Prepare Your Windows and Doors for a Cozy Thanksgiving in Toronto

The cool autumn winds arrive quickly in Toronto, bringing a sharp chill to poorly sealed homes. Hosting a large family dinner is stressful enough without your guests shivering near a drafty dining room window. Lugano Windows & Doors Ltd. helps homeowners keep their premium European windows operating perfectly heading into the winter. A little bit of proactive hardware maintenance stops freezing drafts from ruining your holiday.

Taking care of your aluminum frames now prevents major operational failures when the snow flies. Dirt and grit built up over the summer will eventually destroy your weather stripping if left ignored. Following a strict maintenance checklist protects your luxury glass window supply and installation investment.

What To Review:

• Clearing the Bottom Drainage Tracks
  
• Lubricating the Multi Point Locks
  
• Inspecting the Rubber Weather Seals
  
• Common Maintenance Mistakes to Avoid
  
• Enjoying a Warm Holiday Season

Clearing the Bottom Drainage Tracks

Your window frames have small holes designed to let rain water escape. If these weep holes clog with dead leaves, water backs up into your house.

• Open the window fully and vacuum the bottom sill track.
• Use a stiff nylon brush to sweep out dried mud and dead bugs.
• Pour a small cup of warm water into the track to ensure it drains outside quickly.
• Wipe the aluminum surfaces dry with a microfiber cloth.

Lubricating the Multi Point Locks

European tilt and turn hardware has multiple moving metal parts that need regular lubrication to stay smooth.

• Locate all the metal locking pins along the edge of the window sash.
• Apply a quick spray of silicone based lubricant to each pin.
• Open and close the window handle several times to work the oil into the gears.
• Wipe away any excess spray that drips onto the glass or the aluminum frame.

Inspecting the Rubber Weather Seals

The black rubber gaskets block cold wind from entering your home. Sun exposure can dry them out over the summer.

• Run your fingers along the rubber seals to check for dry, brittle spots.
• Look for areas where the rubber has torn or pulled away from the frame.
• Wipe the seals down with a damp cloth to remove abrasive dust.
• Apply a specialized rubber conditioning stick to keep the gaskets soft and pliable.

Common Maintenance Mistakes to Avoid

Using the wrong cleaning products will permanently damage your premium finishes. Knowing what to avoid is just as important as doing the work.

• Never use harsh chemical solvents like bleach or acetone on powder coated aluminum frames.
• Avoid using abrasive scouring pads on the glass, as they will scratch the protective coatings.
• Do not force a window handle to turn if the sash is jammed with debris.

► The single most important maintenance fact: Using oil based lubricants like WD-40 on rubber weather stripping will actually cause the rubber to disintegrate and fail prematurely.

How do you winterize aluminum windows?

Winterizing high quality European aluminum windows simply involves cleaning the tracks, treating the rubber seals, and ensuring the multi point locks engage fully. Unlike old wooden windows, our thermally broken frames do not require messy plastic shrink wrap to stop the cold air.

Enjoying a Warm Holiday Season

Proper maintenance keeps your home warm and your energy bills low all winter long. A quick inspection now guarantees your hardware works perfectly when the temperatures drop. Contact our service team if you notice any damaged parts during your autumn cleaning.