Glass Care & Maintenance
Glass care during installation
Check glass surface orientation before glazing.
Use only recommended sealants.
If splashes of mortar or plaster occur, immediately wash down with clean water or mild detergent. Do not allow splashes to harden. Do not use solvents.
Clean glass carefully: use non-abrasive cleaners, mild detergents or propriety glass cleaners.
Do not use scrapers on glass.
Homeowners should obtain a copy of care and maintenance instructions from their window supplier.
Washing standard glass
The regular washing and drying of glass and window frames is required to ensure long term durability. In urban areas washing should be every 3 to 6 months.
When washing, soak the glass surface with warm water and mild soap detergent solution to loosen dirt and debris or proprietary glass cleaners. Start cleaning at the top of the building and continue to lower levels.
After washing, rinse with clean water and then dry the glass using a clean grit-free squeegee, cloth or paper towel and remember, 'Wet glass is dirty glass'.
All water and cleaning solution residue should be dried from the window gaskets, sealants and frames to prevent water spots.
Avoid cleaning tinted and reflective glass surfaces in direct sunlight.
Washing special glass
When washing insulated glass units and laminated glass, use the same procedures as above but ensure no solvents come into contact with the edge laminate interlayer or unit sealant.
It is advisable to check the frame drainage to ensure no water is trapped in the rebate as this can affect the life of these products.
With reflective or Low E coated surfaces exercise special care when cleaning and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
EzyClean coated glass
Once a week or as needed for build-up, wipe down the glass with a microfibre cloth dampened with white vinegar and a drop of non-abrasive liquid soap (hand, body, or dish). Safe, commonly used brands include Fairy or Morning Fresh. Rinse and dry.
Tip: For best results, wipe down the glass after each use with a good-quality squeegee. This will reduce mineral spotting, keeping the glass cleaner between cleans. To follow is a list that have been tested for compatibility with the EzyClean Coating:
SprayWay (or other alcohol-based foaming cleaners)
Scrubbing Bubbles (or other automatic leave-to-dry daily shower cleaners)
7th Generation, Dawn (or other mild eco-friendly cleaners)
CLR (Calcium Lime Rust)
Mr Clean Magic Eraser (when damp)
Windex (Standard)
It should be noted that with any cleaner, a thorough rinse with clean water should follow immediately.
Hardware care and maintenance guide
Hardware requires regular maintenance to ensure the system performs at its best. As a general rule, the harsher the environment, the more regular the maintenance required to keep your hardware in top condition.
Hardware or systems that are covered by verandas or wide eaves and not subject to natural rain wash needs regular cleaning to avoid damage to the surface finish on both the aluminium and any surface coated hardware.
Guide to visual quality of glass in residential buildings
The Window and Glass Association (WGANZ) has recently updated their guidance document to provide information for the assessment of glass in all buildings. The statements and tolerances are based on a mix of the applicable standards and best industry practice.
There is also a link within the Window and Glass Association document to a guide (tolerances, materials and workmanship) released in 2015 by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) intended to provide assistance to contractors and homeowners who may be unsure of what constitutes a defect for the purposes of the Building Act 2004.