An Aluminium Doors

How To Clean Your Aluminium Doors And Windows

Aluminium doors and windows are a popular choice for homeowners, not just for their sleek modern aesthetics but also for their durability. However, like any valuable asset, they require regular maintenance to keep them looking and functioning at their best. In this blog, we’ll explore the importance of regular maintenance and guide you on how to clean and care for your aluminium surfaces.

The Importance of Regular Maintenance

Aluminium is known for its durability, but without proper care, even the toughest materials can degrade over time. Clean and well-maintained aluminium doors and windows can enhance the overall look of your home. Well-maintained fixtures also operate smoothly, ensuring security and energy efficiency. Moreover, regular maintenance helps combat the wear and tear caused by environmental factors.

Common Stains and Spots: Identifying the Causes

By recognising the reasons behind common stains and spots, you can take timely action to ensure the longevity and beauty of your aluminium doors and windows:

  • Water Spots: Often caused by rain, these spots can leave unsightly marks.
  • Dirt: It accumulates over time, especially in areas with high foot traffic or construction nearby.
  • Oxidation: It appears as a chalky residue and results from prolonged exposure to the elements.
  • Bird Droppings: These are not only unsightly but can also be harmful to surfaces.
  • Mould and Mildew: They thrive in damp conditions and can cause health issues if not addressed.

A Step-by-Step Process for Cleaning Aluminium Surfaces

Whether you’re dealing with the aftermath of harsh weather or everyday dust, follow these steps to restore your aluminium doors and windows:

Choosing the Right Tools

  • Opt for a gentle, non-abrasive cleaning solution.
  • Soft cloths or sponges are ideal.
  • Avoid anything that can scratch the surface.

Cleaning Process

  1. Start by dusting off any loose dirt or debris.
  2. Mix your cleaning solution with water, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
  3. Gently scrub the surface, paying attention to stained or soiled areas.
  4. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
  5. Dry with a soft cloth to prevent water spots.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Aluminium Care

  • Do: Use a mild detergent for general cleaning.
  • Do: Rinse your fixtures after cleaning to remove any detergent residue.
  • Don’t: Use abrasive pads as they can scratch and damage the surface.
  • Don’t: Use bleach or other harsh chemicals.
  • Do: Check the manufacturer’s instructions if in doubt.

Protecting Your Aluminium Doors and Widows from the Elements

From the salty air to the intense UV rays of the sun, weather can pose challenges to aluminium fixtures. It’s important to clean your fixtures regularly to remove salt deposits in coastal areas. Regular maintenance, combined with protective measures, ensures your aluminium doors and windows remain in top condition, regardless of the weather.

Need Professional Assistance?

Don’t compromise on the beauty and functionality of your home. If you need advice on cleaning your aluminium windows and doors on the Gold Coast, turn to Southern Cross Windows. We offer a range of products and services to help you transform your living space. Contact our team today for a no-obligation quote!

A Standard-sized Windows

What are Standard-Sized Windows in Australia?

If you’re building a new home, buying a home, or considering replacing older windows with new windows, it’s important to understand what standard Australian window sizes are and why they’re important to window-makers, property developers, and homeowners. Opting for standard-sized windows can save you money and time, but it’s not always possible to choose windows in standard sizes depending on the property you’re working on and its dimensions. In this article, we’ll explore what standard window sizes are in Australia and why it’s often a good idea to use them.

What are standard window sizes in Australia?

There is no agreed national standard window size that is used across the whole of Australia; it’s more accurate to say that there are very common window sizes that many window manufacturers will use when making pre-made windows and fittings. Standard window fitting in Australia should be made to match brick openings, and the range of sizes standardly available will differ slightly between companies, as well as between window types.

For most window types, a wide range of sizes will be available, as standard, from most suppliers. For example, standard sizes of sliding windows range from 600×610 mm to 2100 x 2650 mm. Sliding windows at the outer edges of the range may be more difficult to find, but they should still be available in a premade build. Usually, opting for a standard size window over a custom size window, unless the build of your property necessitates a custom window, means changing the size of your window by mm while saving you hundreds of dollars.

Examples of other standard window size ranges include:

Within each range, buyers have multiple options for both width and height, resulting in many standard options for each type of window.

Why do standard window sizes exist?

It’s possible to build a home with any size openings for windows, and skilled window-makers will be able to craft windows to fit these spaces. However, there are lots of benefits to building or buying a home with standard size windows in place.

Reduction of cost

By opting for standard-size windows, window manufacturers, developers, and property owners can all save significant amounts of money. For manufacturers, using standard window sizes means it’s possible to buy materials in bulk, which reduces the cost of materials and cuts down on waste. For developers and homeowners, these savings are passed on in the price of pre-made windows, as well as in saved labour costs because standard-size windows are often easier to install.

Convenience and speed

Using standard sizes of windows is also more convenient and, as a result, faster. Homeowners looking for fast window replacement will be able to order new windows in standard sizes quickly, whereas custom-made windows can take weeks or months to be delivered. It’s also easier for installers to install standard-size windows because most windows installers will have worked with all of the standard window sizes common in Australia before.

Get in touch

If you’d like to find out more about the sizing and installation of windows and doors, contact us at Southern Cross Windows and Doors to find out more.