(703) 532-0184

Customer Care & Support

Follow these easy tips for correct operation and cleaning of your windows and door products. Proper care of your windows will maintain their beauty and ease of operation for years to come. 

Operating & Cleaning – Videos

 

Encore Double Hung Windows: Operating & Cleaning

 

Encore Slider Windows: Operating & Cleaning

 

Ovation Double Hung Windows: Operating & Cleaning

 

Ovation Slider Windows: Operation & Cleaning

 

 

Awning Windows: Operation & Cleaning

 

Casement Windows: Operation & Cleaning

 

Cleaning Your Seaway Windows

 

Understanding Condensation on Your Windows

 Window Screen Removal – Videos

 

Encore Slider Windows: Full Screen Removal

 

Encore Slider Windows: Half Screen Removal

 

Ovation Windows: Full Screen Removal

 

Ovation Windows: Half Screen Removal

Integrity Window Products

General Guidelines

Cleaning Ultrex®

For regular cleaning and maintenance of Ultrex use a non-abrasive household cleaner, wiping the Ultrex surface in a gentle fashion. A mild detergent solution (water-based) is recommended for cleaning by applying the solution to a soft cloth and wiping the Ultrex surface. Extreme pressure or scrubbing action is not recommended. No solvents, paint thinner or other chemicals of any type are recommended for use with Ultrex, as they may affect the integrity, functionality, and appearance of the coating.

Cleaning Glass

The best method to clean the glass on your Integrity product is to first soak the glass surface with a clean water and soap solution to loosen dirt or debris. Use a mild, non-abrasive window washing solution and apply with a non-abrasive applicator. Immediately after washing the glass, remove all of the cleaning solution with a squeegee, taking care not to allow any metal surface of the cleaning equipment to touch the glass surface. Make sure that no abrasive particles are trapped between the glass and the cleaning material. Window and door gaskets, sealants and frames are susceptible to deterioration if cleaning solutions are not rinsed and dried immediately after cleaning.

CAUTION: Do not use razor blades, knives or scrapers for cleaning glass surfaces.

Screens

To clean your screens, remove them from the window, lay them on a flat clean area and spray off any dust with water from your garden hose. Allow them to dry thoroughly before replacing. In cold climates, it is recommended you remove screens from doors during the winter as collected snow may cause the screen to stretch and sag.

Interior Wood

Wood framing should be cleaned with clear water or a mild solution of household detergent. Grease or oily materials may require stronger cleaning compounds, but avoid solvents or abrasive-type cleaners. Clean from top to bottom to avoid streaking and always rinse the surface well as any lingering detergent can damage the finish.

Condensation

When temperatures drop during the winter, it is not uncommon for condensation to occur on glass windows and doors. This is not caused by a defect in your window or door; it is simply a sign of high humidity in your home.

Condensation can be unsightly, but it can also be a source of more significant problems. If left uncontrolled, excess humidity can cause:

Stain & Mildew Removal

Interior Mildew Removal

If you experience quite a bit of interior condensation, you may notice discoloration along the lower parts of your wood windows or doors. This is the result of mildew growing in damp areas. Use regular laundry bleach on a sponge to remove the mildew.

Please note: The application of a bleach and water mixture is likely to discolor and/or remove the interior wood finish and sealant. It will be necessary to refinish the wood after bleaching.

  1. Wear protective eyewear and skin protection, and keep the area well ventilated.
  2. Mix one cup of regular laundry bleach to one gallon of water.
  3. Dampen sponge.
  4. Stroke lightly on the affected surface. Do not rub.
  5. Make sure the grain of the wood is penetrated and reapply bleach-and-water mixture if the discoloration persists.

Exterior Mildew Removal

The presence of mildew on your exterior can be confirmed by placing a drop of household bleach on the suspected mildew area. If small gas bubbles develop in the droplet of bleach and the area bleaches out, mildew does exist and should be removed from the exterior of your windows or doors.

Use this basic solution for controlling exterior mildew:

  1. 1/3 cup powder laundry detergent
  2. 2/3 cup trisodium phosphate (TSP)
  3. 1-quart household bleach

Please note: A stronger concentration of cleaner can damage the coating surface or finish.

Always wear protective eyewear and skin protection when using harsh cleaning compounds.

Apply the solution with a soft bristle brush using medium pressure.

Water Stain Removal

Oxalic acid can be used to bleach bare, unfinished wood that has been water stained. Oxalic acid is a poisonous strong organic acid used especially as a bleaching or cleaning agent. It can be purchased at hardware, drug, or grocery outlets.

Always use eye and hand protection and read the manufacturer's instructions and application procedures carefully before using.

Application procedures:

  1. Mix approximately 2 tablespoons of oxalic acid to 8 ounces of water in a pan.
  2. Dampen sponge.
  3. Stroke lightly on the affected surface.

Painting & Staining

Wood-Ultrex Series products must have a finish applied immediately to prevent possible damage to the wood. Even a primed windows have no protective qualities and should be painted quickly.

Step 1: Check that bare wood surfaces are clean and dry. Remove any handling marks, debris or effects of exposure to moisture by sanding lightly with fine sandpaper and wiping clean before applying your choice of finish.

Step 2: 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.

Step 3: Run a strip of masking tape along the edge of the glass. If you are using paint, leave a 1/16" space between the tape and the wood bead to allow the paint to bead onto the glass for a proper seal.

Step 4: Apply paint or stain, carefully following the manufacturer's application instructions always wearing adequate hand and eye protection. It is extremely important that you do not paint locks, hardware, weather-stripping or any surface which comes in contact with another window or door surface. Also, use paints, stains, and varnishes with care - they contain solvents which, when coming in contact with plastics and vinyl weather-stripping, cause these materials to lose their flexibility.

Refinishing Exterior

Before refinishing exterior or interior, remove sash from the frame. This will make it much easier to prevent paint or varnish from coming in contact with the sash tracks. Do not replace sash until the finish is completely dry.

Troubleshooting & Adjustments

Integrity Casement

The roto-gear is the operating mechanism that you crank to open and close your Casement and awning windows. Your Casement lock seals the window tightly - excessive cranking when closing your window does not improve the seal and may damage your roto-gear. Roto-gears should be lubricated once a year with white lithium grease (available at any hardware store) to keep operation smooth. The hinge joints and the locking mechanism should be lubricated on occasion with a silicone-based spray. Be sure to clean off all dirt, debris or sand before lubrication. Be careful: Excessive lubrication may cause damage to the window's finish. Make sure that any excess is immediately wiped up.

Integrity Awnings

Awning hinges, roto-gear operator arms, and sash guides can be oiled with a few drops of light household oil or silicone spray.

Integrity Double Hung

Periodically clean the jambcarriers where the sash slides. Keep them dirt and grease-free by washing with a gentle dish detergent, and after drying, spray with furniture wax to prevent sticking. Be sure to wipe off any excess wax.

Integrity Glider

Periodically clean the tracks where the sash must slide. Keep them dirt and grease-free, and spray them lightly with furniture wax to prevent sticking. Be sure to wipe off any excess wax. Before refinishing the wood on the sash, remove operator sash from the frame. This will make it much easier to avoid paint or varnish coming in contact with the sash tracks. Make sure the top and bottom edges are left unfinished. Do not replace sash until the finish is thoroughly dry.

Integrity Round Top, Polygon and Picture Windows

Integrity round top, polygon and picture windows are non-operational, meaning they do not open or close, so there are no maintenance needs for hardware or weather-stripping. All you need to do is clean the glass occasionally and maintain the interior wood and exterior surfaces on the same schedule as your other windows.

Integrity Sliding and Swinging Doors

Integrity Sliding and Swinging doors require very little maintenance to keep them functioning efficiently. Most problems can be eliminated by keeping the sill clean, ensuring smooth door operation. Chemicals, solvents, paints and other harsh substances should never come in contact with the sill. Remove any paint, grease or caulk with isopropyl alcohol. Wood doors need to adjust to humidity levels in a home and may warp slightly as seasons change-allow one full year for your door to go through this process, Door handles can be wiped down with a damp cloth to remove fingerprints and smudges.

It is very seldom that door rollers require lubrication. Occasionally use spray lubricant to keep operation smooth (rollers are visible underneath the operator panel). If you live in a cold climate, it is recommended that you remove the screen door in the winter. The screen mesh may collect snow and ice, causing it to sag.

CONTACT US

Interested in installing new windows or doors?

I just wanted to express my appreciation to the team your company sent to install a few doors and repair windows in our house. They were professional, caring, cooperative and extremely courteous. They are a major asset to your company. On the whole, our experience with the Hodges Company has been very positive and we happily recommend your services to others.

Mary V.
 
Bethesda, Maryland
 
Door Installation and Window Repair

Tom is definitely a master craftsman and did an excellent job. Just want you and the company to know that both Tom and Larry did an outstanding job and we are very pleased with the results.

Dave H.
 
Arlington, VA
 
Window Installation

All in all a really fantastic company - they've been in business a long time and it shows based on how they treat the costumer. Am planning to do windows next year, and they will be my first phone call.

Ian W.
 
North Potomac, MD
 
Door Installation

We are so very, very happy (once again!) with the Hodges Company....this is the third time we have had a project completed, and each time we've been so pleased.

Valerie Soroka
 
Arlington, VA
 
Door Installation

Before, we could never keep up with the cold. Now we just turn the heat on, and it stays in the building. Complaints are way down, and we're very happy.

Rev. Davies K.
 
Falls Church, Virginia
 
Window Installation

I think they did a very good job. I will go back to them in a heartbeat.

Karen L.
 
Arlington, VA
 
Window and Door Replacement

Your guys did a great job. The temperature in the house is up by 3 degrees and the heat pump is running half as much.

Larry C.
 
Gainesville, Virginia
 
Window Installation

We will definitely be using Hodges again when we look to replace some windows in our house

Daniel Q.
 
Woodbridge, VA
 
Door Installation

I wouldn't deal with anyone else. Working with Hodges, I know I can get anything I want, and my imagination can run wild.

GJ G.
 
Arlington, Virginia
 
Window and Door Installation

The installer, who I think was Tom Langworthy, did excellent work. He was respectful of our space and cleaned up after himself. He always conducted himself in a professional manner. He seems highly competent and he engenders confidence in his workmanship.

James B.
 
Washington, DC
 
Window Installation

Throughout the entire process - from our first meeting to the on-going daily supervision - by you of the job, the professionalism, the quality of the products, and the workmanship was outstanding.

David & Rosemary P
 
Vienna, Virginia
 
Window and Door Installation

I must tell you that Mark Russow and everyone at The Hodges Window Company are nothing less than a great representative/distributor for your company and we will not hesitate to recommend both companies to our friends and family.

Debbie P.
 
Manassas, VA
 
Window and Door Installation

The deck door is fabulous and the installation is super!!! I love how wide it is, and how easily it opens and it actually locks! thank you for the expert product and installation.

Kevin J.
 
Springfield, Virginia
 
Door Installation

I couldn't be more pleased with both my windows and the installation and now "on a clear day I can see forever". If you would like to use me as a reference I would be more than happy to cooperate.

Elizabeth H.
 
Arlington, Virginia
 
Window Installation

I want you to know that your two colleagues who installed the windows did an outstanding job...Jean and I could not be more pleased.

Ted B.
 
Washington, D.C.
 
Window Installation

We enjoyed meeting with Brian Whitehouse and were impressed with his ability to explain our options, always respecting our wishes and never annoying us with hard-sell tactics...It was such a pleasure to deal with people who know their job and do it well.

Sara R.
 
Falls Church, Virginia
 
Window and Door Installation

Thank you so much for fixing my window today! Thank you for coming even though these windows aren't yours......No wonder the management office here thinks you guys can do anything and are the most helpful window company around.

Kim T.
 
McLean, Virginia
 
Window Repair

The whole process from initial meeting to installation was painless and quite surprisingly, a lot less expensive than we thought it would be... Thanks again for taking such good care of us. If anyone I know is looking for new windows, I will certainly recommend your company.

Carol B.
 
McLean, Virginia
 
New Window Installation

We love our new door. The installation work was timely, quick and well-done.

Mary Ann M.
 
Arlington, VA
 
Door Installation

Everything was excellent. The salesman offered good advice and provided examples of how the end result would look. Hodges' workers arrived on time and worked quickly. The lead installer was quite knowledgeable as well, so the job was done neatly and without incident.

James G.
 
Vienna, Virginia
 
Window and Door Installation

Hodges had very knowledge salespeople, highly skilled installation crews, and the product lives up to expectations. You can't ask for better than that.

Richard N.
 
Ashburn Village, Virginia
 
Door Installation

I am so pleased with my windows, your installers and staff. I would indeed recommend your company to anyone and everyone. They were quick, efficient and very polite.

Betty L.
 
Fairfax, VA
 
Window Installation

Your craftsmanship made all the difference, and it was nice getting to know you. We hope to hire you again.

Nany & Harry B.
 
Chevy Chase, MD
 
Windows and Door Installation