Window Care & Warranty Information
Identifying Basic Window Parts Top Sash Keeper Vent Latch Bottom Sash Lock Tilt Latches Sill About Your Windows Double-Hung Thank you for choosing the Panorama Window System by Vista Window Company! To ensure lasting energy efficiency for your windows, we suggest that you read this guide carefully. It has been prepared to help you operate and maintain your windows for years of outstanding performance. Vista Window is also proud to offer a Lifetime Limited Warranty on all vinyl frames and sashes, working parts and insulated glass units. After your windows are installed, be sure to register your windows online at VistaWindowReplacements.com/Warranty. It s also a good idea to record all the warranty information on the form provided in this brochure. Casement We d Like To Hear From You! Tell us your Vista Windows story: Share your before-and-after photos or just tell us how our windows helped improve your home. Your story could appear on our website! Email us your photos and review at: Vista@VistaWindowConnection.com 2 Slider
Protecting Your Windows DO: Do use BOTH hands to support sashes while tilting them in for cleaning. Do check that the tilt latches are fully engaged after tilting sashes back into the operation position. Do check that the top sash on a doublehung window is closed and ALL THE WAY UP before locking the window. DON T: Don t leave the lock in the locked position when closing the window; this may damage the window. Don t try to open a window when the lock is in the locked position. Don t install a window air conditioner in a vinyl window without adequate support. Don t use oil-based spray lubricants such as WD-40, as they attract dirt. If lubrication is needed, use silicone spray. Don t paint or varnish vinyl windows. Vinyl windows have solid color throughout all vinyl pieces. Painting or varnishing is not necessary and will void the warranty.* Don t forcefully open windows when vent latches are extended (see photo at right). Don t use spray cleaners or harsh chemicals to clean your windows. Mild soap and water is all that is needed. If your windows have been treated with EEE-Z-Kleen TM, refrain from using cleaners. Mild soap and water is recommended. *Not applicable to Panorainbow products. These products are professionally painted by our manufacturing facility. 3
General Care and Cleaning Use an alcohol-based cleaner to remove label and tape adhesive on glass. After adhesive is removed, thoroughly rinse the glass with plain water. If your windows have been treated with EEE-Z-Kleen, refrain from using cleaners. Mild soap and water is recommended. Clean the glass using a 30% white vinegar and 70% water premixed cleaning solution. Ammonia-free glass cleaners such as Windex also produce good results. Use a soft, lint-free cloth or paper towels to wipe clean, rubbing in different directions. Thoroughly dry water and/or cleaning solutions from glass and all window surfaces. DO NOT USE razor blades, metal blades, abrasive cleaning solutions or materials to clean the glass because they can damage the glass. If necessary, clean vinyl sashes and/or frames using mild detergent and a soft cloth or ordinary soft-bristle brush. In some cases, you may wish to use a mildly abrasive cleanser such as Soft Scrub, but the use of any abrasive material could scratch the surface of the glass and window frame. DO NOT USE liquid grease remover, strong soaps or detergents containing organic solvents, nail polish remover, furniture polish or cleaners containing chlorine bleach. These items could affect the surface appearance of the vinyl. If mildew forms, use an appropriate cleaner or mildew controller. We recommend cleaning slider and double-hung window tracks at least semiannually. These tracks are exposed to the outdoors and may collect abrasive materials such as dirt, leaves, sand, soot, etc., which can be ground into the vinyl tracks of the windows. Clean the tracks with a stiff nylon brush, then wipe the tracks off with a soft cloth. If necessary, an occasional light coat of silicone spray on the tracks will help ease operation of these windows. Do not use other lubricants, which may leave a dirt-attracting, oily residue. NOTE: Refer to your specific window type later in this manual for more specific instructions on tilting or removing windows for cleaning. 4
Cleaning Screens Screens require very little maintenance. For routine care, you can clean them in place with the soft brush accessory from your vacuum cleaner. For a more thorough cleaning, remove the screens from the window frame. To remove screens on Single-Hung, Double-Hung and Slider Windows: From the inside of your home, open the window to its fully open position. Push the screen toward the left side of the window until the hidden screen springs are compressed and the screen is released. Gently push the screen outward, removing the screen from the window frame. To remove screens on Casement Windows: It s even easier to remove screens on casement windows because they re on the inside. Simply push the screen to the left until it releases, then pull it toward you (shown above). To clean: Place the screens on a flat surface and use mild soap and water with a soft bristly brush to remove dirt and grime. Clean both sides of the screen and around the interior and exterior of the frame. Rinse the unit with lukewarm water. Allow the screen to dry completely before replacing in the window. DO NOT USE a high-pressure washer to clean screens; it could damage them. Use extreme care when cleaning aluminum mesh, since it can be dented or creased if too much pressure is placed on the screen. To replace the screen, reverse the above steps. 5
Cleaning Windows Single-Hung and Double-Hung On single-hung windows, only the bottom sash raises, lowers and tilts in for cleaning outside surfaces. Double-hung windows allow both sashes to raise, lower and tilt in for cleaning the inside and outside surfaces. To tilt the bottom sash: Unlock the window and raise the bottom sash at least 3 inches. Locate the tilt latch buttons on the top rail of the sash. Push both buttons toward the center of the sash to release them from the window frame. Using both hands, carefully pull the top of the bottom sash toward you until it is slightly past 90 degrees. Support the sash while cleaning the exterior. To tilt the top sash: Making sure that the bottom sash is already tilted in, lower the top sash to at least 3 inches. Push both tilt latch buttons toward the center of the sash to release them from the window frame. Using both hands, carefully pull the top sash toward you until it gently rests on top of the supported bottom sash. 6
To return sashes after cleaning: Start with the top sash. Hold the top of the sash with both hands and push until the tilt latch buttons click into the window frame. Be sure the tilt latches are locked into place. Slide the top sash into its original position. NOTE: Make sure both sashes are securely back in place before locking. Check out our videos at: VinylWindowsInfo.com See how to: Clean your windows Remove a sash Operate your windows And much more! Slider Slider windows offer two easy ways to clean the outside surfaces. You can choose to simply slide the window open, remove the screen and reach through the window to clean the outside surface. For a more thorough cleaning, unlock and remove the sash completely from the window by sliding it open and lifting the sash up and pulling it out from the frame. This allows you to easily clean both sides of the glass and then place the sash back into the frame. Tilt-N-Slide The Tilt-N-Slide slider window has been designed with unique hardware that allows for easy cleaning. When not engaged for cleaning, the Tilt-N-Slide window sashes should not be left in the tilt position. Tilt-N-Slide tilt latch: Release and push lever into the track. 7
Cleaning Windows (continued) Casement Cleaning the exterior of these windows is easy. Carefully remove the screen. Clean the interior side of the window. Unlock the window, then crank the window all the way to its fully open position. Now you can easily reach through the opening and clean the exterior of the window. When cleaning is complete, close and lock the window. Replace the screen to its original position. 8
Condensation and Your Windows There is no such thing as a condensation-free window. Condensation, or sweating on windows and mirrors inside your home, is caused by humidity or invisible water vapor. Most everyday activities produce water vapor. One shower produces ½ pint of water vapor; a houseplant generates one pint of vapor each day; and one person simply breathing produces three pints of water vapor every day. Windows do not cause condensation; they simply prevent the moisture from escaping to the outside. Controlling the amount of moisture or humidity in the air is the most effective way to reduce condensation, and it is the homeowner s responsibility to help prevent condensation by reducing the humidity. Here are a few things you can do to help control the moisture in your home: Use kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans. Properly vent clothes dryers, gas appliances, stoves, etc. Make sure your attic, basement and crawlspaces are well ventilated and free from obstructions. Crack open a window in the bathroom, kitchen and laundry room during and after use. Do not completely cover a window with drapes or blinds; leave a small open area for air circulation. Don t store firewood inside a cord of wood can release 60 gallons of water vapor. 9
Warranty Label The warranty label on your windows provides important information needed to obtain warranty service such as your order number, shown in the photos below. Leave this label on your windows for future reference. The warranty label can be found on the inside of the sash. For a single-hung or double-hung window, simply tilt the sash in to locate the label. On a slider window, open the window and lift the sash up and pull it out from the frame. The warranty label is located on the top or bottom of the sash. warranty label If you need warranty service, contact us via our website or email us at Support@VistaWindowConnection.com and describe the nature of your claim within 30 days of discovering the condition. Be sure to plan time for an inspection. We will notify you of your contact person and process your claim according to the terms of your warranty. sample: sample: 09236443 10
Lifetime Limited Warranty Homeowner & Installation Information Vista Window Company offers a Lifetime Limited Warranty for windows in owner-occupied, single-family residences on the vinyl frames and sash, working parts and insulated glass units as well as limited warranties for multi-family residences and optional window features. For complete details, go to VistaWindowReplacements.com/Warranty. Warranty Holder Component and Warranty Period Owner-Occupied Single-Family Residential Multi-Family or Commercial Vinyl Frames and Sash Lifetime 25 years Working Parts Lifetime 10 years Insulated Glass Unit Lifetime 10 years Optional Features (if purchased with original order) Panorainbow Color System exterior paint 15 years 10 years EEE-Z-Kleen Coating glass breakage Lifetime Not Applicable Glass Breakage Warranty Lifetime Not Applicable Record your information here and go online to register. Installation Date: Window Types & Number Installed: Installer Contractor: Address: City: State: ZIP: Homeowner Name: Address: City: State: ZIP: Order Number: Please register your purchase at VistaWindowReplacements.com/Warranty And while you re at it, tell us your story! Tell us your Vista Windows story: Share your before-and-after photos or just tell us how our windows helped improve your home. Your story could appear on our website! Email us your photos and review at: Vista@VistaWindowConnection.com 11
Your Remodeling Story Could Be Next! Share your Vista Windows story with us and your home could be next to be featured on our website. Email us your photos and story at: Vista@VistaWindowConnection.com Check out VistaWindowReplacements.com/reviews to read other happy homeowner stories. To learn more, visit VistaWindowReplacements.com Check out our videos at: VinylWindowsInfo.com 2015 Vista Window Company, LLC. Information contained herein is subject to change without notice. All photos and illustrations are copyrighted. Printed in the U.S.A. Vista Window Company, Panorama, Panorainbow and EEE-Z-Kleen are trademarks of Vista Window Company, LLC. CARE 0315