What ho one and all,

Wanted sliding windows as access to two balconies and decided to go with the 'van' style pop-out, flush fitting that the manufacturer of all the windows provided. They have a tilt for ventilation function, or pull inwards to van-style, slide.

Although the inner frame is wood, the outer is aluminium. It has a flat area to meet the rubber seal on the window.

Obviously, during the winter months, the windows are closed and when the time comes to open, it is virtually impossible.

I have found that the rubber seal where compressed against the flat ali, kinda bio-degrades and sticks itself to the ali. The ali part is factory gloss but with 15 years of degrading rubber, now has a rough texture, that does clean off with some elbow grease. The rubber itself is still in good condition, not falling apart nor sticky, but that contact area, is pitted.

Unfortunately, the company is now out of business, so buying a replacement seal is not possible.

I am wondering what I can apply to the rubber to prevent this sticking? A smear of silicone grease seems like an idea but ...................?

The yellow arrow show the residue on the ali frame, the red arrow shows the rubber seal itself.

Any though would be appreciated.

Thanks

If the windows are 15 years old then I suspect the rubber will have degraded and providing lubricant and expecting it to last over winter probably won't do much to solve the problem.

The replacement of the rubber is where I would start and whilst the firm that supplied the windows is now out of business it is very unlikely that they had the rubber seals manufactured to a profile that was to their individual design but rather used an industry standardly available profile.

There are firms that supply silicon rubber sealing profiles
e.g. https://www.par-group.co.uk/rubber-and-polyurethane/silicone-extrusions/window-seals/
(there are others) so try to find a match to your profile and order by the meter.

Thanks for your thoughts. Yes, I do agree that the rubber is probably off-the-shelf and can be bought from A.N.Other.

Will investigate. The rubber is obviously degrading but only where it is in contact with the ali. Everywhere else, it seem to be fine. I have in the past, removed the non-stickty residue from the ali with isopropyl alcohol and that has been fine for a few weeks, but leave the window closed for an longer period, and again, everything sticks and very difficult to open. It is certainly not UV degradation as it never sees daylight. My feeling is, some kinda reaction between the rubber and whatever gloss paint on the ali.

On the up-side, additional security to prevent opening from the outside!