How is Aluminum Joinery Installed? Know These Before Your Installer Arrives
You're having a new window or door installed. You chose the product, placed the order, and installation day has arrived. But what should happen during installation? How do you tell if the installer is doing it right? And most importantly, what problems arise if installation is done incorrectly? This article answers all those questions. It's written for someone with zero technical background — but you'll genuinely learn something by the end.
Why Is Installation So Important?
Imagine you bought the best aluminum window in the world — best glass, best profile, best seals. But the installer didn't level it, so it sits slightly crooked. Or they didn't apply the waterproofing mastic properly. Result: on a rainy day, water seeps in from the frame edges. On a cold night, there's a draft. That's why installation is just as important as the product itself — sometimes even more so.
The Most Critical Installation Step: Leveling and Plumb
Installers who skip or rush this step make the biggest mistakes here. The level checks whether the window frame is perfectly horizontal. The plumb checks for vertical deviation. If the frame is installed crooked, the sash won't open and close properly. Over time, the weight distribution on the frame gets distorted, screw holes become strained, fasteners loosen, and the window starts rattling and losing its airtight seal.
Waterproofing: The Most Frequently Skipped Step
The step most frequently skipped by installers is waterproofing. The frame is secured, the window is fitted, "done" is declared and the installer leaves. But if the gap between the frame and the wall hasn't been filled, water will seep in through that gap on a rainy day.
Gaps around the frame, especially on the exterior, must be filled with silicone or mastic. These products provide both air and water tightness. The surface must be clean, dry, and dust-free before applying mastic — mastic applied to a dirty or wet surface will peel within a few months.
Post-Installation Checklist
- Does the window or door open and close easily with no sticking?
- Can you feel any airflow around it when fully closed?
- Is the frame fully sealed with mastic on both inside and outside?
- Is there condensation or fogging between double panes? (If yes, the glass seal is damaged)
- Are the handle and lock mechanisms working correctly?
Contact Karadeniz Mimari
Karadeniz Mimari offers full professional installation service alongside product sales. Our team applies all the steps described above with care. We go through the post-installation checklist with you and confirm your satisfaction at handover. If you're having problems with joinery installed by another company, contact us for a correction service.
