South Florida Is Hard on Windows
Salt air, humidity, UV radiation, and construction debris are facts of life in South Florida. Impact windows are built to handle all of it — but only if you maintain them. Neglect the maintenance and you will deal with corroding hardware, sticking sashes, failing seals, and a manufacturer warranty that no longer applies.
Here is the maintenance schedule that works in this climate.
Monthly — If You Live Near the Coast
ES Windows specifies in their official maintenance guidance that homeowners near the coast should clean their windows once per month. Inland, every four months is the minimum. In South Florida, if you are within a few miles of the water, monthly cleaning is not excessive — it is what the manufacturer recommends.
Rinse frames and glass with clean water to remove salt deposits before they can cause corrosion. Use a soft cloth or sponge — never abrasive pads. Pay particular attention to sill tracks, weep holes, and corners where salt accumulates fastest.
Every Four Months — Full Cleaning
This is the baseline ES Windows specifies for all products regardless of location, and it aligns with standard practice across all major South Florida impact window manufacturers.
Frames: Rinse first with clean water to remove loose debris. Then wash with a mild soap and water solution using a soft cloth. Rinse thoroughly and completely. Do not let soap residue sit on the frame — it attracts dirt and affects the finish over time. Never use a power washer or garden hose at pressure. High-pressure water forces its way into seals and weep holes designed to handle rain, not direct pressure at close range.
Glass: Use a non-abrasive glass cleaner or mild soap and water applied with a soft cloth or squeegee. Rinse completely. If your windows have a Low-E coating — standard on most ES Windows products and available on PGT WinGuard — do not use ammonia-based cleaners. Ammonia degrades the coating and reduces its thermal and UV performance over time. Windex and most standard household glass cleaners contain ammonia.
Screens: Remove screens carefully and lay them flat on a clean, level surface. Clean with mild soap and water using a soft brush. Rinse and allow to dry completely before reinstalling. Never lean screens against a wall or apply pressure to the mesh — screens are not impact-rated and will deform under pressure.
Tracks and Sills: Vacuum out debris from sill tracks and roller areas. Then wipe clean with a damp cloth. Clear weep holes — the small drainage slots at the bottom of the frame — every time you clean. Clogged weep holes are one of the most common causes of water intrusion in otherwise properly installed windows.
Twice Per Year — Hardware Inspection and Lubrication
Inspect all locking hardware, handles, rollers, and hinges. Look for corrosion, stiffness, or misalignment. In South Florida's salt air, hardware that goes unmaintained will corrode and eventually fail — often long before the window itself needs replacement.
Use the correct lubricant for each component. This matters.
For sill tracks and roller assemblies: use 3-IN-1 Dry Lubricant or an equivalent dry silicone spray. This product is specifically referenced in aluminum window and door manufacturer maintenance documentation. It goes on dry, leaves no residue, and does not attract dirt or debris the way wet lubricants do.
For door and window hinges: use white lithium grease applied with a straw applicator directly into seams and cracks. Work it into the hinge fully.
For casement window roto operators and arm gears: apply a thin coat of household oil to all exposed metal surfaces, then apply white lithium grease into the gear seams and cracks using the straw applicator.
For latch mechanisms and locks: use dry silicone spray into all seams and exposed areas. Ensure hardware is completely dry before use.
Do not use WD-40 on any impact window hardware. WD-40 is a water displacement solvent and degreaser — not a lubricant. In South Florida's salt air it strips existing lubrication, attracts dirt, and accelerates corrosion of the very hardware it is applied to.
Once Per Year — Perimeter Inspection
Inspect the caulking and sealant around the exterior perimeter of every window and door. PGT's warranty documentation states explicitly that caulking is a maintenance responsibility of the owner and is not covered under the product warranty. If you see cracks, gaps, or areas where caulking has pulled away from the frame or wall, replace it before rainy season.
Inspect weatherstripping on all operable windows and doors. If it is brittle, torn, or compressing unevenly, replace it. Failed weatherstripping leads to water and air infiltration — which affects comfort, energy efficiency, and your ability to document proper opening protection for insurance purposes.
After Every Storm
After any significant weather event, rinse all frames and glass with fresh water as soon as conditions allow. Salt water driven against windows during a storm will accelerate corrosion if left to sit. Clear all weep holes. Inspect perimeter sealants. Confirm all hardware is operating correctly and that no debris has lodged in tracks or frames.