Over time, aluminum alloy doors and windows can sustain damage from exposure to wind, rain, and sunlight.
This may manifest as dust accumulating in the crevices of the doors, stains on the windows and doors, and other types of wear and tear.
It is particularly important to perform maintenance and repairs on aluminum alloy doors and windows at the end of the year.
This article will provide tips on proper maintenance to extend the lifespan of your aluminum alloy doors and windows.
Aluminum Alloy Doors and WindowsWhen cleaning aluminum alloy doors and windows, it is important to be mindful of the potential for damage. To avoid causing harm, never stand on the aluminum frame or use the door and window frame to support your weight. This is particularly crucial for those living in high-rise buildings, where any damage could pose a serious safety hazard. Instead, take steps to ensure your own safety, such as using a sturdy ladder and wearing slip-resistant shoes.
To clean aluminum alloy doors and windows effectively, use a soft cloth and either water or a neutral detergent. Avoid using detergent powder, toilet detergent, or any other strong acid-base cleaners, which can corrode the doors and windows over time. If you do encounter rain while cleaning, be sure to wipe off any rainwater on the wet glass and door and window frames promptly. Failure to do so could result in corrosion and damage to your aluminum alloy doors and windows.
By taking the time to clean your aluminum alloy doors and windows properly, you can help prolong their lifespan and ensure their continued performance. Remember to be gentle when opening and closing them, check vulnerable parts frequently for signs of wear and tear, and maintain the hardware accessories regularly. With the right care and attention, your aluminum alloy doors and windows will serve you well for years to come.
Checking for dust accumulation on the door frame is a good first step if your aluminum alloy doors and windows are difficult to open. Dust accumulation is a common cleaning issue, especially in the push-pull groove, and can cause damage that shortens the service life of your doors and windows. To clean it out, we recommend using a vacuum cleaner.
Regularly inspect the connection parts of your aluminum alloy doors and windows. Over time, these parts can become loose and cause the frame to deform, preventing proper closing and sealing of the doors and windows. Tighten loose screw footings immediately and use epoxy super glue to seal with a small amount of cement. Replace any damaged parts. Don’t forget to inspect and lubricate vulnerable parts like positioning shaft pins, wind braces, and floor springs to keep them clean and flexible for better performance.
To improve the airtightness of your aluminum alloy doors and windows, it’s important to check the sealing strips and glass glue. If you’ve noticed air leakage or reduced sealing performance, it may be time to inspect these components. Be sure to replace any loose or damaged strips or glue promptly with high-quality replacements, which can save you time and effort in the long run.
Aluminum Alloy Door and Window SealsTo maintain sliding doors and windows, regularly inspect all hardware parts for damage and promptly repair or replace any issues. If the chute has been in use for an extended period, consider applying a small amount of fire wax or engine oil to reduce friction and ensure easy and flexible opening and closing of the doors and windows.
Typically, premium aluminum alloy doors and windows cost 30% more than lower-quality options due to the increased production expenses. Therefore, obtaining top-quality aluminum is crucial for manufacturers of these products. For your aluminum profile needs, simply visit CHAL.
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Cleaning
Keeping aluminium doors, including their frames, clean, is vital in helping them to continue functioning correctly.
There’s no specialist cleaning products or solutions required, just water, a mild detergent, and a clean cloth or rag will work wonders.
However, it’s important to note that some aluminium doors and frames will come with manufacturing guidelines. In these instances, these guidelines, including care and maintenance instructions, must be followed for warranties and guarantees to remain intact.
Scratches
Sometimes (and very rarely might we add) aluminium can get scuffed and scratched.
For scuffs and small marks, non-abrasive liquid cream or paraffin cleaner should be used and will remove such marks effectively.
For deeper scratches found on the surface of the aluminium frame, oxidation can occur, which will then act as a seal on the exposed aluminium, preventing further corrosion from happening. Re-touching the paintwork in these cases can be carried out; however, we’d always recommend speaking and working with a professional first.
In each situation, these scuffs and scratches won’t affect the lifespan of the aluminium.
For those aluminium frames that have an anodised finish rather than painted, any marks that do make an appearance on this type of door or frame can be removed relatively easily using an ink rubber or eraser.
Bi-Fold and aluminium sliding doors
Due to their sleek design and sophisticated style, sliding and bi-fold aluminium doors have grown in popularity.
However, these doors do require a little extra maintenance because they use tracks, runners, or rollers, in order for them to open and close.
The tracks of these types of doors need to be kept clean and free from debris and dirt to ensure their functionality at all times.
To help:
Remove all debris and large items from the tracks i.e., pebbles, rubble, etc
Hoover the track regularly (we’d recommend once per month)
Lubricate the track now and then using a silicone spray.
Note: If your door is suffering a little wear and tear and not operating properly, and the above cleaning tips don’t make a difference, then you need a specialist team to help.
Locking Systems
The locking mechanisms on aluminium doors are designed to last and therefore require very little attention. However, lubricants can be used to help keep locks fresh and moving.
To keep the inside of the lock clean and lubricated, you can apply a little bit of oil to the key before use (we’d recommend this cleaning procedure every three months, helping to keep the locking cylinders clean and healthy).
In extreme external environments and weather conditions, extra care and attention may be required.
Cleaning substances to avoid
There are some solutions out in the market that doesn’t react well to aluminium and should be avoided at all costs.
These are mainly strong solvents containing:
Chlorine
Esters
Hydrocarbons
Ketones
(Ultimately, any product that is found to be particularly abrasive!)
Timescales
Cleaning timescales can be very subjective and dependent on several factors. In highly polluted areas we’d recommend a cleaning regime of every three months, for example. However, in rural areas and quiet residential areas, once per year can often be enough.
For things such as hinges, handles, friction stays restrictors, cylinders built-in hinges, etc. periodic maintenance should be carried out, again depending on how often the door is being used, the style of door, and where it is located.
Industrial cleans
Aluminium doors can have specialist cleaning and maintenance carried out if required, and these methods can be ideal for:
Face fixed closes
Tilt and turn windows or patio doors
Panic bars and exit devices
Gears on sliding doors
Magnetic locks
Top arms and bottom pivots
And more
Professional door suppliers and maintenance should be sought if you have:
Automatic doors (sliding or swing)
Floor swings
Window winding gear
Remote control systems
Glass doors with patch fittings
As the aluminium door and window specialists, Crucial Engineering is here to help. Available to answer your questions, as well as supply and install the perfect aluminium doors for you, we also carry out aluminium door repairs and regular maintenance checks too! Call 03451 930 420 for more information.