Care and Maintenance

Thank you for purchasing Abbott’solutely Timber Joinery’s products. Your timber windows and doors are designed for beauty, quality and performance. By following these guidelines, you will protect your
investment and retain the products’ beauty and function.

Please read and follow the instructions for proper installation of Abbott’solutely Timber Joinery’s products. If your abilities do not match the requirements, contact an experienced contractor. Should you have any further questions on caring for your joinery, please contact Abbott’solutely Timber Joinery on (08) 9439 5661 or email us at admin@abbottsolutelytimber.com.au

Installation:

  • Always store your raw joinery flat, in a dry place and avoid freshly plastered areas.
  • Timber joinery must not be fitted into freshly plastered new homes until the relative humidity inside the house has stabilised.
  • Allow timber joinery to adjust to room conditions by removing wrapping and keeping the joinery flat for at least 3 days prior to installation.
  • Abbott’solutely Timber Joinery recommend that a professional carpenter install your joinery, especially doors.
  • All doors should be hung with minimum of three hinges to provide enough support.
  • Entrance / Exterior doors must be located in weather protected areas with adequate overhead protection. A general rule is the overhead protection needs to extend away from the door the same distance as the height of the door. (ie 2.4m high doors requires a roof extending 2.4m away from the door)

Finishing:

  • We recommend using a qualified painter to prepare and paint your joinery.
  • If Abbott’solutely Timber Joinery’s windows and doors are treated with a temporary protective coating (wood dressing), which is designed to help prevent soiling during construction, protection will be provided for up to 3 months dependent upon prevailing weather conditions.
  • Timber treated with a wood dressing should not be coated with a stain until a weathering and seasoning period of 4 weeks has elapsed.
  • Exterior finishes must be used on external joinery.
  • Do not use dark colours if the products are exposed to direct sunlight. This will void your warranty.
  • Any doors exposed to direct sunlight need to be finished in light reflective colours to reduce head absorption.
  • Properly prepared timber surfaces absorb finishing materials more easily. Prior to finishing timber products, lightly sand the surfaces with fine sandpaper. Remove dust particles with a soft dry rag.
  • Painting must include a minimum of one coat of primer, one coat of undercoat and two coats of enamel colour. For sealed joinery, one coat of primer and two coats of oil based sealant or varnish are required. We recommend Sikkens Cetol HLS and Cetol Filter 7 for sealing.
  • As per Australian Standard AS1909-1984, always paint or seal the top, bottom and sides of doors, windows or frames and under hardware e.g. hinges, drop bolts, locks and handles. Any area of exposed endgrain must be sealed or painted with as many coats as the joinery faces. Doors require sealing immediately after hanging. Please check your stain or paint manufacturer’s directions for drying time between coats.
  • Do not paint balancer ropes (if present), weather-stripping, gaskets, interlocks, silicon beads or any other moving parts.
  • Do not allow painted surfaces to come in contact with other surfaces until thoroughly dry.

Ongoing maintenance:

  • Under normal wear conditions joinery should be repainted/resealed every 3 to 5 years by a qualified painter.
  • In areas of high exposure to the elements (coastal or riverside areas, or exposed to more than 2 hours of direct sunlight per day) more frequent maintenance will be required. Please check with your paint supplier for a lifetime maintenance program
  • Glass and timber may be scratched during cleaning. Make sure cleaning rags have not picked up any grit, remove rings from your fingers and be careful with scraping devices. Wash down timber surfaces with a soft cloth and mild detergent. Rinse off residue with clean water. Don’t use solvents.
  • Be aware of excessive condensation as this can cause structural deterioration and the possibility of mould growth.
  • Door and window hardware will require appropriate cleaning and weather proofing, depending on the level of exposure. Please refer to the hardware manufacturers recommendations or contact us with any questions. Please note that stainless steel fittings are NOT ALWAYS marine grade and must be treated with a corrosive preventative, especially in seaside or highly exposed locations. To prevent staining of stainless steel fixtures, regular cleaning with mild detergent or soap and water is recommended.
  • Brassware if fitted is supplied polished and clear lacquered to provide a clear protection to the polished surface. Regular dusting with a soft cloth and occasional application of a good quality furniture polish will help prolong the life of the lacquer. On no account should abrasive metal polishes or agents be used as they will remove the lacquer.
  • Keep bottom tracks clean, wipe with a cloth and use a dry silica based lubricant if required, lightly grease top tracks and oil hinges. This will ensure a smooth action and increase the lifespan of the hardware.
  • Insulating, low-e or heat reflective glasses require specific maintenance to ensure their complete effectiveness. Contact Abbott’solutely Timber Joinery for our glass supplier’s instructions.
  • Some of Abbott’solutely Timber Joinery’s products have simple drainage or weep systems. These water drainage pathways must be kept clear and clean for the window or door to operate correctly. It is normal for water to accumulate in the sill or track area with wind driven rain. The water is intended to drain to the outside and requires a clean pathway.
  • Protect and/or cover Abbott’solutely Timber Joinery products during cleaning process to prevent acid contact. If acid does come into contact with unit, immediately wash all surfaces with clean water.

Replacing Broken Glass:

  • In most cases, it is easier and more economical to replace the entire window sash, rather than the glass.
  • If a window pane is broken, for safety, always cover the damaged area, and cover the floors to
    avoid damage from falling glass. Then, consult a qualified glazier.
  • Make sure the replacement glass has the same energy performance as the pane being replaced.