Aluminium window maintenance takes a few minutes a month and is the main reason some aluminium windows still look and work like new after decades while others stick, leak and fade. Aluminium does not rot or need painting, but the powder-coated finish, the seals, the drainage slots and the moving hardware all need a little care. This guide gives you a simple 8-step routine, a schedule, the right products and the mistakes to avoid.
When something has already gone wrong, see aluminium window repairs.
Looking after your windows is also what decides how long they last; see how long aluminium windows last. For step-by-step cleaning of particular windows, see how to clean aluminium windows.
In this guide
Why aluminium window maintenance matters
- The finish. Dust, pollution and salt left on powder coating dull it over time and, near the sea, can start to attack it.
- The seals. Rubber gaskets and the sealant around the frame keep out wind and water; dirt and sun wear them.
- The drainage. Every frame has slots at the bottom to let rain out. Blocked slots let water build up and leak inside.
- The hardware. Friction stays, hinges, rollers and locks wear faster when they are dirty and dry.
The 8-step aluminium window maintenance routine
1. Wash the frames
The first step in aluminium window maintenance is washing. Use warm water with a little mild dishwashing liquid and a soft cloth or sponge, then rinse with clean water and wipe dry. Work in the shade on a cool frame. Never use scourers, steel wool, abrasive powders or solvents such as thinners, which scratch or soften powder coating.
2. Clean the glass
Clean the glass with a soft cloth and a mild glass cleaner. Do not use a razor scraper on laminated safety glass; if something is stuck, soften it with warm soapy water first.
3. Clear the drainage slots
Clearing the drainage is the most important aluminium window maintenance job. Look along the outside bottom of each frame for small slots. Clear them with a soft brush or a pipe cleaner so rain can drain out. This one step prevents most leaks.
4. Vacuum the tracks
On sliding windows and doors, vacuum the bottom track and wipe it clean. Grit in the track is what makes a slider stiff and wears the rollers.
5. Lubricate the hardware
Good aluminium window maintenance keeps the moving parts working. Wipe the friction stays, hinges, rollers and lock mechanisms clean, then apply a little silicone spray or light oil to the moving parts and work them a few times. Wipe off any excess so it does not collect dust.
6. Check the seals
Look at the rubber gaskets around the glass and the sealant between the frame and the wall. Gaskets should be soft and in place; sealant should be unbroken. Have cracked or missing sealant replaced before the rains.
7. Tighten and adjust
Tighten loose handle and hinge screws. If a top hung sash no longer closes evenly, see top hung window not closing for the usual causes.
8. Protect the finish
Once a year, after cleaning, apply a restorer and protector made for powder-coated aluminium. It refreshes the look of the frames and helps protect the finish, especially on sunny and coastal elevations.
An aluminium window maintenance schedule
| Task | How often |
|---|---|
| Wipe frames and glass | Monthly |
| Vacuum tracks and clear drainage slots | Every 3 months |
| Lubricate stays, hinges, rollers and locks | Every 6 months |
| Check seals, sealant and fixings | Once a year |
| Apply a restorer and protector | Once a year |
| Rinse frames with fresh water near the coast | Every few weeks |
Products for aluminium window maintenance
We sell the RE-STORE care range for powder-coated aluminium windows and doors in our aluminium care shop, priced excluding VAT:
- RE-STORE Aluminium Cleaner, 250 ml, R688.20: for cleaning frames, sills and tracks.
- RE-STORE Aluminium Restorer & Protector, 250 ml, R688.20: use after cleaning to refresh the look and help protect the finish.
- RE-STORE Eezi-Off Adhesive Remover, 250 ml, R513: removes sticky residue left by protective tape and labels on new frames.
Always read the instructions on the bottle and test on a small, hidden area first. Apply with a soft cloth, out of direct sun, and buff dry.
Maintaining top hung and side hung windows
Top hung and side hung windows open on friction stays or hinges, which hold the sash at any angle. Keep the stays clean and lightly lubricated, and check that the screws holding them to the frame and sash are tight. A stay that has become too loose lets the sash flap in the wind; one that is too stiff strains the handle. Both are simple adjustments for an installer, and replacement stays are a standard part.
Signs your windows need attention
- Water on the inside sill after rain.
- A sash that has to be pushed or lifted to close.
- Draughts or whistling around a closed window.
- Chalky or faded patches on the frame finish.
- A handle or lock that has become loose or stiff.
Most of these come back to the basics of aluminium window maintenance: blocked drainage, dirty hardware or tired sealant, all easy to fix early.
Rental properties and estates
For landlords, body corporates and estate managers, a written aluminium window maintenance plan protects the building and avoids bigger repair bills. Add a window check to the annual inspection, clear drainage before the rainy season, and keep a few common parts, such as stays and handles, on hand. Asking tenants to report stiff or leaking windows early costs nothing and saves frames.
Maintaining sliding windows and doors
Sliding windows and doors need a little more attention than hinged windows, because the panels run on rollers in a track at the bottom of the frame.
- Vacuum the bottom track every month or two, and after building work or a dust storm.
- Wipe the track with a damp cloth, then dry it; do not oil the track itself, which attracts grit.
- Check that the brush seals along the meeting stiles are in place and not flattened.
- If a panel drags or jumps, clean the track first; if it still sticks, the rollers may need adjusting by your installer.
- Keep the drainage slots at the outside of the sill clear so storm water drains away.
Fly screens and burglar bars
Roll-up fly screens and aluminium burglar bars are part of aluminium window maintenance too. Brush or vacuum fly screen mesh, wipe the screen frames, and keep the head of each screen free of dust and insects so it rolls smoothly; guide it up with the handle rather than letting it spring back. Wipe burglar bars with the same mild soapy water as the window frames, and check their fixing screws once a year.
A seasonal checklist for South Africa
- Before the summer rains (September to October): clear every drainage slot, check the sealant around the frames and test that each sash closes tightly.
- After a storm: look for water at the bottom of frames and sills; clear any slot that has blocked.
- Before winter (April to May): lubricate stays, hinges and rollers so windows close firmly against draughts.
- After building or painting: remove protective tape, clean off cement and paint splashes with water while they are fresh, and clear the tracks.
South African standards for aluminium windows, such as SANS 613 for performance, are published by the SABS. A well-made window meets them when new; regular aluminium window maintenance keeps it that way.
Aluminium window maintenance near the coast
Aluminium window maintenance matters most near the sea. Salt air settles on frames and, left there, wears the finish faster. On the coast, rinse frames and hardware with fresh water every few weeks, wash them properly every month or two, and apply a protector at least once a year. Pay extra attention to the bottom rails and drainage slots, where salt and sand collect.
Mistakes to avoid
- Pressure washers force water past seals and can strip sealant; use a hose and a cloth.
- Abrasive cleaners and scourers scratch powder coating permanently.
- Solvents and thinners can soften the finish and damage gaskets.
- Leaving protective tape on after building work: it bakes on in the sun. Remove it once plastering and painting are done.
- Oiling dirty hardware: clean it first, or the oil turns grit into grinding paste.
- Painting over seals when painting walls; it stops them sealing.
When to call a professional
Call your installer or a glazier if a sash has dropped and will not close, a pane is cracked, water comes in even with clear drainage, or the sealant around the frame has failed. Small parts such as stays and handles can often be replaced without changing the window. If the window is beyond repair, our standard aluminium windows are priced online and made to order in 3 to 5 working days.
Aluminium window maintenance: frequently asked questions
How do I maintain aluminium windows?
Wash the frames with mild soapy water, clean the glass, clear the drainage slots, vacuum tracks, lubricate the hardware every six months, check the seals once a year and apply a protector to the finish.
How often should aluminium windows be maintained?
Wipe them monthly, clear tracks and drainage every three months, lubricate every six months and do a full check once a year. Near the coast, rinse with fresh water every few weeks.
What should I clean aluminium windows with?
Warm water, mild dishwashing liquid and a soft cloth, or a cleaner made for powder-coated aluminium such as RE-STORE Aluminium Cleaner. Avoid scourers and solvents.
Can I use a pressure washer on aluminium windows?
No. It can force water past the seals and damage the sealant. Use a hose and a soft cloth.
How do I remove tape residue from new aluminium frames?
Use a low-tack adhesive remover such as RE-STORE Eezi-Off, test it on a hidden area first, then clean the frame.
Should I oil the track of a sliding window?
No. Keep the track clean and dry; lubricate the rollers and locks instead. Oil in the track collects grit.
How long do aluminium windows last with maintenance?
Well-maintained aluminium windows can last for decades; the hardware and seals may need replacing along the way, but the frames rarely do.
Coetz™, Unit 2, 84 Ridge Road, Laser Park, Johannesburg. Call 010 412 0062, WhatsApp 076 613 4418 or use our contact page.
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