Window fitting grease

Windows are made up of several basic elements that work together to provide functionality, insulation and aesthetics.

The main elements of a typical window are:

• The window frame (jamb) is the main part of the window, mounted in the wall of the building, to which the window sashes are attached. It is most often made of wood, PVC, aluminum or steel.
• A window sash is a movable part of a window that can be opened and closed. It can also be made of wood, PVC, aluminum or composites.
• The glass (glazing) can be a single-pane, double-pane or recently most often triple-pane element offering the best insulation and soundproofing.
• Seals are elements used around the edges of a window to ensure tightness, acoustic and thermal insulation, and protection against water and dust.
• Window fittings include elements such as: hinges, handles, grips, tilt-and-turn mechanisms, and locks and bolts.

Other window elements that determine its quality and include: frame and casement profiles that give shape and structure to the window, glazing beads that secure the panes in the casement frame, ensuring their stability and tightness, ventilation profiles and systems that allow for controlled ventilation of rooms without the need to open the window. Sometimes window sills are also included in the window structure.

Since today we are dealing with window fittings grease, it is necessary to discuss it briefly.

Window fittings are metal mounting elements used in windows, which ensure their functionality, safety and the ability to open and close. Window fittings include, among others:

• Hinges : allow the window to be opened and closed.
• Handles and knobs : are used to manipulate the window, allowing it to be opened, closed and tilted.
• Locks and bolts : ensure security by preventing unauthorized opening of the window.
• Tilt and turn mechanisms : allow the window to be tilted or turned for ventilation.
• Hooks and locks : stabilize the window in the selected position

Do all windows have fittings?

Not every window has hardware. Window hardware is typical of modern windows that require mechanisms to open, close, tilt, and provide security. However, there are types of windows that may not have hardware, for example:

Fixed windows : windows that do not open and therefore do not require hinges, handles or other mechanisms.

Traditional windows : some older structures may use simpler solutions that do not require modern fittings.

However, most modern windows in residential and commercial buildings are equipped with fittings because they ensure convenience of use and safety.

Do window fittings require lubrication?

Yes, window hardware requires regular lubrication. Lubricating your window hardware is important to ensure its longevity and smooth, quiet operation. Here are some reasons why lubricating your hardware is important:

• Increased service life: Regular lubrication reduces friction and wear on moving fitting parts, extending their service life.
• Improved functionality: Lubrication ensures smooth opening, closing and tilting of windows without jamming.
• Corrosion Protection: The lubricant creates a protective barrier that prevents metal fittings from rusting, especially in humid conditions.
• Noise reduction: Reducing friction between moving parts of fittings makes windows operate more quietly.

Lubrication of window fittings requires the following steps:

• Choosing the right grease. It is best to use specialist greases designed for window fittings, such as silicone, Teflon or lithium greases and special lubricating pastes.
• Cleaning the fittings : Before lubricating, clean the fittings from dust, dirt and old grease. This can be done with a soft cloth and mild detergent.
• Applying grease : Apply grease to all moving parts of the fittings, including hinges, locks, bolts and tilt-and-turn mechanisms. A few drops of grease on each spot are usually sufficient.
• Distributing the grease: After applying the grease, move the window several times (opening and closing) to evenly distribute the grease over all moving parts.
• Periodic lubrication : Lubrication should be carried out at least once a year, and in the case of frequent use of windows even more often, especially when using aerosol lubricants. If we use the highest quality lubricants or paste, the lubrication period is significantly longer, but the price of such lubricant is much higher.

Taking care of your fittings by regularly lubricating them will ensure their smooth operation and extend the life of the entire window.

Sliding surfaces and friction contacts in window fittings are exposed to high loads, requiring "clean" lubrication, especially at low speeds and as a lubricant for slower movements. The basic requirements we set for window fitting grease are optimal lubrication of fitting elements, excellent adhesion to surfaces while protecting against dirt and dust adhesion. Reduction of friction and elimination of squeaking, as well as maintenance of door and window fittings and lock bolts and other moving elements are features I do not even mention.

All of the above requirements will be met by Molykote D paste, which contains a high concentration of solid lubricants dispersed in oil, lubricants and preservatives. This grease-paste design ensures that even if the carrier oil is squeezed out under load or removed under the influence of temperature, the contained solids create and maintain a strong lubricating film on both metal and polymer surfaces.

According to the manufacturer's data sheet, Motykote D paste ensures:

• prevention of stress corrosion cracking, pitting, seizure and stick-slip,
• has releasing and sealing properties,
• it is waterproof, which means that even in high humidity conditions it has all the parameters,
• the friction coefficient is constant throughout the entire service life (thread µ: 0.13, nut µ: 0.08)
• Resistance to ageing means that many manufacturers use such pastes on the so-called zero assembly, i.e. during product production.

Molykote D paste protects fittings at temperatures from -25°C to +250°C and exceeding these parameters causes only a slight reduction in the paste parameters.

Full parameter data can be found on the distributor's website https://sklepsmary.pl/products/rd-0-05kg .

Remember that wherever thin-film or aerosol lubrication of window fittings or other moving mechanisms or locks is not possible, we recommend using a white universal lubricating paste – Molykote D.

Molykote D is used in a wide range of industries, including automotive, aerospace, chemical, food, household and many others, which proves its versatility.