What Is the Difference Between Commercial Window Cleaning and Glass Refinishing?

Routine window cleaning is essential for removing dirt and debris to maintain a professional appearance. But cleaning alone isn’t enough to get rid of all the damage that accumulates over time.

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commercial window cleaning being performed on skyscraper

There’s nothing quite like a gleaming glass finish on the outside of your building to make a stunning impression. Customers want to see a sleek, shiny exterior when deciding whether to come in and do business with you. 

But windows and other architectural glass elements do more than just make your facility look beautiful. They also contribute to energy efficiency and regulate light and noise penetration. 

Routine window cleaning is essential for removing dirt and debris to maintain a professional appearance. But cleaning alone isn’t enough to get rid of all the damage that accumulates over time. Built-up stains and scratches give commercial buildings an outdated, neglected look that degrades the visitor experience. 

On top of regular professional cleaning, periodic glass refinishing by trained professionals helps to restore and preserve architectural glass. Refinishing can extend the useful life of the glass, making it a cost effective alternative to more expensive repair and replacement. 

Commercial Window Cleaning

Cleaning windows regularly keeps the glass looking fabulous on a day-to-day basis. 

Regular cleaning reduces wear and tear on the surface. Removing dust and debris, both inside and out, creates a healthier indoor environment for employees and patrons. Getting rid of unsightly streaks eliminates a potential source of distraction for building occupants. 

As for how often you should clean your windows, that depends on a number of factors. At Mid America Specialty Services, we recommend consulting with our experts to develop a regular schedule based on the needs of your facility. Higher traffic buildings benefit from more frequent cleaning, such as every 2 to 4 weeks. If your building gets lower traffic, every 4 to 8 weeks may be sufficient. 

Your industry and location are other considerations in deciding how and how often window cleaning is needed. Healthcare facilities have more stringent cleanliness requirements than other organizations, and therefore more frequent cleaning makes sense. Buildings located near busy streets or trees may accumulate more dust and dirt which must be removed more often. You may also need to vary cleaning patterns in response to atmospheric conditions including heavy pollen and frequent precipitation. 

For best results, window cleaning should include the exterior and interior sides of the glass. Technicians should also dust window sills and frames, and polish the glass for a more sleek, modern finish. 

Professional Glass Refinishing

As noted earlier, traditional cleaning alone is not enough to address many of the problems that affect architectural glass. This is why professional refinishing and restoration is a wise long-term investment in the value of your facility. 

Exterior glass is vulnerable to weather conditions including precipitation, high winds and ultraviolet light. Other sources of damage include vandalism and improper cleaning procedures. In addition, hard water deposits are caused by minerals leaching onto the glass from masonry. Hard water leads to streaks and hard water stains which can lead to unsightly etching, especially when left to accumulate over time. 

To address scratches, etching and hard water stains, professional glass refinishers use specialized chemical and mechanical techniques. Technicians polish the glass to remove debris and etching for a clear, like-new appearance. 

The advantage of professional glass restoration is that the work is done by trained experts who know the appropriate tools and products to use. It also means the work is done properly and more efficiently the first time, so you don’t have to spend precious resources re-doing it. 

It’s also a good idea to inspect the glass periodically for cracks, breaks and chipping. Just like on your car windshield, even a minor crack may spread over time, so have it repaired promptly to avoid further problems. Check non-glass components such as frames and locks, and schedule repairs as needed. 

At Mid America Specialty Services, we provide glass cleaning and refinishing for commercial clients from a wide range of industries and a variety of geographic locations. Our refinishers will listen to your needs and develop a customized plan to keep your exterior and interior glass in superior condition.

Call 800-544-4576 or contact us online to speak with us.

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