No matter how much you guard them, window frames take a beating from Mother Nature. Wood frames rot from prolonged exposure to dampness and are delectable to termites. Simple exposure to sun creates cracks over time. Even blowing dust wears away finishes.
Repainting wooden frames every three to five years, depending on your prevailing weather conditions, will preserve them. Also, yearly maintenance, such as filling cracks with putty and caulking the edges, will go a long way toward protecting them. To restore spots that are not badly damaged, take a screwdriver and clean out any rotted wood. Fill cracks or holes with wood or epoxy putty, building up layers, if need be. Soak with wood preservative, allow to dry, and then sand smooth, prime, and paint.
Even vinyl and aluminum windows, though impervious to rotting, need a little basic care. You can scrub them with a natural bristle brush and detergent solution. If you have anodized aluminum frames (the silvery color), you can restore their luster by polishing them with fine steel wool and then coating them with paste wax.
