AluK Group

Quick Facts

Brand at a Glance

Product Range

Why This System

Step 1 of 2: Manufacturer Recommendations

Official Care Guidance

Glass

• ✓Use pH-neutral glass cleaner on a microfibre cloth or rubber squeegee for all glass surfaces.
• ✓On low-E coated surfaces, avoid abrasive materials - the coating is on the inner face of the IGU but the outer face of large-pane systems can carry anti-reflective treatments.
• ✓Clean gaskets (the rubber seals around the glass) with a damp cloth only - no cleaners that could dry out rubber.
• ✓Inspect the glazing bead seal at the frame perimeter annually for cracking or lifting.
• ✓Do not attempt to clean between panes - failed IGU units require professional replacement.

Frames

• ✓Clean powder-coated aluminium with warm water and pH-neutral detergent on a soft cloth.
• ✓For anodised aluminium, use a specialist anodised aluminium cleaner or diluted mild detergent - never bleach or caustic products.
• ✓Rinse thoroughly after cleaning - detergent residue left on aluminium attracts dirt and can cause surface staining under UV.
• ✓Apply a thin coat of car-grade wax or specialist aluminium frame protector once or twice yearly to maintain the powder coat.
• ✓Check the outer perimeter sealant bead (between frame and masonry) for cracks every spring.

Hardware

• ✓Lubricate all pivot points, hinges, and locking multipoints with a PTFE-based or light machine oil lubricant twice yearly.
• ✓AluK systems often use high-security multipoint locks - check that all locking points engage cleanly and the handle torque feels consistent.
• ✓On sliding systems, clean the running track with a stiff brush to remove grit, then apply a silicone-based track lubricant.
• ✓Inspect the espagnolette bar guide clips for cracking or loosening - these are the first hardware component to show age.
• ✓Do not use WD-40 as a long-term lubricant on aluminium window hardware - it displaces moisture short-term but leaves a residue that gums up over time.

Step 2 of 2: The Orloffs Protocol

The Orloffs Protocol

Pro Tools

My daily tool list. This is what I carry to every job.

Follow these steps in order. Each one builds on the last. This is the same sequence I use on every AluK Group installation.

1. 1

   Inspect the installation

   Check the perimeter sealant between frame and masonry for cracks or gaps. Water ingress at this point damages the window and the surrounding wall.

   Look at the drainage exits on the outer sill for blockage by debris or paint from previous building maintenance.

   On sliding systems, check the running track for accumulated grit before any cleaning begins.

2. 2

   Clear drainage channels

   Use a soft brush to clear visible drainage exits at the base of the outer frame.

   On sliding systems, vacuum or brush the full length of the running track before any wet cleaning.

   Confirm that the weather seals at the bottom of each sash are not compressed flat - flattened seals block drainage and need replacing.

3. 3

   Clean glass panels

   Apply pH-neutral glass cleaner to a damp microfibre cloth and clean in overlapping passes from top to bottom.

   On large-format AluK sliding systems, work one panel at a time and squeegee each panel before moving to the next.

   Dry the frame rebate where the glass meets the aluminium to prevent water tracking into hardware slots.

4. 4

   Clean aluminium frame faces

   Mix warm water with a small amount of pH-neutral detergent. Dampen a microfibre cloth and wipe all visible frame faces.

   On anodised surfaces, work gently in the grain direction of the anodising where visible.

   Rinse all surfaces with clean water and dry immediately - do not allow cleaning solution to dry on aluminium frames.

5. 5

   Lubricate hardware

   Open each sash fully and apply PTFE lubricant to hinge knuckles and pivot pins.

   Work the multipoint locking bar through three full lock-unlock cycles to distribute lubricant to all locking keeps.

   On sliding systems, apply silicone track spray to the running track and roller housing after cleaning.

6. 6

   Final check and wax protection

   Close and lock every sash - check that multipoint locking engages without force.

   Apply a thin coat of car-grade paste wax to outer frame faces with a soft cloth, allow to haze, and buff off.

   Document the service. AluK premium systems in normal residential use are on an annual full-service cycle with glass cleaning every 6-8 weeks.

Pro Tips

• ★ Powder-coated dark colours (anthracite, black) on south-facing elevations reach very high surface temperatures in summer. Clean these early morning or in shade to avoid cleaner drying on the hot surface before rinsing.
• ★ AluK sliding door tracks collect grit faster than any other component. A stiff brush and vacuum before wet cleaning prevents grinding grit into the track surface and roller bearings.
• ★ Never use limescale remover products on aluminium frames. The acids used to dissolve calcium attack aluminium oxide and permanently etch the surface.
• ★ If the powder coat has a small chip or scratch down to bare aluminium, treat with a touch-up pen in the matching RAL colour quickly. Bare aluminium in urban or coastal environments pits within a single season.
• ★ Multipoint locks on AluK systems are precision-engineered. If a locking point consistently misses its keep, the frame geometry has shifted. This is a hinge adjustment job, not a hardware replacement.
• ★ The thermal break polyamide bar is not a structural weak point, but it should not be contacted with solvent-based cleaners. If cleaning around frame joints, use water-based products only.
• ★ AluK systems are well-supported across Europe. Replacement hardware is available through the original fabricator in most markets.

What NOT To Do

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Cleaning Frequency

Glass cleaning: Every 6-8 weeks (Shorter interval on urban or coastal locations.). Frame cleaning: Every 3-4 months (Plus wax protection twice yearly on powder-coated frames.). Hardware lubrication: Twice yearly (Spring and autumn. Track cleaning on sliding doors every 3 months.). Full service inspection: Annually (Including perimeter sealant, drainage, hardware adjustment, and surface protection.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Field Notes

“AluK sliding systems are some of the smoothest-running large-format sliders we work on, but the track tolerance is tight. Grit in the track causes roller wear very quickly - track cleaning is not optional. In Austria, AluK systems appear frequently in architect-specified residential projects. The hardware quality at this level is high but the multipoint geometry means hinge adjustment needs a professional who knows the system. Powder coat on AluK profiles is typically applied to Qualicoat Class 1 or Class 2 standard. Class 2 is significantly more UV-stable and worth specifying for south-facing facades.”

Justin Orloff