Annual Window and Door Maintenance Checklist

Regular maintenance will help keep your windows and doors operating smoothly. Use this checklist as an annual maintenance reminder.

• Examine the window's interior and exterior finishes. Occasional repair to a damaged finish may be necessary.

• Don’t let paints, stains and varnishes come in contact with the weatherstrip. Solvents can damage the weatherstrip’s performance.

• Trim any old, loose caulking and seal any gaps with an appropriate, high quality caulk.

• Occasionally, an excess of silicone sealant, called “squeeze-out,” appears around the edge of the glass. You can safely scrape off “squeeze-out” with a plastic putty knife without damaging the weather-tightness of your window or door.

• Make sure all exposed hardware screws are tightened securely. Apply a dry lubricant to the windows’ gears to keep them operating smoothly.

• Clean sand, dirt or dust from door and window hinges, sills and tracks.

• Check energy panels and storm and screen combinations to make sure screws and turn buttons are securely fastened.

• Check doors for smooth operation.


• Note: Wood doors require a stabilization period after installation, sometimes taking up to a year to adjust to humidity levels and other environmental factors.

• Location plays an important role in how often you should clean and maintain the exterior of aluminum clad windows and doors. A coastal home exposed to harsh elements may need cleaning four or five times a year, while in a drier climate, once or twice a year may be sufficient.