Good Repair Guide: Aluminium windows

Aluminium windows have been available in New Zealand since the late 1950s but were not frequently installed in houses until the early 1970s. Today, almost all window joinery is aluminium framed. Although considered to be maintenance free, all aluminium joinery requires cleaning, and in some circumstances, other care may be required, such as lubrication of hardware. Unless it has been well maintained, early aluminium joinery may now require replacement or removal and refurbishment. 

This guide covers the replacement of aluminium windows that are installed into walls with:

• direct-fixed weatherboard and flat sheet claddings
• brick veneer

The thermal performance requirements of building elements given in this book are from the 4th edition Building Code acceptable solution H1/AS1 and verification method H1/VM1. Note that 5th editions of H1/AS1 and H1/VM1 replaced the 4th edition on 3 November 2022.