Care & Operation FAQs

Clean door glass and frames with a mixture of mild dish soap* and water. Abrasive or caustic cleaners or solvents are never recommended because they might cause permanent damage to the frame finish. Mild, nonabrasive soaps* are usually safest for most dirt and stain removal.

*Ivory® is an example of mild dish soap. Always test cleaners in an inconspicuous area first. Mr. Clean Magic Erasers are also great for cleaning frames.

You can clean the glass with any common household glass cleaner or mild detergent. Do NOT use any petroleum-based cleaner or solvent. We recommend using a soft cloth, but a paper towel is fine. You should not add any attachments to the window or glass without the manufacturer’s approval. Doing so may void the warranty.

Clean door frames with a mixture of mild dish soap* and water. Abrasive or caustic cleaners or solvents are never recommended because they might cause permanent damage to the frame finish. Mild, nonabrasive soaps* are usually safest for most dirt and stain removal. Always rinse completely with clear water and wipe dry. Check to make certain that drainage or “weep” holes in the bottom of the frame are always clear of dirt and obstructions.

*Ivory® is an example of mild dish soap. Always test cleaners in an inconspicuous area first. Mr. Clean Magic Erasers are also great for cleaning frames.

Regular wiping with a water dampened cloth will remove dirt and debris. However, if you wish to do a more thorough cleaning, you can use a combination of water and mild dish detergent.* Be sure to rinse and dry the door when completed.

*Ivory® is an example of a mild dish soap. Always test cleaners in an inconspicuous area first.

Sliding Doors It’s a good idea to keep the track system of your sliding door clean and free of debris. If you notice a buildup of residue on the stainless steel guide rail, clean it using a wet towel or use a non-greasy silicone spray (do not use WD40). CRC Silicone spray in a red can is preferred. During extended periods of time when the door will not be in use, it’s a good idea to keep the screen door in the open position.

When closing the door to lock, use your hand on the vertical center stile to ensure the door closes firmly and resists bounce back from the weather-stripping on the frame of the door. When using the blind systems do not rush the operation. Moving the blinds in a rapid motion can damage the blind system.

Entry Doors Over time, dirt and debris may collect on the surfaces of your entry door. Normal dusting or wiping with a water dampened cloth will remove this accumulation. On stained doors, applying a clear coat every 2 years will help preserve the depth of color. Inspect your weather-stripping and replace if necessary. Ensure all hinge screws are tightened. Check the caulk around and on your door system for peeling or cracking and re-caulk if necessary.

Like all doors, Sunrise patio and entry doors also need regular cleaning to look their best. But don’t worry—we’ve done all we can to minimize the time and effort you’ll spend doing so.

How often you’ll need to clean exterior doors boils down to preference and local weather conditions. Most doors benefit from a quick wipe-down once every month and a thorough wash once every year.

Sunrise patio and entry doors require very little maintenance, but it’s a good idea to check them more frequently as they age. It also helps to do a thorough inspection of all exterior doors during your spring and fall cleaning.

Unpainted vinyl sliding doors will never need painting or touch-ups as the vinyl is impregnated with the color. Paint on vinyl sliding doors is warranted for 20 years.

Paint on entry doors is warranted for 10 years. Stained doors should be clear-coated every two years to help protect the depth of color.

Sunrise Doors are designed to perform and built to be durable and should require very little maintenance or service. However, if you do have any kind of service issue, you should contact the local dealer/installer you purchased the door from. They will be able to order service parts for your Sunrise product.

If your dealer is out of business, you can contact us via our website and a service technician will contact you with information regarding ordering parts. In accordance with our Warranty, Sunrise ships your parts to the closest dealer to you at no charge. If you choose to have it shipped to your home address then there will be a shipping charge that depends on which part has been shipped out. Sometimes, other Sunrise dealers will perform services for dealers that are no longer in business. In situations such as this, the Sunrise Dealer performing the service may charge the homeowner a fee to perform this service.

Indoor moisture is caused by a variety of factors, including cooking, showering, running dishwashers, air conditioning or heat, pets, fish tanks, plants, clothes dryers that are not vented properly, even breathing.

While some humidity is necessary for health and comfort, chronic and excessive condensation should be tipping you off to take some action before serious, costly damage occurs.

Is water beading or ice forming on the inside surface of your windows? This is a sign that there is excess humidity in your home. Humidity — water vapor mixed with air — is drawn to the coolest surfaces, such as your window. Cool air cannot hold as much moisture as warm air, so windows and doors often collect this moisture and make it visible. A surface that is cooler than room temperature is more likely to show condensation. 

This may indicate a seal failure, and you should contact your Sunrise Window dealer, as this is covered by your warranty.

Each insulated unit is a sealed atmosphere, and the air in this atmosphere becomes layered, just as in any closed space. Warm air rises and since humidity is attracted to cooler air, condensation will often show near the bottom of the glass.

There are several ways to tell if the condensation on your windows or doors is temporary. Does condensation usually form:

• During baths and showers, cooking, dishwashing, laundry, or other steam-producing occasions?
• During the start of each heating season? Houses absorb moisture during humid summers. This will dry out after a few weeks of heating.
• During sharp temperature changes? Sudden drops in temperature, especially during the heating season, can create temporary condensation.
• During new construction or remodeling? Building materials contain a great deal of moisture. When the heat is turned on, this moisture will flow into the air inside the home. It usually will disappear after the first heating season.

Excess moisture in your home may eventually cause problems. It may be time to take action if you notice the following signs in your house:

• Condensation remains on windows or doors throughout the day, even when the outside temperature has warmed up.
• Condensation is forming and running down the walls. It may also be causing discoloration, staining, peeling wallpaper and blistering paint.
• The air smells musty — this could indicate mold, mildew, or in the worst cases, rot — or odors from everyday household activities that linger too long. Odors increase in intensity with high relative humidity.

Mold, mildew, rot and/or decay are visible. Mold and mildew thrive in most areas and can cause health and house damage.

Interior condensation forms on the inside pane of the glass within your home. It usually forms in the winter, especially at the beginning of the heating season. As the outside temperature drops, the inside surface will also get cooler; therefore, condensation will form at lower relative humidity on cold days. The colder the air outside, the more likely condensation is to occur.

There are many ways you can easily control interior condensation. See the Reducing Condensation page for ways to decrease the occurrence of this kind of condensation.

Conversely, exterior condensation, which forms on the outside pane of the window, typically occurs in the summer. This type of condensation can occur for several reasons: the glass temperature drops below the dew point temperature of the outside air, the air is still, there is a high relative humidity, there is a clear night sky, or there are plants located near your window or door.

Exterior condensation usually evaporates as the day wears on and will not affect the interior of your home. Since you cannot control the relative humidity outside your home, the only step you can take to combat exterior condensation is to warm the inside surface of the window or door, as this is a way to warm the outside surface. Seeing exterior condensation on those rare days should be reassurance that your windows and doors are doing their job: keeping your heating and cooling in your home where it belongs and saving you money.

Improper temperature and humidity can cause comfort and health concerns. Warm, humid environments encourage the growth of molds and fungi, which can lead to allergic reactions. Dry environments can irritate sinus linings and can progress to a sinus infection. The best way to combat this is to achieve the appropriate balance of temperature and moisture in your home. See the table under the next question for guidance.

The humidity level that should be maintained in your home during the winter varies with the outside temperature. The colder it is outside, the lower the humidity level must be inside your home. All major manufactures of humidifiers list the recommended humidity settings based on outside temperatures. The following guideline is recommended by every major manufacturer of windows, doors and humidifiers.

Northern and Midwest Regions of the U.S., or those places where the average January temperature is 35° F or colder, tend to have more occurrences of condensation. The greater the extremes between outdoor and indoor temperatures, the more likely moisture will become visible on your windows.

Bay, bow, and garden windows often create opportunities for condensation to show because air circulation is frequently limited and their protrusion from the insulated house wall generally makes them a few degrees cooler. Heavy window treatments also limit airflow and increase the likelihood of condensation.

Now that you know the what and why of condensation, it’s time to learn how to reduce the conditions that cause it, especially if you are concerned about the effects of that excess moisture on your home and health.

1. Reduce Moisture Sources
   • Stop or severely limit the use of humidifiers, or adjust them to the appropriate setting.
   • Run a dehumidifier if needed.
   • If you care for a lot of plants, group them in one sunny room and avoid over watering.
   • Have your gas appliances checked. Malfunctioning gas appliances can deliver excessive water vapor into the air along with more dangerous contaminants. Be sure you have a carbon monoxide alarm.
   • Store firewood outside.
   • Eliminate plumbing leaks.
   • Don’t air-dry clothes indoors.
   • Correct grading and drainage problems around exterior of your home.
2. Increase Ventilation
   • Open a window or door for a few minutes each day, particularly after showering/bathing, laundry, and cooking. Heat loss will be minimal.
   • Run kitchen, bathroom, and other fans longer and more often.
   • Improve or add a ventilation system in your home through attic, roof and soffit venting. Ensure that everything vents to the outside.
   • Open blinds and drapes. Heavy window coverings restrict the flow of warm air over the interior glass surface.
   • Operate ceiling fans to improve air circulation.
3. Increase Air Temperature
   • Raise the temperature inside the house.
   • Insulate under the seat and over the head of bay, bow, and garden windows to keep the window area warmer.
   • Point warm-air supply ducts toward windows and doors or even use a fan for increased air circulation.

If you continue to have alarming condensation and other moisture problems and you have taken the steps above, it may be beneficial to consult a heating contractor specialist for further cures.