Alumafel

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 with a microfibre cloth and rubber squeegee for all glass surfaces.
• ✓On large-format panels common in Alumafel sliding systems, work one panel section at a time to prevent solution drying before squeegee.
• ✓Check structural silicone glazing bonds annually for discolouration or bubbling - this indicates UV degradation of the sealant.
• ✓Inspect glazing gaskets for hardening or cracking, particularly on south and west-facing elevations where thermal load is highest.
• ✓Never attempt to separate glass from frame on structurally silicone-bonded systems without specialist advice.

Frames

• ✓Clean powder-coated aluminium with warm water and pH-neutral detergent on a soft microfibre cloth.
• ✓Rinse all frame surfaces thoroughly with clean water after cleaning - residue left on Qualicoat powder coat attracts dirt and can cause staining.
• ✓Apply specialist aluminium frame protector or car-grade paste wax to outer frame faces twice yearly.
• ✓For anodised frames, use only pH-neutral products - avoid anything with bleach, caustic soda, or strong acids.
• ✓Inspect perimeter sealant between frame and masonry each spring. Spanish masonry buildings with thermal movement need sealant inspection at least annually.

Hardware

• ✓Lubricate all hinges, pivot points, and multipoint locking bars with PTFE-based lubricant twice yearly.
• ✓On large-format sliding systems, clean running tracks with a stiff brush and vacuum before applying silicone track spray.
• ✓In hot climates, hardware lubricants break down faster than in temperate conditions. Three-times-yearly lubrication is advisable on south-facing elevations in Spain.
• ✓Check roller adjustment on sliding panels annually - roller wear is the primary cause of sliding panel drop.
• ✓Do not use petroleum-based lubricants on aluminium sliding tracks - they attract fine grit which then abrades the track surface.

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 Alumafel installation.

1. 1

   Assess heat and UV exposure

   Note the elevation - south and west facing Alumafel installations in southern Europe need more intensive maintenance attention than north-facing ones.

   On dark powder-coated frames, check for chalking (a white powder wipe-off on a dark cloth) which indicates UV degradation of the powder coat surface.

   On sliding systems, check the track length for grit accumulation and debris from above (balcony overhangs, plantings).

2. 2

   Clean sliding tracks thoroughly

   Brush the full track length with a stiff nylon brush to dislodge compacted grit.

   Vacuum or blow out the loosened debris - do not wet clean without first removing loose grit or it turns into abrasive paste.

   Wipe the track with a damp cloth, then dry completely before applying silicone track lubricant.

3. 3

   Clean glass panels

   Apply pH-neutral glass cleaner to a damp microfibre cloth and work in sections on large panels.

   Squeegee each section immediately, working in overlapping horizontal strokes from top to bottom.

   Dry frame rebates where glass meets aluminium to stop cleaning solution tracking into hardware.

4. 4

   Clean aluminium frame faces

   Mix warm water and pH-neutral detergent. Dampen cloth thoroughly but not dripping.

   Wipe all frame faces, sills, and transoms. Work top to bottom and rinse cloth regularly.

   Rinse all surfaces with clean water. In warm weather, rinse before solution has a chance to dry on the frame face.

5. 5

   Lubricate all hardware

   Apply PTFE lubricant to hinge knuckles, multipoint locking bar, and all pivot pins on casement and tilt-turn units.

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

   Work hardware through full operating cycle and wipe excess lubricant from all frame faces.

6. 6

   Apply frame protection and final check

   Apply a thin coat of paste wax to outer powder-coated frame faces. Allow to haze and buff off.

   Check all multipoint locking engagements and sliding panel movement.

   Record the service. Hot-climate Alumafel installations benefit from three service visits per year rather than the standard two.

Pro Tips

• ★ Dark powder-coated Alumafel frames on south-facing Spanish elevations should be cleaned early morning before surface temperatures rise - cleaning solution on a 70-degree surface dries in seconds and leaves residue marks.
• ★ Large-format sliding tracks need cleaning every 2-3 months in Mediterranean climates, not annually. The combination of sand, dust, and pollen loads the track faster than central European environments.
• ★ Alumafel's folding door hardware is more complex than standard sliding. If a panel is binding or misaligned, resist adjusting it yourself - the multi-panel geometry means one adjustment affects every panel.
• ★ Qualicoat powder coat in Class 2 (higher UV rating) is the correct specification for south-facing facades in Spain. If you notice early chalking on relatively new frames, check whether Class 1 powder coat was applied in error.
• ★ Inspect structural silicone bonds on curtain wall and large-format systems every 2 years at a minimum. UV degradation of silicone is slow but cumulative - cracking or discolouration needs professional remediation before water ingress follows.
• ★ On high-altitude installations in Spain (Basque mountains, Sierra Nevada developments), freeze-thaw cycles act on any water trapped in drainage channels. Keep drainage clear year-round.
• ★ Alumafel systems at premium tier hold their value on a building. The investment in twice-yearly professional maintenance is modest relative to the cost of hardware replacement or frame remediation from neglect.

What NOT To Do

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Cleaning Frequency

Glass cleaning: Every 4-6 weeks (Shorter interval in dusty or coastal Spanish environments.). Frame cleaning and wax: Every 3 months (Track cleaning on sliding systems every 2-3 months.). Hardware lubrication: Three times yearly (Hot climate accelerates lubricant breakdown.). Full service inspection: Twice yearly (Pre-summer and post-summer given extreme seasonal temperature range.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Field Notes

“Alumafel systems engineered for Mediterranean climates are built to handle thermal extremes. The engineering is sound - the maintenance gap is almost always neglect of the sliding track, which turns into an expensive roller replacement when left. The Basque Country manufacturing origin means Alumafel has strong industrial precision roots. Profile tolerances are tight, which is why hardware alignment faults when they occur are usually installation-origin rather than manufacturing. Qualicoat Class 2 powder coat is worth specifying on any south-facing facade. The difference in UV stability over a 10-year period is significant and visible.”

Justin Orloff