Both anodised and painted aluminium should be cleaned on a regular basis. For smaller towns and areas in the interior parts of the country that are not subjected to aggressive elements like air pollution or salty air, it is sufficient to clean the aluminium whenever you clean the glass. Warm water should be used with a dilute of a non-aggressive, non-acetous detergent without ammonia for cleaning the aluminium. Then you should thoroughly rinse the aluminium with clear water and dry using an absorbing cloth. In urban areas or areas near to the sea, the aluminium should be cleaned more often and more thoroughly. Areas that are not exposed to rainfall should be cleaned more frequently than other surfaces. If water and mild detergents are not enough to clean the aluminium fenestrations there are detergents that have been specially developed for aluminium surfaces. These detergents contain light abrasive elements and can be used with a synthetic cleaning cloth. In all cases it is important to completely rinse surfaces with clear water and dry them thoroughly, especially the corners and the bottom profile. In order to protect and increase the life cycle of the aluminium, it may be treated with a very thin clear
coat of water resistant film available.

Following colours are available:

Anodised finish

• Natural colour etched
• Bronze colour
• Special anodised colours

The anodising process is carried out according to the EWAAEURAS regulations.

Painted finish:

• White
• Brown
• RAL colours
• Sable colours

The painting process is carried out in accordance to Qualicoat regulations.

Metals
When two metals of differing electro-negativity values come into contact in humid conditions, an electrical couple is formed giving rise to oxidizing effects at the expense of electro-negative metal of the couple. In order to avoid severe corrosion effects, an insulating barrier should be placed between the two metals. Contact with stainless steel has not been found to be harmful to aluminium to date. Contact with copper and its alloys is extremely harmful to aluminium. It is absolutely necessary to insulate these two metals. Lead should be insulated as well.

Timber
Most timbers have no harmful effects on aluminium. Some such as walnut however, produce acids which attack and damage aluminium. These effects occur especially in humid conditions or when the timber is not sufficiently dry. Insulation is recommended by using a bituminous paint. When you treat timber against humidity and insects you should check that the chemical substances used in the treatment are not harmful to aluminium. Products containing copper salts, mercury salts, and fluoride compounds are very harmful to aluminium and should be avoided.

Lime/Cement
In humid conditions, limestone or cement reacts with aluminium (even when anodized) revealing superficial white spots on the surface of the metal after cleaning. It is advisable to protect the aluminium during installation with protective foil.

Aluminium has the capability of being extruded into complex shapes to exact tolerances. Aluminium can be formed into literally thousands of unique profiles, each one able to meet a number of specific structural and aesthetic requirements. It is this capability to provide simple elegant solutions to extremely complex design problems that has led to aluminium’s enduring appeal. Aluminium is chosen for outdoor use because it is a stable, corrosion-resistant and light weight metal. One of aluminium’s primary appeals to a specifier is its exceptional strength to weight ratio. At 2.7g/cm², aluminium is 66% lighter than steel. It is also far less susceptible to brittle fractures. Indeed, when aluminium and steel structures are compared, aluminium’s greater modulus of elasticity means that weight ratios of 1:2 are easily attained. It can also be processed at high cutting speeds and welded connections are not necessary. These advantages help to reduce fabrication time. Constructions are realized with aluminium profiles extruded in the alloy EN AW 6060 according to EN 755-1. The mechanical characteristics conform to the standard EN 755-2, with a modulus of elasticity of 70GPa.
The tolerances are based on EN 755-3