# Looking After uPVC Windows Through a Kashmir Winter

> Clean frames with a soft cloth and mild soapy water, keep sliding tracks and drainage slots clear, close the sash fully before changing a tilt-and-turn handle, and do not force a sash that feels stiff. Before winter, check that every window closes and locks evenly; ask for an inspection if a handle is stiff, a sash rubs or a seal is damaged.

Source: https://standardfabtech.com/blog/upvc-window-care-winter/
Published: 2026-10-20 · Care & service · Standard Fabtech, Kashmir's leading uPVC window & door fabricator

uPVC windows need very little looking after compared with wood, but a few minutes before and during winter keeps them working smoothly for years.

## Before the cold arrives

Walk round the house in autumn and check each window and door:

- Does it close and lock without forcing?
- Is the sash pressing evenly onto its seal all round?
- Are the drainage slots at the bottom of the frame clear?
- On sliding windows, are the tracks clean?

If anything feels wrong, now is the time to call, not in the middle of Chillai Kalan.

*[Image: White uPVC windows beside a cream curtain]*

## Cleaning

- **Frames:** soft cloth, mild soapy water, wipe dry.
- **Glass:** ordinary glass cleaner or water with a little vinegar.
- **Avoid:** abrasive pads, scouring powder, strong solvents and pressure washers on the seals.

## Sliding windows and doors

Grit in the bottom track makes sliding stiff and wears the rollers. Vacuum or brush the track out regularly, especially near roads and in dusty months.

## Tilt-and-turn windows

Always **close the sash fully before turning the handle** from one mode to the other. Turning the handle with the sash open is the most common cause of tilt-and-turn problems.

> **Do not force it** If a handle is stiff or a sash rubs, stop. Forcing it can damage the hardware. A small adjustment usually fixes it.

## Snow and ice

- Brush snow off sills so meltwater can drain away from the frame.
- Do not chip ice off the frame or the seals with anything sharp.
- If a sash is frozen shut, warm the room and wait; do not force it.

## Condensation

Wipe water off the glass and sill in the morning and keep the room ventilated. See [why windows run with water in winter](https://standardfabtech.com/blog/window-condensation-winter-kashmir/).

## When to call us

Message us with a photo or a short video if:

- a handle is stiff or loose
- a sash rubs or drops
- a seal is torn or has come out of its groove
- there is mist between the two panes of a double-glazed unit

**Something not right with a window?** WhatsApp Standard Fabtech on +91 70062 70197 (https://wa.me/917006270197).

## Questions people ask

**How do I clean uPVC window frames?**
A soft cloth and mild soapy water, then wipe dry. Avoid abrasive pads and strong solvents.

**Should I oil the hardware?**
Follow the guidance for your hardware. A little suitable lubricant on moving parts once a year is usually enough. Do not oil the gaskets.

**What if a window becomes hard to close?**
Do not force it. Message us with a photo or video and we will arrange an inspection.

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Standard Fabtech: uPVC windows and doors, fabricated in Kashmir. Call or WhatsApp +91 70062 70197 · hello@standardfabtech.com · https://standardfabtech.com