Applying a finish to your product in a timely fashion is extremely important. A high-quality finish will help protect your windows and doors from the elements as well as enhance their beauty. As with any effort, proper preparation will go a long way toward achieving the desired results.

The following are specific instructions for typical finish applications:
Finishing the interior
* Stain Finish

The use of a high-quality pre-stain wood conditioner before staining the interior or exterior of your windows or doors is strongly recommended. Using a pre-stain wood conditioner helps to ensure even stain coverage, penetration, and consistency. Before staining, apply the conditioner in the direction of the wood grain per the manufacturer’s instructions.

Use a high-quality stain and apply per the manufacturer’s instructions. Follow this with at least two coats of a high-quality clear coat to ensure a proper seal. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for drying time and sanding between coats. It may be possible for the stain to seep unevenly between the glass and the backside of the wood glazing bead. Small voids or gaps can occur due to inherent variation in the glass or wood bead surfaces. If stain is applied heavily, it may accumulate in and about the joint between the glass and the wood bead. This can be unsightly when viewed from the exterior side of the window, mainly if a dark stain is applied. Care to the wood should be taken to minimize this possibility. In these areas, apply stain in several lighter coats, possibly using a brush rather than applying heavily with a spray or rag.

* Paint Finish
• Apply two coats of high-quality paint and lap your finish coat onto the glass 1/16”.
• Natural finish Apply a minimum of two coats of a high-quality, clear coat finish. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for drying time and sanding between coats.

Cleaning and Maintaining the Exterior Finish of All-Wood Windows and Doors 
To clean the exterior of your all-wood windows and doors, follow the paint manufacturer’s recommendations. Do not use abrasive or caustic cleaners or solvents.
Important: Do not use high-pressure nozzles or power washers on your windows and doors. High-pressure nozzles and power washers can damage the finish, the watertight glass seal, and the weather-stripping.
The condition of the exterior finish on all-wood exterior windows and doors should be carefully inspected at least twice a year. If the windows or doors are in a seacoast location, have been painted a dark color, or are directly exposed to sunlight, inspect more frequently, as dictated by environment and exposure.
The finish on your all-wood exterior windows and doors must be maintained to protect the wood and the glass seal. Check your exterior finish for cracking, chipping, or peeling. These conditions can lead to deterioration of the timber and premature failure of your windows or doors. 

Important: Deterioration that occurs due to improper or insufficient maintenance is not covered by your Ventsam Sash and Doors Limited Warranty. 

Refinish as often as necessary to preserve the protective quality of the finish. Windows and doors installed near a seacoast or in an extreme environment will require more frequent inspection and maintenance. Such exposure can reduce the life expectancy of window and door units if not adequately maintained.

It is crucial that the sealant/caulking remains intact and in good condition at all times. Pay particular attention to the glass seal, caulking at the lower corners of windows, and joints between windows in mulled combinations (a grouping of windows). The sealant material should not be cracked, broken, or missing. These conditions can cause premature failure of the window and doors. Remove cracked sealant, clean joint, and cap bead as required to form a continuous, unbroken seal.

Inspect the sealant/caulking around the perimeter of your windows and doors where the frames meet the siding. This sealant/caulking forms a watertight seal between the window/door frame and the exterior siding to keep wind and water from penetrating the walls. Sealant with any sign of deterioration must be replaced.

It is essential to check and replace weather-strip periodically. Weather-strip has a limited lifespan and can become brittle with age, diminishing the effectiveness of the seal between the sash and frame.

Condensation occurs when warm, moisture-laden air comes in contact with a cold surface. The cold surface causes the moisture in the air to condense upon it. This occurrence typically becomes most noticeable during the autumn and winter months as outside temperatures become frigid. Moisture will appear on the relatively cooler surfaces inside the home, including, but not limited to, window and door glass. While it is not a sign of a window or door leak, condensation can be a real problem.

Persistent condensation on your windows and doors is an indication of excessive moisture in the home. Excessive moisture can lead to physical damage to the interior of your home, including the windows and doors. It may also lead to the growth of mold and mildew.

A variety of factors can contribute to moisture levels in a home:

• Closing up the house after a humid summer can trap absorbed moisture inside. This moisture will dry out after the first few weeks of the heating season.
• Building materials used in new construction, such as lumber, paint, and plaster, release moisture as they dry. They raise the humidity level temporarily, which becomes noticeable the first time the heat is turned on. New building materials will dry and are not usually a factor after the first heating season.
• Steps to increase the air-tightness of your home almost always raise humidity levels because of reduced air exchange between indoors and outdoors.
• Extreme drops in outside temperature can cause temporary condensation problems.
• Washing and drying clothes, cooking, and bathing add to humidity levels.
• Plants and flowers require water and release moisture.
• Curtains and drapes can block airflow near windows and doors. Adequate airflow helps remove moisture from glass surfaces.
• Attics and crawl spaces that are not vented will allow humidity to invade the home.
• Controlling condensation is a matter of reducing the moisture inside your home. The most effective way to reduce condensation is to provide adequate ventilation so that humid air can be exchanged for drier outside air. Using exhaust fans when cooking or bathing and allowing fresh air into your home will help reduce moisture levels.

For additional information on controlling condensation, check the Window and Door Manufacturers Association website at www.wdma.com.