation. Exterior of units should be painted within 90 days after installation for best results. Open the window before starting. Avoid getting paint or stain on the weather-stripping and interior hardware. Slightly lap all coats of paint off stain onto glass to cover and help seal the glazing compound. Leave sash open until finish is thoroughly dry. To clean paint or stain from glass, use a plastic scraper.
Perma-Shield Narrowline Double-Hung
Windows, Tilt-Wash Double-Hung Windows, and Perma-Shield Flexiframe, Arch and
Springline Windows
To paint sash exterior first buff surface with a 3M Scotch Brite pad, 00 steel wool or 240 sandpaper until dull. To clean surface to be painted wipe with a surface conditioner or acetone. After acetone dries, prime surfaces with a fast-dry alkyd primer in a neutral color. When primer is thoroughly dry (follow manufacturer's recommendations for dry time), apply a high quality oil or water base paint. It is not necessary to remove sash when painting.
Cleaning Sash, Frames, Hardware, Grilles,
Glass, and Insect Screens
To keep Andersen® products handsome and functioning efficiently, they should be washed occasionally.
In most areas, they may require washing only a few times annually. However, in coastal, cropland or heavy industrial areas that contain high amounts of particulate in the air, more frequent washing may be necessary.
Usually, you can remove general airborne solids - dust, dirt, smoke, film, soot, salt spray - from frame, sash, and grilles by using a detergent-and-water solution and a soft rag or brush.
However, to remove grease, oil or industrial solids that have built up for some time, you may need to use stronger solutions such as Mr. Clean or Soft Scrub brands or rubbing alcohol.
To clean most hardware, brass instructions follow, use a mild soapy water, then rinse and wipe dry with a soft rag.
To remove dirt, grime and other deposits that have built up on glass surfaces, first wipe loose dirt, etc., from glass with a soft dry cloth. Then apply cleaning solutions, such as mild soapy water, vinegar and water or a purchased window cleaner, to glass and wipe in a circular motion. Remove cleaning solution with a squeegee or clean, lint-free cloth (rinse with clean water if soap has been used). If your glass is still dirty, you may need to repeat process.
To restore insect screens to their original luster, hose them down periodically. If they have been neglected, wash them with a detergent and water, using a soft-fiber brush.
Brass Hardware Maintenance
For cleaning use a mild soap (dish washing) solution in water with a soft cloth. Anything more abrasive, such as abrasive cleaners, abrasive cloths or brushes which could permanently damage the coating. Apply a paste wax (Johnson or Turtle Wax, non abrasive past waxes) per label directions as necessary to restore luster to the hardware.
Any harsh chemicals and cleaners that come into contact with the hardware should be rinsed off immediately.
Reglazing
Be aware that in most cases, replacing an entire window sash or patio door panel is just as economical as replacing the broken glass alone. And less time-consuming.
When it comes to reglazing most Andersen® windows and patio doors, only a qualified glazier should do the work.
Consult with your local Andersen® window retailer before attempting to replace broken glass.
Window Condensation
When condensation, or moisture, first appears on the glass, the natural reaction is to blame the windows or patio doors. But that's not where the problem lies.
Excessive window condensation is the result of excess humidity in your home. And the glass simply provides a surface on which the moisture condenses visibly.
What's the best way to control window condensation? Reduce the indoor relative humidity through proper ventilation of living areas, attics and crawl spaces.
For more information on the causes of and cures for window condensation, please see our 20-page booklet "Condensation Answers from Andersen®." Also available is our 23 minute video "Controlling Indoor Condensation" which can be checked out at your local retailer for home viewing.
Andersen® Windows, Inc.
100 4th Avenue North
Bayport, MN 55003
Attn.: Customer & Product Service Information Department