Information
Our painted products such as windows, window boards, doors and stairs need care. Please download our information sheets for more information
Maintenance & Care Guidelines page 1
Maintenance & Care Guidelines page 2
Maintenance & Care Guidelines page 3
Maintenance & Care Guidelines page 4
Morrrells Omnia, Exterior Joinery Maintenance Guide
Whilst timber coating systems are guarenteed to last many years in an exterior environment, certain considerations must be made to ensure joinery remains in a sound state. The natural beauty of timber as a material for Exterior Joinery means that, if maintenance is carried out regularly, it will retain its visual appeal for a lifetime.
It is important to remember that regular, minimal maintenance will make recoating/redecorating joinery a far easier job and as such, Morrells have compiled an easy to follow maintenance plan.
Scheduled Maintenance:
Timber whose orientation is north facing and is predominantly sheltered will generally require less maintenance than a south facing timber on window cills or beads.
As a general note, any repairs should be carried out as and when necessary in order to make the job easier when it comes to the planned maintenance and redecoration.
Initial points to note:
Mould and Algae:
Whilst mould and algae pose little initial threat to the coating other than the aesthetic appearance, prolonged contact can have a detrimental effect on the coatings surface and lead to water absorption issues over time.
Whilst soapy water may work for early mould attacks, a wipe with a solution of one part bleach to five parts water should be enough to remove most stains.
If the discolouration persists then use of a nylon bristled brush (Not metallic) can be used to remove more stubborn Stains.
Damage:
Areas where the coating has been damaged or more severely to the point where bare timber is exposed must must be actioned immediately as this weak point will get progressively worse and will lead to extensive maintenance/redecoration in the future if left unattended. See Maintenance Product Section.
Recommended Actions:
Cleaning and Washing Cycle:
Wash with hot water and liquid detergent every 6 months. Rinse with clean water. During this process it is advisable to inspect all components of the window for defects and take action if necessary.
Re-applying Coatings - Redecoration:
Remove any loose coatings material from the affected areas and gently abrade with a medium grade of sandpaper (240 grit or higher), taking care to sand in the direction of the grain. Ensure that any 'grey' timber that has been damaged by ultraviolet light is removed back to a clean, bright surface.
In DRY weather, brush apply a single coat of Morrells omnia maintain using a synthetic bristle brush to the abraded areas, ensure any areas of end grain is sufficiently coated to allow and allow the coating material to dry.
A suggested re-coat/maintenance coating table is shown in Appendix 1, however in practice, carrying out redecoration approximately one year before the recommended time will significantly improve the longevity of the coating system. By using this table the redecoration period for each face can therefore be evaluated.
Maintenance Schedule:
Monthly:
Inspect the joinery for changes due to the natural settling and seasoning process. A general rinsing or cleaning process is likely to be all that is required to maintain the freshly manufactured appearance. See cleaning and washing cycle below.
Annually:
Re-Inspect the joinery for changes, if the areas are seen where the coating has lost its lusture or aesthetic appearance then a more intense Cleaning/Washing cycle would be recommended. See Cleaning and washing cycle below.
Every three to five years:
The application of a maintenance coating is often recommended on a 3-5 year cycle (or as needed) for exterior joinery since many factors such as the joinery's orientation etc... can influence the life expectancy of a coated timbey system. See Re-applying Coatings/Redecoration section below.
Five years +:
All products deteriorate over time and this is particularly true of those that are exposed to the elements. Wind, rain and sunlight - not to mention wind-borne spores and general grime all contribute to the breakdown of all materials. It is therefore important at this stage to maintain the protection of the system by increasing this barrier between the wood and the elements through the introduction of a maintenance coating. See Re-apply Coatings/Redecoration section below.
The approximate coverage of the maintenance products is 40m2 per 3 litres, In ideal conditions the coating will be touch dry 45 to 60 minutes from application.
Yearly treatment of the exterior surfaces with omnia maintenance products will maintain the beauty, performance and durability of the coatings properties.
Appendix 1
CLIMATE
Construction Moderate
(eg inland areas, low Altitude)
Translucent Opaque
Sheltered Every Every
(eg beneth porch or roof overhang) 5 Years 8 Years
Partly Sheltered Every Every
(eg window built back into reveal) 5 Years 8 Years
Not Sheltered Every Every
(eg Face of building) 5 Years 8 Years
Hard
(eg within 1/2 mile of a coastline)
Translucent Opaque
Sheltered Every Every
(eg beneth porch or roof overhang) 5 Years 8 Years
Partly Sheltered Every Every
(eg window built backinto reveal) 5 Years 7 Years
Not Sheltered Every Every
(eg Face of building) 3-4 Years 5 Years
Extreme
(eg Coastal or high altitude)
Translucent Opaque
Sheltered Every Every
(eg beneth porch or roof overhang) 5 Years 7 Years
Partly Sheltered Every Every
(eg window built backinto reveal) 3-4 Years 5 Years
Not Sheltered Every Every
(eg Face of building) 3-4 Years 5 Years
Note: Construction and Climate classes based on the classifications described in BSEN 927-1: 1997
Terminology
FRAME - Is a combination of the head, jambs and cill that forms the precise opening in which a window sash or casement fits.
HEAD - Is a the main horizontal part forming the top of the window frame.
JAMB - Is the vertical portion of a door frame onto which the door is secured. The jamb bears the weight of the door through it's hinges and door latches and deadbolts extended into the recess in the door jamb when engaged.
WINDOW CILL - Is fitted to the lowest part of the frame. The window cill slopes outward to shed water.
CILL DRIP - Is the protruding part of the window cill, the purpose being to shed water away from the brick work of the building.
HEAD DRIP - Is fitted to the top outer edge of the window frame. It's purpose is to deflect the rain water away from the front face of the window or door.
GLAZING BAR - Is a supporting or strengthening bar for glass windows and doors. It divides the glass into smaller section areas. A true glazing bar is positioned between individual panes of glass in the casement. An applied glazing bar is where you have one peice of glass in the casement and the glazing bar is attached to the glass inside and out using a special adhesive tape.
GLAZING BEAD - Holds the glass in place in the window or door.
TRANSOME - Is a horizontal frame section on a window or door frame.
MULLION - Is the vertical dividing section of the window/door frame or screen on which the casements close. It's purpose is a rigid support to the glazing of the window. When used to support glazing, they are sometimes teamed with horizontal supporting elements called transoms. A mullion can also divide the opening of a pair of doors.
MUNTIN - Is the vertical dividing element of a door.
FLYING MULLION - Is a mullion that is an integral part of one of the casements so that, when both casements are open, you have an unobstructed view of the outside. When closed, it resembles a standard casement window and locks into place to give the same appearance as a conventional mullion.
SASH - The opening portion of the window.
CASEMENT - A window light opening on hinges that are generally attached to the upright side of the frame.
FIXED WINDOWS - A window that cannot be opened, its function is limited to allowing light into the room. Trickle vents can be added to allow a small amount of ventilation.
SIDE HUNG - The casement is hinged at the side, opening outwards. You can choose between left and right hand opening.
TOP HUNG - The casement is hinged at the top and swings outward.
DIRECT GLAZED - Is a window with no sash. The glass is glazed directly into the frame and is stationary.
DUMMY CASEMENT - These are fixed sashes that are not meant to open but look as if they are openers, thus all the visible panes are inline.
TRICKLE VENT - Are integrated into the window frames using a small slot that allows a little amount of background ventilation in spaces intended to be naturally ventilated when the windows are closed.
DOUBLE GLAZED UNIT - Where the glass unit is built up of two glass panels (sealed together) seperated by air or gas filled e.g. Argon, Krypton or Xenon. They have been around for many years and are known to provide insulation and reduce outside noise.
BROKEN DOWN/MISTED UP DOUBLE GLAZED UNIT - The main reason a double glazed sealed unit can mist up or break down is due to failure of the perimeter seal, allowing condensation to creep into the void causing an unsightly appearance. This worsens over time until you can no longer see through it clearly. Additionally, severe weather conditions such as wind and rain as well as some cleaning chemicals can have an effect on the double glazed unit over time. The only simple and cost effective answer is to replace the double glazed sealed units with new ones.
SLIMLITE GLASS - By adapting and maximising the latest technology a double glazed unit can be produced which is very slim, suitable for most single glazed windows. An ideal solution in listed buildings.
U-VALUE - Is a measure of heat loss. The lower the U-Value, the more energy efficient the window.
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