Buying guide
How to clean and maintain aluminium windows and doors
Aluminium windows need very little care: they don't rot, rust or need painting. A few minutes every couple of months, and a quick check before the monsoon, keeps them sliding smoothly and sealing tight for decades. Here's the routine.
Cleaning the frames
- Use warm water with mild soap or a pH-neutral cleaner and a soft cloth or sponge.
- Avoid abrasive pads, scouring powder, acid or strong solvents: they can scratch or dull powder coating and anodising.
- Rinse and wipe dry, especially on dark colours, to avoid water marks.
- For wood-grain and textured finishes, wipe along the grain.
Tracks and sliding doors
- Vacuum the tracks first to lift dust and grit, then wipe them clean. Dust is the main enemy of rollers in Punjab and around construction.
- Don't oil or grease the tracks. Oil collects dust and turns into grinding paste. If a door feels heavy, clean the track; if it's still heavy, the rollers may need adjusting.
Drainage holes: check before the monsoon
The small slots in the bottom of the frame (drainage or weep holes) let rainwater out. If they're blocked by dust, leaves or insects, water collects in the track and can overflow into the room. Clear them with a soft brush or a thin plastic tool before the rains.
Hardware and locks
- A drop of silicone spray or light machine oil on hinges, locks and moving parts once or twice a year. Wipe off any excess.
- Check that handles and locks are firm. Loose handles usually just need their screws tightening.
Seals and gaskets
- Wipe rubber gaskets with a damp cloth; don't use solvents on them.
- Look for gaps, cracks or sections that have come out of their groove. Damaged gaskets can be replaced.
Glass and mesh
- Clean glass with a normal glass cleaner. Don't scrape coated glass with blades.
- Brush mesh gently and rinse with water. See our mosquito mesh guide.
A simple yearly checklist
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Every 1–2 months | Wipe frames; vacuum tracks. |
| Before the monsoon | Clear drainage holes; check seals; check the sealant around frames. |
| After the dusty season | Deep-clean tracks and mesh. |
| Once a year | Lubricate hardware; check locks, handles and roller adjustment. |
Something not working right? Doors that drag or windows that won't lock usually need a small adjustment. Our customers can call us any time, and we're happy to advise on windows we didn't install too.
