Frequently Asked Questions

Aluminium is revolutionising the way we move, build and live. It is one of the most widely used metals in the world with continuously increasing demand, due to its unique and advantageous properties, which include:

• Durability: Aluminium does not rot, corrode, crack or warp, like wood or plastics. It requires no maintenance, making its lifecycle cost predictable and negligent. Effectively, aluminium lasts a lifetime.
• Design freedom: Aluminium is the material of design. Its malleability and flexibility allow unlimited design potential and cater to creativity.
• Sustainability: Due to its corrosion resistance and strength 75% of the aluminium ever produced is still in use today, making it extremely economical and sustainable. It can be recycled almost infinitely requiring only 5% of initial energy input. Aluminium recycling saves about 100 million tons of CO2 emissions annually – making aluminium the green metal.
• Strong and light: Due to aluminium’s high strength-to-weight ratio, savings can be made on the cost of the building shell and on energy consumption, also making it ideal for large secure windows and doors.

At MUSKITA we pride ourselves in producing our aluminium profiles locally, in Cyprus, and being one of the largest industrial employers on the island, unlike competing products. Our aluminium billets are made of high-quality and high-strength aluminium originating from the largest, most prestigious manufacturers in the world.  Furthermore all of our other raw materials are ethically sourced and derived from renowned and reputable suppliers worldwide who provide us with the highest quality materials.

We train professionals on how to safely and accurately assemble and install our systems. At MUSKITA we supply raw materials, parts, accessories and mechanisms. To build your window or door you must contact your aluminium fabricator who will provide you with a quotation for making and installing the system. Our Customer Service Department is further able to assist you with any additional information or advice you need on the right aluminium system and finish for you. 

We further supply other items such as specialised profiles, fencing, ladders and accessories that you can purchase directly from our warehouses or through our partners. 

Your satisfaction with our systems is our top priority. To be certain your construction is built properly, in accordance with the recommendations we set out for all our systems, we recommend working with our CE certified partners, which ensures they have received the proper training to make and install our systems. At MUSKITA we make certain aluminium fabricators receive continuous education and training on each of our products and our systems. Each of our CE certified partners undertakes the obligation to provide for each of the doors and windows they manufacture the CE mark and declaration of performance, where all technical parameters are indicated, so as to safeguard the quality of the project and together with our team of technicians, provide direct support for an excellent result on your project.
 

A thermal aluminium system prevents energy (heat or cold) from being transmitted from the outside to the inside of your home or vice versa. Good insulation rates and sound reduction are achieved by placing a polyamide (a poor conductor of heat) between the outer and the inner surface of the profile, which acts as a thermal break.

Regular cleaning is recommended to maintain the paint long-term. Dust deposits and other pollutants should be removed with water and a soft detergent whose pH should be 5.5 – 8. Cleaning is achieved simply with a soft wet sponge and neutral soap, followed by rinsing with water, before drying with a soft cloth. Hard sponges, wire and cleaning solvents should be avoided. Silicone residues should be removed with cotton wool and blue spirit. It should be noted that in industrial and coastal areas cleaning should be more regular.

Anodizing is an electrochemical process where the aluminium is covered by a uniform layer of aluminium oxide via electrolysis. The metal is properly brushed, polished or blasted depending on the desired finish and goes through a series of cleaning chemicals.
A solution of sulfuric acid acts as the electrolyte. A very high-power low-voltage direct current, uniformly oxidizes the work surface from the cathode (-) to the anode (+) thus the term “anodizing”.
The process is completed by sealing the metal pores to maintain the highest resistant coating offered on aluminium.

Although anodizing has the highest weather resistance and needs minimum maintenance, it is recommended that the material be periodically cleaned. Recommended cleaning includes rinsing with water followed by a soft sponge with water and soap (such as dishwashing liquid), then rinsing with water and drying with a soft cloth. It is recommended that cleansing products have a pH between 5.5 – 8 (should neither be acidic or alkaline). Cleansing products which include chlorine or soda should be avoided. Construction materials such as cement, lime, plaster or adhesive tape must be removed immediately after installation. Moreover, silicone residue should be removed with cotton wool and blue spirit. It should be noted that in industrial and coastal areas cleaning of the anodized aluminium should be more frequent.

Wood finish are highly durable wood imitation finishes applied onto aluminium profiles via the Decoral® process. Decoral® is a sublimation process through which special inks printed onto films in the presence of a vacuum convert into vapor (without passing through a liquid phase). These vapors then diffuse into a non-cured powder coated surface and are cured together to form the desired effect, achieving penetration to the entire depth of the coating. Our Decoral® process is Qualicoat and Qualideco certified.

Regular cleaning will maintain the paint to a satisfactory condition for the long-term. Deposits of dust or other pollutants must be removed with water and a soft detergent, whose pH should be 5.5 – 8. Cleaning is achieved simply by a soft sponge with neutral soap, followed by rinsing with water, before drying with a soft cloth. Hard sponges, wire and solvents should be avoided. Construction materials such as cement, lime, plaster or adhesive tape must be removed immediately after installation. It should be noted that in industrial and coastal areas cleaning of wood finished aluminium should be more frequent.

Aluminum offers unquestionable advantages compared with PVC or wood. Aluminum is not effected by changes in temperature and high UV exposure as opposed to wood which deteriorates and PVC which becomes brittle at low temperatures and warps at higher temperatures. Aluminium is also resistant to deformation and does not need reinforcements, unlike plastic frames. Aluminium therefore ensures greater durability without any maintenance. It is further offered in a variety of colours and styles to cater to every requirement and taste.
 
Above all, aluminium is safer than competing materials. Being a metal it does not burn in case of a fire, unlike PVC that emits lethal toxic fumes. Also environmentally aluminum is the “Green Metal” as it is 100% recyclable and non-toxic, unlike PVC which is non-sustainable and non-disposable.  
 

The most important factor for the correct operation, performance, sound and thermal insulation of the aluminum systems you have chosen is their correct installation. In general, regardless of the type of system you have chosen (sliding, hinged, etc.), they should use:

• Sealing materials such as EPDM gaskets between the frame and the masonry, or sealing materials between the marble/flooring that surrounds it, during installation and after the joints have been placed, to maintain thermal insulation.
• Use gaskets, not just silicone, both inside and outside the glazing.
• The frames should have water drainage channels on the track and on the lower part of the sashes, which are covered with caps.
• Suitable sealing materials for all profile joints.
• The accessories (reels, gaskets, caps, hinges, handles, joints, brushes, etc.) recommended by MUSKITA to use by the fabricator, and are approved for the system specifications and performances.

To ensure your aluminium systems maintain both excellent functionality and a perfect appearance over time, it is necessary to follow a few simple instructions for their proper maintenance and cleaning:

• Construction materials that are highly alkaline such as cement, lime, plaster or adhesive tape must be removed immediately after installation.
• The aluminum frames must be cleaned on a regular basis. It should be noted that in industrial and coastal areas cleaning of the aluminium surface should be more frequent.
• It is recommended that cleansing products have a pH between 5.5 – 8 (should neither be acidic or alkaline).
• On the lower part of the sash, such as the track, we must pay special attention when cleaning the water drainage channels, because there is usually an accumulation of dust and debris. Use a vacuum cleaner and then a damp cloth for thorough cleaning.
• Be careful not to leave your aluminium windows and doors open during your absence from the house and do not hang objects on open windows, handles or knobs.
• The system’s moving parts, mechanisms and gaskets should be cleaned as often as the aluminium surface. In addition, they should be lubricated with silicone spray on a regular basis to ensure a long product lifecycle and excellent long-term functionality.

Opening Size and Orientation

The size and orientation of system openings affect the energy demands for air conditioning and heating, as solar radiation reduces the need for heating in the winter but increases the need for air conditioning in the summer.

The orientation of the frames must also be taken into account to reduce energy costs. For example, for homes, it is recommended to place large openings facing the south, in order to receive enough sunlight indoors in the winter, also providing adequate shading during the summer.

Shading Systems

The use of shading on the outside of the building helps reduce overheating of the interior during hot summer months. With MUSKITA’s fixed, movable or automated shading systems you can control the energy requirements of your building depending on the season, offering comfort, natural lighting and an additional layer of safety. The use of louvres is also beneficial as they can be left open in summer to provide shading and ventilation or adjusted in the winter offering thermal insulation and rain cover.

For openings with a west, east and south orientation, movable or automated shading systems are recommended so that in winter, systems can be opened up exposing the space to light and sun, or closed in the summer to ensure protection from overheating.

Natural Ventilation

Natural ventilation contributes to the reduction of energy costs and improves the feeling of comfort in the space by increasing fresh air entering the building.

MUSKITA aluminium systems offer many options for you to enjoy and adjust the natural ventilation of your home, with options of hinged, projected and sliding frames, as well as with Microventilation systems.

Safety is the most important aspect of a home. The aim of burglar resistant systems and mechanisms is to delay entry into the premises and building as much as possible. The security of an aluminium system depends on three factors: the aluminium profiles, the glazing and the accessories & mechanisms of the system. The level of Burglar Resistance Class (RC) of a window or door is determined by the minutes and tools required to break or open it. Enhanced protection and burglar resistance are therefore some of the most important factors when choosing your aluminium systems.

RC1 is the first category that refers only to human strength that can be exerted with the hands and body.

RC2 is the second category and includes, in addition to human strength, large screwdrivers, wedges and pliers.

RC3, the third category, includes the tools of the RC2 category and additional metal levers, small manual drills and the application of specific hydraulic pressure on the sensitive points of the frame such as the hinges, pins and lock.