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Asia-Pacific · Profile System

APL Window Solutions

🇳🇿 New Zealand · Last reviewed by Justin Orloff

Quick Facts

founded

Est. New Zealand

hq

Auckland, New Zealand

primaryMaterials

Aluminium - powder-coated and anodised profiles across all APL systems

glazingPartner

System supplier - glazing specified per licensed fabricator

marketTier

Market Leader - New Zealand residential

Brand at a Glance

  • Country: New Zealand
  • HQ: Auckland, NZ
  • Role: Window system supplier - not a direct manufacturer
  • Licensed fabricators: 50+ nationally in NZ
  • Brands: Altherm, First, Vantage
  • Market share: 50%+ of NZ residential construction
  • Climate context: NZ - coastal salt both islands, high wind, strong UV, significant rainfall

Product Range

  • Altherm
  • Vantage
  • First Windows

Why This System

APL's 50% market share means that knowing APL system characteristics effectively covers half the residential windows in New Zealand. Familiarity with Altherm, Vantage, and First Windows is essential for any NZ window cleaner. Because APL is a system supplier, fabricator quality varies. Two Altherm windows from different APL fabricators can have different seal quality and hardware fit. First visits to new properties should include a condition assessment. New Zealand's coastal exposure is more uniform across the country than Australia - both the North and South Islands have significant salt air exposure at most populated areas. The pre-rinse protocol applies across virtually all NZ residential work.

Step 1 of 2: Manufacturer Recommendations

Official Care Guidance

Source: ORLOFFS PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE - BASED ON 25 YEARS FIELD EXPERIENCE ON NEW ZEALAND ALUMINIUM WINDOW SYSTEMS

Glass

  • Pre-rinse glass with clean water before applying cleaning solution - standard practice across NZ regardless of apparent coastal proximity.
  • pH-neutral glass cleaning solution, squeegee from top to bottom, overlap strokes, wipe rubber after each pull.
  • Check glazing seals at every service - NZ wind-driven rain reveals seal failures faster than in calmer climates.

Aluminium Frames

  • Wipe with pH-neutral dampened soft cloth. Rinse thoroughly. No abrasive pads on any APL powder-coated frame.
  • On Altherm and Vantage thermally broken frames, clean the polyamide break junction with a narrow cloth.

Tracks and Weep Holes

  • Brush and clear all sliding track channels before introducing water.
  • Clear weep holes at every service - NZ wind-driven rain makes blocked weep holes a significant water ingress risk.
  • Apply silicone lubricant to sliding track surfaces after cleaning.

Step 2 of 2: The Orloffs Protocol

The Orloffs Protocol

This is how I clean APL Window Solutions windows. The tools and technique below come from 25 years of daily professional work on the glass. Every step has been tested on real installations and adapted specifically for APL Window Solutions systems.

Pro Tools

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

1Ettore squeegee 18 inch
2Unger HiFlo pure water pole
3Narrow track brush

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

  1. 1

    APL system identification

    First, Altherm, or Vantage. Thermally broken systems (Altherm, Vantage) need additional attention at the thermal break junction.

  2. 2

    Pre-rinse

    Rinse all glass and frames with clean water - standard across NZ residential.

  3. 3

    Glass cleaning

    pH-neutral solution, squeegee top to bottom, wipe rubber after each pull.

  4. 4

    Frame wipe and track service

    Wipe frames with pH-neutral cloth. Clear track channels and weep holes. Apply silicone lubricant.

  5. 5

    Seal inspection and close-out

    Check glazing seals - especially important on South Island properties. Document any defects.

Watch the Window Cleaning Manifesto hereSee these techniques in action. Free, 5 minutes, lifetime access.

Pro Tips

  • In Wellington, pre-rinse is non-negotiable even after a week of dry weather - the Southerly wind deposits salt across the entire city regardless of how far from the harbour a property sits
  • On Vantage thermally broken windows, the thermal break junction is a visible mid-frame line - clean it with a narrow folded cloth rather than trying to reach it with a standard frame cloth

What NOT To Do

  • Do not skip pre-rinsing on NZ properties - coastal salt affects virtually all populated NZ locations
  • Do not use abrasive pads on any APL powder-coated frame
  • Do not leave weep holes blocked - NZ wind-driven rain causes water ingress through blocked weep holes faster than in any other climate

Bundle Kits and Tool Recommendations

Bundle Kit

Orloffs Squeegee Pro Pack flat lay
Pro KitThe full professional setup. Brass squeegees, T-bar with applicator cover, tool belt, rags, soap, and bucket. Everything from the daily tool list in one box.Shop now →
Orloffs Squeegee Pro Pack bundled

Tool Recommendations

Ettore squeegee 18 inch - primary glass cleaning

View on Amazon [coming soon]

pH-neutral glass and frame concentrate

View on Amazon [coming soon]

Microfibre cloths - frame wipe-down

View on Amazon [coming soon]

Cleaning Frequency

Wellington and exposed coastal NZ: Every 4 to 6 weeks (Wind-driven salt requires frequent service). Auckland residential: Every 4 to 8 weeks (Humid, salt-affected microclimate). South Island residential: Every 6 to 10 weeks (Lower humidity but strong UV and seasonal wind)

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I clean APL Window Solutions windows?
For APL Window Solutions windows, Wellington and exposed coastal NZ: Every 4 to 6 weeks (Wind-driven salt requires frequent service). Auckland residential: Every 4 to 8 weeks (Humid, salt-affected microclimate). South Island residential: Every 6 to 10 weeks (Lower humidity but strong UV and seasonal wind). Coastal or urban locations may need more frequent cleaning.
What tools do I need for APL Window Solutions windows?
Professional cleaning of APL Window Solutions windows requires my daily tool list of: Ettore squeegee 18 inch, Unger HiFlo pure water pole, Narrow track brush.
What should I avoid on APL Window Solutions windows?
Do not skip pre-rinsing on NZ properties - coastal salt affects virtually all populated NZ locations
Does APL Window Solutions publish an official cleaning guide?
Yes, APL Window Solutions publishes official care guidance. Source: ORLOFFS PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE - BASED ON 25 YEARS FIELD EXPERIENCE ON NEW ZEALAND ALUMINIUM WINDOW SYSTEMS
Can I use a water-fed pole on APL Window Solutions windows?
Yes, purified water via a water-fed pole is one of the safest methods for APL Window Solutions glass. Ensure TDS is at or near zero before use and avoid directing high-pressure water at seals or gaskets.

Field Notes

“Auckland properties face a humid, salt-laden microclimate that demands 4 to 6 week cleaning intervals on exposed positions. Wellington's notorious wind accelerates salt deposition across all elevations regardless of orientation. South Island properties in Christchurch and Dunedin face lower humidity but strong UV. Glazing seal condition on older APL windows in the South Island is frequently poor - document and report at every service.”

Justin Orloff

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