The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Aluminium Window Corrosion

Hi,

I have recently refurbished a flat and had the original wooden windows and shutters replaced for aluminium ones. The latter have been installed for the past year and from the start one of the windows was showing some signs of corrosion / reaction along the edge of the frame where it meets the window opening. The visible signs are sort of a bubble forming then drying up into sort of a white debris; This is actually eating away the aluminium and it is now starting on other windows along the premises.

What do you think is causing this reaction ?

What steps can I take to remedy this ?

Thanks,

Joseph Cortes
n/a - Gibraltar
2006

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Nowhere in Gibraltar is far from the sea. Aluminium is rapidly corroded by salt water. It is too late to choose a more appropriate material so I suggest that you will have to remove the corrosion, wash with clean water, prime and paint or lacquer them. Hammerite [affil links] paint may be appropriate.
As a less permanent solution, a thick layer of wax polish will give some protection but would need replacing and make painting more difficult if you have to do that later.
If you have any more windows, consider UPVC frames. Not so good looking but they do not rot.

Geoff Smith
Hampshire, England
2006

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Make sure the window is not in contact with steel such as screws, nails, etc. Use rubber or plastic to insulate.
Regards,

Jim Wood
- Concord, California, USA
2007

I am going to start construction of my house in a few months and I still cannot decide between powder coated aluminum or UPVC windows. I live in a tropical country where we only have dry and wet weather. the UPVC technology has been introduced in my country for less than 5 years, and all manufacturers here only gives a 10 year guarantee. I was veering towards powder coated aluminum, but after seeing that question about cracks, I suddenly had to think twice. UPVC windows are 20% more expensive that powder coated aluminum, but I just want to know which one is really better? I will not mind the cost, I am more worried about the maintenance and performance of my windows. what good is a cheaper one when it will give me more headaches in the future?thank you very much.

Ma. Christina Castro
home owner - Las Pinas City, Philippines
2007