The exquisite design and versatility with functionality account for why aluminium foldable doors are quite famous in modern-day houses and commercial establishments. Be it living rooms opening onto a patio or a free-flowing commercial ambience, aluminium foldable doors serve an aesthetic and functional purpose. Nevertheless, just like any other part of your home, these doors need maintenance to keep functioning properly.
This guest post provides the necessary tips and some DIY maintenance hacks to preserve aluminium folding doors for optimal service.
- Regular Cleaning of the Frames and Glass Panels
The first thing to do in maintenance for your aluminium folding door is to keep it clean. Dirt, dust, and debris accumulate over time on the frames and glass panels, affecting the door’s appearance and functionality. A soft cloth or sponge can be used to clean the door with warm, soapy water. Strong chemicals or abrasive scrubbers should not be used, as they can damage the surface. Try to clean the aluminium frames and folding glass doors regularly, especially those exposed to outdoor surroundings.
When cleaning folding glass doors, make a point to pay extra attention to cleaning the glass panes to eliminate streaks and smudges that can become glaringly apparent in bright places. The vinegar-water solution can work wonders for achieving a streak-free finish.
- Lubricate the Tracks and Hinges
The most critical areas where foldable doors would create wear and tear would be on the tracks and hinges. When these parts are out of order with adequate lubrication, they tend to become stiff, preventing easy opening or closing of the aluminum foldable doors. To prevent stiffness, make sure you lubricate the tracks and hinges regularly using a silicone-based lubricant or spray. Silicone won’t attract dust and dirt, while oil-based lubricants tend to collect dirt and debris over time.
Before applying the lubricant, clean the tracks thoroughly using a vacuum or brush to remove dirt or debris that could obstruct the movement of the door. Smooth tracks with lubrication ensure the full range of the door’s operation while minimising avoidable stress on the system.
- Periodically Check and Adjust for Alignment
Folding doors will gradually misalign because of temperature and humidity changes or just simple wear. Stickiness or difficulty in opening and closing will occur once misalignment sets in. Regularly checking for alignment, therefore, is key to keeping your doors working well for long periods.
In case of misalignment, the rollers or hinges should be adjusted to put it back into position. In general, the majority of aluminium folding doors have adjustable rollers for further realignment of the panels. Just remember to check the overall top and bottom alignment of the door to enable its disposition properly.
- Inspect and Clean the Seals
By sealing glass doors, you can ensure energy efficiency and security. Seals are supposed to guarantee that air, moisture, or dust do not enter your living space. Throughout the passage of time, the aforementioned seals may lose their ability to provide effective air sealing due to damage or other causes. Therefore, it would be much wiser to constantly supervise and check them for damages such as cracking and tearing. Any damaged seals necessitate immediate replacement in order to prevent further damage to your doors.
Equally important is the cleaning of these seals for flexibility and efficiency. Use a damp cloth to wipe off the areas on the seals and apply a gentle cleaning solution for better effect. Harsh chemicals may destroy the material and, hence, destroy or impair the function of the seal.
- Check for Structural Damage
Aluminium folding doors are rather strong, although they can receive the odd dent, scratch, or crack when subject to heavy impacts or excessive weather. From time to time, the frames and glass panels should be thoroughly checked for signs of such damage. If you spot cracks in the glass or dents in the frame, take action. Repairing or replacing is required in cases of heavy damages, while minor scratches and dents can be fixed using suitable products.
- Ensure Proper Weatherproofing
Aluminium folding doors are highly weather resistant, but that doesn’t mean one shouldn’t be concerned in the weatherproofing department. If you live in India and your folding doors are often hammered mercilessly by rain and sunlight, inspect them for weatherproofing from time to time. While aluminium foldable doors are in themselves quite resistant to the weather, ensuring that the weather stripping is intact on the edges keeps moisture out and temperature control inside the house.
If the stripping has worn off or is becoming brittle, fresh weatherproofing strips should be put on to prevent leaks and drafts. The weatherproofing materials provide an extra layer of protection streaks away from negative effects due to rain and sunlight.
- Lock and Handle Maintenance
Locking and handling mechanisms for the foldable glass doors need to be maintained for safety. Use a graphite-based lubricant to keep your locks working smoothly. Handle and lock- Check for any signs of wear and tear and corrosion. Replace harmed parts quickly. Regular maintenance of the locks allows you to secure and help your doors function correctly.
Eternia has a 12-year warranty on window frames and a 5-year warranty on moving hardware components. This means that Eternia will take care of the maintenance for your locks and handles as it will be covered in the 5-year warranty.
Conclusion
An easy maintenance routine for aluminium foldable doors guarantees good service in terms of functionality and looks for many years. Regular cleaning, lubrication, and inspections preserve the functionality and looks of your doors. Engaging in these DIY maintenance tips will enable you to keep your foldable glass doors in great shape, improving the beauty of your home and energy efficiency while walking away from costly repairs.
If you think assistance to repair or a genuine maintenance check might be needed, do consider reaching out to professionals. With these simple DIY tips, increase the lifespan of your aluminium folding doors and continue to take full advantage of them!
