Bi-fold Doors Maintenance & Caring Tips

Our range of bifold doors and windows are made from commercial and architectural grade aluminium with premium quality stainless steel hardware which are extremely corrosion resistant and very strong. It’s exactly the same as anything else externally on a building, but it will need some upkeep to make sure the doors and windows stay looking good and also keep functioning as they should. Here are some of our care and maintenance tips.

External Aluminium Outer

Your bifold needs no more than a hose down with warm soapy water using a soft bristled brush. Rinse thoroughly with fresh water to remove detergent. Precautions should be taken not to allow excessive amounts of water into the roller and locking mechanism. Your bifold should never be cleaned using aggressive detergents or harsh cleaners as these may scratch, mark or damage a treated surface .

Track and Bearings

With a plastic spreader (do not use your finger) apply a small amount of white petroleum jelly, or equivalent lubricant to the inside lip of each side of track continuing around the entire circumference, approximately ¼ teaspoon. Make certain the wheels are dipping into the lube and that it spreads along the track. Reapply more lubricant to the bearings with a spatula. The lubricant offers ease of working and operating on a protected track and bearings.

Hangers, Brackets and Pivots

Apply a fine mist of anti corrosive and wipe down after application to remove excess with a clean dry cloth. As it is the natural properties and resins that decay, the surface will need to be cleaned with warm soapy water and a soft rag before application of preventative treatment.

Hinges

Clean the exterior part of the hinge with warm soapy water and a soft rag, then wash down in a similar way to doors and frames. A light coat of good quality, light machine oil or similar product will help in keeping the lustre of the metal finish .

Flush Bolts

Spray the sliding pin inside the bolt with desired lubricant and apply graphite powder to the lock cylinder. All flush bolt products have access holes and slots if needed, in most cases this can be done without removal of the lock from the screen.

Handle Lock

The lock and complementary components of the lock must be lubricated regularly with graphite powder. Any liquid or aerosol lubricants can lead to rusting and affect the locking system .

What is Condensation

Condensation occurs when vapours in the air become liquid on a cold surface. It is the opposite of evaporation in which water vaporises into steam or vapour. The risk for condensation depends on your home’s climate, how you use your home and how it is constructed.

It’s vital to pay attention to condensation in your house as it can eventually lead to damage such as rot, mildew and mold growth. Not only will this put you and your family at risk, it could also lead to expensive repair and replacement work .

A Common Myth: Your Windows Aren’t Good Enough

The most common myth is that your windows are at fault as they’re not good enough. As the coldest part in your property, windows will be where condensation appears first.

How Does Condensation Form

Condensation occurs when warm, moist air comes into contact with a cold surface (like your windows and frames) and it condenses or turns into water droplets sticking to that surface. This is the same reason you get water droplets on a can or glass of cold drink, that’s called the dew point.

Activities such as cooking, taking showers, spraying the house and washing or drying clothes, and that’s not even counting your breath, can contribute to the moisture in the air around you.

Really tightly sealed homes are good, but depending on how they were made and with what, again a recipe for keeping all that humid air shut away. The ideal mix of airtightness, ventilation and insulation can stop or minimise condensation from happening.

How Can it Be Minimised

To limit your exposure to surface condensation you must control and be aware of the amount of water vapour in your home and where it originates. Here are a few easy things you can do to help reduce condensation:

Have Adequate Ventilation

If you crack a window at night in bedrooms the moist air from breathing will be allowed to escape, a cold vapour, with the benefit of forming less condensate on windows.

Exhaust and extraction fans in the bathroom and kitchen can even be wired into light switches so that they will automatically turn on for ease of use.

Think airflow when it comes to the proximity of furniture to walls or windows, airflow around pieces of furniture can help decrease condensation and mold growth.

During the day, open blinds and curtains to let out any stale air that was trapped when they were closed.

Adjust Your Heater Settings

And here’s something else to keep in mind: if you’ll be gone for a long time but don’t want the house to have no heat, let it maintain at around 10 to 15 degrees which will kick on and off every so often .

Think throughout the entire home, low traffic rooms included.

Improve Laundry Drying Conditions

If possible, dry clothes outside when it’s sunny. You can release a lot of water into the air by hanging your laundry inside, so there will be far more condensation, crack a window in the room where the washing is drying.

Be careful about airflow with dryers as they can be producing a lot of warm air.

Use Dehumidifiers

Get a dehumidifier, they are great for pulling moisture from the air in little time to prevent lots of condensation.

For occasional condensation, dehumidifiers can be the best and simplest short term solution that won’t break the bank.

And many modern reverse cycle systems have a dehumidifier function built in.

Remove Condensation as Necessary

You can’t prevent it from forming by wiping it away when you see it but you will help minimise the likelihood of mold.

Make sure you don’t leave any moisture behind using a dry cloth. This protects the sills so they don’t rot away, water sitting on the frames and sills is what rots them out over time and then it might cost more to fix damage.

Energy Efficient Home Design and Upgrades

The risk of condensation will be greatly impacted by the windows and doors you choose. For climatic moderation, cold temperatures or double glazing is a must.

Frame selection is also critical, thermally broken framing is a wonderful way to cut back on thermal bridging.

You could consider thicker insulation for your walls and ceiling, that will help keep up the thermal performance of your home.

Be Mindful

Knowing what causes condensation will help to protect you, such as everything from having lots of house plants inside to cooking with the lids off.

Why do the Windows I Choose Matter

Replacing old single glazing with double glazed windows is one of the most effective longer term solutions to reducing or eliminating condensation if you have the budget.

Double glazing is a good idea for cold climates because of the gap between the two panes of glass. The outside pane should be closer to outside air temperature and inside pane closer to your warmer inside temperature. Single glazing does not have that additional barrier, and so the chance of condensation forming is much greater even if it’s a LowE energy efficient glass type.

By changing doors and windows you will also save money in the long term with your heating bills, reducing heating and cooling costs during summer and winter.

Just to note that you may have double glazing or even thermally broken framing but not be immune from condensation due to the reasons in this article. If you see condensation between the double glazing, then a seal has gone and the glass will need to be replaced. Condensation on the outside of the glass is always standard condensation.

Understanding how moisture behaves in your home isn’t just about keeping windows clear, it’s about protecting your investment and creating a healthier living environment. The difference between a home that battles constant condensation and one that stays comfortably dry often comes down to small, consistent habits rather than expensive overhauls. When you start paying attention to the patterns, when condensation appears, which rooms are affected, you begin to see how your daily routines directly shape your indoor climate. It’s this awareness that transforms maintenance from a chore into an intuitive part of home care.

Suggested Maintenance Interval

Three months for moderate areas which are urban, inland or away from heavy industry.

Monthly for tropical or severe environments classified as coastal or marine, salt deposition and located within 15 kilometres of the eastern coast of Australia.