The outer aluminium sash and frame surfaces are affected by the surrounding environment such as city and industrial areas with high traffic intensity and air pollution and coastal areas with salty air which soil and affect the surface more than clean country air.

Cleaning should be done on a regular basis and at least twice a year, maybe in connection with window cleaning. Wash sash and frame surfaces in lukewarm water with a neutral cleaning fluid such as car shampoo and wipe surfaces and edges with a cloth.

The external aluminium profiles are as standard chrome free and surface treated with a polyester powder coating. This treatment offers a very strong and weather-resistant surface requiring only limited maintenance. In practice, this means cleaning it a couple of times a year with a soft brush or cloth and lukewarm water with a neutral cleaning fluid such as car shampoo.

Minor damage to the surface treatment will not affect the element’s durability since a natural oxide film quickly forms on exposed aluminium, preventing corrosion and white rust attacks.

However, for cosmetic reasons it may be desirable to repair such damage and Idealcombi’s Technical Department would be happy to provide advice and guidance. Call us on 01582 860 940.

The outer aluminium covering on our products in timber|aluminium can alternatively be supplied with anodic treatment. Once the aluprofiles have been chemically prepared and cleaned thoroughly, they undergo an electrolytic process. Direct current is applied to the profiles which become anodised, thus turning the surface metal into oxide. This process continues until the desired film thickness has been achieved.

An anodised surface treatment provides excellent corrosion resistance in most environments while keeping the surface very smooth and dirt repellent. On top of that it has the ability to preserve what we call a “new” appearance.

Anodised alu-profiles are almost maintenance-free provided that the surface is cleaned a couple of times a year with a soft brush or cloth and lukewarm water with a neutral cleaning fluid such as car shampoo.

When cleaning the wooden parts with lukewarm water and a neutral cleaning fluid, check for any damage or wear to the surface treatment.

All wood profiles from Idealcombi are quality optimised and finger jointed/ laminated ensuring elimination of at least 95% of all knots, star shakes and other defects. This gives the wood profiles greater stability and significantly reduces problems such as knot discoloration, yellow blotches and resin lumps in the surface treatment.

Please bear in mind that wood is a natural material and as such resin lumps may form underneath the paint and discoloration from the wood treatment may occur – even with the best surface treatment.

Small droplets of resin penetrating the paint can easily be removed with rubbing alcohol.

If small lumps of resin form underneath the paint, leave them for 2-3 years or until the resin has penetrated the surface treatment, then remove them with rubbing alcohol or, in more serious cases, scrape and sandpaper them away before applying new paint.

Yellow discoloration, which can normally be removed with rubbing alcohol, often occurs on light colour finishes.

The above mentioned problems are often more pronounced during hot summers (tropic climates) and may occur rapidly particularly on facades facing south.

For further information please see Danish Window Certification appendix 14, page 28 of the technical regulations which deal with “Expected outcome of industrially surface treated timber elements”.

During the annual maintenance service, cleaning and lubricating ironmongery, weatherstrips and glazing gaskets should be inspected.

Our weatherstrips are made from EPDM rubbers and several of them in a combination with a solid foot and a soft cellular sealing surface.
The weatherstrips do not require any special maintenance but should be kept clean and free of dirt. This is done by wiping them off once a year with lukewarm water and a neutral cleaning fluid using a cloth. We recommend brushing the weatherstrips with a silicone stick to minimize friction during operation.
Also check that the weather strips are positioned and secured correctly and that they have maintained their sealing function.

All weatherstrips are loosely fitted in a perimeter groove making them easy to remove and install on most element types if they are damaged and need replacement – or in connection with surface treatment maintenance.
Never paint weatherstrips or brush them with wood preservatives/oils.

Glazing gaskets are made of EPDM/cell rubbers and doe not require any special maintenance but should be kept clean and free of dirt. This is done by wiping them off once a year with lukewarm water and a neutral cleaning fluid using a cloth.