Maintenance of Wooden Frames
https://www.papavasiliou.com.gr/en/maintenance-of-wooden-frames.html#sigFreeIda12f12f91a
The wooden frames of imported DAUWIN® are manufactured in European Union countries, according to all modern standards set by the EU, both in terms of raw materials used and on the process of their production. In addition, they are stored in ideal conditions in modern facilities of the company to be delivered in excellent condition to the customer for installation.
However, all the door and window frames, and especially those made of wood, should be maintained to retain both their functional and aesthetic properties. For this reason:
1. Wooden frames should be regularly checked by specialists in regard to:
- The functionality
- The insulation provided
- The status of the individual components
- The status of the external image (wood surface and shutters, rolls, etc.)
2. The wooden door & window frames should be maintained regularly (about 2 times a year and depending on their exposure to adverse conditions, i.e. snow, sea breeze) by specialized technicians or by the owners themselves, following the instructions on proper maintenance, which include:
- Correct cleaning. The cleaning of the frames is a very easy task, but it must be performed correctly and under certain conditions. Wooden frames should be cleaned with the special maintenance cleaning agent of SIGMA (Sikkens Special Cleaner) or with mild cleaners appropriate for use on wooden surfaces, during hours where the sun is not vertical to the surface or when there is no heat, such as in early morning or late afternoon during the summer months. For cleaning, a soft cloth or soft sponge should be used and the instructions of the cleaning agent should be followed. Upon completion of the cleaning, the surface of the frames must be rinsed with water and then wiped with a clean cloth until it is dry (after cleaning, the surface remains slightly wet and is left to dry). Upon completion of the cleaning, coating of wooden frames with a special emulsion provided by SIGMA (Sikkens Special Cleaner) is usually recommended, which helps in wood preservation. For proper use of the emulsion, always follow the instructions of the product.
- Renewal of the wood varnish, in the case where the surface of the frame is damaged, ex. when there are cracks or detachment of pieces of the paint, either due to lack of maintenance or extreme weather conditions (heavy snow, rain, etc.). The renewal of the paint should be done by expert craftsmen and includes:
- Rubbing the surface of wooden frames with sandpaper.
- Cleaning the worn area and filling with special putty the points that have suffered greater damage.
- Painting the door & window frames. The painting of the frames is usually done in three layers or in a layer with wood preservatives liquid and two coats of paint.
- Frequent lubrication of the metal parts and mechanisms of the door & window frames (WD – 40 antirust spray lubricant), such as the hinges and all metal connecting parts.
CHOOSING THE CORRECT VARNISH
The exposure of the wooden frames to weather conditions, which are sometimes harsh and extreme, requires also careful selection of varnishes, which will help to prolong endurance and good condition.
Appropriate varnishes for proper maintenance of the frames have been tested to protect the wood from damage caused by the sun's UV rays, changes in temperature and humidity. Modern varnishes and paints, as opposed to those which were marketed in the past that were based on organic solvents (alcohol, benzene, etc.), are water based; this means they are water-soluble varnishes and paints.
FREQUENCY OF VARNISHING – PAINTING
The correct and regular maintenance of the wooden frames and new materials which are used in varnishes and paints have significantly extended the times at which it is necessary to reapply them on the frames.
The use of water-soluble paints and varnishes, which contributes to the protection of wood against UV has lengthen the life of the paint to 10 to 15 years, while the need for reapplying the varnish – paint is now set to 15 to 20 years, depending on the weather conditions and the area where the building is located. Moreover, varnishing a wooden frame can be limited only in the outer surface, always depending on the area where the building is located and the ambient conditions. A house with wooden frames, for example, located at a high altitude or a coastal area exposed to extreme conditions, needs frequent polishing and maintenance, usually on the outside but also on the inside of the frames.
