Custom-Made Replacement Windows
Care & Maintenance
Congratulations on your new Nationwide vinyl replacement windows and doors. You now have beautiful replacement windows that keep their appearance for many years to come. How? It's simple. Vinyl is not only a great insulator but will not pit, peel, chip or rot over time and never needs painting. Vinyl offers easy care and maintenance, so with simple care and cleaning, your windows look new for years.
Just like any surface that is exposed to the elements, your windows and doors will get dirty over time. Sometimes heavy rains will wash away dirt from vinyl very easy, but if the rain doesn't do the job, you can restore the clean look of your windows and doors by following some easy instructions.
You can wash your windows with a soft cloth or an ordinary long-handled soft bristle brush and if necessary use a mild detergent. Never use a high pressure spray to wash windows or doors. The intense pressure may crack or ruin the caulking around the window or door. In some difficult cases, you may use a mild abrasive cleaner such as Soft Scrub, but the use of any abrasive material could scratch the surface of the glass or even the window and door frame.
Hint: To help you identify your new Nationwide replacement windows, a small label can be found on the frame of the window, above the top sash of a double hung window.
How to clean your windows
Our vinyl has a natural lubrication that prevents dirt, grease, or stains from penetrating its surface. But, as with any window, abrasives can dull the finish. Use a cream wax cleaner or polish for everyday cleaning. For stubborn spots, a “non-abrasive” cleaner is best. Slight scratches can be “polished” out with a small amount of scouring powder. Finish off with cream wax or polish. Use any standard glass cleaner on the glass surface.
How to tilt in a sash for easy cleaning
Each double hung window has 2 recessed tilt latches mounted on the top of each sash. Raise the lower sash about 3” and using both hands, disengage the tilt latches on both sides simultaneously. While sliding the latches in towards the center of the window with your thumbs, gently pull the top of the sash towards you until the latches are clear of the frame. Holding the sash firmly, continue to tilt the sash in. To tilt the top sash, lower the top sash about 3” and follow the same procedure as above. To return the sashes to their operating positions swing the sash back up and while retracting the tilt-latches push the top of the sash gently until it snaps back into place in the jambs (side of window).
How to remove a sash
Each sash can be completely removed from the window. Sashes are heavy, so be careful when removing them. Tilt the lower sash in as described above. Tilt the sash in until it is parallel with the floor. Slide your hands about half way along the sides of the sash and lift the bottom of the sash (the part still in the widow) straight up and out of the balance shoes.
Lower and tilt the top sash as described above. Tilt the sash in until it is parallel with the floor. Slide your hands about half way down the sides of the sash and lift the bottom of the sash (the part still in the window) straight up and out of the balance shoes. To put the sashes back into the window, reverse the process making sure you get the metal pivot bars on the sashes back into the balance shoes correctly. If the pivot bars are not in the balance shoes, the window will not operate.
How to remove screens
On double hung windows with half screens, raise the lower sash all the way. Unlock the screen and raise it about 3”. While holding the right screen lock in the unlocked position, pull the entire screen to the left while pushing the screen out of the screen track. Once the right side of the screen is disengaged, the left side will come out and you can bring the screen inside through the window. For double hung windows with full screens, remove both sashes as described above. Pull the push pins and lift the screen out of the window frame. Reverse these procedures to reinstall the screens.