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Window Cleaning: Do it Yourself or Hire a Professional?

Maintaining clean and healthy windows is important to protecting your home investment. Also, streak-free panes significantly improve a home’s overall appearance, while providing additional benefits. Experts recommend at least bi-annual window cleanings. In this article, we ask: Is it better to wash your own windows or hire a professional window cleaning service?

Do It Yourself
Some homeowners choose to wash their own windows to save some money. However, this is somewhat initially negated if tools, equipment and products need to be purchased. For window washing novices, following is a list of what might be involved.

1. Plan to devote a full day to cleaning your windows and screens (inside and out).
2. Research the best way to clean your particular windows (anticipate a learning curve).
3. Learn how to properly clean windows and screens to ensure optimal results.
4. Make a list of all needed tools, equipment and products. (e.g. washer wand, high quality squeegees (customize as needed), scrubber, scraper, bucket, lint-free rags, ladder, etc)
5. Buy needed tools, equipment and products.
6. Move furniture away from windows and remove screens.
7. Properly wash windows (inspect window functionality, sashes, sills and screens).
8. After washing the window, move furniture back and replace screens.
9. Clean up.
10. Relax and enjoy your clean windows.

Hire a Professional
Hiring a professional window cleaning service provider will save you time and ensure your windows are properly clean. However, it may also cost a bit more than the DIY option. Following are some reasons why homeowners choose to hire a professional cleaning service.

1. Save energy
2. Save time
3. Service provider is equipped with proper tools and products
4. Ensure windows are cleaned correctly
5. Eliminate possible safety concerns (no need to climb ladders!)
6. No need to move furniture or remove window screens (depends on service provider).
7. Detect potential window issues early, perhaps saving you money.
8. Expertise in removing stubborn stains/spots.
9. Provider will do all the cleanup work.
10. Relax and admire your clean windows.

CHICAGOLAND RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS
As an award winning professional window washing company, My Window Washing Inc., has served residential and business customers throughout Chicagoland for over 13 years. The company offers excellent service with 100% money back guarantee. Contact us for a free estimate (1-800-947-2790).

17 Things to Know About Home Windows

1. In general, window manufacturers recommend replacement after 20 years. Replacement warning signs include draftiness, difficulty opening and closing window, panes collect condensation and just general wear and tear.

2. Homeowners can reduce unwanted outside noises with double-pane windows. Thicker glass and wider air spaces will yield greater noise control.

3. Solid wood home windows provide solid weather insulation. However, they tend costlier and require more maintenance than other types of windows due to moisture induced swelling and contracting.
4. Vinyl home windows require little maintenance and are affordable but overtime the color is likely to fade.

5. Composite home windows are more durable and stronger than vinyl or wood windows. The cost tends to fall somewhere in between the cost of wood and vinyl windows.

6. Aluminum home windows are budget friendly, strong and require little maintenance. The main downside is they conduct cold and heat.

7. Clad home windows, the most expensive type, have inner wood frames and exterior aluminum or vinyl. The benefit is that the wood reduces heat/cold transference and the exterior allows for low-maintenance upkeep.

8. According to the U.S. Department of Energy inefficient and leaky windows and doors account for more than 25 percent of the average household’s energy bills. Homeowners are able to cut these costs through energy efficient windows, coatings and frames.

9. A window’s R-value measures its resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the window.

10. A U-factor is the rate of heat transfer from inside to outside of your home. The lower the number, the more efficient the window.

11. Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) measures how much heat your home gains from the sun. The lower the SHGC, the less heat is gained.

12. Concerning energy efficient windows, Low-emissivity (low-E) glass can keep heat inside a house in the winter and outside during warm summer days. Consequently, Low-E coated windows help to reduce energy costs, while blocking potentially harmful UV rays. Low-emissivity glass has a thin metallic coating that reflects heat back to its source.

13. Shatterproof glass, which is two to four times stronger than regular window glass, offers additional protection during severe weather and against possible break-ins. These windows are now required by code in some hurricane-prone areas. They also offer the added benefit of being as energy efficient as low-E glass, while also offering some noise protection.

14. Opening windows and letting the light stream through is a pleasant way to create the day. However, overtime the sun’s UV rays can cause fading to furniture, floors and fabrics. Some homeowners chose to use professionally applied window coatings to block UV rays, cut glare and reduce energy costs.

15. Home Energy magazine reports that light-color shades reduce a window’s solar heat gain by as much as 43 percent, while awnings reduce it by as much as 77 percent.

16. Here’s some interesting technology. Suspended Particle Device technology, allows homeowners to use a dimmer switch to tint glass panes to regulate the light coming in. This smart system can be applied to new and existing windows.

17. Routine, regular window cleaning can protect and extend the life of home windows. It also offers a way to detect small problems before they become costly issu

How Often Should Business Windows Be Cleaned?

Given the demands of day-to-day business operations windows can get overlooked. However, business windows impact the overall aesthetic quality and professional impression. This can impact how clients and customers perceive your business. Moreover, unaddressed dirty windows can negatively impact the lifespan of commercial windows. With the changing seasons and weather conditions, debris can gather on windows. Continue reading “How Often Should Business Windows Be Cleaned?”