How to Care for Different Types of Glass

Window cleaning should be an integral part of every homeowner’s cleaning routine and getting your windows looking good as new can often give you a sense of accomplishment and happiness. However, window glass comes in many different types and each one requires different techniques to avoid damage and to ensure that they’re properly cleaned. In this post, we take a look at some of the common types of window glass that you might find in your home and how you can best clean each one.

Common Types of Window Glass

Some of the most common types of window glass that you’re likely to encounter in a residential context include:

• Standard Window Glass: This type of glass is very basic and does not provide any special features. It is common in both single and double-glazed windows.
• Tempered Glass: Tempered glass is glass that has been toughened through a process of heating and cooling. This increases its strength and prevents it from shattering like standard glass.
• Low-E Glass: Low-E glass refers to glass that has been treated with a special coating to increase its insulating properties and hence its energy efficiency.
• Tinted Glass: Tinted glass has been treated with a coating or a film that reduces the amount of light that is able to pass through it, hence giving it a darker, tinted appearance.

Cleaning Standard and Tempered Glass

Standard window glass and tempered glass are typically the easiest types of glass to clean. This is because they do not have any special coatings or films applied, which removes the need for you to use specialised cleaning tools or solutions. A simple wipe down with standard window cleaning detergent followed by a squeegee is often enough to remove most dirt and stains from these glass types.

Cleaning Coated Glass or Glass with Films

Unlike other types of glass, coated glass such as Low-E glass and glass with films such as tinted glass often require special care during cleaning. This is because regular cleaning materials and solutions can sometimes be too corrosive or abrasive, resulting in the glass coating or film being scratched or damaged. This might result in a reduction in the effectiveness of the coating or film.

Thus, when cleaning such types of glass, ensure that you purchase window cleaning solutions and tools that have been specially rated for such glass. Special tools include glass-rated steel wool for stubborn stains and scrapers that are suitable for coated glass or glass with film. This will ensure that you don’t accidentally cause irreversible damage to your window glass and enables you to maximise the lifespan of your windows.

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