How to Maintain Your Aluminium Windows and Doors for Long-Lasting Performance

By All Things Aluminium and Glass | Nakuru, Kenya

Aluminium windows and doors are one of the best investments you can make for your home or office. But like any investment, they need proper care to perform at their best for years — even decades. In this guide, the experts at All Things Aluminium and Glass share everything you need to know about keeping your aluminium frames, glass panels, and seals in top condition.

Why Aluminium Maintenance Matters

Aluminium is naturally resistant to rust and corrosion, which is one of the main reasons it has become the go-to material for windows and doors in Kenya. However, “low maintenance” does not mean “zero maintenance.” Dust, grime, hard water deposits, and the harsh UV conditions we experience across the Rift Valley and beyond can all take a toll on the appearance and functionality of your frames and glass over time.

Regular maintenance protects your investment, keeps your home looking great, and prevents small problems from becoming expensive repairs.

1. Clean the Aluminium Frames Regularly

How Often?

Aim to clean your aluminium frames at least once every three months. If your property is near a busy road, construction site, or dusty environment (common in Nakuru and surrounding areas), clean them monthly.

What You’ll Need

Mild liquid soap or dish detergent
Warm water
Soft cloth or sponge
Soft-bristle brush (for tight corners)
Clean dry cloth for wiping down

Step-by-Step Process

Start dry — use a dry cloth or soft brush to remove loose dust and debris from the frame surface and corners first. This prevents scratching during the wet clean.
Mix your solution — add a small amount of mild dish soap to a bucket of warm water. Avoid harsh chemical cleaners, bleach, or abrasive scrubbing pads, as these can damage the aluminium’s anodised or powder-coated finish.
Wipe down the frames — use your damp cloth or sponge to wipe all surfaces of the frame, including the top, sides, and sill. Pay extra attention to the corners where dirt tends to collect.
Rinse — use a clean damp cloth to remove any soap residue. Leaving soap on the frame can cause staining over time.
Dry immediately — wipe the frames dry with a clean cloth to prevent water spotting, especially if your area has hard water.

Pro Tip from ATAG: Never use steel wool, wire brushes, or solvents like petrol or paint thinner on your aluminium frames. These will scratch and permanently damage the surface finish.

2. Clean the Glass Panels

Clean glass doesn’t just look good — it allows maximum light into your space and makes it easier to spot early signs of damage like chips or stress cracks.

For Clear, Blue, Grey, and Bronze Glass

Use a standard glass cleaner (or a solution of water and a small amount of white vinegar) with a clean microfibre cloth. Clean in circular motions and finish with a vertical wipe to remove streaks.

For Frosted, Nashiji, or Sandblasted Glass

These decorative glass types have textured surfaces that can trap dirt more easily. Use a soft-bristle brush with soapy water to gently work the solution into the texture, then rinse and dry. Avoid harsh scrubbing that could alter the surface finish.

For Toughened and Laminated Glass

These high-strength glass types are maintained the same way as clear glass, but take extra care never to strike or chip the edges — toughened glass in particular can shatter completely if the edge is damaged, even by a small knock.

Hard Water Deposits: If you notice a cloudy white film on your glass (common in Nakuru due to the mineral-rich water), apply a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water, leave for a few minutes, and wipe off. For stubborn deposits, a specialist glass cleaner from a hardware shop works well.

3. Lubricate the Moving Parts

This is the most overlooked part of window and door maintenance — and the one that makes the biggest difference to how they feel and function.

What to Lubricate

Sliding window and door tracks
Door hinges
Locking mechanisms and handles
Roller wheels (on sliding doors and windows)

How to Do It

First, clean the tracks and hinges of any dirt and debris using a dry cloth or thin brush. Grit left in the track will only grind into the components and worsen wear.
Apply a silicone-based lubricant spray to the tracks, hinges, and rollers. Silicone spray is ideal because it does not attract dust the way oil-based lubricants do.
Slide or swing the door/window several times to distribute the lubricant evenly.
Wipe away any excess lubricant with a dry cloth.

Frequency: Lubricate all moving parts every 6 months, or whenever you notice stiffness or squeaking.

What NOT to use: Avoid cooking oil, WD-40, or petroleum jelly on aluminium window tracks. These products attract dust and can cause the tracks to become sticky and gritty over time.

4. Inspect and Replace Weatherstripping and Seals

The rubber or foam seals (weatherstripping) around your windows and doors are your first line of defence against wind, water, dust, and noise. Over time — especially under Kenya’s strong sun and seasonal rains — these seals can crack, harden, or pull away from the frame.

How to Inspect

Run your fingers along all the seals on your windows and doors. Look for:

Cracking or brittleness
Gaps where the seal has pulled away from the frame
Visible daylight or drafts around closed windows and doors
Water getting in during rain

What to Do

If you notice any of the above, the seal needs to be replaced. This is an affordable repair that can make a significant difference to comfort, energy efficiency, and noise reduction in your home or office. Contact All Things Aluminium and Glass on 0714 262 252 and our team can assess and replace your seals quickly.

5. Check and Clean the Drainage Holes (Weep Holes)

At the bottom of most aluminium window frames, you’ll find small drainage holes called weep holes. These allow rainwater that enters the frame channel to drain out rather than pooling inside the frame.

When these holes are blocked with dust, dirt, or debris, water can build up inside the frame, leading to leaks, water damage to your walls, and — in severe cases — damage to the frame itself.

How to Clean Them

Use a thin wire, toothpick, or compressed air to clear any blockage from the weep holes. Do this twice a year, especially before the long rains season.

6. Touch Up Scratches and Chips on the Frame

Powder-coated aluminium frames are durable, but they can get scratched — especially around handles, locks, and high-traffic areas.

Small scratches can be touched up with a matching powder-coat touch-up pen or spray paint, available from specialist hardware suppliers. For larger chips or areas where the coating is peeling, contact a professional to re-coat the affected section before moisture or UV damage spreads.

7. Apply Putty Correctly and Maintain It

For windows that use glazing putty to seal the glass into the frame, the putty is an important part of keeping water and air out. Over time, putty can shrink, crack, or pull away from the glass.

Signs your putty needs attention:

Cracks or gaps between the putty and the glass or frame
Putty that has become hard and brittle
Water leaking in around the glass during heavy rain

At ATAG, we stock Soft Tuff Super Premium Putty (Fast Dry / Hardcore), available in 40 kg buckets at KSh 2,300 or per kilogram at KSh 60. We also have a skilled team that can carry out putty work for you — whether you need a small repair or a full re-glazing on a larger project.

8. Annual Professional Inspection

Even with excellent regular maintenance on your part, we recommend booking a professional inspection once a year — especially for larger installations like curtain walls, glass facades, shopfronts, and commercial partitions.

A professional can identify issues that are easy to miss: micro-cracks in glass, hidden seal failures, track wear that is approaching the end of its lifespan, and structural issues with the frame installation.

All Things Aluminium and Glass offer inspection and maintenance services across Nakuru and Kenya. Call us on 0714 262 252 to book.

Quick Maintenance Checklist

Use this checklist to stay on top of your aluminium window and door care:

Every Month (or more often in dusty environments)

[ ] Dust and wipe down frames
[ ] Clean glass panels

Every 3 Months

[ ] Deep clean frames with soapy water
[ ] Clear weep/drainage holes

Every 6 Months

[ ] Lubricate tracks, hinges, rollers, and locks
[ ] Inspect weatherstripping and seals
[ ] Check putty for cracks or gaps

Once a Year

[ ] Inspect for scratches and touch up paintwork
[ ] Book a professional inspection for major installations

Final Word

Your aluminium windows and doors are designed to last — but the difference between a 10-year installation and a 30-year one often comes down to the care they receive. A little regular attention saves you significant money in repairs and replacements down the line.

At All Things Aluminium and Glass, we are specialists in all kinds of glass and aluminium solutions — from supply and installation to maintenance and repair. Whether you are a homeowner, a contractor, or managing a commercial property, we are here to help.

📍 Kolen Stage, Off Nakuru–Eldoret Road, Next to Timbecraft 📞 Call/WhatsApp: 0714 262 252 🌐 www.allthingsaluminium.co.ke

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