Europe · Window Manufacturer
K&K Windows — Window Cleaning Guide
🇮🇪 Ireland · Last reviewed by Justin Orloff
Quick Facts
Founded
1995
HQ
Gorey, Co. Wexford, Ireland
Materials
uPVC, aluminium
Specialty
Large-scale fabrication for residential and commercial
Market
Leinster residential and commercial; wider Ireland
Brand at a Glance
- One of Ireland's largest uPVC and aluminium window fabricators, operating from Wexford since 1995
- State-of-the-art factory supplying residential and commercial projects across Leinster
- uPVC and aluminium systems across the full range of Irish residential and commercial building types
Product Range
- uPVC casement, tilt-and-turn and sliding windows for residential development and retrofit
- Aluminium windows and curtain wall systems for commercial applications
- uPVC and aluminium entrance, patio and bifold door systems
- Commercial glazing packages for new build and refurbishment projects
Why This System
K&K's scale as a Wexford-based fabricator means they supply large volumes of windows to residential developments across Leinster - their products are common on new housing estates in Dublin commuter counties, Wicklow, Carlow and Wexford itself. For window cleaners serving these areas, K&K systems are a frequent encounter. Their commercial range adds curtain wall and larger glazing units to the mix, with different cleaning requirements to domestic casement windows.
Wexford and the south-east Irish coast are exposed to both the Irish Sea to the east and Atlantic weather systems that track across from the south-west. Salt air exposure is significant, and wind-driven rain onto south and west-facing elevations is the dominant weather load. uPVC frames on K&K installations in coastal Wexford accumulate salt deposits and organic grime at a rate that requires professional cleaning to maintain appearance and drainage function. New housing developments in Leinster commuter counties can also carry construction dust residue on frames for the first year after handover.
Step 1 of 2: Manufacturer Recommendations
Official Care Guidance
Step 2 of 2: The Orloffs Protocol
The Orloffs Protocol
This is how I clean K&K Windows windows. The tools and technique below come from 25 years of daily professional work on the glass. Every step has been tested on real installations and adapted specifically for K&K Windows systems.
Pro Tools
My daily tool list. This is what I carry to every job.
Follow these steps in order. Each one builds on the last. This is the same sequence I use on every K&K Windows installation.
- 1
Preparation -- before any water touches the glass
Fill the bucket with at least 10 litres of water. Add soap for cleaning power -- enough to cut through environmental deposits, not so much you are fighting foam.
Before touching the glass, brush down the surface to remove loose dust, spiderwebs, and debris. Any grit left on the glass during the wash phase risks scratching during agitation.
Check the aluminium frame condition before you start. Confirm which cleaning product is safe for that surface before opening any bottle.
Cover anything below the windows that cannot be moved.
- 2
Agitation -- apply and work the solution
Dip the microfiber T-bar completely into the soap water, both sides. Remove excess water with your hand so it does not drip. Apply the solution across the entire glass surface with overlapping passes.
The goal is to fully dissolve and release every deposit from the glass surface. Anything not released during agitation gets transported across the glass by the squeegee as a smear.
For stubborn spots -- insect marks, salt residue, environmental deposits -- re-apply soap water and allow it to soak for a full minute before agitating again. Use more soap water, not more pressure.
For panels above arm reach: attach the T-bar to an extension pole. Work in sections -- top first, then middle, then bottom -- keeping each section wet until you squeegee it.
Rinse the T-bar cover regularly during the job. A dirty applicator causes microscopic scratches that accumulate over time.
- 3
Detail the frame edge before squeegeeing
Use your 100% cotton towelling rag, finger pressed into the fabric, to work into every junction and remove pooled soap water before the squeegee pass.
This prevents drips running down onto already-cleaned areas during squeegeeing and keeps soap water out of drainage channels.
On KK Windows aluminium frames, pay particular attention to the bottom edge where glass meets the frame sill -- water pooled here runs into drainage openings and leaves residue over time.
- 4
The squeegee
Tilt the squeegee at a slight angle so soap water spills from one side of the channel only -- not both. If the rubber is jumping or squeaking, either the rubber is not lubricated enough or the glass surface has warmed.
Cutting in: start with the rubber blade making first contact on a dry edge of the glass.
Side to side: horizontal passes across the panel. Works well on wide sections. Top to bottom: vertical passes down the panel. Works well on tall narrow sections.
The J tune: one smooth unbroken motion top to bottom, wrist rotating at each end to reverse without lifting the rubber. The most efficient method on larger panels -- but it requires training before applying it to premium glass.
Wipe the rubber dry after every pass. Overlap each stroke by 2-3 cm.
- 5
Final edge detailing
After squeegeeing, there is always a residual line of water along the bottom edge and at the panel sides. Take a dry cotton rag, fold to a clean corner, and detail these edges in one smooth pass.
On KK Windows frames, the bottom edge where glass meets the sill requires the most careful attention. Water left here runs into drainage and leaves residue that affects the next clean.
Rotate the rag to a clean section after every pass. If the rag picks up grit at any point, replace it immediately.
- 6
Frame wipe and hardware check
On KK Windows powder-coated aluminium frames: use pH-neutral cleaner only, never abrasive pads or steel wool. Dry immediately after wiping.
Check that all drainage openings are clear and unobstructed. Water must be able to flow freely -- a blocked channel leads to accumulation that affects seal performance over time.
Operate every opening window through its full range. Stiff handles or resistance at locking points indicate hardware that needs lubrication. Flag it to the owner rather than forcing it.
Pro Tips
- On new Leinster housing developments, the first clean often involves construction residue - silicone smear, paint splash and sticker adhesive - as well as normal grime. Price this work separately from ongoing maintenance cleaning.
- South-east facing elevations in Wexford catch the most sun as well as the most weather - UV discolouration appears faster on uPVC frames here than on sheltered north-facing elevations, making regular cleaning more important for appearance maintenance.
- K&K commercial curtain wall installations require a wider squeegee than residential work - carry an 18-inch blade for commercial visits to reduce stroke count on large glass panels.
What NOT To Do
- Do not use cream cleaners or abrasive wipes on K&K uPVC frames - surface damage is irreversible and voids the frame appearance warranty.
- Do not skip drainage clearing on coastal visits - blocked weep holes on Wexford coastal properties allow salt-laden water to pool behind frames and accelerate seal failure.
- Do not clean in heavy Irish drizzle - mist deposits on freshly cleaned glass before it can be finished, creating a film that is harder to remove than the original grime.
Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations
Bundle Kit
Cleaning Frequency
Every 8 weeks for inland Leinster residential properties. Wexford coastal properties: every 6 weeks. Commercial glazing: monthly or per contract specification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Field Notes
“Gorey and the north Wexford coast sit at the junction of Irish Sea and south-east Atlantic exposure - a combination that accelerates salt accumulation on west and south-east facing frames compared to most Irish inland locations. K&K uPVC frames on coastal properties in Courtown, Kilmuckridge and Blackwater regularly show salt tide marks at the bottom rail after storms. These need a longer soak with cleaning solution and a second wipe rather than a single pass. For Leinster commuter county work on new estates, build a relationship with developers - K&K supply large volumes to new builds and a developer referral covers a whole estate rather than individual houses.”
Justin Orloff
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