In many cases, customers are not able to know exactly what their needs and expectations are when purchasing aluminium frames intended for the replacement of old frames or for newly constructed buildings. For this reason, the fabricator of the frames must, during the purchase and sale, fully understand them and point out the advantages of using the new frames, as well as the security of the market through the existence of a guarantee on the products and services.
Consumers have often had the unpleasant experience of using a faulty frame that did not provide the minimum levels of safety, waterproofing, air sealing, thermal insulation or even a satisfactory external appearance. As a result, there were disputes between the customer and the frame fabricator, and in most cases there was no written commitment from the fabricator to the customer regarding the warranty period of the products.
In order for the fabricator to be able to guarantee for the properties of the frames and their good functioning, he must have the appropriate infrastructure, the appropriate equipment and implement a Production Control System as required by the CE marking. This way, they will be able to ensure the quality of the products and services agreed with the customer. The fabricator’s ISO 9001 certification is an advantage and a further guarantee for the customer in the proper completion of a project. The customer should carefully examine the existence of the fabricator’s certificates and in any case demand the agreed properties.
According to European and Greek legislation all consumer products should be accompanied by a guarantee of at least 2 years . The warranty is due to be given in writing and never verbally. In addition, the CE marking legislation requires that the frames are accompanied by instructions for good operation and maintenance.
The consumer feels more confident to buy frames that are accompanied by a guarantee of good operation and the possibility of providing service from the fabricator of the frames.
The guarantee should therefore also include the installation of aluminium frames so that the consumer is fully assured of the quality and functionality of the final product. If special guarantees apply to certain parts of the frame (e.g. roller motors), these should be clearly stated.
The buyer should check the fabricator’s ability to provide service after the project is completed and the warranty expires.
Written instructions must be given for the proper maintenance of the structures and their cleaning in order to ensure the maximum life of the frames.
It is recommended that a maintenance contract be agreed between the buyer and the frames fabricator, which will include the inspection and maintenance of the frames, with the ultimate goal of ensuring the excellent operation of the products over time.
Proper maintenance of the frames means durability over time. The purchaser of the frames must check and clean the frames at regular intervals (at least twice a year) according to the instructions received from the fabricator of the frames. There are also actions (e.g. adjustment and lubrication of hinges and various mechanisms, adjustment and possible change of sliding rollers, etc.), which the buyer cannot easily do on his own and should contact the manufacturer to take care of them. Cleaning and proper maintenance will significantly increase the lifetime of the windows.
The buyer of the frames should pay attention to the following general points:
- Regular cleaning of the frames should be carried out. Cleaning should not involve the use of materials that may cause problems and damage the function and appearance of the frame. If the house is near the sea, or in an industrial area, more frequent cleaning will be needed.
- You should not glue anything on the surface of the frame, and always remove other building materials (putty, lime, silicone, etc.) from the frames. This will result in the protection of the paint and the surface of the frame.
- Frames should be cleaned of any dirt and debris that accumulates in the guides or drainage holes.
- The frames must function correctly (opening – closing mode) according to the fabricator’s instructions. Particular attention should be paid to frames with tilting mechanisms, which are often blocked due to poor handling.
ATTENTION!!!! Don’t forget to always ask for a written warranty and maintenance / good working condition instructions for the aluminiumframes you buy.