There are several reasons why you might be tempted to paint your uPVC doors or windows:

 

• You’ve inherited outdated or faded uPVC windows and doors from a previous homeowner.
• The current colour no longer fits with your design aesthetic.
• The white uPVC has yellowed over time due to UV exposure.
• You’re looking for a cost-effective way to refresh the exterior of your home.

 

While these concerns are valid, painting isn’t always the right solution.

If your uPVC windows and doors are faded, discoloured, or starting to look tired, it’s worth considering an upgrade. Advances in uPVC technology mean today’s products are more durable, energy-efficient, and stylish than ever before.

Why invest in new uPVC windows and doors?

• Choose from a wide range of colours and finishes to suit your home.
• Enjoy increased security and energy efficiency.
• Benefit from low-maintenance products designed to last for decades.

If you’re not ready to replace your uPVC windows and doors, there are ways to enhance their appearance without resorting to paint:

• Professional Cleaning: Sometimes, a thorough clean with the right products can restore uPVC to its former glory.
• Vinyl Wrapping: A more durable alternative to paint, vinyl wrapping offers a smooth finish and a variety of colour options.
• Decorative Accessories: Update the look of your door with new hardware, like handles or letterboxes, for a fresh feel.

While we strongly recommend considering alternatives, here’s how to paint uPVC if you’re set on doing it:

1. Clean and Degrease: Use a suitable uPVC cleaner to remove dirt, grime, and oils.
2. Lightly Sand: Gently sand the surface with fine sandpaper to create a key for the paint to adhere to.
3. Apply a uPVC Primer: Use a primer specifically designed for uPVC. Allow it to fully cure before applying paint.
4. Choose the Right Paint: Opt for an acrylic or polyurethane-based paint with UV resistance. Avoid gloss paints that crack easily on plastic.
5. Take Your Time: Use a high-quality brush or, ideally, a spray gun for a smoother finish. Apply thin, even coats and allow each coat to dry fully.

Remember, this process requires time, patience, and the right weather conditions.

 

• Energy Efficiency: According to the Energy Saving Trust, installing energy-efficient uPVC windows can save a typical detached home in Scotland up to £235 a year on heating bills.
• Curb Appeal: Research shows that over 70% of buyers consider well-maintained doors and windows a key factor when choosing a home. A freshly painted uPVC door may not convey the same quality as a professionally installed new one.
• Durability: Modern uPVC doors and windows, like those supplied by Andrew Wright Windows, come with up to a 10-year guarantee, ensuring long-lasting performance without the need for repainting.

The simplest way to keep your uPVC windows looking new is with a regular wipe-down using warm, soapy water:

 

• What You Need: A bucket of warm water, a mild dish soap, a soft cloth or sponge, and a uPVC window of course.
• How to Clean: Dip the cloth or sponge in the soapy water and gently wipe the window’s frames and glass. Avoid using abrasive scrubbers, as these can scratch the uPVC surface of the window frame.
• Frequency: Even though uPVC windows are low maintenance, we suggest cleaning your new uPVC windows every 4–6 weeks, or as needed, to remove dust, dirt, and minor stains and maintain the newly installed look.

For stains on your window that aren’t easily removed with soapy water:

 

• Use a Non-Abrasive Cleaner: Apply a small amount of a non-abrasive cream cleaner on a soft cloth to the uPVC window. Gently rub the stained area of the window frame until the mark lifts.
• Important Note: Avoid using too much of the cleaner, as frequent use can dull the uPVC’s gloss finish.

While it might be tempting to use strong cleaners on tough window stains, avoid anything too harsh:

 

• Don’t Use Bleach or Solvents: These chemicals can weaken and discolour uPVC, especially around seals and edges of the window frame.
• Avoid Abrasive Sponges or Wire Wool: These can scratch the surface of the frame or glass and leave unsightly marks.

For sparkling windows, don’t neglect the glass. Use a dedicated glass cleaner and a lint-free cloth to avoid streaks:

 

• What You Need: Glass cleaner, a microfiber cloth, newspaper, and of course your glass!
• How to Clean: Spray the window’s glass lightly and wipe with a microfiber cloth in a circular motion for a streak-free finish.

Tip: Avoid direct sunlight when cleaning glass to prevent streaks, especially when the sun reflects off your window.

A: Vinegar is great for cleaning glass, but it’s best to avoid it on new uPVC window frames as it could degrade the material over time.

Stick to mild soapy water for the best result and upkeep on your window frames.

A: Try a non-abrasive cleaner on a soft cloth, rubbing gently until the mark disappears.

Avoid scrubbing too hard to protect the new uPVC window’s finish.

A: Pressure washing your windows is generally not recommended, as it could damage the seals or scratch the frames.

A simple sponge or soft cloth is best.

A: Keep the Window Frames Dry: After cleaning, use a dry cloth to remove residual water from the frames, especially around the seals.

This prevents moisture from seeping into joints on the window, which could lead to mould growth.

 

Check and Clean Window Seals: Inspect the window seals occasionally and gently clean any dirt to maintain a proper seal against drafts and rain.

Condensation occurs when warm, moist air meets a cold surface, causing the air to cool and release its moisture as droplets. This is often seen on windows, particularly in colder months. High humidity from activities like cooking, showering, and even breathing can increase moisture levels in the air. When this warm, humid air comes into contact with the cooler glass of your windows, condensation can form on the surface.

Modern uPVC windows are designed to reduce condensation in several ways. Advanced features, such as multi-chambered frames, gas-filled cavities, and special coatings on the glass, improve insulation, keeping the inside of the glass warmer than older, single-glazed windows. This temperature difference between the indoor and outdoor glass surfaces helps to limit the formation of condensation.

1. Enhanced Insulation: New windows are built to retain warmth inside your home, meaning that the interior glass surface stays warmer, even during colder weather. This helps prevent condensation, as there’s less chance for warm indoor air to cool down and release moisture on the glass.
2. Energy Efficiency: Double- or triple-glazed units with gas-filled cavities (often filled with argon or krypton gas) create an extra layer of insulation. These layers reduce heat loss, maintaining a more stable indoor temperature and minimising the conditions that cause condensation.
3. Modern Glass Coatings: New windows often come with low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings, which reflect heat back into the room. This technology not only saves energy but also helps prevent indoor condensation by keeping the glass surface warmer.
4. Built-in Ventilation: Many new windows are designed with trickle vents, allowing a small amount of controlled airflow. This flow of fresh air can help manage humidity levels, reducing the risk of condensation.

In essence, new windows work to maintain a balanced temperature indoors and regulate airflow, making it easier to control moisture levels. While they don’t entirely eliminate the need for ventilation, their efficient design makes it easier to prevent condensation from building up.

There are two main types of condensation: internal and external.
Internal Condensation
Internal condensation forms on the inside of your windows when warm, moist indoor air comes into contact with the cooler glass. This is common in rooms with high humidity, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry areas. To prevent internal condensation, you must ensure proper ventilation and avoid excessive humidity.
External Condensation
External condensation forms on the outside of your windows, especially on cold, clear mornings. This indicates that your windows are performing well, as they’re effectively keeping heat inside your home. The outer glass pane stays cooler because modern coatings and gas-filled cavities within the glass prevent heat transfer to the outside. This type of condensation is normal and will usually disappear as temperatures rise throughout the day.

Because new windows are highly efficient and draught-proof, they limit the natural escape of heat and moisture from the home. Without ventilation, this trapped moisture can lead to condensation and, in severe cases, mould growth. To prevent this, always keep trickle vents open if your windows have them, or consider opening windows periodically to allow air circulation.

Note: Failure to ensure adequate ventilation can invalidate your window guarantee.

Because new windows are highly efficient and draught-proof, they limit the natural escape of heat and moisture from the home. Without ventilation, this trapped moisture can lead to condensation and, in severe cases, mould growth. To prevent this, always keep trickle vents open if your windows have them, or consider opening windows periodically to allow air circulation.

Note: Failure to ensure adequate ventilation can invalidate your window guarantee.

Managing condensation starts with reducing indoor humidity and maintaining good ventilation. Here are some effective tips:

Heating and Air Circulation

• Consistent Heating: Keeping your home at a consistent temperature reduces the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures, helping prevent condensation on windows.
• Ventilation: Use extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms and open windows periodically to release humid air.
• Move Furniture: Keep furniture slightly away from walls to allow air to circulate, reducing the chance of damp and mould formation.

In the Kitchen

• Use Pan Lids: Cover pans when cooking to limit the amount of steam released.
• Turn on Cooker Hoods: Extract moisture directly from the cooking area by using a cooker hood.
• Keep Doors Closed: Contain moisture within the kitchen by keeping doors closed while cooking.

In the Bathroom

• Shorter Showers at Lower Temperatures: This reduces the amount of steam produced.
• Run the Bathroom Fan: Turn on the extractor fan during and after showers to draw moisture out of the room.
• Dry Bathmats Outside: Bathmats can retain moisture, so hang them outside to dry rather than leaving them in the bathroom.

Laundry Tips

• Dry Clothes Outdoors or Use a Dryer: Avoid indoor drying whenever possible, as wet clothes release a significant amount of moisture.

Vent Tumble Dryers Properly: Ensure dryers are vented to the outside or located in well-ventilated rooms with closed doors to contain humidity.

• Check for Water Leaks: Address any leaks in pipes or around windows that could increase indoor humidity.
• Use Indoor Plants that Reduce Humidity: Peace lilies, Boston ferns, and spider plants can help absorb moisture in the air.
• Consider a Dehumidifier: A high-efficiency dehumidifier can make a big difference in reducing overall humidity levels, especially in high-moisture areas.

It’s important to maintain your windows properly to prevent condensation issues:

• Inspect for Broken Seals: Damaged seals on windows or doors can lead to water ingress, increasing humidity.
• Ensure Vents Are Functioning: Make sure vents are not blocked and are installed to direct air outside.