How to Clean KAPO Windows: Professional Wood-Alu Care

KAPO has been building windows in Austria's Pöllauer Tal since 1927. Wood and wood-aluminium, handcrafted in Styria, sold direct from the manufacturer, 100% Austrian production.

What makes KAPO different from most windows, and different to clean, is the two-material design. A warm wood interior and a weather-resistant aluminium exterior, each with its own cleaning requirements.

The Two-Material Challenge

Most windows are one material throughout. KAPO gives you three distinct surfaces on every window.

Wood interior finished with lacquers or stains. These finishes can be damaged by harsh chemicals, prolonged water contact, or abrasive cleaning.

Aluminium exterior powder-coated for weather resistance. KAPO's handbook warns that bird excrement is aggressive enough to attack coatings if left.

Glass follows the same professional cleaning principles as any premium window.

What KAPO Recommends, From "Der Gepflegte Umgang"

Glass care: KAPO recommends mild, pH-neutral cleaning products. Any abrasion like steel wool, scouring pads, or razor blades could damage your glass.

Wood care: KAPO's approach is built around their Pflegeset, "Pflegen statt Streichen" (care instead of repainting). Applied twice per year, it cleans, refreshes, and protects.

Aluminium care: Lukewarm water with a mild, pH-neutral cleaner. Soft cloth. No abrasive products.

Hardware care: Only use acid-free, resin-free oil or technical vaseline. Never use silicone, rust removers, or general-purpose lubricants.

What I Add: The Glass Cleaning Workflow for KAPO

Protect the wood during glass cleaning

When agitating the glass with soap water, be mindful of where that water contacts the wood frame. Detail the edges between glass and frame BEFORE squeegeeing.

Stop the squeegee before the wood

When squeegeeing, stop the blade a few millimetres before it contacts the wood frame. Use your rag to detail the final strip.

KAPO's window range affects your approach

Dreh-Kipp-Fenster (tilt-turn): The tilt function creates drainage paths that need clearing.

Kastenstockfenster (box-frame): Two sets of glass to clean.

Sprossenfenster (mullioned): Mullions create multiple small glass panes. Smaller squeegee channels work better.

Bogenfenster (arched): The curved frame requires careful squeegee control at the arch.

The Complete KAPO Care Routine

Step 1: Vacuum drainage channels and brush down frames and glass. Step 2: Clean the glass with professional technique. Step 3: Clean the aluminium exterior. Step 4: Treat the wood interior with KAPO Pflegeset. Step 5: Lubricate hardware with acid-free, resin-free oil. Step 6: Inspect seals.

Cleaning Frequency

Glass: Minimum twice per year. Wood care (Pflegeset): Twice per year. Aluminium exterior: Twice per year. Hardware lubrication: At least once per year.

KAPO themselves say: "Bester Service, da Kapo." Their windows deserve care that matches their quality.